The French Way with starting point in Sarria is one of the most famous routes of the Camino de Santiago. Year after year is increasing the number of pilgrims who decide to start the Camino in this beautiful place of Lugo.
This route of the Camino de Santiago, besides being one of the most recommended by our team of Camino de Santiago Guide, is the busiest route and we could say the most common for those who decide to do it for the first time. You will never go alone because you will always find a pilgrim walking.
If it is the first time you are going to do it or if you have already done it in some occasion, for sure you have been impressed by the landscape, the villages of Galicia and the hospitality of its people, the monuments and, of course, the gastronomy.
From Sarria there is a distance of 114 kilometers to Santiago de Compostela. CompostelaTherefore, all the requirements are fulfilled so that, when you arrive at the Pilgrim's Office in Santiago, you can obtain the Compostela.
Here is an explanation of each of the 5 stages of the French Way:
DAY 1: Arrival in Sarria.
Sarria is the meeting place for the group of pilgrims to start the French Way. You can enjoy typical Galician dishes in its many restaurants or have a drink in the streets of the old town. It is worth visiting some places like the Castle of Sarria, a fortress to enjoy the views or the Church of Santa Mariña, Romanesque style with an impressive bell tower. You can climb the Escaleira da Fonte, a very representative element of the Camino; at the top you will enter directly into the historic center of Sarria.
Enjoy the beginning of this adventure!
DAY 2: first stage SARRIA - PORTOMARIN
This first stage has a distance of 22 kilometers and the estimated time is approximately 5 or 6 hours. It is not a technically difficult stage as the terrain is smooth and undulating.
This route crosses the most rural part of Galicia and highlights the beauty of its landscapes between oak and chestnut forests, meadows and small charming Romanesque villages. It also passes through the 100th kilometer of the French Way.
Along the Camino, you will cross medieval bridges, paths and above all many hórreos or "cabaceiros", which are stone constructions that were used in Galician houses to store the harvest, especially corn.
On arrival at Portomarín, we will cross a bridge on the banks of the river Miño, and climb a staircase. At the top there is a bench with beautiful views where you can rest for a while and take some pictures with "estrela dos desexos" in the background.
In this town we recommend you to visit the Chapel of As Neves or the Church of San Pedro, which was considered a Historic Artistic Monument.
DAY 3: second stage PORTOMARÍN - PALAS DE REI
This stage does not present great difficulty and the estimated time en route is 6 hours. The route is 25 kilometers from the start in Portomarín.
The road runs through forests, rural landscapes with small villages. From Portomarín, we will cross a footbridge over the Belesar Reservoir towards the Ligonde mountain range. This stage will have stretches of path close to the road.
You will arrive at Gonzar, a small village where you can recharge your batteries and come across the Hospital de la Cruz, a former pilgrims' hospital that today has been converted into a hostel and resting place for hikers.
After a few kilometers of walking you will arrive at Ventas de Narón, a small village with a Romanesque church and an ancient fountain, an ideal place to take a break on the way.
Throughout this stage you can enjoy the beauty of the Romanesque architecture and the "cruceiros", symbols that indicate that we are in a pilgrimage area.
We will cross Castromaior, a village with the most important archaeological sites in the northern part of the Iberian Peninsula.
Upon arrival in Palas de Rei, you can visit the church of San Tirso and the Castle of Pambre, both of great historical importance.
DAY 4: third stage PALAS DE REI - RIBADISO
This section is 27 kilometers long and the estimated time is between 7 and 8 hours.
It is the most beautiful and longest stage of the French Camino de Santiago. At the beginning of the route there are some characteristic climbs and descents of the area.
During the tour you will pass through places like Casanova, a village with a 12th century Romanesque church or Melide, famous for its octopus. You can make a stop to taste it and recharge your batteries.
From Melide, the stage becomes a little more complicated because of the climbs, some of them steep, until we reach Ribadiso. During the stage we will pass by medieval bridges such as Leboreiro and Furelos, and we will see nature at its best.
You will arrive at your destination, Ribadiso, a village famous for its medieval bridge over the Iso River. You will be able to enjoy its incredible views and relax after a long day of walking.
DAY 5: fourth stage RIBADISO - O PEDROUZO
This penultimate stage has a distance of 21 kilometers and the estimated time to complete it is approximately 5 or 6 hours. It has no major difficulty, it is an easy section with forest tracks.
It passes through villages such as Arzúa, famous for its cheese, and Santa Irene, a very popular stop for many pilgrims, with a Chapel with a large statue of Santiago de Compostela. We will go through forest areas, close to the road, which we will have to cross at some point to reach O Pedrouzo.
In O Pedrouzo you can take the opportunity to rest, enjoy the local gastronomy or visit the Church of Santa Eulalia, one of the most important monuments of Romanesque style.
Summary of Stages of the French Way.
El Camino Francés es una de las rutas más populares del Camino de Santiago, con una extensión de aproximadamente 800 km. Se inicia en Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, en Francia, y atraviesa varias regiones de España hasta llegar a Santiago de Compostela. A lo largo de este camino se encuentran numerosas etapas que los peregrinos recorren a pie, cada una con sus propias características y lugares de interés.