The Spiritual Way (Variante da Ría)
Five days of monasteries, Albariño vineyards and a boat crossing of the ría de Arousa along the Translatio route, the one that brought the Apostle's body to Galicia. The world's only maritime Way of the Cross.
- 69.3 km
- 4 nights
- 5 stages
From €276 per person
Request this routeThe route
The Spiritual Way, or Spiritual Variant of the Portuguese Way, is the most singular route of all: it combines hiking between monasteries and vineyards with a boat crossing that relives the Translatio, the sea voyage that carried the body of the apostle Saint James to Galicia.
From Pontevedra, the Pedra e Auga trail leads to the monastery of Armenteira, then descends through the Albariño vineyards of the Salnés valley to the ría de Arousa.
At Vilagarcía you board a boat to sail up the ría and the river Ulla to Padrón, following the world's only maritime Way of the Cross, lined with stone crosses along its banks.
The final stage walks the last stretch of the Portuguese Way into Santiago's World Heritage old town.
Options and prices
Stage by stage
Day 1
Pontevedra
ArrivalArrival in Pontevedra, home to one of the best-preserved old towns in Galicia. Do not leave without visiting the church of A Peregrina, with its curious scallop-shaped floor plan.
Night in Pontevedra
Day 2
Pontevedra → Armenteira
On foot21 km6 hA climbing stage from Pontevedra to the monastery of Armenteira, a Cistercian gem founded in the 12th century, along paths linked to the Pedra e Auga trail, past watermills, streams and woodland.
Day 3
Armenteira → Vilagarcía de Arousa
On foot24 km5.5 hA descent through the Albariño vineyards of the Salnés valley to the ría de Arousa. The day ends in Vilagarcía de Arousa, by the sea.
Day 4
Vilagarcía de Arousa → Padrón
By boat28 km3 hA boat crossing of the ría de Arousa, sailing up the river Ulla along the Translatio route that tradition says carried the Apostle's body. It is the world's only maritime Way of the Cross, marked by stone crosses on the banks.
Day 5
Padrón → Santiago de Compostela
On foot24.3 km6 hThe final day on foot follows the last stretch of the Portuguese Way, passing the sanctuary of A Escravitude before entering Santiago's World Heritage old town.
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.