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We’ve been organizing unique Camino de Santiago experiences for over 25 years. We’re pilgrims just like you, we know every corner of the way and take care of every detail so that you can focus on what truly matters: living your own Camino.
Our goal is very simple: that our pilgrims only have to worry about enjoying the Camino. We’ll take care of everything else.
Want more info?Why Rutas Meigas as your Camino de Santiago travel agency
Looking for an organized Camino de Santiago provider?
Our team takes care of everything: accommodation, luggage transfers, Pilgrim Credential, 24/7 emergency phone assistance. Everything is ready so you can just walk, relax, and enjoy the journey. We are the organized Camino de Santiago agency you were looking for.
Prefer to walk the Camino de Santiago in a group?
We also organize group departures, so you can share the experience with fellow pilgrims. Get in touch with us and let’s plan your Camino together.
Perhaps you’d prefer to do the Camino de Santiago with support?
Forget the hassle. Rutas Meigas offers the Camino de Santiago with support — your personalized and secure path to experiencing this iconic journey. We handle all the logistics so you can focus entirely on the experience.
Thousands of happy pilgrims
Thousands of people from all over the world have trusted us to make their dream of reaching Santiago come true, standing at the feet of the Apostle, and even continuing to the end of the world: Finisterre and Muxía.
Personalized and close attention
We listen, we guide you, and we tailor each experience to your needs. Because every Camino is unique.
Save time and avoid complications
We take care of accommodations, luggage transfers, and all those little details that make a big difference, so your Camino is exactly what you want it to be.
Tailor-made routes
Want shorter or longer stages? Prefer rural accommodations? Traveling with a group? We customize everything for you.
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We’re here to help you plan your Camino de Santiago.
Send us a message or check the answers to the most frequently asked questions from other pilgrims.
Why walk the Camino de Santiago with Rutas Meigas
We want you to enjoy your Camino de Santiago the way you deserve, just as you’ve imagined it, and in line with your expectations. That’s why the Rutas Meigas team takes care of every detail of your pilgrimage to Compostela. So you can focus entirely on living the experience to the fullest, step by step.
If you’re looking for a Camino de Santiago that is unique, safe, tailored to your pace and needs, Rutas Meigas is your travel agency.
We’ll book all your accommodations, handle luggage transfers between stages, include travel insurance for the duration of the Camino, and provide 24/7 emergency phone support should anything unexpected come up along the way.
We stay close to our pilgrims, from the very first step, all the way to Compostela.
Want more info?Our services as a Camino de Santiago agency
Discover everything we can do for you as a Camino de Santiago agency: tailor-made organization, personalized routes, luggage transport, charming accommodations, and much more.
What do they say about us?
Why do the Camino de Santiago?
Thousands of people from all over the world walk the Camino de Santiago each year for reasons as varied as faith, a desire for adventure, or a need to stop and reconnect. Whatever the reason, they all agree on one thing: the Camino leaves its mark.
Visit the tomb of the Apostle
The Camino began as a pilgrimage route to the Cathedral of Santiago, where the Apostle’s remains rest. For many, this remains one of the main reasons for starting the Camino: to pray, give thanks, seek forgiveness, or simply keep a promise.
Discover unique landscapes
The Camino de Santiago passes through mountains, forests, valleys, villages, historic cities, and coastal areas. With every step, the landscape changes. You walk surrounded by history and nature, enjoying environments difficult to find on other routes.
Meet other pilgrims
Even if you start alone, the Camino unites you with others. You share journeys, conversations, laughter, meals… and often, lifelong friendships are formed. Pilgrims of different ages and countries meet and understand each other without needing to speak the same language.
Overcome yourself
The Camino can be tough. There are long stages, hills, fatigue, and blisters. But there’s also overcoming. Each day is a small achievement that fills you with confidence and strength. And when you reach Santiago, the pride you feel is incomparable.
Truly disconnect
No schedules, no rush, no notifications. Just you, the path, and your surroundings. The Camino de Santiago is one of the few places where you can completely disconnect and connect with what’s essential: your thoughts, your body, and your breath.
Enjoy the simple things
A hot coffee at dawn before starting the stage, a yellow arrow, a milestone indicating that there are fewer kilometers left. On the Camino, you learn to enjoy the little things that, in everyday life, go unnoticed. It’s a lesson in simplicity and presence (yes, what is now called mindfulness).
