FRENCH WAY TRAIL TOUR
Start Date | May 15, 2025
TRIP SUMMARY
- Guided tour of 4 stages / 3 nights duration along the French Way of St. James
- A tour of extraordinary beauty of 210 km from Ponferrada to Santiago de Compostela.
- A group formed by Trail Running enthusiasts who live the same passion as you for the mountains.
- A journey of total disconnectionFor a few days, your world will only be the mountains, your group of companions, your backpack, your muscle aches and you.
- Group reduced to 10-12 trail runners.
TRIP DESCRIPTION
The Camino de Santiago in 4 days: A trail running challenge with a pilgrim's soul
The Camino de Santiago is not just a route, it's a challenge, a journey where history and endurance intersect on every path. Trail run from Ponferrada to Santiago in four days It is an intense experience, a challenge that demands every ounce of energy, where speed blends with the excitement of treading the same paths that thousands of pilgrims have traveled for centuries.
From the Templar fortress of PonferradaThe route takes us through the vineyards of El Bierzo, with its undulating profile and dirt roads that prepare our legs for what is to come. Villafranca del Bierzo bids us farewell with its medieval air before launching us into the winding ascent towards The Ironworks, where the mountain begins to claim its prominence.
The second day dawns with the brutal climb to O Cebreiro, the legendary gateway to Galicia, where the views take your breath away and the wind whispers stories of times past. The difficulty of the ascent is offset by the beauty of the pallozas (wooden houses) and the feeling of having conquered one of the most legendary sections of the Camino. From here, the descent is fast and technical, with trails that pass through stone villages until reaching Sarria, a starting point for many, but just one more step in our journey.
The third day is a battle against the kilometers. Sarria to MelideThe dirt and stone paths lead us through oak groves and endless meadows, passing through Portomarín with its fortified church and leaving Palas de Rei behind in a flash. Here, the Camino feels more populated, with pilgrims advancing at a leisurely pace while trail runners find their own flow, balancing their effort with the cadence of each stride. Melide It welcomes us with its unmistakable octopus aroma and the certainty that the goal is ever closer.
The last day is pure pent-up emotion. From Melide, the trail winds its way through eucalyptus trees and villages to Arzúa, where the cheeses with designation of origin are a tempting but brief stop along the way. The final stretch takes us through shaded paths to the Mount of Joy, where the silhouette of Santiago looms on the horizon. The body is exhausted, but the mind pushes on, driven by the imminent arrival.
The last few kilometers are different. There's no rush, just the pleasure of savoring each step. And then, Obradoiro Square opens before us, the Cathedral rises like a beacon marking the end of the journey. 210 kilometers in four days, with 3,900 meters of elevation gain, crossing mountains, forests, and towns steeped in history.
It's not just a race, it's not just a challenge. It's the Camino, experienced at a different pace, with the intensity of trail running and the essence of every pilgrim who has gone before us.
ROUTE
Stage 1: Ponferrada – Las Herrerías
- Distance: ~45 km
- Cumulative positive slope: +900 m
Description:
Starting from Ponferrada, capital of the El Bierzo region, the route passes through vineyard landscapes and charming small towns. One of the highlights is Villafranca del Bierzo, known as the “Little Compostela” for its historical and architectural wealth. Here, the Church of Santiago offers the Gate of Forgiveness, which in Jacobean years allows pilgrims to obtain the jubilee without reaching Santiago. Continuing, the path follows the course of the Valcarce River until reaching The Ironworks, a picturesque village that marks the beginning of the climb to O Cebreiro.
Stage 2: Las Herrerías – Sarria
- Distance: ~50 km
- Cumulative positive slope: +1,200 m
Description:
This stage begins with the demanding ascent to O Cebreiro, a picturesque Galician village located at an altitude of 1,300 metres. O Cebreiro is famous for its pallozas, traditional stone and thatched roof constructions, and by the Church of Santa María la Real, one of the oldest on the Camino, which houses the legend of the Galician Holy Grail. After reaching the top of O Cebreiro, the path descends passing through villages such as Triacastela, where pilgrims can choose from two routes:
- Route through San Xil: It passes through lush chestnut and oak forests, offering natural landscapes of great beauty.
- Route through Samos: Allows you to visit the Monastery of Samos, one of the oldest in Spain, with impressive architecture and cloisters worthy of admiration.
Both routes converge at Sarria, a town that stands out for its historic center and for being one of the most popular starting points of the Camino due to its proximity to Santiago.
Stage 3: Sarria – Melide
- Distance: ~60 km
- Cumulative positive slope: +1,000 m
Description:
From Sarria, the route runs through rural landscapes, passing through small Galician towns and villages. One of the highlights is Portomarín, a town that was moved stone by stone to its current location due to the construction of the Belesar reservoir. Here, the Church of St. Nicholas It stands as an example of Romanesque-fortified architecture. Continuing along the route, you will pass through towns such as King's Palas, until reaching Melide, famous for its Galician-style octopus, considered one of the best in Galicia.
Stage 4: Melide – Santiago de Compostela
- Distance: ~55 km
- Cumulative positive slope: +800 m
Description:
The final stage takes the pilgrim along paths shaded by eucalyptus and oak trees, passing through towns such as Arzúa, known for its Arzúa-Ulloa denomination of origin cheese. As you progress, you reach the Mount of Joy, from where the towers of the city can be seen for the first time Santiago Cathedral. The final descent leads to the entrance into Santiago de Compostela, culminating in the majestic Plaza del Obradoiro, where the cathedral welcomes pilgrims after their long journey.
EVENT DATA
STARTING PLACE
DISTANCE
210 Km
UNEVENNESS +
3900 Meters
DURATION
4 Stages
TOUR START DATE
May 15, 2025
TOUR END DATE
May 18, 2025
Nº PARTICIPANTS
12 Participants
MANDATORY MATERIAL
LEVEL PARTICIPANTS
CHECK YOUR PHYSICAL LEVEL
If you have any questions, please contact us, we will be happy to help you and see if this adventure is for you.
PRICE
252 Euros
What does the price include?
- Route planning and preparation.
- Accommodation in selected hotels and hostels
- Registration management.
-
Guided tour by 1 qualified mountain guide and 1 trail running specialist.
- Liability and accident insurance.
- Photo report.
- Processing of the Compostela credential.
Guided tour by 1 qualified mountain guide and 1 trail running specialist.
