
French Camino from Sarria with your dog
The final 100 kilometres of the Camino, an adventure to share. 🐾 Walk the most iconic stretch of the Camino de Santiago over six days, from Sarria to Santiago, passing through ancient oak forests, charming villages, rural paths and landscapes you’ll remember forever. The perfect distance to earn your Compostela, but also a chance to switch off, enjoy the journey and share every step with the one who is always by your side: your dog. Because some adventures are better when shared. 🐶💚
- 115.5 km
- 7 days
- 6 nights
- 5 walking stages
- Moderate route
From €415 per person
Request this routeThe route
The French Camino is the great Jacobean route, the one that for more than a thousand years has brought pilgrims from all over Europe to the tomb of the Apostle. Sarria, just over 100 kilometres from Santiago, is the most popular starting point: the minimum distance required to obtain the Compostela. And best of all, you can live this adventure alongside your dog, sharing every stage, every landscape and every moment of the Camino.
For six days, you’ll walk with your four-legged companion through the heart of rural Galicia, among ancient oak forests, stone villages and traditional granaries, passing through Portomarín, Palas de Rei, Arzúa and O Pedrouzo. Peaceful paths, nature and small villages where time seems to move at a different pace.
Along the way, you’ll discover treasures such as the Church of San Nicolás in Portomarín, moved stone by stone when the Belesar reservoir was built, the Castle of Pambre and the famous Arzúa-Ulloa cheese, with its protected designation of origin. And while you discover Galicia, your dog can enjoy new scents, open spaces and kilometres of adventure by your side.
The final reward comes at Monte do Gozo, with the first glimpse of the cathedral towers, and in Plaza del Obradoiro, the heart of a historic centre declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Because the Camino doesn’t have to be walked alone. Some experiences are remembered forever when they are shared with your best friend. 🐾
Options and prices
Stage by stage
Day 1
Sarria
ArrivalArrival in Sarria, the classic starting point for the final 100 kilometres of the French Camino. Spend the afternoon visiting the Magdalena Monastery, exploring the remains of the castle and taking a stroll through Parque do Chanto before setting off on your first stage.
Night in Sarria
Day 2
Sarria → Portomarín
On foot22.5 km5 hFirst stage along paths that wind through centuries-old oak trees and traditional granaries. The day ends in Portomarín, on the banks of the Miño, home to the Church of San Nicolás, which was moved stone by stone when the Belesar reservoir was built.
Night in Portomarín
Day 3
Portomarín → Palas de Rei
On foot24.8 km6 hA gentle uphill day through the Serra de Ligonde, passing through villages such as Gonzar and Castromaior, home to the Romanesque church of Santa María. Near Palas de Rei stands Pambre Castle, one of the finest Galician medieval fortresses dating back to the 14th century.
Night in Palas de Rei
Day 4
Palas de Rei → Arzúa
On foot28.5 km7 hThe longest stage of the route crosses the landscapes along the Iso River and passes by the Church of A Magdalena. In Arzúa, you can enjoy its famous Arzúa-Ulloa cheese, with protected designation of origin. If you prefer to split the stage, there is an alternative option with an overnight stay in Melide.
Night in Arzúa
Day 5
Arzúa → O Pedrouzo (O Pino)
On foot17.7 km4 hA gentle descent through forests and streams, with a stop at the chapel of Santa Irene. The day ends in O Pedrouzo, next to the Church of Santa Eulalia, on the final night before reaching Santiago.
Night in O Pedrouzo (O Pino)
Day 6
O Pedrouzo (O Pino) → Santiago de Compostela
On foot22 km5 hFinal stage passing through Lavacolla and Monte do Gozo, where you get your first glimpse of the cathedral towers. The route into Santiago through San Lázaro leads to Plaza del Obradoiro, in the heart of the historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Night in Santiago de Compostela
Day 7
Departure
DepartureOvernight stay at the selected accommodation and end of our services.
Pictures from the route


Frequently asked questions
Can I do the Camino on my own and stay in hotels or hostels?
Yes, of course. You can do the Camino independently and stay in hotels and hostels. At Camino Galicia, we offer this option without the need to join a group.
In fact, it is a very common choice: many people decide to do the Camino on their own to enjoy the experience at their own pace, disconnect and experience each stage in a more personal way.
