Camino de Santiago Hiking 16 Days

Pamplona

Arrive to Pamplona. Most people arrive via Madrid; there are flight, train and coach options into Pamplona. Our Area Manager will meet up with you in person, give you a walking tour of the historic district and ensure you are set for the trip.

Pamplona to Puente la Reina

From Pamplona, you will start your journey westward, climbing the foothills of the Sierra del Perdon. Reaching the Alto de Santa Maria de Erreniega, you will see the Pamplona basin back behind you and the Valdizarbe Valley and Puente la Reina ahead. Arriving to this famed village, you will cross the Puente de los Peregrinos, of Romanesque construction and one of the most famous along the road to Santiago.
Hike distance: 24 km

Puente la Reina to Estella

Walk along Roman roads and bridges through the villages of Maneru, Cirauqui, Lorca and Villatuerta on your way to Estella, and the now ruined Castle of Lizarra. The Palace of the Kings of Navarre, an example of Romanesque secular architecture exhibits wonderful capitals depicting Roland’s battle with the giant Ferragut.
Hike distance: 22 km

Estella to Los Arcos

You will want to stop by the famous wine fountain (Fuente del Vino) at Boedga Irache and if you wish, take a short tour of the winery. Afterwards continue to Azqueta through cornfields and vineyards to Villamayor de Monjardin, passing the exotic Fountain of the Moors and the castle of Monjardin tower. Reach the medieval village Los Arcos made popular because of its strategic location between the kingdoms of Navarre and Castille.
Hike distance: 22 km

Los Arcos to Logrono 

This is a longer walk today, and along the way, you will pass many small villages including Torres del Rio with one of the architectural jewels of the Spanish section of the Camino: the octagonal church of the Holy Sepulchre with links to the Templars order. In Viana, admire the grand old mansions giving hints to its illustrious past. Viana was a heavily fortified frontier town, with a popular market and important halt on the camino route. In Logrono, admire the cathedral and a multitude of monuments and in the evening, stroll the many tapas bars and interesting cafes and restaurants to celebrate completing your first leg of the camino.
Hike distance: 29 km

Take some additional time to enjoy Logrono. From here there are trains to Madrid (3h30) and then you would travel Madrid to Ponferrada (4h30), enjoying the scenery by train. Alternatively, there may be private transfers available.
Non-hiking day.

Ponferada to Villafranca del Bierzo

Walk from Ponferada to the lovely village of Camponaraya and on to Villafrana del Bierzo. This walk passes many vineyards and oak forests.  Villafranca, located at the mouth of the Valcarce valley, was originally a community of Cluniac monks.
Hike distance: 23.5 km

Villafranca del Bierzo to O’Cebreiro 

From Villafranca, you will climb through unspoiled countryside of heather and broom, pines, chestnuts and oaks enjoying a magnificent view over the Valcarce valley up to El Cebreiro, famous for its pallozas, straw-roofed dwellings.
Hike distance: 28 km

O’Cebreiro to Triacastella

Departing O’Cebreiro enjoy a long descent passing through Linares, Alto de San Roque, and Hospital da Condesa, perhaps one of the oldest hospitals along the camino ; there were 4 hospitals between O’Cebreior and Fonfria. After passing through the small hamlets of Filloval, As Pasantes and Ramil, you reach Triacastella (a name which means ‘three castles’). There were several hospitals here, including one that included a prison for riotous pilgrims, where you can still read graffiti left by them.
Hike distance: 22 km

Triacastella to Sarria

There are two alternate routes between Triacastella and Sarria. The recommended one is longer but passes the beautiful monastery of Samos, one of the most ancient in Spain. During the Golden Age of Spanish art and literature, Sarria contributed some eminent names including the eminent writer and theologian Fray Luis de Grenada and sculptor Gregorio Fernandez, part of whose work can be admired along the camino.
Hike distance: 20 or 27.5 km

Sarria to Portomarin

Begin your walk passing Barbadelo and other villages, through a varied landscape of oaks, chestnuts and fields enclosed by slate walls or chantos, indicating Celtic history. The terrain becomes more rugged until arriving at Portomarin, which overlooks the river Mino. The importance of Portomarin is demonstrated by the fact that three great military religious orders had headquarters there: The Knights of Santiago; Templars and Order of St. John of Jerusalem.
Hike distance: 23 km

Portomarin to Palas de Rei 

The landscape continues to change as the countryside becomes softly undulating with small oak trees, pines and gorse. You will see typical Galician horreos, built of wood or stone and raised storage for grain granaries which date back to the 12^th century.
Hike distance: 25.5 km

Palas de Rei to Sedor

After passing the villages of San Julian do Camino, Porto de Bois and Coto, you leave the region of Lugo and enter la Coruna via Cornixa and Leboreiro following an ancient medieval road.
Hike distance: 24 km

Sedor to O’Pino

In Arzua is the convent of La Magdalena, a 14^th century Augustinian foundation, and other monuments. Arzua to O’Pino of the camino pass through many small hamlets hidden amongst eucalyptus trees. You will see and feel a heightened excitement as Santiago nears. Your lodging tonight is a charming village inn with 7 guestrooms and a museum attached.
Hike distance: 27.5 km

O’Pino to Santiago

After 13 days of walking, your anticipation will build as you make your way towards the completion of your pilgrimage in Santiago itself. Arriving to the main plaza, admire the Santiago cathedral and the many architectural gems of this city. Receive your compostela (a certificate of accomplishment for having walked the camino) and then reward yourself with a fine dinner in one of the many great restaurants (we will provide our favourites), or celebrate with the many pilgrims who will be with taking tapas drinking vino tinto in the streets around the main plaza.
Hike distance: 25 km

Departure Day
Depart from Santiago. After breakfast at your hotel, you can depart at your leisure. If you have time, we suggest you consider the noon pilgrim mass where you can observe the tradition of the botafumeiro incense to bless pilgrims.