Camino Sanabrés

At a Glance

• Start / Finish: Granja de Moreruela (turn-off from the Vía de la Plata) → Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
• Length: 370.0 km — through Sanabria, over the mountain passes to Galicia, and via Ourense to Santiago
• Elevation gain: ↗ 7,136 m / ↘ 7,591 m — a true mountain trail: the Padornelo and A Canda passes are the key sections
• Duration: 13–17 days; from Ourense, 4–5 days are enough for the last 100 km or so
• Waymarking: Yellow arrow and seashell; the Camino Ninja app has the entire route on board
• Pilgrims: quiet — the arrivals are listed in the statistics under the Vía de la Plata; along the route itself, it remains very quiet all the way to Ourense
• Hostels: Good network of Xunta hostels in Galicia; in some areas near Ourense, the distances between them are quite long
• Connection: The feeder lines are the Vía de la Plata and the Mozarabic Way; from Santiago onward to the Camiño a Fisterra
• Character: Mountainous, green, and peaceful—high valleys, a glacial lake, a spa town, and Galician oak forests

Overview

In Granja de Moreruela, a village with the ruins of a monastery and a fork in the road, every Plata pilgrim makes the most important decision of their journey—and most choose to turn left: toward the Camino Sanabrés. It stretches 370 kilometers to the northwest, through the high valleys of Sanabria—home to Spain’s largest glacial lake—over the Padornelo and A Canda passes into Galicia, and through the spa town of Ourense, until, after two weeks, the towers of Santiago come into view.

The Sanabrés is more than just the final stretch: With over 7,000 meters of elevation gain, secluded plateaus, and dense Galician forests, it is a fully-fledged, independent Camino—and one of the quietest. It’s not until you reach Ourense—where the 100-kilometer mark for the Compostela is reached—that things get noticeably busier. If you have two weeks to spare and are looking for a route with little traffic, you can walk it all on your own, without having to make the long trip from Seville.

The world's oldest pilgrim is in Santa Marta de Tera

On the third day of the hike, in the village of Santa Marta de Tera, there is a remarkable sight that many would walk right past without noticing if they didn’t know it was there: Next to the 10th-century church stands the oldest known statue of St. James the Apostle as a pilgrim—carved in the 12th century, with a staff and a bag, his face turned westward. Every depiction of St. James with a scallop shell and pilgrim’s staff known today has its oldest predecessor here; in 1993, the figure even made it onto the Spanish 5-peseta coin.

The church has even more to offer: Twice a year, on the spring and fall equinoxes in March and September, a ray of sunlight streams through the round apse window in the morning and, for several minutes, falls precisely on a small female figure on the capital next to the altar—interpreted as “Alma,” the soul ascending to heaven. A Romanesque play of light with a thousand years of precision: Anyone planning a pilgrimage around March 21 or September 23 should be in the church around 9 a.m. on that morning.

Ourense — the hottest city on the Camino de Santiago

Just before the Sanabrés enters its final week, it treats us to a curiosity: Ourense, the city of hot springs. At As Burgas, right in the center of town, water gushes from the ground at over 60 degrees—a phenomenon that has been occurring since Roman times, when the Romans also built the mighty bridge over the Miño River here. Thermal pools line the river, many of which are open to the public: there’s no other Camino where you can soothe your legs in such authentic style after 250 kilometers.

Ourense is both the last major city before Santiago and the most popular starting point for those who walk only the final stages: From here, it’s a good 100 kilometers—enough to earn the Compostela, and with the steep climb right after the city, it’s certainly no walk in the park. Anyone who combines the two—a visit to the thermal baths in the evening and the climb in the morning—will quickly understand why Ourense enjoys a special reputation among pilgrims.

Lakes, mountain passes, monasteries—the quiet drama of Sanabrés

The Sanabrés has a dramatic arc that no screenplay could have conceived better. First, the vastness: the high valleys of Sanabria, where Lake Sanabria lies—Spain’s largest glacial lake, a dark eye nestled between mountain ridges, and above it, the small castle town of Puebla de Sanabria. Then comes the test: the Padornelo and A Canda mountain passes, over which the trail crosses into Galicia—often in fog, always with wind, and with the unmistakable feeling of crossing a true threshold.

And finally, a stop along the way: Just past Cea, it’s worth taking a short detour to the Cistercian monastery of Oseira, which is also called the “Escorial of Galicia” because of its sheer size—pilgrims spend the night here in the monastery wing, and the monks still celebrate their Liturgy of the Hours to this day. From there, it’s another three days through oak and eucalyptus forests to the Plaza del Obradoiro. Anyone who has walked the Sanabrés route understands why many call it the most beautiful finale in the world of the Camino.

