Last 100 km of the Camino Francés: Complete Stage Guide

The Last 100 km of the Camino Francés

The last 100 kilometres of the Camino Francés are the most popular. They begin in Sarria (Lugo) and end at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. This is the minimum distance on foot to earn the Compostela certificate.

Thousands of pilgrims choose this stretch every year for its perfect combination of Galician landscapes, charming villages, great food and relatively straightforward logistics.

Important: credential stamps

From Sarria onwards you need a minimum of two stamps per day on your Pilgrim Credential to obtain the Compostela certificate. Get stamps at hostels, churches, bars and restaurants along the Way.

Stage 1: Sarria – Portomarín (22.5 km)

• Difficulty: Low-medium
• Estimated time: 5-6 hours
• Elevation: Gentle, with a steep final descent to the Belesar reservoir

The stage begins in Sarria, the most common starting point for those walking the last 100 km. You leave the town crossing the medieval bridge over the River Sarria and pass through Barbadelo, with its Romanesque church of Santiago.

The path takes you through quiet hamlets among meadows and forests. The most spectacular section is the final descent to Portomarín, with views of the Belesar reservoir and its impressive bridge.

Portomarín: the village moved stone by stone

Portomarín has a unique history. The original village was submerged in 1962 when the Belesar reservoir was built on the River Miño. Before the flooding, the most important monuments were dismantled stone by stone, each block numbered, and rebuilt at their current location on Monte do Cristo. In summer, when the water level drops, you can sometimes see the ruins of the old village emerging from the reservoir.

Don't miss the fortress-church of San Nicolás (also called San Juan), dating from the 12th-13th century. It belonged to the Order of the Knights of St. John and looks like a fortress with crenellated towers. Its Romanesque portal depicts Christ in Majesty and the 24 Elders of the Apocalypse, a direct reference to the Pórtico de la Gloria at Santiago Cathedral.

Where to eat

In Portomarín try the empanada gallega (Galician pie) at any of the bars on the main street. The local aguardiente de orujo (grape spirit) is also famous.

Stage 2: Portomarín – Palas de Rei (25 km)

• Difficulty: Medium
• Estimated time: 6-7 hours
• Elevation: Several ascents and descents through the Sierra de Ligonde

A long stage but without major technical difficulties. You cross the Sierra de Ligonde with panoramic views of the Galician countryside. You pass through Gonzar, Castromaior (with its visitable pre-Roman hill fort), Hospital de la Cruz, Ventas de Narón and Ligonde.

The arrival in Palas de Rei is pleasant, with all the services a pilgrim needs: hostels, guesthouses, pharmacies, ATMs and restaurants.

Key stop: Palas de Rei

Palas de Rei is a strategic point on the Camino. From here you can organise the following days flexibly. It's a good time to arrange luggage transport and walk light on the next stages, especially the long stage to Arzúa.

Stage 3: Palas de Rei – Arzúa (29 km)

• Difficulty: Medium-high (due to distance)
• Estimated time: 7-8 hours
• Elevation: 450 m ascent, 550 m descent

The longest stage of the last 100 km and one of the most beautiful. You walk through the heart of rural Galicia among forests, stone hamlets and breathtaking landscapes. At Melide, the Camino Primitivo joins the Camino Francés.

Stops kilometre by kilometre

• San Xulián do Camiño (km 3.5): Small 12th-century Romanesque church, one of the oldest on this stretch. Worth a brief stop.
• Casanova (km 6.5): Tiny hamlet with traditional Galician hórreos (raised stone granaries) and a fountain to refill your water bottle.
• Leboreiro (km 10): Beautiful medieval village. The church of Santa María de Leboreiro has a Romanesque tympanum depicting the Virgin. The medieval bridge over the River Seco is one of the most photographed spots on the Camino Francés.
• Furelos (km 13): Three-arched Romanesque bridge over the River Furelos. A must-photograph spot.
• [Melide](/en/blog/melide-octopus-capital-camino) (km 15): Midpoint of the stage and the capital of pulpo á feira (Galician-style octopus). An essential food stop. This is where the Camino Primitivo joins the Francés. Visit the cruceiro (stone cross) in the centre, one of the oldest in Galicia (14th century), and the church of San Pedro with its Romanesque portal.
• Boente (km 21): Church of Santiago de Boente with a figure of the Apostle on the altar. Boente fountain for fresh water.
• Castañeda (km 24): Historically, pilgrims carried limestone here for the lime kilns used in the construction of Santiago Cathedral.
• Ribadiso (km 26.5): One of the most beautiful spots on the entire Camino. A restored medieval hostel beside the River Iso with a lovely stone bridge. In summer, many pilgrims cool their feet in the river.
• Arzúa (km 29): Famous for its Queso de Arzúa-Ulloa, a PDO-certified cheese. Try it at any bar. A good town to rest with all services.

