Walks in Spain is one of the few walking holiday
companies to collect their guests direct from Madrid
Airport and transfer them to the start of the walk.
After leaving behind the Leon plateau, we approach
the foothills of the Leon Mountains where we spend
the first night of the tour in an 18th century residence
of the Earl of Tepa in Astorga. Walks in Spain will
provide a welcome dinner for all our guests along
with a briefing on the week ahead.
* Madrid airport collection 16.00 Saturday
Day 2 Foncebadon
to Molinaseca
The walking starts here! From Foncebadon we leave
the territory of Astorga and enter El Bierzo. The
Camino climbs through rolling mountains to the 'Cruz
de Ferro', a symbolic monument of a 5 metre tall
bare trunk crowned with an iron cross sitting upon
a heap of stones, and into the village of El Acebo
where we will stop for lunch. The Camino winds it
way down to the picturesque village of Molinaseca
with its pretty riverside location and Romanesque
bridge.
Molinaseca has been declared a 'Patrimonio Historico
Artistico' as much of its original architecture
has been saved. Our second night will be spent in
Molinaseca in a very comfortable, modern, rural
hotel.
Day 3 La Faba to Tricastela
A short magnificent drive through the narrow valley
of the river Valcarce, the second walking day starts
from the tiny village of La Faba. A gentle climb
along heather-banked paths takes you to O Cebreiro;
a village with its traditional thatched stone buildings
and an ideal stop off place for lunch. From O Cebreiro
surrounded by rounded peaks and towering mountainsides,
the trail passes through the sierra of Ronadoiro
and, after crossing the Alto do Poio, it descends
into the valley wherein lies Tricastela.
After refreshment in Tricastela we transfer you
to the pre Roman town of Sarria where we will be
staying for the night in the best hotel in town.
Day
4 Sarria to Portomarin
Leaving the old town of Sarria, we pick up the Camino
passing through many hamlets dotted along areas
of cultivated land, grazing pastures and woodlands,
crossing the great river Mino to Portomarin. Here
you will spend the night in a fine hotel that was
previously a Parador.
Day 5 Palas de Rei to Ribadiso
On entering the province of A Coruna we stop in
Melide famous for the galician speciality, pulpo
a la gallega, (octopus gallegan style) which can
be seen boiling in large copper kettles. After lunch
and a drop of Ribeiro wine the walk winds its way
through small, stone-walled fields passing churches
dating back to the 12th and 14th century to the
town of Ribadiso. A short drive through forests
of plain trees and eucalyptus takes us to a small
rustic hotel known as a Pazo for tonights stop over
and enjoy a fine meal cooked by our chef Joaquin.
Day 6 Arca to Lavacolla
With the chance to visit the monastery of Sobrado
dos Monxes in the morning we then continue the Camino
with a beautiful walk through the rolling Galician
hills passing small villages on the way and greeting
the local Galicians as they wish us Bon Camino.
Here we spend the night in a 17th century pazo.
Day
7 Lavacolla
to Santiago de Compostela
Only 7 km and ahead in the distance the spires of
the famous cathedral rise up to welcome you. The
magical medieval city of Santiago awaits you. Here
you will arrive before lunch and check in at the
beautiful San Francisco Hotel Monumento (a converted
convent) in the heart of the historical centre of
the city. Leaving you with plenty of time to explore
the city, in the evening you are treated to a magnificent
farewell meal in our own private dining hall of
the hotel.
Day
8 Departure
Day
Sadly, the end of the tour. Walks in Spain will
transfer you to Santiago de Compostela airport.
Walks in Spain, 11 Stone Hall, Stone Hall Gardens London W8 5UU
Tel: (+34) 650 263 708 from outside the UK;
within the UK call us free on: 0800 612 4693
Walks in Spain is the trading name
of Walks in Spain S.L. registered as a Spanish Limited
Company