An experience for everyone
You don’t need to be an athlete or an expert. There are long and short routes, challenging and easy. You can do it alone, as a couple, with friends, or with family. The important thing isn’t how many kilometers you walk, but what you experience in each one.
I walk with everything organized
If you want to forget about logistics, you can count on an agency like Rutas Meigas. We take care of everything: luggage transport, reservations, insurance, assistance… So you can just focus on enjoying your Camino.
The Camino does not end in Compostela
The true end isn’t the Cathedral, or even Finisterre. The Camino continues when you return home. The lessons you learn while walking—patience, silence, strength, gratitude—stay with you. And that’s the most valuable part of this experience.
Back to what's important
In a life filled with noise, the Camino is a space to listen to yourself. To reflect on your purpose, what you want to leave behind, and where you’d like to go. Sometimes it’s a starting point. Sometimes, it’s the push you needed.
And you, why don't you do the Camino de Santiago?
You don’t need a grand reason to embark on the Camino de Santiago. Sometimes, all you need is a desire to experience something different, break away from your routine, or give yourself some time alone. The Camino de Santiago is there, waiting for you. And once you do, you’ll never come back the same.
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O Camiño do Monxe: 5-Day Ribeira Sacra hiking trail
O Camiño do Monxe is a 5-day, 4-night Ribeira Sacra hiking route in Galicia, following in the footsteps of the hermit monks who once lived in this sacred canyon. Across three hiking stages (around 60 km), walkers pass ancient monasteries, terraced “heroic” vineyards and dramatic viewpoints over the Sil canyon, finishing with a night at the Parador of Santo Estevo, a former monastery. Organised by Rutas Meigas, the route includes accommodation, breakfast and luggage transfers, from €600 per person.
Long before the first maps of the Camino de Santiago were drawn, men and women fled the world to seek God in the silence of a canyon. They settled on the steep banks of the Sil and Miño rivers, carved cells into the rock, planted impossible vineyards on near-vertical slopes, and over the centuries turned a wild territory into one of the most sacred landscapes in Galicia: the Ribeira Sacra.
From that legacy comes O Camiño do Monxe, a hiking route through the Ribeira Sacra that does more than cross spectacular scenery — stage by stage, it retraces the contemplative life of the first monks who turned rock and water into a dwelling place for faith.
The origins of the Ribeira Sacra monasteries: when silence became faith
From the earliest centuries of Christianity, hermits and monks sought refuge in the deep canyons carved by the Sil and Miño rivers as they cut through southern Lugo and northern Ourense. They dug out caves, built rock-hewn chapels and founded small monastic communities in places of almost inaccessible beauty. That ascetic calling gave the territory its name: Ribeira Sacra, the “sacred riverbank,” a name already recorded in writing since the 12th century.
Isolation wasn’t a whim. For those early anchorites, the canyon was the perfect place to disappear from the world. The vertical slate walls and river bends hid any settlement and protected a silence broken only by water. Over the centuries, those solitary cells grew into full monasteries — some Benedictine, some Cistercian — that went on to amass enormous economic and spiritual power, largely through control of the land and, above all, of wine.
It was these same monks who, generation after generation, revived the vine-growing tradition the Romans had started, carving impossible terraces into the canyon slopes to create what’s known today as heroic viticulture. Monasteries such as San Paio, Santa Cristina de Ribas de Sil and Santo Estevo de Ribas de Sil are stone witnesses to that contemplative life — and these are precisely the places that mark the stages of O Camiño do Monxe today.
Walking these trails today is, in a way, repeating what generations of monks have done for over a thousand years. Descending to the river, climbing the hillside, or pausing at a viewpoint feels like the landscape itself becoming a form of prayer.
O Camiño do Monxe in 5 Days: for those without two weeks to spare
Not everyone can take two weeks off to complete O Camiño do Monxe’s full 9-day route. That’s why this 5-day, 4-night version exists — designed for anyone who wants to experience the essence of Ribeira Sacra hiking in fewer stages. Three full days of walking, around 60 km in total, two emblematic monasteries, terraced vineyards perched over the void, and a final night sleeping in a National Parador housed in a thousand-year-old monastery.
The difficulty level is moderate, no previous multi-day trekking experience is required, and Rutas Meigas takes care of everything else. Our hiking experience includes accommodation, breakfast and luggage transfer between stages, so the only thing you need to worry about is putting one foot in front of the other.
Day by day: canyons, vineyards and monasteries
The route begins in Castro Caldelas, a village dominated by an imposing medieval castle that already hints at the grandeur of the landscape to come.
