The Camino de Santiago de Compostela 2021

The Camino de Santiago de Compostela 2021

There are intricate networks of Roman and pre-Roman roads that wind their way through Spain, Portugal and France and lead to the famous church of Santiago where the relics of the saint of the same name are kept. Christian pilgrimage destination since the Middle Ages, together with Rome and Jerusalem, still today it is the arrival point of pilgrims from all over the world who arrive at their destination purified thanks to the long journey undertaken. We propose, among the most evocative routes to be tackled in the saddle, the “French Route”, the “Sea Route”, the “Portuguese Route” and the “Northern Route”.

Shared guaranteed departure dates, minimum 1 person departing from Italy

PARTICIPANTS: MIN 4 MAX 20

THE FRENCH ROUTE:

Of all the routes, the French route is undoubtedly the most traditional and loved by pilgrims. Existing since the 11th century, it crosses the Iberian Peninsula to the north, from east to west: the Basque Country, Navarra, Rioja, Catiila y Leon and Galicia. Starting from the base of the French Pyrenees it reaches Santiago.

Options: 5 nights route departing from Sarria, 6 nights departing from O Cebreiro, 9 nights from and 21 nights route departing from Logrono.

Option 7 DAYS / 6 NIGHTS Departure point: O Cebreiro
1st day: ITALY / O CEBREIRO / PADORNELO (- / – / D) Pick-up from Santiago de Compostela airport or from the train station (expect an arrival at 15.00) and meeting with the guides. The path enters Galicia from El Bierzo, climbing the mountain of O Cebreiro at 1300 meters, in the province of Lugo. At the top of the mountain we will find this village with its vegetation typical of the Iberian Peninsula, which has got used to this climate. Here we will start our journey on horseback, until arriving in Padornelo, where we will stop for dinner and overnight. 2nd day: PADORNELO / TRIACASTELA (B / L / D) Today we will reach the highest point of the entire French route, Monte O Poio (1337 m) and then continue in the direction of Fonfria. We will enjoy a beautiful landscape until the arrival of Triacastela, where we will stop for dinner and overnight. 3rd day: TRIACASTELA / SARRIA (B / L / D) From Triacastela the journey continues towards Sarria, through old villages such as Balsa, San Xil, Montan, Pintin, Calvor and San Mamede do Camino. We will arrive in Sarria for dinner and overnight. 4th day: SARRIA / MONTEROSSO (B / L / D) We continue crossing the Aspera bridge, towards Barbadelo. We will cross woods, plains and cultivated fields up to Paradela. It will be necessary to cross the old 1960 bridge that spans the Mino River to get to the ruins of Portomarin. The path continues in the direction of Castromaior, up to Monterosso. Dinner and overnight. 5th day: MONTEROSSO / MELIDE (B / L / D) The walk will take us through the lands of Palas de Rei, passing through Ulloa, famous for its delicious cheeses and other traditional products. We will pass by the Castle of Pambre, one of the few survivors of the battles of the “irmandinos”. We will pass by Leboeira and Furelos to enter the province of Coruna, through an immense medieval bridge. Day 6: MELIDE / SANTIAGO (B / L / D) Melide, geographically center of the Galicia region, is famous for a tasty octopus dish, one of the best you will ever try. Continuing, rural roads give way to more urban roads; we will pass through Castaneda, Arzua and Ribadiso. In Arzua we will meet the pilgrims arriving from the noerd route, and from here we will continue together. We will pass by the villages of Calzada, Salceda, Rua and O Pino, before finally arriving in Santiago, at Monte Gozo, a small hill overlooking the city, offering a view of the cathedral. Dinner and overnight in Santiago. Day 7: SANTIAGO / ITALY (B / – / -) Breakfast and if there is time, walk through the city streets before the transfer to Santiago airport or to the train station. Note: The itinerary described above is to be considered indicative. It may be subject to variations due to weather conditions or circumstances beyond our control. The 10-day itinerary includes a departure from Astorga, and the first three days will be in Molinaseca Ponferrada and VillaFranca Del Bierzo. Possibility to depart from Logrono for a 21 day itinerary.

