Camino de Santiago from Ponferrada to Sarria
Camino de Santiago from Ponferrada to Sarria
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Live an unforgettable experience when travelling the seventh section on the Camino Frances from the city of Ponferrada, built in the 12th century by the Templars, to Sarria, well-known among pilgrims, as it is the most popular starting point on the Camino de Santiago.
- Visit places with great historical wealth and travel back in time.
- Delight in the postcard views that this stretch of the Camino de Santiago will leave you.
- Discover beautiful mountain villages.
- Enjoy the excellent local cuisine.
- Walk along fascinating forest trails and mountain stretches.
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival in Ponferrada
This fascinating tour along the seventh section of the Camino Frances begins in the city of Ponferrada. There you can visit the Templar Castle, a military construction that in the Middle Ages was one of the largest fortresses in north-eastern Spain, and the Clock Tower, located at one of the gates at the medieval wall of the city.
Overnight in Ponferrada
Hotel El Castillo
This charming hotel is located close to the Templar Castle in Ponferrada and of the old town. The rooms are spacious and have private bathrooms and free Wi-Fi.
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
Day 2 - Ponferrada to Villafranca del Bierzo 12,8 miles | 20,6 km
Immerse yourself in the fascinating Bierzo region characterized by its beautiful natural landscapes and charming and traditional villages.
Take advantage of it to delight in the local gastronomy and taste a good glass of wine.
At the end of the day, you will arrive at Villafranca del Bierzo, a must-see on the pilgrimage route. There you can visit the castle-palace of the Marquises of Villafranca, a building dating from the 16th century, or the Church of Santiago, Romanesque in style and erected in the 12th century.
Ascent: 202m (662ft) / Descent: 210m(689ft)
Take advantage of it to delight in the local gastronomy and taste a good glass of wine.
At the end of the day, you will arrive at Villafranca del Bierzo, a must-see on the pilgrimage route. There you can visit the castle-palace of the Marquises of Villafranca, a building dating from the 16th century, or the Church of Santiago, Romanesque in style and erected in the 12th century.
Ascent: 202m (662ft) / Descent: 210m(689ft)
Overnight in Villafranca del Bierzo
Hostal Tres Campanas
This modern hostel is perfect for resting after a long day on the road. Its rooms feature innovative decor, and have private bathrooms and free Wi-Fi.
You can also enjoy a delicious breakfast in the morning.
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
Day 3 - Villafranca del Bierzo to O Cebreiro 18 miles | 28,9 km
Today you will have the privilege of touring one of the most emblematic stages on the Camino Frances and you can choose whether you do the entire walk to O Cebreiro, or if you prefer to spend the night in Herrerias, a municipality located in the Nansa River basin.
You will leave Castile and Leon behind to enter Galicia. The walk will require a lot of physical effort, as you must ascend more than 1,000 m along the Valcarce River Valley until you reach O Cebreiro, the first Galician village on the Camino Frances.
Take advantage of the rest of the day to discover its historical richness and visit the Church of Santa Maria la Real and get to know the famous Miracle of the Eucharist.
Ascent: 875m (2,870ft) / Descent: 82m (269ft)
You will leave Castile and Leon behind to enter Galicia. The walk will require a lot of physical effort, as you must ascend more than 1,000 m along the Valcarce River Valley until you reach O Cebreiro, the first Galician village on the Camino Frances.
Take advantage of the rest of the day to discover its historical richness and visit the Church of Santa Maria la Real and get to know the famous Miracle of the Eucharist.
Ascent: 875m (2,870ft) / Descent: 82m (269ft)
Overnight in O Cebreiro
Hotel O Cebreiro
This accommodation is a stone rural house with spacious rooms, formerly the town hall of O Cebreiro. It features 5 rooms with private bathrooms and a restaurant.
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
Day 4 - O Cebreiro to Triacastela 13 miles | 20,8 km
The walk will be much easier and more relaxed than yesterday's. You will start the day with the spectacular views that you will have from O Cebreiro and then cross the Sierra de Ranadoiro, a range of mountains to the east of Galicia, located between As Nogais and Pedrafita do Cebreiro.
