Triacastela → Sarrià

A short, beautiful stage through the green Galician countryside with a choice of routes. The main path goes directly to Sarria through rolling farmland and small hamlets. The alternative passes through Samos, adding about 5 km but rewarding the detour with one of the largest and most important monasteries in Galicia.

The Monastery of Samos, founded in the 6th century, is a vast complex with two cloisters (one Gothic, one Renaissance) and a community of Benedictine monks who still welcome pilgrims. If you have the time and energy, the Samos route is strongly recommended.

Sarria is the most popular starting point on the Camino Frances because it sits just over 100 km from Santiago, the minimum distance required to earn the Compostela certificate. Expect the trail to become noticeably busier from here onwards. The town itself has a pleasant old quarter climbing a hillside, with the Iglesia del Salvador and a medieval tower at the top. Stock up on supplies; the next five stages to Santiago pass through increasingly rural Galicia.