Sarria to Portomarín: Camino Stage Guide (22.4 km)

Stage Overview

• Distance: 22.4 km
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Estimated time: 5-6 hours
• Elevation gain: 450 m (rolling hills, no major climbs)

This is the first stage for most pilgrims walking the last 100 km. It passes through quiet Galician countryside with eucalyptus groves, small hamlets, and granite hórreos (traditional grain stores).

Route Description

Sarria to Barbadelo (4 km)

Leave Sarria by crossing the old bridge over the River Celeiro. You will pass the Monastery of A Magdalena, run by the Mercedarian order. The path climbs gently through the outskirts before reaching the hamlet of Barbadelo, home to a beautiful 12th-century Romanesque church.

Barbadelo to Ferreiros (12 km)

The trail winds through small villages — Rente, Mercado da Serra, Brea, Morgade, and Ferreiros. This is classic rural Galicia: stone walls, cow pastures, and chestnut trees. There are several cafés along the way for a coffee stop.

Ferreiros to Portomarín (6 km)

The final stretch descends to the Belesar Reservoir on the River Miño. You cross a long modern bridge into Portomarín. When water levels are low, you can see the ruins of the old town that was flooded when the dam was built in the 1960s.

Where to Eat

• Breakfast in Sarria before departure
• Mid-morning stop in Morgade or Ferreiros
• Lunch in Portomarín — try the local empanada gallega

Credential Stamps

Make sure you collect at least two stamps per day on the last 100 km — this is a requirement for the Compostela. Churches, albergues, cafés, and town halls all offer stamps.

Need a Luggage Transfer?

If you want to walk this stage light, Taxi Castro can transport your backpack from Sarria to Portomarín so it is waiting for you when you arrive. We also provide taxi transfers if you need a ride at any point. Call +34 659 99 31 39.