The first hiking stage descends toward the Val de Abeleda, home to the silent ruins of the Monastery of San Paio, surrounded by some of the most respected wineries of the Ribeira Sacra D.O. The stage ends at A Fábrica da Luz, a former hydroelectric plant converted into accommodation beside the famous walkways over the River Mao — a place where the sound of water replaces every other noise.
On the second day we walk alongside the River Sil, through the spectacular terraces of heroic viticulture. Passing the incredible Balcones de Madrid viewpoint, the trail leads to the Monastery of Santa Cristina de Ribas de Sil, and shortly after to the viewpoint known as A Mirada Máxica — one of those spots where the canyon opens up and, for a moment, time seems to stand still.
On the third and final hiking day, the Sil continues to set the pace, this time from above. We’ll pass the O Cotarro viewpoint, the highest in the canyon, along with the viewpoints of Cabezoá, A Columna, Vilouxe and Pé do Home, each offering some of the most breathtaking panoramas in all of Galicia. The route ends at the Monastery of Santo Estevo de Ribas de Sil, today a National Parador, where you’ll sleep among the very stones that once sheltered its monks.
Each stage is designed so the walking pace matches the rhythm of the landscape: cool mornings among chestnut and oak trees, open midday hours through vineyards, and the last hours of daylight saved for the great viewpoints, when the sun sets over the Sil canyon and the vine terraces turn gold. It’s no coincidence that many hikers describe these sunsets as the true highlight of the route — even above the monasteries themselves.
What’s included in this Camiño do Monxe Experience
This version of O Camiño do Monxe includes accommodation with private bathroom, breakfast, luggage transfer between stages (maximum 20 kg per bag), transfers according to the itinerary, a 24-hour emergency line, maps and GPS tracks for each stage, pilgrim credential and travel insurance. Prices start from €600 per person in a double room.
Who is the 5-Day Camiño do Monxe for?
O Camiño do Monxe in 5 days is designed both for experienced hikers looking for a new Galicia hiking route to complete in a short time, and for anyone tackling a multi-day route for the first time who wants to start with a shorter one. Only a moderate fitness level is required. No technical experience or previous long-distance walking is needed — just the desire to walk and let yourself be surprised by one of the most magical corners of inland Galicia.
Frequently Asked Questions about O Camiño do Monxe
How many days does the short version of O Camiño do Monxe take?
This version lasts 5 days and 4 nights, with 3 full days of hiking.
What’s the total distance of the route?
The total distance is around 60 km, split across three stages of between 19 and 21 km each.
How difficult is it?
The difficulty is moderate. No technical knowledge or previous long-distance experience is required — just a reasonable level of fitness.
Where does the route start and finish?
The route starts in Castro Caldelas and ends at the Monastery of Santo Estevo de Ribas de Sil, today a National Parador.
Can you reach the starting point by public transport?
You can take the train to Ourense and then a private transfer to Castro Caldelas.
What’s included in the price from €600?
It includes accommodation with private bathroom, breakfast, luggage transport, transfers according to the itinerary, map, credential, stage tracks and travel insurance.
Is this route suitable for someone who has never done a multi-day trail before?
Yes, it’s an ideal option for those starting out in multi-day trekking, since Rutas Meigas handles the logistics, accommodation and luggage.
What’s the best time of year for Ribeira Sacra hiking on O Camiño do Monxe?
You can hike O Camiño do Monxe all year round, though spring and autumn offer the most pleasant walking conditions. In autumn, the whole Ribeira Sacra area turns incredible colours.
Ribeira Sacra Monasteries: the story behind O Camiño do Monxe
The Ribeira Sacra is home to more than twenty historic monasteries, though only a handful survive today. Seven mark the stages of O Camiño do Monxe’s 9-day route — San Paio de Abeleda, Santa Cristina de Ribas de Sil, Santo Estevo de Ribas de Sil (now a National Parador), San Pedro de Rocas (Galicia’s oldest monastic site, dating to 573), Santa María de Xunqueira de Espadañedo, Santa María de Montederramo and San Juan de Camba — while the 5-day route, a shorter Ribeira Sacra hiking option, passes three of them: San Paio de Abeleda, Santa Cristina de Ribas de Sil and Santo Estevo de Ribas de Sil.
In our last post we told the story of the monks who gave the Ribeira Sacra its name. Today it’s time to focus on the stone protagonists themselves — the monasteries that, for over a thousand years, have shaped the spiritual, economic and scenic pulse of this region.
