Itinerary
- Day 1
Oviedo
You'll arrive in Oviedo on your own and have the afternoon and evening to explore the medieval center. The Gothic Cathedral of El Salvador and the Holy Chamber are worth checking out if you're interested in religious architecture. After you've walked around and got a feel for the city, head to your accommodation for the night.
Optional Activities
- Visit Gothic Cathedral of El Salvador
- Visit the Holy Chamber
Landmarks Cathedral of El Salvador Holy Chamber (Cámara Santa) - Day 2
Oviedo to Grado
This is your first hiking day and it's a tough one at about 25 km. You'll start climbing toward Escampelo, then drop down along the Nalon River through Penaflor on your way to Grado. The elevation changes are significant and the terrain can be difficult, so take your time and pace yourself for this challenging introduction to the trail.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided hiking stage Oviedo to Grado (approximately 25 km)
Landmarks Escampelo Nalon River Penaflor - Day 3
Grado to Salas
Things ease up today compared to yesterday. You'll tackle a small 300-meter climb to Alto de Fresno where there's a shrine you can visit, then head toward the Narcea River and Cornellana. From there, follow the Nonaya River to Salas, and the final kilometers are pretty gentle with much less elevation gain overall.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided hiking stage Grado to Salas (approximately 22 km)
- Visit shrine at Alto de Fresno
Landmarks Alto de Fresno Narcea River Cornellana Nonaya River - Day 4
Salas to Tineo
One of the shorter stages at around 20 km, but don't let that fool you. After leaving Salas, you're climbing toward La Espina with about 700 meters of elevation gain, plus multiple smaller hills that add another 100 meters. You'll pass through La Pereda and El Pedregal before reaching Tineo, so expect to work for it despite the shorter distance.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided hiking stage Salas to Tineo (approximately 20 km)
Landmarks La Espina Alto de la Espina La Pereda El Pedregal - Day 5
Tineo to Pola de Allande
This is one of the longer days at roughly 27 km with constant ups and downs. The payoff comes with walking through beautiful forests and valleys with great mountain views and rivers crossing your path. From Tineo, you'll climb initially, then drop to Campiello before continuing on to Pola de Allande.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided hiking stage Tineo to Pola de Allande (approximately 27 km)
Landmarks Campiello - Day 6
Pola de Allande to Berducedo
Today shows you why this route is considered difficult. The main event is the steep climb to Puerto del Palo, which is the toughest ascent of the entire walk. Once you reach the top, the views of the Nison Valley make it worth the effort. After that major push, cover the remaining distance to Berducedo.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided hiking stage Pola de Allande to Berducedo (approximately 18 km)
Landmarks Puerto del Palo Nison Valley - Day 7
Berducedo to Grandas de Salime
A transfer takes you back to La Mesa to pick up the trail again. From there, you'll face a steep drop down to the Salime reservoir dam, cross the Navia River, and finish the remaining kilometers to Grandas de Salime.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Transfer to La Mesa
- Guided hiking stage La Mesa to Grandas de Salime (approximately 20 km)
Landmarks La Mesa Salime Reservoir Navia River - Day 8
Grandas de Salime to A Fonsagrada
You'll hike the final stretch in Asturias today before crossing into Galicia. A steady climb brings you to Alto del Acebo, and when you enter Galicia, you'll notice the trail markings change to yellow arrows mixed with the scallop shells you've been following. The initial climb is the main work, then it's a nice walk through small towns and countryside toward A Fonsagrada in Galicia.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided hiking stage Grandas de Salime to A Fonsagrada (approximately 25 km)
Landmarks Alto del Acebo - Day 9
A Fonsagrada to O Cadavo
Your first full day in Galicia offers impressive views along country lanes and roads. The early part is fairly flat until Montouto, where a steep descent starts, followed by a climb to A Lastra. Push a bit further to O Cadabo and you'll see the lush green landscapes that Galicia is known for.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided hiking stage A Fonsagrada to O Cadabo (approximately 24 km)
