Sanabrian Way from Ourense in 7 days

Your adventure on the Camino Sanabrés will start in Ourense, where you will arrive on your own the day before the first stage. We recommend that you do it as soon as possible because Ourense has a lot to see. For starters, a cathedral that is a delight and that holds the Portico del Paraíso, brother of the famous Portico de la Gloria and erected by the Matthean workshop only a few years after finishing the one in Compostela. But Ourense is much more. Here you can bathe in its publicly accessible hot springs, marvel at the old town or stroll along the banks of the river Minho, the most important river in Galicia. Good options to warm up for what awaits you the next day.

Standard accommodation: Hotel Alda Estación Ourense or similar

Distance: 22.9 km
Difficulty: ●●●○○
Accommodation: Cea

This Camino Sanabrés, also called Variante Sanabresa for being a detour of the Vía de la Plata that goes to Compostela through the interior of Galicia without the need to go to Astorga, is one of the itineraries to be discovered. Many pilgrims start it in Ourense, thus making the last 100 km required by the chapter to grant the Compostela. But not only for that. Ourense is one of the Galician cities with the greatest historical and artistic heritage, and is also the thermal capital of Galicia. In addition, this stage will leave you in Cea, a place that has become famous for its magnificent bread, and very close to one of the main Cistercian monasteries of Galicia: Oseira, which is well worth a visit.

Standard accommodation: Casarellos House or similar

Distance: 27.2 km
Difficulty: ●●●○○
Accommodation: Lalín

From the lands of Cea, dominated by the old monastic manor of Oseira, the Sanabrés Way that we started in Ourense reaches in this stage one of the main towns of Galicia: Lalín. This is the longest stage of this route, which crosses the Deza region, whose valley is descended in the last stretch. You will leave the province of Ourense behind to enter the province of Pontevedra. A route through the green and mountainous Galicia that exists beyond the cities and the estuaries.

Standard accommodation: Hotel Alda Lalín or similar

Distance: 22.4 km
Difficulty: ●●●○○
Accommodation: A Bandeira

We welcome you to a new day of peaceful pilgrimage, unhurried and without the hustle and bustle of other routes. 100% Sanabrés Way. In this stage you will cross the lands of Trasdeza and the river that gives it its name - the Deza - to continue in search of Compostela. You will stop first, however, in a small village built at the foot of the old Royal Road that linked Santiago with Ourense, and through which, among other things, the wine of the region of O Ribeiro, highly appreciated in the city of the apostle in the Middle Ages, as the Codex Calixtinus testifies. When you get to A Bandeira, be sure to order an empanada. And if you're hungry for more, nearby is the monastery of Carboeiro, rescued from ruin a few years ago and set in stunning surroundings.

Standard accommodation: Hotel Victorino or similar

Distance: 16.9 km
Difficulty level: ●●○○○
Accommodation: Outeiro de Vedra

Penultimate stage of this Sanabrés Way from Ourense before reaching Santiago de Compostela. A route without great difficulties and with few kilometres that allows you to enjoy the landscape with the calm it requires and stop in Ponte Ulla to taste its wine and its famous augardiante - a liqueur made from the skin (bagasse) of the grape. And not only that. Under the columns of the immense Gundián bridge, built to carry the railway to Compostela, is said to be the submerged monastery of San Salvador da Cova.

Standard accommodation: Victoria Guesthouse or similar

Distance: 16.5 km
Difficulty: ●○○○○
Accommodation: Santiago de Compostela

Few sensations can compare to entering Compostela after walking for days. Sometimes even for weeks. Doing so along the Camino Sanabrés, Camino del Sudeste or Camino Mozárabe also has the advantage of allowing you to do so at the foot of Pico Sacro, one of the places most closely linked to the Jacobean tradition. Queen Lupa lived in its caves and on its slopes part of the story of the translatio - the bringing of the remains of the apostle to Gallaecia and his burial in what is today the third holy city of Christianity along with Rome and Jerusalem - unfolds. Have you got everything ready for this last stage?

Standard accommodation: Hospedería San Martín Pinario or similar

This last day is a well-deserved tribute to your efforts. After resting, you will have the whole day free to explore the Holy City: its Cathedral and the rest of its monuments. If you want, we can also help you with this. Or, if you already know Santiago, you can opt for one of the full day programmes we offer to complete your trip. You still don't know the Costa da Morte, Fisterra and Muxía?