Each one has its own history, its own founding century still debated by historians, and its own more or less direct connection to the hiking routes that cross the area, such as O Camiño do Monxe, and also to the **Camino de Santiago**, since part of the **Camino de Invierno** also runs through areas of the Ribeira Sacra.
San Paio de Abeleda: the Monastery that refuses to disappear
This is the first monastery you’ll find on O Camiño do Monxe, on both the 5-day and 9-day routes, between Castro Caldelas and Fábrica da Luz, on the way to Val de Abeleda.
Historians disagree on its origins. Some place it in the 10th century, when the family of the nobleman San Rosendo is documented as the landowner; others prefer to date it to the 12th century, when the church still standing today was built.
What we do know for certain is its decline. Mendizábal’s confiscation laws in the 19th century left it without a religious community, though its church remained a parish. In 1872 it was acquired by the House of Alba, and in 1972 it closed permanently to worship.
Today, San Paio de Abeleda is a Romanesque ruin of strange beauty, its original doorway and capitals — carved with plant and animal motifs — still visible, surrounded by vineyards and silence.
Thanks to local non-profit associations, the site is kept minimally preserved, preventing it from disappearing altogether.
Santa Cristina de Ribas de Sil: romanesque architecture embracing the river
The second day of O Camiño do Monxe leads to one of the most admired Romanesque complexes in all of inland Galicia: the Monastery of Santa Cristina de Ribas de Sil, in the Merilán chestnut grove beside the River Sil, in the municipality of Parada de Sil. Its origins are, again, uncertain. Some documents suggest a community of hermits was already present in the 9th or 10th century, while the current church — one of the finest examples of rural Galician Romanesque — dates from the late 12th to early 13th century.
For centuries it was an independent Benedictine monastery, until in 1508 it was reduced to a priory dependent on Santo Estevo de Ribas de Sil, following a monastic reform that reorganised much of Galicia’s monastic life. That change in status marked the start of its decline. The confiscation of 1835 turned it into a simple, privately owned farm.
Today the church, the tower and part of the cloister survive, minimally restored and open to the public. You can still see the so-called armarium claustri — niches in the wall where the monks kept their books — along with capitals carved with plant motifs that have survived eight centuries intact.
Nearby, several viewpoints, such as Cabezoás, let you take in the Sil canyon from above before continuing the route.
Santo Estevo de Ribas de Sil: from refuge of nine bishops to National Parador
The third stage of O Camiño do Monxe in 9 days ends at one of the great icons of the Ribeira Sacra: Santo Estevo de Ribas de Sil. On the 5-day route, this is the high point and the finish line of the three hiking stages.
It’s the most monumental monastery in the whole Ribeira Sacra. Tradition attributes its origins to San Martiño de Dumio in the 6th century, although the first documented reference dates to the year 921, when King Ordoño II handed the site — then in ruins — to Abbot Franquila to rebuild monastic life there.
The monastery became famous in the 10th and 11th centuries thanks to a curious legend: nine Galician bishops, some fleeing the Muslim advance and others simply seeking a peaceful retreat, settled here to spend their final years. On their deaths, each left his bishop’s ring as an offering to the monastery, and all were buried in what’s now known as the Cloister of the Bishops, today one of the building’s most photographed corners.
After the reform of the Catholic Monarchs in 1499, the monastery passed to the Congregation of San Benito and began a deep architectural transformation that continued until the 18th century, giving rise to the three cloisters that coexist under one roof today: Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance. Declared a Historic-Artistic Monument in 1923 and a Site of Cultural Interest in 1985, the building was restored in the late 20th century and reopened in 2004 as a National Parador de Turismo, with 77 rooms spread across its former cloisters.
This is where those hiking O Camiño do Monxe in 5 days spend their final night — or one of the intermediate nights if hiking O Camiño do Monxe in 9 days. Yes, you’ll sleep among the very stones that once sheltered bishops, monks and hermits.
San Pedro de Rocas: the cradle of Galician Monasticism
On the 5-day route, San Pedro de Rocas falls outside the walking trail, while on O Camiño do Monxe in 9 days it becomes the highlight of the fourth stage, between Santo Estevo and Esgos. After a steep climb from Santo Estevo, the trail reaches this extraordinary site.
