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The classic pilgrimage walking route of the Camino de Santiago along the French Way, but culminating with a 5 star Parador in Santiago as well as other character hotels en route. A walking holiday with a bit of luxury!

  • Walk The French Way with characterful accommodation
  • End your journey at the oldest Parador in Spain
  • Qualify for the official Pilgrims Certificate

Following the same route as our standard French Way trip, you can enjoy all the benefits of a much in demand higher standard of accommodation to relax into when you arrive from your day’s walk. Still walking the final 100 kilometres of the Camino de Santiago, you also qualify for the Pilgrim’s certificate.

Starting in Sarria, this superior version of the final 100 kilometres of the French Way follows the classic Camino route. From Sarria you begin your journey over verdant hills and babbling streams to Portomarin and then to Castaneda where you can relish the ambiance of traditional country hotels along the way. On the penultimate night of your trip you overnight in a restored 18th Century noble’s home, before you finally arrive in Santiago de Compostela.

Typical Itinerary

  1. Day 1: Travel to Sarria

    Fly to Santiago de Compostela airport and make your way (by bus or taxi) to your hotel at Sarria.

  2. Day 2: Walk to Portomarin

    Experience one of the most beautiful stretches of the entire Pilgrims Way through verdant forests, grassy meadows, fertile orchards and simple stone-built hamlets. Your final destination is Portomarin.

    Walking distance: 22 km | Ascent: 230 m | Descent: 300 m

  3. Day 3: Walk to Palas de Rei

    The Pilgrims Way continues on through lush Galician countryside to Palas de Rei. This is where the route on which you are walking - the 'French Pilgrims Way’ - meets with another route coming from the north called the 'Primitive Way’.

    Walking distance: 25 km | Ascent: 340 m | Descent: 120 m

  4. Day 4: Walk to Arzua

    You continue along the ancient route over medieval bridges and through rolling green landscapes, dotted with cows, stone walls and tiny Romanesque churches, before reaching Arzua.

    Walking distance: 28 km | Ascent: 140 m | Descent: 340 m

  5. Day 5: Walk to Rua

    You walk along rural paths and through a series of vegetable patches, fields and oak groves before entering pine and eucalyptus woods towards the village of Rua.

    Walking distance: 23 km | Ascent: 50 m | Descent: 130 m

  6. Day 6: Walk to Santiago

    From the Mount of Joy you have your first views of Santiago de Compostela. Contniue downhill and into the city to the Plaza del Obradoiro where you receive your official certificate at the Cathedral office.

    Walking distance: 16 km | Ascent: 150 m | Descent: 185 m

  7. Day 7: Fly back to the UK

    Depart Santiago on your flight back to the UK.

Please note: Due to on-going renovations, Pilgrim Mass and other religious services will now take place in nearby churches across Santiago Old Town and not in Santiago Cathedral. Please see mass times and locations on your trip dossier. The Cathedral will still remain open to Pilgrims and visitors with restricted access.

Price and Other Information

  • Duration and price excluding international flights: 7 days from £1,049 per person
  • Duration and price including flights from/to UK: 7 days from £1,349 per person
  • Single room supplement: From £389
  • Walking grade: Moderate
  • Guiding: Self-Guided
  • Max alt: Low
  • When to go: View Dates & Prices
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  • Route map:
    Route map for
  • What’s included
    • Parador x 1 night, hotels / rural inn / manor house x 5 nights
    • 6 breakfasts & 4 dinners
    • Luggage transfers

Next Steps

Dates & Prices

Make a no obligation booking request, or enquire if you would like to ask us a question.

Self-Guided Dates and Prices
Year Daily Departures Price From (Exc. Flights) Options
All prices are per person. Daily departures subject to availability.
2024 From 1 Mar to 30 Nov £1,049 Book or Enquire

If you can’t see the holiday or departure date that you are looking for please contact us. We may be in the process of finalising further departures and are often able to arrange a holiday for you according to your own requirements.