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We will then drive to the city’s outskirts to view the 9th century churches of Sta. Mª del Naranco and San Miguel de Lillo, both considered jewels of pre-Romanesque architecture. The former being one of the most favoured spots for weddings in all of Spain. After the visit we take a 40 minute drive towards the sea which will take us to lunch in a restaurant with beautiful views out to the Pravia Fiord. We will then proceed on our afternoon coastal walk, a delightful path through red and purple bougainvillea with extensive views of the ocean and the rugged coastline as we walk through a fragrant Eucalyptus Forest. Over-nighting at Cudillero, one of the most picturesque fishing villages in Asturias, its colourful cluster of houses, perched upon the hillside, form an amphitheatre whose stage is the fishing harbour down below. Today’s walk total: 5 kms Overnight: Cudillero
We spend the following night at Luarca: One of the most attractive features of this seaboard town, of an ancient whaling tradition, is its sheltered port sprinkled with small colourful fishing boats, embraced by a boardwalk with outdoor restaurants where you can sample the delicious Asturian cider and local seafood. Today’s walk: 15-17 kms Overnight: Luarca
We also go through pine forests and picturesque traditional hamlets. The walk ends at an ancient Celtic settlement which we visit with an English speaking guide. Today’s walk: 15kms Overnight: Foz
We will have lunch by the beach and in the afternoon take a visit to the famous ceramic factory of Sargadelos, founded in 1804. It was considered to be the most important centre in all of Spain for artistic ceramic in the first half of the 19 th Century. This visit will be accompanied by a short walk along the beautiful “Lovers Walk” and a tea break on the rocks by the Cantabrian Sea. Today’s walk: 10 kms Overnight: Foz
During our walk today, which at times runs by the riverside and others through thick oak, aspen, ash and chestnut forests, we will also visit knife makers workshops, old iron forges and watermills (one of them now a museum) and old abandoned village, well preserved as example of traditional architecture. We will have lunch in lovely spot in one of these villages. Today’s walk: Option of 10kms or 15kms Overnight: at Santa Eulalia
Here we traverse birch, and pine forests, we cross crystal clear rivers among alders, ashes, willows and hazels and we enter tiny hamlets with their perfectly preserved traditional architecture of stone, slate and wood whose only separation from these lively rivers and brooks are the deep green meadows where cows peacefully graze. It is a bucolic picture come alive, a painters dream. In the early evening there will be an optional visit Casa natal de Sargadelos and Iron Forge. Total day’s walk: 13.5 kms Overnight: Santa Eulalia
Lunch in Lugo From here we continue to Sarria. It is from this town situated in a fertile valley, where we will link with the pilgrimage route which will take us after 112kms, to the legendary shrine of the Apostle James the Greater in Santiago de Compostela. No walking today Overnight: Sarria
Today’s path traverses a centenary oak and chestnut forest with specimens of over 500 years old and then continues along fields and meadows and a few hamlets of strong rural atmosphere in which life seems to have changed very little in the last couple of centuries. We end our days walk at Portomarin after crossing the Mino, Galicia’s most important river. This small town was inaugurated in 1962 when the old one was flooded in order to make a reservoir but their Romanesque church-fortress and some of their best buildings were transported stone by stone up to their new emplacement. Here we will have lunch then rest until the following day. Today’s walk: 20kms Overnight: Portomarin
Towards the end of the day we make a small detour to visit the former monastery to the Order of Santiago, several of whose knight’s lie buried in the church. After lunch optional return to Brea to continue walk to Palas de Rei. Today’s walk: 20kms with optional afternoon walk 22.5kms Overnight: outskirts of Palas de Reis
We stop for lunch at the town of Melide where we will be able to sample one of Galicia’s most celebrated local dishes: the “pulpo de feria” consisting of octopus cut up and cooked with salt, paprika and olive oil. After lunch we will walk just a further 7kms along country paths and a luxuriant forest of oaks and eucalyptus. Today’s walk: 22kms Overnight: the outskirts of Arzua
From here the rest of our walk runs through vegetable gardens and orchards until we get to an oak grove We pass through the last villages of the Camino which still preserve this taste of ancient rural life with its smell of barn and their cows, hens and dogs roaming muddy streets. Today’s walk: 22kms Overnight: the outskirts of Santiago
Two important landmarks here before the end of our pilgrimage are the river of Lavacolla where pilgrims would traditionally was themselves before entering Santiago and Mount of Joy so called because from here pilgrims could for the first time see the tall spires of the Cathedral of Santiago as they would drop on their knees and cry of joy. Lunch at Lavacolla Farewell Dinner Today’s walk: 22.5kms Overnight: Santiago
Full day to explore Santiago de Compostela one of the most beautiful and intact of Spain’s old cities which once someone once called a symphony in stone.
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