Carved directly into the granite rock of Mount Barbeirón, in the municipality of Esgos (Ourense), San Pedro de Rocas is considered the oldest monastic complex in Galicia and one of the oldest in Spain. A founding inscription found at the site itself, now kept at the Archaeological Museum of Ourense, dates its origins to the year 573, when five hermit monks withdrew here to live a life of solitary prayer.
Its three naves, carved straight into the rock, lack the elegance of later Romanesque temples — they’re rough, primitive, almost earthbound. And that roughness is precisely its greatest treasure, because here you can literally touch the skin of the oldest monasticism on the Iberian Peninsula.
The site was declared a Historic-Artistic Monument in 1923 and today houses a Ribeira Sacra interpretation centre in the former 17th-century prior’s house.
Santa María de Xunqueira de Espadañedo: a Stop with medieval flavour
The fifth stage of O Camiño do Monxe in 9 days, between Esgos and Maceda, takes you to one of the lesser-known monasteries of the Ribeira Sacra: Santa María de Xunqueira de Espadañedo. Its history has left a fascinating mix of architectural styles, from Romanesque to Baroque.
This Cistercian monastery began as an early medieval community that became Benedictine in the 12th century. By the end of that same century it joined the Cistercian order, linked to the nearby monastery of Montederramo.
From the medieval period, its basilica-plan church survives, with three naves and semicircular apses.
The current altarpieces also reflect the monastery’s evolution and the influence of the Counter-Reformation. The iconography centres on the Virgin Mary and the celebration of Western monasticism, represented by Saint Benedict of Nursia and Saint Bernard in the Baroque altarpieces.
Santa María de Montederramo: the spiritual heart of the Ribeira Sacra
The sixth stage of O Camiño do Monxe in 9 days runs from Maceda to Montederramo and ends at the Monastery of Santa María de Montederramo.
Considered the spiritual heart and one of the most important monasteries in the whole Ribeira Sacra, Montederramo marks the long route’s great leap into the interior of the region. The monastery’s documented history goes back to a charter dated 21 August 1124, granted in Allariz by Doña Teresa of Portugal. In it, the infanta granted Abbot Arnaldo and the Benedictine monks accompanying him a place called Rivoira Sacrata (or Roboira Sacrata) to found a monastery there, also reserving the monks’ right to relocate if they considered it more convenient. That first settlement wasn’t in today’s town of Montederramo, but near Leboreiro, in the area of Seoane Vello, under the patronage of Saint John and Benedictine observance; only later, once integrated into the Cistercian order, did the monastery take the name Santa María and move to its final location. You’ll find a fragment of this founding document in your Carta Sacra.
After following the Sil and visiting some of its best-known monasteries, the route continues into a territory where the monastic presence once again takes centre stage.
San Juan de Camba: the last monastery before closing the loop
The seventh and final stage of O Camiño do Monxe in 9 days runs from Montederramo back to Castro Caldelas. Before returning to the starting point, the trail passes the Capela das Neves and the Monastery of San Juan de Camba.
It’s the last of the route’s seven monastic stops and the one that closes a circular itinerary that has crossed much of the Ribeira Sacra’s historic territory.
Santa María de Ferreira de Pantón: one more Monastery to extend the experience
A short drive from Monforte de Lemos lies another of the Ribeira Sacra’s great monasteries, Santa María de Ferreira de Pantón, popularly known as the Monastery of the Bernardas. Its first documented references date back to the 10th century, when it was a family-run Benedictine monastery; two centuries later it joined the Cistercian order, and its Romanesque church was built in the 12th century, while the cloister dates from the 15th. The remaining buildings were added in the 18th century.
What makes this monastery unique isn’t just its architecture but its continuity — it’s the only enclosed community of nuns in all of Galicia to have maintained religious life uninterrupted from its founding to today, untouched by Mendizábal’s confiscation laws. The Cistercian nuns who still live there make traditional sweets and liqueurs, and welcome visitors to see part of the grounds and their beautiful Romanesque church, declared a National Monument in 1975.
If you want to extend your experience beyond the O Camiño do Monxe route, Ferreira de Pantón remains an excellent complementary visit.
FAQs about the Ribeira Sacra Monasteries and O Camiño do Monxe
How many monasteries are there in the Ribeira Sacra?
It’s estimated that there were once more than twenty monasteries and priories in the region, though today only a few remain in good condition or are open to visitors.
How many monasteries does O Camiño do Monxe in 9 days pass?
