Be closer to traditions and nature as you stay in typical rural guesthouses
Explore Galicia, its incredible landscapes, and its Celtic heritage.
Walk the last 100 kilometres along the Via de la Plata route and get your pilgrim certificate.
Indulge yourself in en-suite rooms and with a high level of comfort and character all along the way.

Printable file

Departures:

>Self-Guided
Any time, all year round!

>Guided
See Guided Departures page

Our Camino Rustic walking holiday offers a unique chance to explore the Via de la Plata route to Santiago de Compostela in a more traditional way. You will stay in family-run "casas rurales" (rural guesthouses), often century-old buildings and tastefully renovated. It also gives you a chance to be closer to nature and make your journey to Saint-James even more authentic. Gastronomy is also a highlight on the Camino Rustic, with traditional meals cooked in our selected guesthouses.

Starting in Ourense and reaching Santiago de Compostela, this section of the Camino runs through both farmlands and the green low mountains of Galicia. As you approach the final destination of the entire Camino, or Way of Saint James, you can feel the buzz and appeal it has created all over the centuries, as heritage such as chapels, crosses, and statues linked to the Camino can be seen every day during the walk. With many up and downs, this section can be seen as challenging, but, with Santiago de Compostela being the final stage, this is certainly the most rewarding of the whole Via de la Plata route!

Day 1 - Ourense
Ourense is ideally located on both banks of Rio Mino, a major Galician river. The city’s old quarter is home to the dominating XIIth century cathedral, the main square and its arcades, and pedestrian streets with many bars and restaurants that will suit anyone’s taste.

Town: ATM, shops, all facilities. Accomodation: 3*hotel in Ourense

Day 2 – Ourense to Monasterio de Oseira (8h, 30km, +570m -200m)
Leave Ourense crossing the Puente Viejo, a XIIth century bridge over Rio Mino. Then we follow a main road for a few kilometres, always keeping the river away to our right. After Cachaxuas, we start one of the steepest uphill part of this section but there are some great views all along the climb up. We then continue along natural shady paths through the countryside, walking through Cea before getting to Monasterio de Oseira. Short transfer to your beautiful casa rural in Casarellos.

Guesthouse: Comfortable village house. The surrounding area has many traditional, stone-built properties typical of rural Galicia. En-suite room. Meals: On-site breakfast & dinner

Day 3 – Monasterio de Oseira to Estacion de Lalin (6h15, 25km, +50m -50m)
On morning, transfer back to Monasterio de Oseira. We start the day with a climb-up to the top of a hill where the views over the agricultural valleys are a nice reward. Then the Camino runs up and down through farmlands, passing through hamlets such as Gouxa or Vidueiro. However, after Castro Dorzon, it meets up several times with the busy N-525 road during a couple of kilometres. We will then be back to the countryside to reach Estacion de Lalin.

Guesthouse: Located in a spot of singular beauty and overflowing vegetation, this ancient "Pazo" forms an impressive walled building, with a great interior courtyard and porch. En-suite room. Meals: On-site breakfast & dinner

Day 4 – Estacion de Lalin to Silleda (3h45, 15km, +50m -300m)
Today is a short stage made of many gently up and downhill bits through farmlands, woodlands and villages. As we leave Estacion de Lalin, we start the day by a climb-up to Botos and we then continue to walk through several villages. At the end of the walk, we enter Silleda, a modern town with all facilities.

Guesthouse: Beautiful stonehouse surrounded by a spacious garden. Traditional home-cooked food. En-suite room. Meals: On-site breakfast & dinner

Day 5 – Silleda to Ponte Ulla (5h, 20km -200m)
This day first starts with an easy stroll towards Bandeira, a town well-known for its empanadas (Galician flat filled pies). As the day goes on, the Camino continues downhill through farmlands and villages. Just before descending to Ponte Ulla, the old castle worth a visit for whoever is keen to enjoy more 360 degrees great views. In Ponte Ulla, have a closer look at the Iglesia de Santa Maria de Magdanela and its very detailed Romanesque facade.

Guesthouse: Century old refurbished traditional galician farmhouse surrounded by a peaceful garden. Meals: On-site breakfast, dinner

Day 6 – Ponte Ulla to Santiago de Compostela (5h, 20km, +300m -200m)
Today is special, not only because it is the last day of this section, but also because it is the finishing line of the whole Via de la Plata route! As you leave Ponte Ulla, we first walk up towards Pico Sacro with its Ermita de San Sebastian and wonderful scenic views. The last kilometres to Santiago still reflect the rural atmosphere of Galicia and it is sometimes difficult to believe you are so close to such an attractive city. Finally, you reach Santiago and its world-known Cathedral, a Unesco World Heritage site.

Accomodation:3* hotel in the historic centre. Renovated 18th-century family house, en-suite. Town: ATM, Internet, shops, all facilities Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Day 7 – Santiago de Compostela
After breakfast we bid you farewell.

If you wish to stay in the area, we recommend that you:
- Take your time and visit the magnificent historic centre.
- Continue with us along the wild "Camino Fisterra" (Finisterre Way), and stay overnight at the 2* hotel in the light house!
- Visit the unspolit sandy coves and beaches of the west coast. With very few tourists, you are guaranteed a very special experience. Ask us for more information to walk it via our Green Camino Walking holiday!

Town: ATM, Internet, shops, all facilities Meals: Breakfast

The accommodation we have selected on our Camino Rustic is the best in terms of authenticity, healthy food, tradition, peace of mind and comfort. From ancient pilgrim hospitals to 17th century farmhouses, often of typical Galician architecture and always wonderfully renovated, these "casas rurales" are all set in beautiful locations. Some grow their own vegetables or produce their own wine. As well as spacious gardens, some even have a swimming pool in which to relax after the walk! Our selected accomodations gain in character and peace of mind and therefore guesthouses are often out of town (2-10km) with a reduced access to town centre. A short transfer (not included) is required to reach them.

These guesthouses have been carefully selected for their character, comfort, location, and friendliness, and are subject to availability. If the guesthouse described is not available we provide an alternative of the same standard of comfort and price.

• Nights in authentic guesthouses full of character during the walk
• Nights in 3* hotels in Ourense and Santiago de Compostela
• Luggage transferred from hotel to hotel
• En-suite Rooms
• Half-board during the hike
• Detailed Walking Notes
• Map
• Pilgrim passport

• Flights
• Insurance (recommended)
• Drinks
• Dinners in Ourense and Santiago de Compostela
• Transfer from/to airport