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Walk one of the oldest Camino routes that actually predate Christian pilgrims, going back to when Celt, Phoenician and Roman traders travelled the lands. Their use of the trail resulted in many hospices, temples and monasteries being built and these ancient structures perfectly complement the beautiful landscape today. The Camino Sanabres starts in Ourense, a historic old city full of bustling tapas restaurants and therapeutic thermal springs, and continues through the undulating Galician countryside with its huge patches of shady oak and chestnut woods. Follow quiet lanes through rural hamlets, view the impressive Trappist monastery in Oseira, and be warmly welcomed at your cosy lodging with regional cuisine, such as the artisanal bread of Cea (allegedly Spain's finest) and the monk-made herbal liquor 'Eucaliptine'. Walk the final stretch past charming chapels and picturesque vineyards before arriving in Santiago, where you can collect your Compostela (completion certificate) and reminisce about your journey on foot over plates of Galician delicacies.
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15kg of CO2-e PP per day
(89kg of CO2-e PP entire trip)
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Day 1
Arrive Ourense, the city of 'burgas' (thermal springs)
Arrive in Ourense and check into your hotel. If you have time this afternoon visit the cathedral or wander around the cobbled streets of the old town. Ourense is known as the 'city of burgas' - burgas being thermal springs. Discover the tradition of the thermal baths that has been in the city from its very origin.
Meals: Nil
Day 2
Follow a trail through typical Galician countryside to Cea (7-8hrs)
On leaving town this morning there's a steep ascent of 375m, then continue through typical Galician countryside along quiet lanes and gravel roads through woods and rural hamlets. Whilst hiking up and down today you will not encounter another major ascent until the last 2 kms, as you approach your cosy, rural hotel in or close to San Cristoval de Cea. Your hosts will arrange a transfer to a nearby restaurant for dinner and prepare a self-service breakfast for you in the morning which will include the famous artisan bread from Cea. Distance: 20 or 22.5km/12.4 or 14mi, +650 or 720m/2130 or 2630ft, - 350m/1150ft (depending on your accommodation). *You have the option of travelling with your luggage to Sartedigos, to avoid the first 5km of ascent as you leave town, shortening the walking by 1-2 hrs.
Meals: B,D
Day 3
Visit the Cisterian monastery in Oseira enroute to A Gouxa (6-7hrs)
Today is a long but rewarding stage through vast hills and scarcely populated countryside that culminates with a visit to Santa Maria la Real de Osiera, a Cistercian monastery dating from the 12th Century. Inside there are beautiful pieces of Gothic art to be admired. The splendor years of the monastery lasted until the 14th century, when its importance started declining. In the 20th century however there was a revival that brought it back to life and to this day, more than a dozen monks live here producing an elaborate herbal liquor - Eucaliptine. From the monastery you will make a steep climb before descending along quiet tarmac lanes and dirt roads, passing through hamlets. At the end of the day you will be collected from the bar at A Gouxa and transferred to your comfortable rural accommodation in Casarellos, with garden and swimming pool. Distance: 16 or 18.5km/10 or 11.5mi (depending on where you stayed on Day 2) +600 or 675m/1970 or 2210ft, -370m/1210ft
Day 4
Walk along rural roads to Taboada (5-7hrs)
After the previous days of steep climbs you can enjoy a relatively easy day today, walking mainly downhill along quiet lanes south of the highway AP-53 that you will need to cross once. There are no shops along the way but you will find a conveniently located bar/restaurant at the halfway point near the train station at Lalin. You will love the last section of your hike today where you come across the bridge Ponte Taboada built in 912 and surrounded by natural beauty. Your hosts will collect you from a nearby cafe and take you to your overnight accommodation, a classic Galician manor house from the early 18th century with a pool and garden. Distance: 20.5km/12.7mi +450m/1475ft, -700m/2300ft
Day 5
Walk from Silleda to Vedra (7-8hrs)
Your host will transfer you to the village of Silleda this morning, where you can do some shopping before setting out on another long day. Today's walk is quite varied, including numerous small ascents and descents and a particularly steep one before reaching another old bridge, Ponte Ulla. There will be some unavoidable tarmac walking today, but with hardly any traffic. Continue uphill another 2.5km to reach Vedra, or take a taxi if you wish to avoid this last section. Overnight Vedra. Distance: 19.3 or 21.8km/12mi or 13.5mi, +300 or 475m/985ft or 1560ft, -700m/2460ft
Meals: B
Day 6
Last stage to Santiago (6-7hrs)
Today's trail will lead you into Santiago de Compostela. It starts with a steep ascent to a charming chapel before leading along country lanes and forest paths through increasingly populated countryside. The last day is always a special one, as you continue downhill to the city. On arrival in the fabled Santiago de Compostela there is plenty to see and do – or you can simply relax and celebrate the end of your journey. Dinner is not included tonight so you can try one of the many restaurants in town. Distance: 19.2km/11.9mi, +580m/1902ft, -520m/1706ft
Day 7
Trip concludes
Trip arrangements conclude after breakfast. We recommend staying an extra day in Santiago as there are many things to do in this fabulous city.
What's included
What's not included
GRADE 3 - Daily walks are between 18 to 22.6km (6-8hrs) on well marked trails over diverse terrain – from relatively flat to mountainous. There are some reasonable hills. This is a well worn path where route finding is straight forward (refer below for further details on self guided adventures). The main areas to concentrate on route finding are arriving and leaving towns. The accent is on keeping a steady pace to take in all of the attractions, with time to stop and take photos. You will need a good level of fitness to participate fully in this adventure. As with all of our trips it is important that you are well prepared. We suggest that you undertake regular exercise – swimming, cycling, and jogging, three to four times a week for three months prior to your departure. It is also recommended to do some bush walking, and multi day walks in preparation for your trip.
Per Person, Twin Share
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
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We offer different levels of accommodation and comfort so that even the most budget conscious can treat themselves to active holidays on Europe's most celebrated tracks and trails. Our trips are great value for money because you only pay for what you want.
Our wide range of self-guided itineraries embody the UTracks philosophy of exploring Europe your way. We handle the logistics so all that's left for you to do is enjoy exploring Europe at your own pace. Most depart daily with a minimum of two people, meaning maximum flexibility.
With close to 400 trips in almost 50 countries, including the largest range of bike & boat holidays in Europe, we're confident that we can organise an Alps walk, Camino de Santiago or Via Francigena experience, Food Lovers' trip or a tour in a lesser-known pocket of Europe that you will love.
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Moderate
11Days
Introductory to Moderate
36Days