Later you will cross the Alto do Poio, a mountain pass that corresponds to the highest point on the Camino Frances through the region of Galicia, until you reach Triacastela, a municipality located in the province of Lugo, surrounded by beautiful valleys.
Ascent: 184m (604ft) / Descent: 820m (2,690ft)
Later you will cross the Alto do Poio, a mountain pass that corresponds to the highest point on the Camino Frances through the region of Galicia, until you reach Triacastela, a municipality located in the province of Lugo, surrounded by beautiful valleys.
Ascent: 184m (604ft) / Descent: 820m (2,690ft)
Overnight in Triacastela
Complexo Xacobeo
It offers comfortable rooms with a TV, heating, a private bathroom and free Wi-Fi.
There is also a restaurant where you can enjoy a buffet or continental breakfast.
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
Day 5 - Triacastela to Sarria 15,4 miles | 24,7 km
Today you can choose which route to take to get to Sarria. You will have the possibility to go through San Xil or along the Samos variant.
The first option is a pilgrims’ favourite, as it is the original and the shortest. In addition, you can enjoy beautiful landscapes as you traverse the charming oak forests. On the tour you will find pilgrim markers, stone blocks or concrete that will indicate the direction of the Camino and the distance that separates you from Santiago de Compostela.
The second route will allow you to visit the Monastery of San Julian de Samos, which dates back to the 6thcentury and which in ancient times was a school of philosophy and theology. You will walk among chestnut forests and on the banks of the River Sarria, also called Oribio.
Ascent: 263m (863ft) / Descent: 508m (1,167ft)
The first option is a pilgrims’ favourite, as it is the original and the shortest. In addition, you can enjoy beautiful landscapes as you traverse the charming oak forests. On the tour you will find pilgrim markers, stone blocks or concrete that will indicate the direction of the Camino and the distance that separates you from Santiago de Compostela.
The second route will allow you to visit the Monastery of San Julian de Samos, which dates back to the 6thcentury and which in ancient times was a school of philosophy and theology. You will walk among chestnut forests and on the banks of the River Sarria, also called Oribio.
Ascent: 263m (863ft) / Descent: 508m (1,167ft)
Overnight in Sarria
Mar de Plata
This cosy accomodation enjoys an excellent location in Sarria, and has common areas where you can rest and recover from the days walk.
The rooms feature spacious beds, a private bathroom and free Wi-Fi. Enjoy delicious local food in its restaurant.
*In case this accommodation is not available, you will stay at a similar category one.
Day 6 - Sarria
Before saying goodbye to this unforgettable walking holiday, you can get to know Sarria, the favourite starting point for pilgrims heading to Santiago de Compostela.
There you can visit the centre and discover its beautiful constructions, walk along Rua Maior until you reach the Church of Santa Marina, in a neo-Gothic style dating from 1885. You can also head to the Fortress of Sarria, a medieval fortification located in the highest part of the village. In the past, it had the function of protecting Sarria and the pilgrims who travelled on the Camino de Santiago, today there are only the ruins of one of the towers.
End of our services.
There you can visit the centre and discover its beautiful constructions, walk along Rua Maior until you reach the Church of Santa Marina, in a neo-Gothic style dating from 1885. You can also head to the Fortress of Sarria, a medieval fortification located in the highest part of the village. In the past, it had the function of protecting Sarria and the pilgrims who travelled on the Camino de Santiago, today there are only the ruins of one of the towers.
End of our services.
Itinerary Map
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Services
Included
- Accommodation in en suite rooms in charming hotels and country cottages
- Daily Breakfasts
- Luggage transfers between accommodations
- Camino de Santiago pilgrim credential
- Information dossier with maps and routes
- 24-hour telephone support
- Assistance vehicle in case of emergency
- Travel insurance
- Sustainable travel, we compensate the CO2 emissions of your trip
- Taxes
Extras
- Cancellation insurance
- Additional nights
- Dinners
- Picnics
Accomodation
General information
The accommodations with which we collaborate have a private bathroom and all the necessary services to ensure the best comfort available.
Our team checks in situ the quality of all the accommodations offered, so that you have an unforgettable experience during your trip.
The accommodation that we will book for your trip will be selected taking into account our commitment to you: guaranteeing comfort, calm and enjoyment throughout your trip.