Landmarks Montouto A Lastra - Day 10
O Cadabo to Lugo
This is the longest stage of the whole route at about 30 km, but except for a descent to Castroverde, it stays fairly flat. You'll pass a 14th century fortress and move through several villages including Souto de Torres, Vilar de Cas, and Gondar across typical green Galician terrain. Lugo is your destination, a city with Romanesque heritage, World Heritage Site walls, thermal baths, and a Romanesque bridge. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from once you arrive.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided hiking stage O Cadabo to Lugo (approximately 30 km)
Optional Activities
- Visit 14th century fortress at Castroverde
- Walk the Romanesque walls of Lugo (World Heritage Site)
- Visit thermal baths in Lugo
- Cross the Romanesque bridge in Lugo
- Enjoy tapas and wines in Lugo
Landmarks Castroverde Fortress Souto de Torres Vilar de Cas Gondar Lugo City Walls Lugo Thermal Baths Lugo Romanesque Bridge - Day 11
Lugo to A Ponte de Ferreira
This is a flat stage at about 27 km, mostly on local roads and paved paths. The real challenge here is just the distance since there's almost no climbing or descending. You'll reach A Ponte de Ferreira with minimal terrain difficulty, so it's a more straightforward day after some of the recent climbs.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided hiking stage Lugo to A Ponte de Ferreira (approximately 27 km)
- Day 12
A Ponte de Ferreira to Melide
Today has a strongly rural feel with uneven terrain covering about 20 km. You're heading to Melide, which sits at the geographical center of Galicia. This is where the French Way of St. James intersects your route, so you might see pilgrims from that path as well.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided hiking stage A Ponte de Ferreira to Melide (approximately 20 km)
Landmarks Melide - Day 13
Melide to Arzua
This is a shorter day at around 14 km as you leave Lugo province and enter A Coruna province. You'll walk through charming towns like Boente and Castaneda before reaching Arzua, which is known for a distinctive local cheese you can try when you get there.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided hiking stage Melide to Arzua (approximately 14 km)
Optional Activities
- Visit Boente
- Visit Castaneda
- Learn about or purchase Arzua cheese
Landmarks Boente Castaneda Arzua - Day 14
Arzua to O Pedrouzo
This is a quieter stage at about 23 km that gives you space to think about everything you've experienced so far on the trail. It's more of a reflective day before the big push to Santiago tomorrow, so take your time and soak it in.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided hiking stage Arzua to O Pedrouzo (approximately 23 km)
- Day 15
O Pedrouzo to Santiago de Compostela
Your final stage covers about 19 km and you'll notice a lot more pilgrims joining the trail as everyone converges on Santiago. You'll pass through Lavacolla and then climb Monte do Gozo where you get your first sight of the cathedral in the distance. Arrive at Plaza del Obradoiro and enter the cathedral through the ornate Portico de la Gloria. If you can, try to start early so you can attend the pilgrims' mass at noon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided hiking stage O Pedrouzo to Santiago de Compostela (approximately 19 km)
- Entry to Santiago de Compostela Cathedral
- Pilgrim's mass at Santiago Cathedral (12 noon)
Landmarks Lavacolla Monte do Gozo Plaza del Obradoiro Santiago de Compostela Cathedral Portico de la Gloria 
- Day 16
Santiago de Compostela
Today is yours to explore Santiago de Compostela on your own. Everything is walkable from where you're staying. You'll have a guided tour of the old town (about an hour) with a German-speaking guide, and afterward there's a typical Galician cheese tasting at a tavern. Don't forget to visit the pilgrim's office to get your Compostela certificate issued.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of old town Santiago de Compostela (approximately 1 hour, German-speaking guide)
- Typical Galician cheese tasting in a tavern
Optional Activities
- Obtain Compostela certificate at pilgrim's office
Landmarks Santiago de Compostela Old Town - Day 17
Santiago de Compostela
You're free to leave Santiago de Compostela whenever you like today. Head out at whatever time works best for you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
