The main and most popular route is the Camino Frances starting in Roncevalles in France and the last 300 kilometres of this route are particularly beautiful with dramatic changes in scenery from the dry, vine covered plains of the central meseta of Spain, climbing through the Leonese mountains similar to the Highlands of Scotland and then dropping down into the Celtic like landscapes of Galicia with its deserted stone hamlets, winding lanes and eucalyptus forests.

The culmination of the walk is the beautifully preserved city of Santiago with its magnificent cathedral, and warm welcoming atmosphere enjoyed by all pilgrims celebrating the end of their epic journeys.

We have put together a programme that allows you to enjoy the best that this varied scenery has to offer with the flexibility of walking at your own pace for as far as you feel comfortable, together with excellent accommodation and good food!

Starting from Astorga and finishing with a fabulous 2-night stay in luxury accommodation in Santiago de Compostela, we have selected the 'best bits' between Leon and Santiago de Compostela, avoiding the less favourable stages of walking along roadside. A support vehicle will always be at hand along the course of the walk, lunches, snacks and drinks will either be picnics or taken at traditional restaurants serving good quality local dishes. Your luggage will be transported ahead of you to your next hotel and accommodation is at good quality hotels sometimes a little off the Camino, taking advantage of those places that are a little bit more special.

Accommodation: Walks in Spain has selected 7 nights accommodation with breakfast in 3, and 4 star hotels ranging from converted farmhouses, mills and monasteries all comfortable, with lots of character and in good locations. All rooms are en suite. Accommodation stated in the itinerary is subject to availability when making the booking.

Support Vehicle:
Walks in Spain will provide Mercedes minibuses as support vehicles for the duration of the tour. There are options of shortening the walks, which will be explained to you on a daily basis.

Luggage transfers:
Your luggage will be transferred ahead of you to your next hotel each day. Please limit your luggage to one medium size case and a small day bag/rucksack.

Information Pack:
An information pack detailing your holiday with additional information on the walks will be sent to you upon completion of the reservation.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival Day Collection from Madrid Airport.
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 welcome dinner for all our guests along with a briefing on the week ahead.

* Madrid airport collection 17.00 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.

Molinesque 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 for tonight’s stop over.

Day 6 Arca to Santiago de Compostela
Only 19 km to go and our walk starts through eucalyptus forests before ahead in the distance the spires of the famous cathedral rise up to welcome you. The magical medieval city of Santiago de Compostela awaits you and here you are treated to 2 special nights at the beautiful San Francisco Hotel Monumento (a converted convent) in the heart of the historical centre of the city.

Day 7 Santiago de Compostela
A day to relax and absorb the atmosphere of this truly magnificent city followed by a farewell evening dinner.

Day 8 Departure Day
Sadly, the end of the tour. Walks in Spain will transfer you to Santiago de Compostela airport.

Frequently Asked Questions for the Camino de Santiago Walk

How far will you be walking and climbing? As far each day as you wish to, the average daily distance is 20 kilometres (12 miles) however we do want to emphasise that we want you to be comfortable and enjoy your walking so the support vehicle will be there should you wish to use it. The maximum height climb on any day is 400 metres however in most cases we have eliminated the larger climbs by starting the walks at higher levels.

What will the weather be like in July?
Average day temperatures 24C/76F. Average night temperatures 12C/55F. The heat is not as overwhelming as it can be along the coastal regions of eastern Spain. The occasional outburst of rain is common.

What sort of clothing will I need to take?
Walking in shorts is fine for this time of year. It is advisable to take something lightweight and waterproof for those unexpected showers. Boots are highly recommended.

What is the terrain like on the Camino de Santiago Tour?
The camino is made up of well-maintained compact sandy/stone paths. It is easy to medium underfoot. There are stages that involve a little ascent/descent.

How do I get to Astorga, the starting point?
Walks in Spain will collect you from Madrid airport on Saturday 17.00.

What is a typical day like on the Camino de Santiago Tour?
The great thing about walking in July is we can take advantage of the longer days. After breakfast we either set off directly from the hotel or drive to the preferred starting location. The benefit of having the support vehicles allows us to miss out the less favourable parts of the walk along busy tarmac roads. After refreshments at one of many local inns, you walk for approx. 2-3 hours before stopping for either a picnic or at a local restaurant for lunch where you will be met by the support vehicles. Lunches tend to be quite substantial so afterwards you have the opportunity to walk off what you have eaten. The support vehicles will be close by after lunch should you need any assistance along the way. On completion of the stage we will transfer you to the hotel of choice for the night where you can relax at your own leisure.

Does the group stop for breaks on the Camino de Santiago Tour?
The camino has many stopping places along the way either to use the toilet or simply refresh yourself with a cold drink. The Camino de Santiago Tour should be taken at a comfortable pace for everyone to enjoy the beautiful and diverse surroundings it has to offer. The camino is to be enjoyed and not endured!

How fit should I be for the Camino de Santiago Tour?
You could be walking between 19km and 27km each day (11 miles and 17 miles) however after lunch there will be frequent opportunities to join the support vehicle. The ascents and descents are gradual however for your enjoyment we do require a reasonable level of fitness.

How do I arrange return flights?
Walks in Spain offer all transfers on the final day to Santiago de Compostela airport. Santiago airport has direct flights to London Stanstead and Liverpool and early morning flights to Barcelona where there are many connecting flights to all parts of the UK and Ireland.

Would I need to take walking poles?
No. Walks in Spain provide walking poles.

Is wine & beer included in the meals?
Yes. Local wine and beer is included with all meals provided by Walks in Spain as detailed before.

Would I have any difficulty with the language?
The guides for Walks in Spain are bilingual and will be able to assist you where possible