Seven monasteries form part of the seven-stage route: San Paio de Abeleda, Santa Cristina de Ribas de Sil, Santo Estevo de Ribas de Sil, San Pedro de Rocas, Santa María de Xunqueira de Espadañedo, Santa María de Montederramo and San Juan de Camba.
And how many monasteries does the 5-day route pass?
Three: San Paio de Abeleda, Santa Cristina de Ribas de Sil and Santo Estevo de Ribas de Sil, one for each hiking stage.
Which is the oldest monastery in the Ribeira Sacra?
San Pedro de Rocas, in Esgos, whose origins date back to the year 573 according to the founding inscription kept at the Archaeological Museum of Ourense.
Can you sleep in a Ribeira Sacra monastery?
Yes. The Monastery of Santo Estevo de Ribas de Sil is now a National Parador de Turismo. On the 5-day route you spend your last night there, and on the 9-day route it’s part of the third stage.
What’s the main difference between the 5-day and 9-day O Camiño do Monxe?
The 5-day route concentrates the journey into three hiking stages and three monasteries around the Sil. The 9-day version includes seven stages passing through seven monasteries.
Is there a Ribeira Sacra monastery with active religious life today?
Yes. Santa María de Ferreira de Pantón, home to Cistercian nuns known as the Bernardas, has kept monastic life going uninterrupted since the Middle Ages.
Is entry to these monasteries free?
It depends on each site. For example, San Paio de Abeleda and San Pedro de Rocas can be visited freely, while Santa Cristina charges a small symbolic entrance fee.
Which Camino de Santiago route is best for walking in the heat?
July and August are the months when many pilgrims, taking advantage of the summer holidays, follow the yellow arrows towards Compostela. They’re also the hottest months. And although all routes of the Camino de Santiago (Saint James Way) can be walked in summer, not all of them suffer the high temperatures in the same way.
If summer is the only time you have available, choosing the right route can make all the difference in enjoying the Saint James Way as it deserves.
That’s why today we’re telling you which Caminos are more bearable in high temperatures, which ones you should avoid, and a few tricks for coping with any of them.
Why the heat feels so different depending on the route
The different routes of the Saint James Way are very long and cross such wide geographic areas that climate variations are only natural. Walking along the Cantabrian Sea is not the same as crossing the Castilian plateau without any shade. Three factors make the difference: proximity to the coast, which softens temperatures thanks to the Atlantic breeze; altitude and terrain, since mountain and forest areas offer shade for much of the day; and the length of the route, because fewer stages mean fewer days of accumulated heat exposure.
The coolest routes: the power of the Atlantic breeze
One very effective way to beat the heat on the Camino de Santiago is to walk beside the sea. Galicia’s coastal routes are, year after year, the most recommended for summer.
- Portuguese Coastal Way: runs right along the coastline, with the Atlantic breeze cooling the walk and several beaches for a dip at the end of the stage. It’s probably the most rewarding option in summer.
- Northern Way (Camino del Norte): follows the entire Cantabrian coast before heading into Galicia, keeping milder temperatures than inland routes for much of its length, with cliffs, riverside woodland and coastal villages.
- Spiritual Variant and Father Sarmiento Route: both move through the Rías Baixas, with stretches along the sea and the chance to stop at beaches such as Combarro, O Terrón or A Lanzada — ideal for cooling off mid-stage.
The English Way: the short option to escape the heat
If your goal is minimising days of heat exposure, the English Way (Camino Inglés) is one of your best bets: with just 5–6 stages from Ferrol or A Coruña, it lets you complete the pilgrimage in just over a week, greatly reducing the accumulated strain of the hottest days. Much of the route also runs through eucalyptus and oak woodland that offers shade.
Routes to avoid in midsummer: the Meseta and the Vía de la Plata
At the opposite extreme are the inland routes that cross vast plains with almost no shade. The stretch of the French Way (Camino Francés) that crosses the Meseta of Castilla y León, between Burgos and León, is among the toughest in summer: mile after mile of open fields where the sun beats down directly for much of the day.
It’s even harder if you walk the Vía de la Plata from its starting point in the south of the peninsula. This is the Jacobean route where extreme temperatures are most easily reached in July and August. If you have no choice but to walk it in those months, one alternative is to join the Vía de la Plata from Ourense, avoiding the toughest southern stretch.
Tips for coping with the heat on any Camino
Whichever route you choose, remember it’s summer, and heatwaves are becoming more common even in the north. So it’s always worth following a few tips:
- Start walking at dawn: getting ahead of the heat and reaching your destination by mid-morning is, by far, the most effective trick on any route.