THE NORTH ROUTE:

This route, also called the “Northern Way” or “Coastal Way”, is the longest and oldest route traveled in ancient times by pilgrims. It measures even 825 km through the kingdom of Asturias, starting from the French border in Irun, then continuing to San Sebastian, Bilbao, and Santander, rejoining the French route at Arzua. It offers beautiful coastal scenery and hilly paths with many passages over rivers across bridges. Among the well-known personalities we mention St. Francis of Assisi who traveled it in 1214. Options: 7-day route from Mondonedo and 8-day route from Ribadeo.

8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS Option Starting point: Mondonedo Our classic 8 days and 7 nights itinerary starts from Mondoñedo, one of the main Galician dioceses with a long cultural tradition and also one of the most beautiful villages in Galicia with numerous historic buildings: the monastery of San Martino de Vilalourente. We take a medieval route that climbs towards the town of San Caetano, Valiñadares and Mariz. The walk continues through the valley of the Valiñadares river and Pacios Lousada. We then ride to Pé da Ponte, As Corgas and continue towards Gontán and Pobecende, up to the village of Abadín. From Abadín the route crosses Terrra Chá, Castromaior, and Goiriz Ponterroxal. Cross the beautiful medieval bridge to reach Ponte Vella, getting closer and closer to the destination. Ride to Chozas until you reach Vilalba and from there towards Bahamonde. Next stop Santa Leocadia de Parga, from where you continue to Santiago de Ponte Leijosa Miraz, and Marco Pedramaior. From there Sobrado dos Monx and Carelle, to rejoin the French route at Arzúa. Note: The itinerary described above is to be considered indicative. It may be subject to variations due to weather conditions or circumstances beyond our control. We also propose an itinerary or a 9-day itinerary departing from Ribadeo, a very touristic place and considered the real starting point of today’s northern route.
 

THE PORTUGUESE ROUTE:

In the mid-12th century, the veneration of the tomb of Santiago was one of the pillars of Christianity, and various routes from all major cities also developed from Portugal. This route that starts from Portugal following the Atlantic coast. Being a coastal route, it crosses several rivers and mostly rural areas interspersed with beautiful forests of pine and eucalyptus. There are no demanding mountain passages, you go to a maximum of 300 meters in height. This route is also an ancient bike, it has already existed since the Middle Ages and is therefore dotted with ancient chapels, sanctuaries and ancestral sites. The route we propose runs 187 km from Barcelos to Santiago. Options: 3 nights route from Pontevedra, 4 nights from Redondela, 5 nights from Tui, 6 nights from Ponte de Lima, 7 nights from Barcelos, 9 nights from Porto and 11 nights from Viana do Castelo. Option 8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS Place of departure: Barcelos Departure to arrive in Madalena, from where we will continue along an ancient Roman road towards Redondela and the Monestero di Vilarella. Leaving Redondela, we continue towards Soutoxusto, surrounded by pine forests, and then descend towards the village of Sete Fontes. Then Arcade and the archaeological site of Pontesampaio where you cross the Verdugo river. We continue towards another point of interest, St. James Bertola, towards the city of Pontevedra. We cross the city, we go out into the cool of the surrounding forests to the church of Santa María de Alba, from where we will follow the route to Casal de Eirixio and O Pino. Then again towards Padrón, in the province of Coruna. We will stop in Santiaguiño do Monte, with its beautiful view and a chapel dedicated to Santiago. Arrival at the basilica and visit. Note: The itinerary described above is to be considered indicative. It may be subject to variations due to weather conditions or circumstances beyond our control. Possibility to depart from Braga for an 8-day tour or from Porto (Portugal) for a 9-day tour covering 240 km.