O Cebreiro Camino de Santiago — Self-Guided The Last 160 km to Santiago de Compostela

O Cebreiro packs centuries of history into a few stone lanes. Visit the pre-Romanesque church of Santa María a Real, tied to the legend of the Eucharistic miracle that put the chalice on Galicia’s coat of arms and resting place of Father Elías Valiña, the parish priest who painted the first yellow arrows in the 20th century. Among the thatched-roof pallozas, watch the sun set over the mountains — then rest: tomorrow’s descent is a long one.

The stage starts along the mountain ridge, through Liñares and over the Alto de San Roque, where a bronze pilgrim leans into the wind. After Hospital da Condesa comes the last climb, to the Alto do Poio, and the Camino continues through Fonfría and Biduedo before the long descent among centuries-old chestnut trees to Triacastela, a town named for three castles that no longer stand.

In Triacastela the Camino splits into two routes that meet again before Sarria. The San Xil route is shorter and rural, through woods and tiny hamlets. The Samos route takes a detour of a few kilometers along the Oribio valley to the Monastery of Samos, one of the oldest in Spain and still home to Benedictine monks. Both end in Sarria, the starting point of the last 100 km.

Today the Camino enters its last 100 km. Leaving Sarria, the trail climbs through oak woods to Barbadelo and continues between stone walls, small farms, and streams. The marker showing 100 km to Santiago is usually the photo of the day. In the afternoon, the long descent ends at the Miño River and the bridge into Portomarín, where the church of San Nicolás was rebuilt stone by stone at the top of the new town.

After crossing the Miño again, the day begins with a climb up the hillside through pine forest. The trail passes Gonzar, the ancient castro of Castromaior, and hamlets such as Ventas de Narón and Ligonde, home to one of the most admired stone crosses on the route. A short detour leads to the church of Vilar de Donas, with its medieval wall paintings; at the end, Palas de Rei welcomes you with a quiet evening.

A long day, but full of rewards. The Camino crosses the hamlet of Leboreiro, with its medieval cobbled lane, and the bridge at Furelos before entering Melide, where a stop for Galician-style octopus is practically a must. The second half alternates woods, short climbs, and streams to the bridge at Ribadiso and the arrival in Arzúa, famous for its creamy cheese.

With the finish in sight, this stage has an easy rhythm. The trail runs through small villages and long tunnels of eucalyptus with few climbs, past the chapel and fountain of Santa Irene. O Pedrouzo, seat of the municipality of O Pino, is your last overnight before Santiago — a good moment to look back on everything you have walked since the mountains.

The last morning passes San Paio and Lavacolla, where medieval pilgrims washed before reaching the holy city, and climbs to Monte do Gozo, where you first glimpse the Cathedral towers. The walk into Santiago follows Rúa de San Pedro and the Porta do Camiño into the old town and, at last, Obradoiro Square. Your Compostela is issued at the Pilgrim’s Office.

Your last day is for enjoying Santiago without a backpack. Visit the Cathedral, tour its rooftops or go down to the Apostle’s crypt, and attend the Pilgrim’s Mass at noon. Then wander the stone streets of the old town, try a slice of tarta de Santiago, and say goodbye to the city at an easy pace before you travel on.