Other names

The name comes from the region through which the route first passes: Sanabria, in the northwest of the province of Zamora. In Spanish, it is called the Camino Sanabrés; internationally, it is known as the Sanabria Way or simply the Via de la Plata (Sanabrés)—because many do not view it as a separate route, but rather as the Galician branch of the Vía de la Plata. In the Pilgrim’s Office statistics, arrivals on this route are listed under “La Plata.” When someone says “Vía de la Plata to Santiago,” they almost always mean: La Plata to Granja de Moreruela, then Sanabrés.

Who it's ideal for—and who it's not so ideal for

The Sanabrés is ideal for pilgrims with two weeks, for those looking for a complete, peaceful Camino: your own starting point, a true mountain route, vast landscapes, and a fitting finale in Santiago. Also as Second Camino It's perfect—anyone familiar with how Francés operates will find this a complete contrast. And anyone who just 4–5 days starts in Ourense and receives the Compostela along with a visit to the thermal baths.

It’s less suitable for anyone who needs daily companionship and short daily stages: Before reaching Ourense, 30-kilometer days are not uncommon; villages are small, shops are few and far between, and those walking in winter should expect snow on the mountain passes. For your very first Camino, the Camino Francés The easier choice—Sanabrés is the reward for everyone who comes back.

Route & Landscape

From Granja de Moreruela, the route first crosses the Esla River and winds through the tranquil landscapes of grain fields and oak groves in the province of Zamora—with Santa Marta de Tera as an early highlight. Then the trail gradually ascends into the Sanabria region: high valleys, broom, dry stone walls, the small fortified town of Puebla de Sanabria perched above the river, and nearby, the dark Lago de Sanabria, Spain’s largest glacial lake.

Crossing the Padornelo and A Canda passes, the trail enters Galicia, and everything changes in an instant: narrow valleys, chestnut forests, hamlets with stone roofs. From A Gudiña, you can choose between the mountain route via Laza and the southern route via Verín; both routes rejoin before Ourense. After a stop at the thermal baths, a steep climb leads up to the final plateau, then eucalyptus and oak forests line the path down through Ponte Ulla—until you arrive at the Plaza del Obradoiro.

Stages, Terrain & Difficulty

The Sanabrés can be found in 13 classic stages walk; athletic pilgrims cover it faster, while those who take their time take 17 days. The daily distances range from 22 to 34 km—some can be split up, others cannot, because there’s simply nothing in between. Checking out the lodging options is part of the evening routine here.

1. Granja de Moreruela → Tábara: approx. 26 km — along the Esla into the silence
2. Tábara → Santa Marta de Tera: approx. 23 km — to the world’s oldest statue of St. James
3. Santa Marta de Tera → Mombuey: Approx. 34 km — along the Tera River, the longest leg of the trail
4. Mombuey → Puebla de Sanabria: approx. 31 km — to the small castle town of Sanabria; detour to the lake possible
5. Puebla de Sanabria → Lubián: about 30 km — up into the high valleys
6. Lubián → A Gudiña: approx. 24 km — via Padornelo and A Canda to Galicia
7. A Gudiña → Laza: Approx. 34 km — the long mountain stage (Alternative: route via Verín)
8. Laza → Xunqueira de Ambía: approx. 33 km — through chestnut and oak forests
9. Xunqueira de Ambía → Ourense: about 22 km — down to the spa town on the Miño
10. Ourense → Cea: about 22 km — the steep climb out of the Miño Valley, then villages known for their bread
11. Cea → A Laxe: approx. 33 km — a worthwhile detour via the Oseira Monastery
12. A Laxe → Ponte Ulla: Approx. 33 km — gently descending through Galician forests
13. Ponte Ulla → Santiago de Compostela: Approx. 22 km — the final climb and the finish

All stage distances are rounded—the total distance of 370 km from Granja de Moreruela is the official figure. For the Compostela, the last 100 kilometers or so from Ourense are sufficient; if you calculate the entire journey starting from Seville, you’ll end up with the Vía de la Plata a total of about 1,000 kilometers.