Where to eat octopus in Melide

Melide is the undisputed capital of pulpo á feira. The octopus is served on a wooden board, cut with scissors, dressed with olive oil, coarse salt and paprika. It comes with cachelos (Galician boiled potatoes) and bread, washed down with Ribeiro wine served in a cunca (ceramic bowl).

The best-known restaurants are Ezequiel, A Garnacha and Pulpería Antoxo. If you can, arrive before 13:30 or after 15:00 to avoid the queues in high season.

Alternative: split into two days

Many pilgrims split this stage by sleeping in Melide (km 15). If you don't want to walk 29 km in one go, this is the most logical option. You can also take a taxi to cover part of the stretch: from Palas to Melide or from Melide to Arzúa, resting your legs for the days ahead.

Stage 4: Arzúa – O Pedrouzo (19 km)

• Difficulty: Low
• Estimated time: 4-5 hours
• Elevation: Gentle, rolling terrain without complications

A short and easy stage, perfect for recovering after the 29 km of the previous day. The path runs through eucalyptus and oak forests, passing through very quiet little Galician hamlets.

Main stops

• Calzada (km 3.5): First hamlet after Arzúa. Basic services.
• Salceda (km 10): Midpoint of the stage. Pilgrim monument and fountain. Good spot for a rest with bar and café.
• Santa Irene (km 16): Chapel of Santa Irene with a fountain that, according to legend, has healing properties. There's a good hostel here. Some pilgrims stop at Santa Irene to shorten this stage and the following day's walk to Santiago.
• O Pedrouzo / Arca (km 19): A modern town that lives off the Camino. Its official name is Arca, but everyone knows it as O Pedrouzo. It has restaurants, pharmacies, supermarkets and good accommodation.

Tip

Make the most of the afternoon in O Pedrouzo to rest well. Pack your bag the night before and have everything ready for an early start, because the next day you arrive in Santiago and if you want to attend the noon Pilgrim Mass, you need to get up early.

Stage 5: O Pedrouzo – Santiago de Compostela (20 km)

• Difficulty: Low-medium
• Estimated time: 4-5 hours
• Elevation: Final descent into Santiago

The final stage. The path passes near Lavacolla, where historically pilgrims washed in the stream to purify themselves before reaching Santiago. Today Santiago Airport is right here.

The most emotional moment comes at Monte do Gozo (Mount of Joy), about 5 km from Santiago. This is where pilgrims first catch sight of the Cathedral towers. There is a monument with two pilgrim figures pointing towards the city and another dedicated to Pope John Paul II's visit in 1989.

The walk into Santiago through the San Lázaro neighbourhood, along Rúa de San Pedro and through the Porta do Camiño to the Plaza del Obradoiro is a moment you will never forget.

Pilgrim Mass and the Compostela certificate

The Pilgrim Mass is celebrated daily at 12:00 in the Cathedral. During the Mass, the nationalities and places of origin of the pilgrims who arrived the previous day are read out. If you want to attend on the same day you arrive, leave O Pedrouzo before 6:00 and reach the Cathedral at least 30-45 minutes early to get a seat.

The Botafumeiro, the famous giant incense burner, is not used at every Mass. It swings on major feast days such as 25 July (Feast of St. James), Holy Week, Christmas and other liturgical dates.

The Compostela certificate is collected at the Pilgrim Office, Rúa das Carretas 33. In summer there are long queues, but it operates with a numbered ticket system.

After Santiago: Finisterre and Muxía

Many pilgrims continue on to Finisterre (87 km) or Muxía, the so-called "end of the world". If you don't want to walk any further, we offer direct transfers from Santiago to Finisterre and Muxía.

Practical tips for the final stages

• Start early in the morning, especially in summer. By 7:00 there's good daylight

• Carry at least 1.5 litres of water. There are fountains, but they're spaced out

• Book accommodation in advance during high season (May-October)

• Waterproof boots are essential in Galicia. It rains frequently and forest paths get muddy

• Wear sun protection even on cloudy days

• Watch out for eucalyptus trees: exposed roots on the path can be slippery when wet

Getting between stages without walking

It's not always possible to complete every stage on foot. Injuries, accumulated fatigue, blisters or simply wanting to enjoy each stop more are very common reasons to take a taxi between stages.

From Palas de Rei we offer transfers to any point along the last 100 km: Sarria, Portomarín, Melide, Arzúa, O Pedrouzo and Santiago. We also transport backpacks and luggage so you can walk light.

Contact us for a fixed price with no surprises.