100km
the final stage of the Camino Francés
12
days
Easy–Medium
a couple of longer, challenging days
Max 10
women, fully guided
Welcome
Sarria to Santiago de Compostela
Hello and welcome to Camino Confidence & Beyond – thank you for showing an interest in our Sarria to Santiago Slow Stroll on the Camino Frances.
The Camino Frances is around 800 kilometres long and stretches from St Jean Pied-de-Port in France, over the Pyrenees to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Northwest Spain and is one of the greatest pilgrim routes in the world.
Sarria to Santiago is a very popular stage of the Camino Frances not only for its stunning scenery, wonderful food and excellent accommodation, but because it is the final stage on the Camino Frances and covers the minimum distance required to qualify for a Compostela (certificate) which is perfect for those of you who are time restricted.
The spiritual stage
The three distinct geographical regions along the route correspond to the 3 stages of personal growth often experienced along the journey. These include physical conditioning, emotional reflection and spiritual awareness.
The stage between Sarria and Santiago is recognised as the spiritual awareness stage and it is easy to understand why when you stroll through the stunning countryside of Galicia, steeped in history and spirituality. The lush, wooded pathways the historical buildings and quaint churches and chapels will, without fail, fill you with joy and happiness and gratitude.
Pilgrims walk the Camino for many different reasons, be it to reconnect with the church, search for a spiritual experience, walk in someone's memory, search for answers, take time to reflect or simply for the fitness benefits. Whatever your reasons, it will definitely challenge you both physically and mentally. We have walked with women who have experienced the death of a loved one, a devastating divorce, loss of their roles due to children leaving home but also women looking for adventure, excited about discovering Spain and the Camino, determined to make the most of this exciting time of life. We look forward to you joining us for what will be an unforgettable experience.
Our groups of no more than 10 women come together from all over the world with one common goal - to follow their dream to experience the Camino. Over 12 days, with a manageable average daily walking distance, you will walk the final 100 kilometres on our Camino Confidence and Beyond Slow Stroll with the added support of a circle of like-minded women who will share these moments with you and encourage you to keep going.
At the end of the journey you will be walking into Santiago, mingling with other pilgrims and sharing your joy and tears with strangers who have become friends. The Camino can be a deeply emotional and spiritual experience Camino – expect joy, excitement, trepidation, happiness and hilarity, but also discomfort and even sadness – and many find their lives will truly never be the same again.
We openly encourage you to enjoy every moment of your Camino, whether you walk with the other members of the group or choose to walk alone and meet up with the group in the evening. It is important to us that you walk your Camino your way, see the Camino through your own eyes, but all the while aware that your luggage is being transported, your accommodation is booked and there is a guide to help you.
Our guides will share wonderful stories with you about the Camino, its rich history and fascinating legends to help you to fully immerse yourself in this wonderful experience.
As Founder and Guide at Camino Confidence and Beyond, I am so proud of the women in these groups. It gives my guides and I great pleasure to see them come together in the WhatsApp group, helping each other, booking activities together, often even arranging to travel together to and from the start and finish point. We observe as their confidence grows every day as they become a unit, often becoming such good friends that many come back to walk with Camino Confidence and Beyond time and time again.
For a full itinerary please contact Carol Alexander-Price by email contact@caminoconfidence.com.
Some facts about this wonderful route
A little history along the way
The 6th century monastery of San Xulian de Samos near Sarria was once a religious and political powerhouse.
Some of Spain's oldest cruceiros – tall stone markers topped with crucifixes – are found along this route.
The whole town of Portomarin was moved from the valley to the hillside to accommodate a water reservoir – stone by stone.
From the Iron Age fort of Castromaior, built in the 4th century BC, you can see the entire mountainous eastern border of Galicia.
The city of Melide, though inland, is considered the capital of pulpo – octopus – in Galicia due to its history as an important market town with extensive transport links.
Is a Camino Slow Stroll for me?
Do you enjoy walking with like-minded women? Do you prefer to walk reasonable daily distances at a more leisurely pace but with a couple of longer more challenging days to get your heart pumping? Are you happy to share private accommodation within the group? Then a Slow Stroll is definitely for you.
What is a Camino Slow Stroll?
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Our Slow Strolls are mindful fully guided walks along various stages and routes of the Camino de Santiago.
