Camino de Santiago French Way – Part 7 Ponferrada to Sarria
'Mountainous & traditional Galicia'
This Walking Holiday explores the seventh section of the Camino Frances / French Way, the most traditional of all the pilgrims' ways to Santiago de Compostela and the best known internationally.
Starting in the mountain-hugging town of Ponferrada and finishing in Sarria, a bustling market town, this Camino crosses the magnificent O’Cebreiro Mountains before winding down to a more gentle terrain.
Everyday, during the walk, you are guaranteed a high level of comfort and gastronomy. The Camino de Santiago is clearly marked with the “Scallop Shell” showing you the way. This walk can be physically demanding and requires a reasonable level of fitness. However, it’s a highly rewarding walk that includes numerous cultural highlights.
Highlights:
♦ Las Médulas - a spectacular landscape near Ponferrada, listed by the UNESCO as one of the World Heritage Sites
♦ Church of Santiago the Apostle – a 12th-13th centuries church
♦ Sarria - the most densely populate town on the French Way in Galicia
Itinerary:
Day 1. Ponferrada
You will be pre-booked in a traditional hotel in the heart of the town.
Day 2. Ponferrada - Villafranca del Bierzo
Today you will cross the region of Bierzo, a sunken plain nestled within a ring of mountains. It is a fertile land, whose agreeable climate allows the cultivation of many types of fruits and vegetables. In Villafranca, don't miss the garden of the "Iglesia de Santiago". Hiking time: approx. 6h, 22km, +100m, -90m
Day 3. Villafranca del Bierzo - O Cebreiro
Prepare for a challenging day with an ascent of 1000m. You will pass through the narrow valley of the river Valcace before tackling the ascent of O Cebreiro. Situated between the ranges of "Los Ancares" and "La Sierra do Courel", this stage involves a steep climb in the course of only a few kilometers. Hiking time: approx. 7h, 28km, +900m -30m
Day 4. O Cebreiro - Triacastela
From O Cebreiro the trail passes through the "Sierra de Ranadoiro" (Ranadoiro Mountains) and, after crossing the Alto do Poio, it descends into the valley to the village of Triacastela. Hiking time: approx. 5h30, 21km, +100m -300m
Day 5. Triacastela - Sarria
Of the two Camino options, the "San Xil" Camino offers scenery that will uplift your spirits and encourage you on your way. It has many "Corredoiras" (narrow forest routes) with paved pathways that cut through typical Galician oak woods. If you wish to visit Samos, you will pass through the narrow valley of the river Ouribio, mostly following the road. Hiking time: approx. 5h30, 25km, +80m -830m
Day 6. Sarria
After breakfast we bid you farewell.
Luggage transportation: Luggage will be transported from hotel to hotel. The baggage allowance is one item (maximum 20kg) per person. If you need to add more bags please contact us in advance.
Included in the price: ►accommodation in 3* or 2* hotels on bed and breakfast basis (Day 5 and 6) and half board basis (Day 2, 3 and 4) ►luggage transferred from hotel to hotel ►detailed walking notes ► map ►pilgrim passport
Not included: ►personal insurance ►flight tickets ►transfer from/to airport ►beverages ►meals, not mentioned in the program ► personal expenditures
Other expences: ►single supplement (Apr, May, Jun, Sep) - 121 EUR, (Jul, Aug, Oct) - 104 EUR, (Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec) – 86 EUR ► picnic lunches 40 EUR per person (including all walking days) ► airport transfers (2-8 people) 100 EUR per person ► Extra nights in Sarria / Santiago / Ponferrada in 2* hotel on bed and breakfast basis - 44 EUR per person. Single room 60 EUR. In 3* hotel on bed and breakfast basis – 65 EUR per person. Single room 95 EUR
How to get there?
♦ Fly in and out – It is best to fly to Santiago or Madrid. To/ from Madrid you can fly with almost every company. Check the Spanish national company: www.iberia.com. To/ from Santiago you can fly with Ryanair, Iberia and Aer Lingus. As well as there are internal connections with Iberia from: Frankfurt, Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Bilbao, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Madrid, Malaga, Palma, Seville, Tenerife and Valencia.
♦ Getting there – From Santiago to Ponferrada there are two option – by bus or by train. If you choose the bus, firstly you will take a shuttle bus to the bus station and then the direct one to Ponferrada - 3-4 hours journey. See the timetable and book online: www.alsa.com. The train has 2 departures a day and the journey is 4 hours. You can check the timetable and book tickets online here: www.renfe.com. The train from Madrid takes 5-6 hours. See the timetable and book online: www.alsa.com.
♦ Getting back – From Sarria to Santiago you can go by bus – firstly take a bus to Lugo (30 minutes journey), and then a direct bus to the airport in Santiago, which lasts 1.45 hours. To Madrid you can take a train, the journey is 8 hours and you can check the timetable and book online on this link: www.renfe.com.
Vacation Extensions:
Camino de Santiago - French Way - Part 1 Saint Jean Pied de Port to Pamplona
Camino de Santiago French Way - Part 2 Pamplona to Logroño
Camino de Santiago French Way – Part 3 Logroño to Burgos
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