Walking the Camino Frances from Ponferrada to Sarria
Stage 7
92.2km
6 days
Carefully Selected 2 to 3 star accommodations
moderate plus
Starting From
€659
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Popular Time
Good Time
Off/Low Season
Not Possible
This section is one of the hilliest with one of the steepest climbs so bear this in mind when setting out each day and also check the weather.
Starting in the mountain-hugging town of Ponferrada and finishing in Sarria, a bustling market town, this Camino crosses the magnificent O Cebreiro Mountains before winding down to a more gentle terrain. O’Cebreiro is a megalithic village with round stone houses, with an amazing church, Santa Maria Real, where you can find the most important religious remains of Galicia (the miracle of Santo Milagro with a Chalice and Paten turning into the body and blood of Jesus Christ). The Chalice and Paten are the symbols of Galicia. The remains of Don Elias Valina Sampredo, the father of the modern Camino and ‘inventor’ of the yellow arrow, are also in the Church.
FREE This trip createstonne(s) of CO2, we offset it for free
Highlights
Ponferrada
Ponferrada is the last major city before Santiago de Compostela on the Camino Frances. Synonymous with Ponferrada is the imposing Castle that overlooks the city, the castle of the Knights Templar. From 1178 the Knights Templar provided protection to passing pilgrims. A recognised Property of Cultural Interest (BIC) and National Monument since 1924, it is open every day for visits.
O'Cebreiro
As previously stated O’Cebreiro is a megalithic village with round stone houses, with an amazing church, Santa Maria Real, where you can find the most important religious remains of Galicia. The remains of Don Elias Valina Sampredo, the father of the modern Camino and ‘inventor’ of the yellow arrow, are also in the Church.
Samos Monastery
Situated on the alternative route between Triacastela and Sarria, Samos Monastery is well worth a visit and the extra approx 6kms walk!The Monastery of San Julian de Samos is the oldest inhabited monastery in Spain and is a truly magical place to visit. The wall paintings depicting the life of St Benedict will amaze and with regular guided visits you get to see and learn about this important Monastery.
Ponferrada to Sarria
Camino Frances
What are your plans so far?
From €659
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2025
2026
2027
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Services
Included in this package
Bed & Breakfast
Specially Hand-Picked Accommodation
Our Holiday or Pilgrim Pack
24/7 On-Call Support
Virtual Face-to-Face Pre-Departure Briefing
Add-On
Premium Accommodation
Airport Pick-Up
Additional Nights
Dinners
Luggage Transfers from Hotel to Hotel
Day Tours to Local Sites of Interest
Not included
Flights/trains
Insurance
Drinks/Lunch
Itinerary
Day 1
PONFERRADA (Arrival)
You will be pre-booked into a traditional hotel in the heart of the town. While here, you may wish to visit the Castillo de los Templarios, a castle donated to the Knights Templar Order by King Ferdinand II of León in 1178 to protect pilgrims who passed through on the Camino Frances to Santiago de Compostela.
Day 2 24.59km
PONFERRADA
to
VILLAFRANCA DEL BIERZO
Today you will cross the region of Bierzo, a sunken plain nestled within a ring of mountains. It is a fertile land, with an agreeable climate that allows the cultivation of many types of fruit and vegetables. In Villafranca, don’t miss the garden of the ‘Iglesia de Santiago’. If you would like to cycle at a more relaxed pace, we can arrange to split this section into two days, with a stop over in La Portela de Valcarce overnight.
Day 3 28.44km
VILLAFRANCA DEL BIERZO
to
O CEBREIRO
Prepare for a challenging day with an ascent of 1000m. You will pass through the narrow valley of the river Valcace before tackling the ascent of O Cebreiro. Situated between the ranges of Los Ancares and La Sierra do Courel, this stage involves a steep climb in the course of only a few kilometres.
Day 4 21km
O CEBREIRO
to
TRIACASTELA
From O Cebreiro the trail passes through the Sierra de Ranadoiro (Ranadoiro Mountains) and, after crossing the Alto do Poio, it descends into the valley to the village of Triacastela, which gets its name from the three castles that once stood here – none of which exist today.
Day 5 18.18km
TRIACASTELA
to
SARRIA
Of the two Camino options, the ‘San Xil’ Camino offers scenery that will uplift your spirits and encourage you on your way. It has many ‘Corredoiras’ (narrow forest routes) with paved pathways that cut through typical Galician oak woods. If you wish to visit Samos, you will pass through the narrow valley of the river Ouribio, mostly following the main road.
Day 6
SARRIA
After breakfast we bid you farewell. While in Sarria, it is definitely worth having a look at the town’s main religious sites, Convento de la Magdalena and Iglesia Santa Marina de Sarria.
How to Get There
Getting to Ponferrada, Spain
It is best to fly to Madrid or to Santiago de Compostela. More info.
Ryanair and Iberia/BA fly direct to Santiago de Compostela from the UK. Ryanair flies from Stansted, Nottingham East Midlands and Liverpool and Aer Lingus operates from Dublin. Many of the flights that arrive at the airport are from internal Spanish destinations. Iberia offers the best selection of flights and you can fly to and from Santiago De Compostela from: Frankfurt, Paris and Rome and Barcelona, Bilbao, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Madrid, Malaga, Palma, Seville, Tenerife and Valencia.
–Take a shuttle bus to the bus station. Then a direct bus to Ponferrada (3-4hrs).
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