We work with quality hotels and country cottages with limited capacity, so we invite you to confirm your reservation as soon as possible.
The name of each accommodation will be provided to you a few weeks before your trip begins.
Room types
It is possible to book this journey in single, double or triple rooms.
All rooms have private bathrooms.
Travel & Transfers
Our recommendation is to fly to Santiago de Compostela airport, as it is the closest airport to Ponferrada.
From Santiago de Compostela, you can take a bus to Ponferrada. The company that operates this route is "ALSA"
You can always check with your travel agent for private transfer options too.
If you cannot find suitable flights to Santiago de Compostela, the second option is to fly to Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas (MAD) airport.
From Madrid, you can take a train from "Madrid Chamartín" station to Ponferrada. The train company that operates this line is "Renfe".
At the end of your trip in Sarria, you can take a bus to Santiago de Compostela, the company that operates this route is ""Monbus"". Or direct train to Madrid, the train company that normally operates this line is "Renfe".
From Santiago de Compostela, you can take a bus to Ponferrada. The company that operates this route is "ALSA"
You can always check with your travel agent for private transfer options too.
If you cannot find suitable flights to Santiago de Compostela, the second option is to fly to Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas (MAD) airport.
From Madrid, you can take a train from "Madrid Chamartín" station to Ponferrada. The train company that operates this line is "Renfe".
At the end of your trip in Sarria, you can take a bus to Santiago de Compostela, the company that operates this route is ""Monbus"". Or direct train to Madrid, the train company that normally operates this line is "Renfe".
FAQs
Is luggage transfer included? What are the luggage requirements?
Absolutely! Each traveller has included 1 piece of luggage that we will transfer between your accommodations. It's important that this piece of luggage meets the following criterias:
- Maximum weight of 45 lbs (20 kg).
- Must be only 1 piece of luggage without any attachments or accessories.
- Should not contain valuables, fragile items, food or medications.
- Must be correctly identified (booking reference of your trip and the full name of the trip holder).
What is the best time of year to do this trip?
You can visit the Camino de Santiago at any time of the year. To choose the time that best suits your needs and tastes, you only have to take into account the season and the weather conditions.
How far in advance should I book my trip?
We recommend that you book as soon as you are sure about your dates, as accommodation can fill up very quickly in this area.
What equipment do I need to bring?
Once you make your reservation we will send you all the detailed information about the specific equipment you need for this route, considering recommendations for shoes, boots, clothes and a day-to day backpack.
Do I need to take out travel insurance?
Yes, this is a requirement to book with us. It's important that this insurance covers your activities, emergency evacuation, and hospital care.
Will I be free to choose my walks on this route?
Since it is a self-guided walking holiday, we will give you the instructions for the walking routes and provide you with detailed maps so you can enjoy them at your own pace, safely and with the certainty of always being accompanied by Orbis Ways.
What does the complete route itinerary consist of?
The full route itinerary will be sent to you one month before the trip, along with accommodation reservations and baggage transfers.
There you can find maps, places of interest and route profiles.
What should I know about the accommodation?
All rooms in all accommodations on this tour are private, have an ensuite bathroom and all the comforts necessary to spend an excellent night after a day of walking.
What should my physical preparation be?
Before setting off for the Camino de Santiago, it is recommended that both people who live a sedentary life, and those who exercise, physically prepare for a couple of months previously, taking daily walks or at least three times a week, and increasing the amount of time and kilometres that they travel.
Can some of the longer stages of the itinerary be divided?
Yes, below is a list of all the stages that we can divide, so that you do not have to walk so many daily kilometres:
- St. Jean Pied de Port to Roncesvalles (with overnight in Valcarlos).
- Roncesvalles to Zubiri (with overnight in Bizkarreta).
- Los Arcos to Logroño (with overnight in Viana).
- Mazarife to Astorga (with overnight in Hospital de Órbigo).
- Rabanal del Camino to Ponferrada (with overnight in El Acebo de San Miguel).
- Villafranca del Bierzo to O Cebreiro (with overnight in Las Herrerías).
- Sarria to Portomarín (with overnight in Ferreiros).
- Portomarín to Palas de Rei (with overnight in Ventas de Narón).
- Palas de Rei to Arzúa (with overnight in Melide).
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