Highlights Along the Way

• Moreruela Monastery — the ruins of the Cistercian monastery at the fork in the road
• Santa Marta de Tera — A 10th-century church housing the oldest statue of St. James (12th century) and the "miracle of the light" that occurs during the equinox
• Puebla de Sanabria — A small fortified town perched high above the river, one of the most beautiful villages in Spain
• Lago de Sanabria — Spain's largest glacial lake, a detour off the trail
• The Padornelo and A Canda Passes — the rough transition to Galicia
• Laza — A mountain village with one of the liveliest carnivals in Galicia
• Xunqueira de Ambía — Romanesque collegiate church with a cloister
• Ourense — the As-Burgas springs, with water over 60 degrees and thermal pools on the Miño River
• Roman Bridge of Ourense — the crossing over the Miño since ancient times
• Oseira Monastery — the “Escorial of Galicia”: Staying with the Cistercians
• Ponte Ulla — the last river crossing before Santiago, surrounded by vineyards
• Plaza del Obradoiro — Arrival in front of the cathedral after two quiet weeks

How Pilgrims Find Their Way onto This Path

Most people come on foot: via the Vía de la Plata from Seville or via the Mozarabic Way from Andalusia, which joins the Plata River in Mérida. Those who take the Sanabrés as a separate route travel to Zamora and on to Granja de Moreruela—or start right in Puebla de Sanabria, which is located along the Madrid–Galicia rail line.

The most popular starting point for a short hike is Ourense: a good 100 kilometers from Santiago, with a train station on the high-speed line and a thermal spa to get you in the mood. From there, you can complete the Compostela route in 4–5 days—one of the most beautiful short stretches on the Camino, significantly quieter than the last 100 kilometers of the Camino Francés from Sarria

Continue the pilgrimage?

Anyone who arrives in Santiago and still has energy left in their legs will head for the ocean: The Camiño a Fisterra It leads to Cape Fisterra in about 91 km and 3–4 days, with kilometer marker 0.0 at the lighthouse—and the Fisterrana as its own certificate.

From there, the Camiño a Fisterra-Muxía the cape, with its nearly 29 kilometers of rugged coastline and the Marian shrine of Virxe da Barca in Muxía; the return trip goes via the Camiño a Muxía or conveniently by bus. After the high valleys of Sanabria, the Atlantic Ocean offers the greatest possible contrast—and a fitting finale.

Preparation & Practical Information

The best time to travel is May through June as well as September through October — Lush high valleys, mild weather, available beds. It’s possible to travel here in the height of summer, though it’s hot compared to Galicia; in winter, there’s occasionally snow on the Padornelo and A Canda mountain passes, and some hostels close.

The backpack should no more than 10 percent of body weight weight; sturdy, broken-in shoes are a must on the mountain stages, and rain gear is a must in Galicia anyway. The trail markings are consistently good. With the Camino Ninja App you're still in good hands: It has the entire route on board—including all the stages, hostels, and elevation profiles—and that's worth its weight in gold, especially on the stretches before Ourense where hostels are scarce.

To get the Compostela, you'll need the Credencial with stamps—two per day starting in Ourense. In Galicia, you can stay affordably at the Xunta-Albergues for a flat rate—and in the evenings, be sure to sample the region’s specialties: pulpo, bread from Cea (the only bread in Spain with its own designation of origin), and a glass of Ribeiro.

What the journey will cost you

The Sanabrés is one of the most affordable routes: the daily budget is typically around 25 to 40 € (As of August 2026). Municipal albergues cost approximately 8–12 € — In Galicia, the Xunta hostels charge a flat rate of 10 € —, private 12–18 €, and the pilgrim's meal is available for 12–15 €. The only thing that’s worth spending a little extra on is a day of thermal baths and relaxation in Ourense; it’s worth every euro.

Getting Here

To begin with, you'll travel via Zamora to — by express train from Madrid, then by bus to Granja de Moreruela. Alternatively, you can start in Puebla de Sanabria or Ourense, both of which have train stations on the Madrid–Galicia line; Ourense, in particular, is perfectly connected as a starting point for a 100-kilometer trip.

The return trip starts from Santiago de Compostela (SCQ) Whether by direct flight to German-speaking countries or by train via Ourense and Madrid—the route you just walked is covered in a matter of minutes.

• Getting to the starting point: Train/AVE to Zamora, bus to Granja de Moreruela; alternatively, train to Puebla de Sanabria
• Interim entry: Ourense (train from Madrid and Santiago) for the last 100 km or so; A Gudiña also has a train station
• Return trip: Direct from Santiago (SCQ), or by train via Ourense to Madrid