Overview
A nine day, self-guided walking holiday, following the Route of Padre Sarmiento through Galicia in Spain all the way to Santiago de Compostela. This route was created by Padre Sarmiento in the 18th century, following an alternative path to Santiago that clings to the coast of Salnés in Galicia. This is a route of wild coastal beauty, starting in Pontevedra and continuing for 170km through the likes of the isthmus that connects O Grove with the mainland, the Cambados vineyards, capital of fine Albariños and then the inland through forests of Padrón and so much more. The Padre certainly picked a good way.
Please note: Although the Route of Padre Sarmiento isn’t part of the main Camino de Santiago network, you can still obtain what’s called a Diploma, and you can get your document signed at churches along the way as proof of passage. For more details, see below.
- Plaza de Fefiñanes
- Hot springs of Isla de la Toja
- O Grove
- Pontevedra
- Santiago de Compostela Cathedral
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Pontevedra
The starting point of the Padre Sarmiento is at the confluence of the Rio Lérez and Ria de Pontevedra. The first night is spent in Pontevedra, a city with a strong maritime and trading heritage. Take the time to stroll through the pedestrian streets and take in the historic quarter, considered one of the finest in Galicia. In the centre there a is wide selection of local wines and restaurants to try.
- Accommodation: Hotel Galicia Palace or similar in Pontevedra
Day 2: Pontevedra – Sanxenxo | 25km
On the first day, hike from Pontevedra to Poio and cross Puente del Burgo. While in Poio, we recommend visiting Parroquia San Xoan de Poio Monastery, a place that has welcomed travelling pilgrims for years. Continue on towards the coast to Combarro, with its traditional hórreos grain stores and narrow streets. The hike ends in the very popular resort town of Sanxenxo.
- Walking for the day: 25km, 6h
- Accommodation: Gran Hotel Talaso Sanxenxo or similar in Sanxenxo
Day 3: Sanxenxo – O Grove | 19.5km
Today’s walk starts alongside Sanxenxo’s urban beaches. Continue to Punta Faxilda where you get great views across to Ons Island. Continue on towards A Lanzada beach, famous for its healing waters, and in an idyllic isthmus location. We also recommend a stop at A Lanzada Hermitage, located on a small rocky peninsula at the end of the beach. Your day comes to a close in O Grove, at the end of the peninsula, often known as the seafood capital of Spain due to its annual seafood festival in October.
- Walking for the day: 19.5km, 5h
- Accommodation: Hotel Maruxia or similar in O Grove
Day 4: O Grove circular trail | 29km
Despite the circular nature of today’s walk, this is the longest walk of the entire route. Head over a bridge to Isla de la Toja, an island that’s famous for its thermal waters and mud properties. You can use the facilities, payable locally. Towards the end of the day, back on the mainland, we recommend continuing your walk to ascend Monte Siradella, where you can get great views of the Ría de Arousa.
- Walking for the day: 29km, 7h
- Accommodation: Hotel Maruxia or similar in O Grove
Day 5: O Grove – Cambados | 22.2km
Cross a landscape of wetlands and vineyards on the way to Cambados, the capital of Albariño wine. We recommend exploring the historic quarter, with its 16th-century Santa Mariña ruins and Plaza de Fefiñanes.
- Walking for the day: 22.2km, 5h
- Accommodation: Hotel Casa Rosita or similar in Cambados
Day 6: Cambados – Vilagarcía de Arousa | 21km
Another day on the coast, today the route heads through Vilaxoan, one of three villages that have merged together on a long sandy stretch. Vilagarcía de Arousa is another of the three, a beautiful spot to spend the night.
- Walking for the day: 21km, 4h
- Accommodation: Hotel Vilagarcia or similar in Vilagarcía de Arousa
Day 7: Vilagarcía de Arousa – Padrón | 25.3km
Begin the day alongside wetlands and through forests, on the final part of the route heading inland. At the end of the Ría de Arousa is the River Ulla, which acts as a natural border between the provinces of Pontevedra and Coruña. Continue on to Catoira, with great views of Torre del Oeste, which once defended the coast and the city of Santiago de Compostela from invasions by sea.
