Sarria walks

The seventy-second stage of the Camino de Santiago. Santiago de Compostela is fast approaching; today you will pass the legendary 100 km mark between the villages of Ferreiros and Moimentos. A walking stage through numerous small villages and hamlets that takes you to Ventas de Narón, a small hamlet located in the province of Lugo, in the autonomous community of Galicia, in north-western Spain.

The seventy-first stage of the Camino de Santiago. On this stage, with fewer long sections along busy roads, you’ll walk along a greener, quieter countryside route passing through many small villages.

The seventy-third stage of the Camino de Santiago. On this downhill stage, you continue through Galicia, a beautiful green region whose landscape is reminiscent of the Aubrac. Indeed, the region’s paths are lined with low stone walls. The region is beautiful but poor. The housing is dilapidated and the elderly people you meet live with their feet in cow dung.

This stage is the official route and avoids the detour to Friol and Sobrado dos Monxes. There is a fair amount of road walking but if the weather is unkind (i.e. wet and cold) that is probably a blessing. There are a number of villages to go through so plenty of opportunities to chat with local folk along the way. Santiago is getting closer and that will also probably mean more people on the trail but that can also be pleasant and conversation on the road will make the journey more entertaining.

A beautiful stage with some elevation gain: a 400-metre descent through the forest towards Belesar and crossing the Rio Minho, followed by a 300-metre climb on a Roman road in the heart of the Ribeira Sacra AOC vineyards

This stage runs through rural Galicia, with at least seven villages en route and plenty of places to stop for a rest (or even to stay the night if you want to split this stage into two or three mini-stages). Likewise, there are plenty of chapels, churches and fountains to visit. Our route follows the original way to Vilabade, which includes a visit to the church of Santa María, known as the "catedral de Castroverde".

The 70th stage of the Camino de Santiago. This stage towards Triacastela first climbs up to the Haut de San Roque and its monumental statue of the pilgrim, then descends gently towards the small village of Triacastela. In between, a peaceful journey through wooded areas and green meadows that reconnects us with nature.

This stage goes through more rural landscapes, along small dirt tracks and quite a lot of tarmac with frequent slopes. In general, it's pretty moderate with the opportunity to visit small villages, a few of which have restaurant services. The route finishes in Melide, where we join the Camino Frances.

The route is a delight with a succession of descents and ascents surrounded by domesticated rural scenery. If the weather is kind, this stage is as enjoyable as any other and much easier on the feet that the previous stage. This is authentic Galician hinterland with a warm welcome from folk all the way along the trail.