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They are usually between 7 and 14 days long.
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Difficulty level is easy/medium.
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The daily distances vary between 10 and 15 kms but still aimed to challenge you and to get your heart pumping.
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They are designed for small friendly and supportive groups of women.
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Your luggage will be transported so that you can relax without the strain of carrying a heavy backpack.
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You will be offered two online meetings prior to walking to help guide you on issues such as what to pack, what equipment to buy and other tips. You will be added to a dedicated WhatsApp group where you can get to know the other walkers and the guide and have a chance to coordinate your travel.
Our route
Day by day
1
Arrive Sarria
Sarria is a bustling modern town with a population of 13,500. It has Celtic origins and there are several churches, chapels, monasteries and 7 pilgrim hospitals. Its ancient atmosphere can be felt in the historic old town with its winding cobbled streets.
We will start our Camino slow stroll by firstly settling into our accommodation and then enjoying dinner together in one of the local restaurants where we will have a chance to get to know each other and talk about the days ahead, before having an early night in preparation for the following day's walk. Depending on your arrival time, we will take some time to go to the pharmacy and supermarket to stock up on any groceries we might need.
2
Sarria ➜ Morgade, 12 km / 7.5 miles
After a traditional Spanish breakfast, we will start our Camino by walking out of Sarria through beautiful ancient green woodland to Morgade, which is described as rural Galicia at her best. Here we will be staying in a delightful rural hotel that started life as a Pilgrim hospital in 1200 AD and has been beautifully restored, keeping the traditional stone walls. There is a shared lounge and dining room, a patio, a snack bar and beautiful terraces and courtyards with incredible views out over the Galician countryside. When we arrive, we can enjoy some tapas and a cold beverage, settle into our rooms and take some free time to have a shower and maybe a siesta before having dinner in the hotel to celebrate completing the first day of our Camino.
3
Morgade ➜ Portomarin, 10 km / 6.2 miles
Today we will walk along lovely woodland paths, gravel tracks and tree-lined lanes towards the town of Portomarin. There is one fairly steep stage as we climb to the highest point called Pena dos Corvos at 660m. Here we can enjoy lovely views over the reservoir before starting our descent into Portomarin, a bustling town with numerous shops, supermarkets, bars and cafes.
When we arrive in Portomarin, we can catch our breath in a Spanish café and enjoy a small tapa and a refreshing drink before making our way to our accommodation.
After resting and showering we will have some free time when we can have a wander around the old town and perhaps head to the Romanesque fortress church of St John which was moved from the valley (which is now submerged) and rebuilt on the top of the hill overlooking the town.
Finally, we can head into the historic central square called Praza Conde de Fenosa in the old town for dinner and enjoy the buzzing atmosphere as we talk about the day's achievements.
4
Portomarin ➜ Castromaior, 10 km / 6.2 miles
After breakfast we will head to a small hamlet called Castromaior. Our first café stop after Portomarin will be in Gonzar, which is 8 km away and involves walking up a bit of an incline. Here we can meet and have a quick coffee and use the bathrooms before walking a few more kilometres to our small, impeccable Spanish guest house.
The road today follows the same pattern as yesterday, moving through rural areas and passing through small, charming, traditional Spanish villages.
5
Castromaior ➜ Lestedo, 11.2 km / 7 miles
Our next accommodation is a few kilometres before Palas de Rei and is a beautifully restored pilgrim hospital set in stunning gardens with a restaurant, bar and terrace. Set in wonderful Galician countryside, it is the perfect place to recharge our batteries.
After a shower and some rest, we can make our way to the restaurant and enjoy a well-deserved dinner and maybe even a glass or two of vino tinto. This accommodation is an absolute gem, the staff are really friendly, nothing is too much for them and the food is absolutely excellent.
6
Lestedo ➜ O Coto, 13.4 km / 8.3 miles
Today, after breakfast we will walk through delightful woodland and along country tracks following small streams before we reach the small town of Palas de Rei, where we can stop for second breakfast. We'll then carrying on towards the small hamlet of O Coto, where we'll be staying in a small country hotel. The reviews of this hotel say it all: "They had the best beds on the Camino" and "This is the best place we stayed during our whole Camino trip." This stage is a bit up and down and we will cross the N-547 at different stages, but there will be places to stop for rest and refreshments.