- Lighten your backpack: with Rutas Meigas, luggage transfer for one bag is already included, and you can add more if you need to. But walk with a small daypack carrying only what’s essential for that stage.
- Choose stages with a river or beach: many stretches of the Camino, even inland ones, pass by swimming spots — check ahead of each stage and make the most of the stop.
- Stay hydrated constantly: don’t wait until you’re thirsty, and always carry sun protection and something to cover your head.
Frequently asked questions about walking the Camino de Santiago in the heat
Which is the best Camino de Santiago to walk in summer heat?
The Portuguese Coastal Way and the Northern Way are the most recommended in summer, since they run along the sea and benefit from the Atlantic breeze, which softens temperatures compared with inland routes.
Which Camino de Santiago should you avoid in midsummer because of the heat?
The Vía de la Plata between Seville and Galicia, and the stretch of the Camino Francés that crosses the Meseta of Castilla y León between Burgos and León, are the toughest in summer due to their long, shadeless plains and the extreme temperatures they can reach.
Is it better to walk the Camino de Santiago along the coast or inland in summer?
In summer, the coast is preferable. The Atlantic breeze softens temperatures and lets you cool off at beaches near the route, which isn’t always possible on inland Caminos.
What time is best to walk in summer to avoid the heat?
It’s best to start the stage at dawn and reach your destination by mid-morning, before temperatures peak between 1pm and 5pm.
Which Portuguese Way is better in summer, the Coastal or the Central route?
The Portuguese Coastal Way is more recommended in summer than the Central route, since it runs right along the coastline with sea breeze and beaches to swim at, while the Central route runs inland with fewer ways to cool off.
Is it advisable to walk the Northern Way in summer?
Yes. The Northern Way follows the Cantabrian coast and keeps milder temperatures than inland routes, with stretches of cliffs, forest and coastal villages to cool off in.
What short Camino can you walk in summer without suffering too much heat?
The English Way, with only 5–6 stages from Ferrol or A Coruña, is one of the best options for reducing days of heat exposure, and much of the route runs through shaded woodland.
The best Way to beat the heat
In the end, the best Camino in the heat is the one you prepare for best. Check whether there’s shade along the route, places to cool off or swim, and follow the tips above — which are really just a bit of “sentidiño” (Galician good sense) applied to the trail.
At Rutas Meigas we can help you plan your Camino de Santiago with the heat in mind, so summer becomes an ally rather than an obstacle on your pilgrimage.
Buen Camino!
Frequently asked questions about our Camino de Santiago agency
Why go on a pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago?
Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from all over the world come to Santiago de Compostela every year. The majority of them on foot, many by bike, some on horseback or even by sailboat, by sea.
What is it that moves people from almost every country in the world to devote a considerable amount of their time to the physical and personal exertion that the Camino de Santiago entails?
There are various reasons for this.
• Religious and / or spiritual
There are many reasons why pilgrims choose to walk the Camino de Santiago. Some do it for religious reasons, to honor the tomb of the Apostle Santiago, whose relics rest in the cathedral. But many begin this journey for spiritual reasons in a less religious sense; to find oneself and or to reflect, to gain distance from everyday routine and noise, or simply for personal liberation.
• Adventure and nature
Others just want to experience adventure and discover incredible landscapes, as well as companions of various origins (which is not important on the Camino). These acquaintances from which sometimes even friendships arise enrich us immensely.
• History and culture
There are also pilgrims who try to trace the history and culture that made the Jacobean tradition flourish in the various ways. Many of the cities with their corresponding historical-artistic representations were created under the influence of the Camino de Santiago to welcome and care for the pilgrims who have been coming to Compostela since the 9th century.
Whatever the reason that motivates you to set off, do not doubt that when you arrived in Santiago you found what you were looking for and much more. Experiences that will accompany and shape you for the rest of your life. because the Camino almost never ends in Compostela. A pilgrim always takes something home.
Which route should I choose?
Having constant logistical support allows you to focus on what truly matters: enjoying the landscape, reflecting, and living the Camino without stress or distractions.
Is there an ideal route to take on the St. James Way for the first time?
A large number of pilgrims begin on the French St. James Way, and the most frequented section here leads from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela. The French way is the most popular and also the most frequented way, so we will always meet many other pilgrims here with whom we can share these first experiences and discuss eternal doubts.
