Camino Sanabrés

In short: Camino Sanabrés: from Granja de Moreruela to Santiago de Compostela. Length: around 370 km, duration: a good 2 weeks. Best time: May to October.

Overview

The Camino Sanabrés is the continuation of the Vía de la Plata into Galicia. At Granja de Moreruela it branches off to the west and runs via Puebla de Sanabria and Ourense straight to Santiago.

The route crosses the mountain region of Sanabria and soon reaches green Galicia. In Ourense you can recover in the hot thermal springs.

The route is a quiet alternative to the main route. Even as a route of its own from Ourense, it is long enough for the Compostela.

Main stops: Granja de Moreruela, Tábara, Puebla de Sanabria, Ourense, Silleda, Santiago de Compostela.

From the Meseta to Galicia

The first few days still cross the wide plains of Zamora. Puebla de Sanabria, with its castle and old town, is a nice place to rest. Then you climb into the mountains over the passes after Requejo and soon reach Galicia.

From Ourense to the Compostela

Ourense lies a little over 100 kilometres from Santiago, which makes it a popular starting point if you only have a few days and still want the Compostela. The As Burgas thermal springs are right in the middle of town. The climb straight after Ourense is short but steep.

Planning your stages

How long you need depends on your daily distance. The table works this out for 370 kilometres, with one rest day a week.

Who is this route for?

With some hiking experience this route is very manageable. Expect climbs and keep your days from getting too long.

What does the route cost?

With an albergue or simple guesthouse and one hot meal, 40 to 50 euros a day is usually enough. Over about 22 days that comes to roughly 900 to 1,100 euros, plus travel and gear. This is a guide figure.

You can find more routes under Pilgrimage routes in Europe, Pilgrimage in Spain, sorted by religion under Christian pilgrimage routes.