- Walking for the day: 25.3km, 5h
- Accommodation: Hotel Pazo de Lestrove or similar in Padrón
Day 8: Padrón – Santiago de Compostela | 24.3km
The final walking day joins the final section of the Camino Portugues. Your journey continues through small rural towns to finally reach Santiago de Compostela, with time to visit the great cathedral and meet other pilgrims coming in from all directions.
- Walking for the day: 24.3km, 6h
- Accommodation: Hotel Lux Santiago or similar Santiago de Compostela
Day 9: Departure
Departure after breakfast.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of small, locally-owned hotels, B&Bs and traditional guesthouses. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Click to view default hotels
- Hotel Galicia Palace (Pontevedra)
- Gran Hotel Talaso Sanxenxo (Sanxenxo)
- Hotel Maruxia (O Grove)
- Hotel Casa Rosita (Cambados)
- Hotel Vilagarcia (Vilagarcia de Arousa)
- Hotel Pazo de Lestrove (Padrón)
- Hotel Lux Santiago (Santiago de Compostela)
Accommodation is subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel or guesthouse being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included on all days. When no restaurant location is available on the route, lunches and snacks should either be bought from local shops, or packed lunch can be pre-ordered from your hotel the night before. Most places serve hearty and reasonably priced, pilgrim dinner menus.
Difficulty and terrain
This walk is graded easy to moderate with daily distances of up to 29km per day; (read more about difficulty grades). The routes are very well way-marked, and the itinerary is straightforward to follow. We strongly advise you to follow only marked trails and never try to shorten the path through the unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime.
When to go
This trip is available from the early April until October. The best months to visit are April – June and September – October as in summer months it may become too hot (and crowded, particularly on the last day of the trail).
The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates and you can start your trip on any date during the season. For more information on the best time to visit , check out our blog: Best time to go to Spain.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended arrival airport for this holiday is Santiago-Rosalia de Castro Airport (SCQ).
By train or bus
Arrival in Pontevedra:
- If you are able to travel to Spain without flying, this holiday is reachable by rail with train stations in Pontevedra and Santiago de Compostela. For more details, see the national rail operator Renfe or use the Omio planner above
- There are also bus services from Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña and nearby cities. For more information visit Monbus, or use the Omio planner above
Departure from Santiago de Compostela:
- There is a shuttle bus to the airport of Santiago from the centre of Santiago with different stops in the city
- From Santiago, there are regular train services to many destinations in Spain. For more information and tickets, visit Renfe or use the Omio planner above
- You can also book private transfers with us
Route of Padre Sarmiento Credential and Diploma
Just as with the main Santiago de Compostela routes you need to get your Route of Padre Sarmiento Credential stamped in churches, restaurants or hotels along the way, if you want to get your Route of Padre Sarmiento Diploma. A minimum of two stamps per day is required to obtain the Diploma. To obtain your Diploma you must email a copy of your Credential to: info@osalnes.com.
Inclusions
Included
- 8 nights accommodation
- 8 breakfasts
- Luggage transfers on all walking days (one piece per person, max 20kg)
- Padre Sarmiento guidebook
- Pilgrim Kit (Credential and pilgrim shell)
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Local tourist tax and entrance fees (payable locally)
- Personal expenses
- Spa and wellness centres in La Toja
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers; a supplement will be charged as accommodation and luggage transfer costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single rooms)
- Private airport transfers on request
- Extra nights
Spain’s legal requirement for personal information
Please note: in December 2024, the Spanish government introduced a new law making it a legal obligation for all visitors to Spain to share personal details with their accommodations and car rental companies. Consequently, as we book your accommodation for you, we are obliged to pass these on to our local partners on the ground. After booking your holiday, we will send you a form to complete requesting all the legally-required information, including: name, nationality, gender, passport number, DOB, address, phone numbers and email address. This applies to all travellers aged 14 and over. If you are travelling with people under 14 years old, you need to declare your relationship to them. We apologise for any inconvenience. For more information, see here.