7
O Coto ➜ Melide, 6.3 km / 4 miles
A nice short walk today into the bustling town of Melide, which is where the Camino Primitivo join the Camino Francés, so you will notice that the stage becomes busier with more pilgrims. Melide is very famous for its pulpo (octopus) which we can sample with a drop of Ribeiro as we wander around the historic old town. For those who'd rather not, there are plenty of other options in the restaurants in town. Our accommodation is a very comfortable pension in the town centre, very close to all the amenities and also directly on the Camino.
8
Melide ➜ Arzua, 14.4 km / 9 miles
Today we will mainly follow quiet trails through Boente and Castañeda before finally arriving at our destination, Arzua, a famous cheese making town with some quite unmistakably shaped produce (your guide will tell you the story). At this stage the Francés is joined by the Camino del Norte, further increasing the flow of walkers.
Our accommodation is a beautifully renovated pension near shops, pharmacies and restaurants, with comfortable twin ensuite rooms.
9
Arzua ➜ Salceda 11.2 km / 7 miles
After breakfast we will leave the old town of Arzua past fountains and over streams onto a delightful track through ancient oak woods, passing through a number of small hamlets. Our destination today is a very small hamlet called Salceda, where we will be staying in a simple, mother-and-daughter-run hostel, which is comfortable, friendly, quiet and welcoming. The hostel offers a snack bar, kitchen facilities and a relaxing garden area.
10
Salceda ➜ Pedrouzo, 7.4 km / 4.6 miles
A short walk takes us to Pedrouzo, a small satellite town of Santiago. As this is the last night before Santiago for most pilgrims, the town always has a special atmosphere, a mix of expectation and reflection as they get ready to reach the end of their Camino. Our accommodation consists of fully equipped apartments and is situated in the centre of town close to all the amenities.
11
Pedrouzo ➜ Lavacolla, 10.1 km / 6.3 miles
Camino Confidence and Beyond has deliberately chosen to break this next stage into two and keep this stage short, meaning that the next stage, the walk into Santiago de Compostela, will be shorter. This again means we have a good chance of making it into Santiago in time to register for our Compostela (completion certificate) and attend the 12 noon mass in the cathedral.
Lavacolla is so named because it is the place where pilgrims came to wash and purify themselves before they entered into the city. (Lavar is the Spanish verb to wash.) Our accommodation here is another one of our favourites along this route. It offers wonderfully quirky cabins in the garden and the food in the on-site restaurant is particularly good. It just gives you a feeling of complete tranquillity and is a perfect place to relax before the big day tomorrow.
12
Lavacolla ➜ Santiago, 10.2 km / 6.3 miles
Today we will pause at Monte de Gozo to collect our thoughts and hopefully (weather permitting) enjoy our first glimpse of Santiago. It will be a proud but maybe also a sad moment as we make our way to our final destination: Praza Obradoiro in Santiago and the incredible cathedral.
There we will join the crowds of excited walkers pouring into Plaza Obradoiro in the footsteps of thousands of pilgrims before us, side by side with people from all over and all walks of life. Congratulations everyone, you did it!
We will arrive fairly early so will be able to enjoy soaking up the atmosphere in the stunning old town and take photos for our family and friends. Your guide will take you to collect your well-deserved Compostelas and will have booked a table for a long leisurely lunch to celebrate your achievement with the group.
We'll be checking in to twin ensuite rooms near the old town with breakfast included, and after a shower and change we will make our way to mass in the Cathedral – where if we are lucky, we will see the famous botafumeiro fly – and then perhaps a tapas treat in true Spanish style.
What next? Santiago is a wonderful city to wander around in, so you might like to stay an extra day to explore, perhaps enjoy a tour on the roof of the Cathedral, have your photo taken with the two Marias, search for the shadow pilgrim, or you could venture a bit further afield and take the bus or a tour to Finisterre and/or Muxia. Buen Camino!
The details
What's included
What is included
12 nights shared good standard accommodation sourced and personally checked by Camino Confidence and Beyond
Luggage transported from accommodation to accommodation
A friendly guide with extensive camino experience and good local knowledge
Advice on travel and logistics within Spain
Your credential (pilgrim passport for stamps) and scallop shell for your backpack
Two question and answer zoom meetings
What's not included
Health or travel insurance
Travel to and from start and finish point
Food, drinks and snacks (allow 35-50 euros a day)
Taxis, buses and incidentals not included in the itinerary
Tips for guides
We recommend travel and medical insurance. If you choose not to take out an insurance policy then you will be ask to complete an option out form.