We take care of organising your accommodation, luggage transfers and support throughout the Camino, so you only have to focus on walking and enjoying the experience.
Travelling alone doesn’t mean you’ll be alone: the Camino is a place where it’s very easy to meet other pilgrims and share moments along the route.
Will I have a guide accompanying me on the Camino de Santiago?
No. Our trips are designed so that you can walk the Camino at your own pace, without a guide accompanying you during the stages.
However, you won’t be alone. At Camino Galicia, we take care of organising all the necessary services, and you’ll have support throughout your trip to help with any questions or unexpected situations that may arise.
All you have to do is walk, enjoy the scenery and experience the Camino your own way.
How many days and stages do I need to walk the French Way from Sarria?
From Sarria it is just over 110 km to Santiago, usually split into 5 stages of 20 to 25 km.
We can add extra nights if you would rather take it slowly. Each route page shows the day-by-day itinerary with exact distances.
What kind of footwear should I bring?
Hiking boots or trail shoes that are already broken in. New footwear is the most common cause of blisters on the Camino.
You do not need high boots: it rains in Galicia either way, and what matters is a comfortable, well-held foot. Bring seamless technical socks, two pairs in case one gets wet.
Do I need to train before walking the Camino?
You do not need to be fit, but arriving with some walking behind you makes a real difference.
Walking 1 to 2 hours a couple of days a week during the previous month is enough. If you can, do one long walk with the backpack and footwear you will actually use: it is the best way to find out in time what rubs.
Is this Camino suitable for beginners or people who are not very fit?
Yes. The stretch from Sarria is the busiest and best served of the whole French Way, with villages, bars and accommodation every few kilometres.
There are no technical or mountain sections. Stages are 20-25 km on tracks and paths, and they can always be shortened. If the pace worries you, write to us and we will adjust it.
Is the French Way from Sarria safe?
Yes. It is the stretch with the most pilgrims on the whole route, well signposted and never far from a village.
You will rarely walk alone even if you travel by yourself. The precautions are those of any walking route: carry water, tell someone if you leave the path and do not walk at night.
How do I get to Sarria to start the Camino?
Sarria has both a train and a bus station.
By train there are connections from Madrid, A Coruña and Lugo. By bus, daily services from Lugo and Santiago. If you fly in, the nearest airports are Santiago, A Coruña and Vigo.
Tell us where you are coming from and we will suggest the best connection.
What documents do I need for the trip?
A valid ID card or passport, and the European health card if you are coming from outside Spain.
For the Camino you also need the pilgrim credential, stamped at least twice a day over the last 100 km. It is what lets you claim the Compostela in Santiago. You can get it in Sarria at the parish, the hostels and the friends of the Camino associations.
Do I need travel insurance?
It is not compulsory, but it is strongly recommended. Travel assistance insurance covers medical care and, depending on the policy, cancellation if you end up unable to travel.
Before taking one out yourself, write to us: we will tell you exactly what your trip already covers so you do not pay twice for the same thing.
Do I have to carry my backpack all day?
No, if you want we transport your backpack from one accommodation to the next: leave it in the morning and find it on arrival.
You only walk with a small day pack carrying water, something to eat, a rain jacket and whatever you need along the way.
What should I carry in my day pack?
Water, something to eat, a rain jacket, sun cream, a cap and a charged phone. It can rain in Galicia at any time of year, so the rain jacket comes along even on a sunny morning.
Add plasters or blister dressings: they weigh nothing and you will be glad to have them.
When is the best time to walk the Camino?
April to October is the season with the best weather and everything open. May, June and September tend to be the most pleasant: mild temperatures and fewer people than in high August. As a result, they are also among the most popular months.
You can also walk in winter, but there is less daylight and some places close.
What is the Compostela and how do I get it?
It is the certificate issued by Santiago Cathedral to those who complete the Camino.
To claim it you must have walked at least the last 100 km and show your credential with two stamps a day over that stretch. You collect it at the Pilgrim's Office in Santiago.
How far in advance should I book?
For summer and Easter it is worth booking months ahead: this is the busiest stretch and accommodation fills up.
The rest of the year there is more room, but the earlier you book, the more choice you will have over the itinerary and the places you stay.
Time flies! The 2027 Holy Year (Jacobean Year) is just around the corner, and accommodation is already starting to fill up.
