The French Way from Sarria with Melide
The seven-day version of the last 100 kilometres of the French Way: the longest stage is split in two with a night in Melide, Galicia's octopus capital. Shorter days and more time to enjoy every town.
- 115.2 km
- 6 nights
- 7 stages
From €414 per person
Request this routeThe route
This variant of the French Way from Sarria splits the most demanding stage, from Palas de Rei to Arzúa, into two comfortable days with a night in Melide. The result is seven days on the Camino with gentler distances and more time at every stop.
The route itself is the one pilgrims have followed for centuries: Portomarín and its church rebuilt stone by stone, the Serra de Ligonde, Pambre Castle and the sunken lanes between oaks and hórreos of inland Galicia.
Melide deserves the stop: its old pilgrims' hospital turned museum, the chapels of San Antonio and San Roque and, above all, the best pulpo á feira in Galicia.
As on every Camino, the finishing touch comes at Monte do Gozo and the arrival in Obradoiro Square, in Santiago's World Heritage old town.
Options and prices
Stage by stage
Day 1
Sarria
ArrivalArrival in Sarria, the classic starting point for the last 100 kilometres of the French Way. Spend the afternoon visiting the monastery of La Magdalena and the remains of the castle, or strolling through Chanto park before your first stage.
Night in Sarria
Day 2
Sarria → Portomarín
On foot22.2 km5 hYour first stage follows paths that wind between ancient oaks and hórreos. The day ends in Portomarín, on the banks of the Miño, whose church of San Nicolás was moved stone by stone when the Belesar reservoir was built.
Day 3
Portomarín → Palas de Rei
On foot24.8 km6 hA day of gentle climbing over the Serra de Ligonde, passing hamlets such as Gonzar and Castromaior with its Romanesque church of Santa María. Near Palas de Rei stands Pambre Castle, one of Galicia's finest 14th-century fortresses.
Day 4
Palas de Rei → Melide
On foot14.5 km3.5 hA half-day walk to Melide, where the Primitive Way joins the French Way. The town keeps an old pilgrims' hospital turned museum and the chapels of San Antonio and San Roque. For dinner, pulpo á feira is a must.
Day 5
Melide → Arzúa
On foot14 km3.5 hA short stage through woodland following the river Iso. Arzúa is cheese country: try the famous Arzúa-Ulloa, protected by its own designation of origin.
Day 6
Arzúa → O Pedrouzo (O Pino)
On foot17.7 km4 hA gentle descent through woods and streams, stopping at the chapel of Santa Irene. The day ends in O Pedrouzo, by the church of Santa Eulalia, for your last night before Santiago.
Day 7
O Pedrouzo (O Pino) → Santiago de Compostela
On foot22 km5 hThe final stage passes through Lavacolla and Monte do Gozo, where you catch your first glimpse of the cathedral towers. Entering the city through San Lázaro, you arrive at Obradoiro Square, in the heart of the World Heritage old town.
Pictures from the route
Frequently asked questions
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.
Which is the hardest stage from Sarria, and can it be split?
The two that are felt most are Sarria - Portomarín (about 22 km, with constant ups and downs) and Portomarín - Palas de Rei (about 25 km, the longest, with a sustained climb at the start).
Both can be split with a night in a village along the way. If you prefer the more spread-out itinerary, tell us when booking and we will arrange it.
What if I cannot finish a stage one day?
You will not be stranded. We arrange transfers and assistance along the whole route: if you cannot go on one day, call us and we will take you to that night's accommodation.
Your luggage will already be there, because it travels separately. The next day you decide whether to carry on or take a rest day.
Do I have to carry my backpack all day?
No. We move 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.
Can I walk the Camino with children?
Yes, and it makes a great family trip. The stretch from Sarria has no technical difficulty and there are villages to stop at often.
The key is to shorten the stages and not set a schedule. Tell us their ages and we will build an itinerary with gentler days.
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.