Good to know
Everything else you need to know
We will stay in a variety of excellent standard accommodations from rural hotels, rural houses, apartments and city hotels.
As a rule, you will be accommodated in twin rooms with private bathrooms. All accommodation is selected by and approved by Camino Confidence and Beyond. You can choose who you would like to share with, or your Guide will allocate rooms. Very rarely, due to the remoteness of some of the stops, you may have to share a larger room or dormitory, but we always ensure that the accommodation is good!
Many people ask us if they have to walk as part of a group, and the answer is that it is entirely up to you. We usually like the group to walk together on the first day, just while they familiarise themselves with the terrain and signage, but after that, we at Camino Confidence and Beyond encourage you to see the Camino through your own eyes and walk it your own way.
What most women enjoy about walking as a group is the camaraderie, and the fact that they have company for evening meals and extra activities if they wish. Please bear in mind that taxis can be organized for you should you require extra support.
During your Camino you will meet up with your guide each day to have a chat about the day's events. You can discuss how you found the route, how you feel physically and mentally and any issues you may have.
We will also take a look at the following day, the weather, the time you prefer to start walking, organize any taxis required, decide what to carry, point out where the facilities are along the route and confirm what time you can check in to our next accommodation.
Although we do not expect you to walk a Camino before walking the Camino, we highly recommend that you take steps to prepare yourself both physically and mentally. Even though this part of the route is not overly difficult, there are some steep ascents and descents and a strong body and a positive mindset will not only help prevent injuries, which could result in you ending your Camino early, but it will also enhance your enjoyment.
The cost of transporting 1 bag each of no more than 20 kgs is included in the price. If you require more than one bag to be transported, this can be arranged at your own cost. Your guide will provide a label and zip ties to secure the label to your transported bag.
You must not attach anything to the outside of this bag, or you will be charged extra, and although the transport company is reputable, I would not transport anything of value or very fragile. If you have to transport a CPAP machine or anything else that is necessary for your trip them make sure they are wrapped up carefully in your luggage.
Try to make your luggage as obvious to you as possible with perhaps a bright coloured ribbon or luggage tag. The bags must be left where instructed by your guide before 08.00 every morning and are guaranteed to arrive at the next accommodation by 15.00 at the latest.
Be aware that it is your responsibility to get your bags to your room from the drop-off point and to return them the next day. Please bear in mind that not all accommodations have lifts so you may be required to carry them up stairs.
There is free WIFI available at all of our accommodations and also at cafés and bars on the route.
As a rule, meals are not included in the price, but occasionally our accommodations do include breakfast in the price, please check with your guide. This is to offer you more flexibility to eat what you want, when you want. There are plenty of cafés and restaurants on the route with lots of choice on offer, as well as supermarkets where you can buy fruit, snacks and water. Spanish stores and most eateries will also have some gluten free, vegan and vegetarian options.
While we highly recommend that you prepare physically for this walk, we also understand that life happens and you may need a little more support.
There are bus routes along the Camino, but in some areas buses are few and far between, so any such travel arrangements need to be made as far in advance as possible. The same goes for taxis. With Galician authorities temporarily restricting the release of more licenses, a limited number of taxis are available. Should you need one, you must alert the guide the night before at the latest, so that she can reserve one for you. Please note that taxis cannot be flagged down in the street.
It is customary to tip a guide in Spain if you are happy with their service, however it is not obligatory. If you do choose to tip, the amount you tip is entirely up to you, but around 10 euros a day is a good guide.
It is also customary to tip waiters, local guides etc. if you are happy with their service, 10% of the bill is recommended if you are eating, if you are just having a coffee then it's normal just to leave the difference – for example if it's 1.40 euros and you only have 1.50 euros, leave the 10 cents.
We are here to help you. You will be provided with a range of information including what to carry and what to transport, how to prepare physically, tips on what backpack or footwear to take etc. All you need to do is ask. Camino Confidence and Beyond is a small bespoke company, and we are proud to offer you very friendly and personal experience.