It is also a route with a very well developed service, very good signaling and relatively easy to walk in terms of the degree of difficulty. From our experience, everyone should choose the first route individually, taking into account their own interests, strengths and preferences.
We will of course help to resolve any doubts that may arise before the first pilgrimage and possibly recommend a route.
Is the Camino well signposted or can I get lost?
At Rutas Meigas, we recommend this service for groups of up to 16 people. This allows for personalized attention and smoother logistics. However, we can also organize it for larger groups if needed.
Can I do the St. James Way alone?
We know that before starting the Camino de Santiago, many questions come up — especially if it’s your first time or if you’re considering doing it with professional support.
At Rutas Meigas, as a specialized Camino de Santiago travel agency, our goal is to help you live this journey with total confidence and peace of mind.
Here, we answer the most common questions about how the Camino with Support works — what it includes, who it’s designed for, how it’s organized, and what advantages it offers compared to walking independently.What type of bike do I need to do the St. James Way on bike?
Although there are currently many sections of the St. James Way that can be traveled on paved roads, it is always more interesting to drive them along the original routes. Therefore, it is ideal to adapt to any terrain and use a mountain bike.
However, if you already have a bike other than a mountain bike and want to ride the St. James Way with it, this is of course possible, although you have to be particularly careful on some sections. This decisión, of course, is up to you.
To complete the St. James Way by bike with Rutas Meigas, all you need is the desire, because our reservations for the St. James way on bike include:
– MTB bike with 27.5 “// 29” wheels and e-bikes
– Saddlebags
– Helmet
– Gel saddle cover
– Water bottle
– Tool bag (1 camera, patch, multifunctional Allen key, removable padlock)
– Air pump
Where do I pick up the bike provided by Rutas Meigas for the Way and where do I return it?
When you arrive at the starting point of your St. James Way on the first day, your bike is ready at your accommodation. The bike then simply left in the last accommodation when you arrive at your destination in Santiago. We take care of everything else.
Can I walk the St. James Way with my dog?
When you arrive at the starting point of your St. James Way on the first day, your bike is ready at your accommodation. The bike then simply left in the last accommodation when you arrive at your destination in Santiago. We take care of everything else.
What is the “Compostela” and how do you get her?
“La Compostela” is the official document of the Church, which testifies that you have completed one of the routes on the St. James Way. In order to receive it, you have to stamp your pilgrim’s pass on each completed stage.
Remember that you have to stamp at least twice on each stage, once in the town where you are staying and once during the stage.
As soon as you have arrived in Santiago, you can pick up your Compostela at the pilgrims ‘office, which is located in Rúa Carretas, 33, very close to the cathedral, about three minutes’ walk from the Plaza del Obradoiro.
If, under certain circumstances, you should prefer, it is also possible to document the Camino de Santiago with a digital pilgrim pass.
What is the pilgrim's pass and how do you get it?
The pilgrim’s passport, the “Credencial”, is the remnant of the document that has always accredited pilgrims on their pilgrimage. It is currently an official document issued by the Pilgrims’ Office of the Diocese of Santiago de Compostela. It consists of 16 pages with space for the appropriate stamps.
Routes Meigas provides the pilgrim’s pass at the start of the route. You will find this in your welcome package in the first accommodation we reserved.
Along the Way of St. James, on every chosen route, you will find numerous places where you can identify yourself as a pilgrim in order to receive the corresponding stamp: bars, restaurants, churches, chapels or hermitages, public institutions such as town halls etc. and even in the accommodation itself.
It is important that you have to stamp at least twice on each stage, once in the village where we are staying and once on the way.
How many kilometers do I have to cover at least to receive the Compostela?
The pilgrim’s passport, the “Credencial”, is the remnant of the document that has always accredited pilgrims on their pilgrimage. It is currently an official document issued by the Pilgrims’ Office of the Diocese of Santiago de Compostela. It consists of 16 pages with space for the appropriate stamps.
Routes Meigas provides the pilgrim’s pass at the start of the route. You will find this in your welcome package in the first accommodation we reserved.
Along the Way of St. James, on every chosen route, you will find numerous places where you can identify yourself as a pilgrim in order to receive the corresponding stamp: bars, restaurants, churches, chapels or hermitages, public institutions such as town halls etc. and even in the accommodation itself.
It is important that you have to stamp at least twice on each stage, once in the village where we are staying and once on the way.
Should I do the St. James Way in the shortest or longest possible time?
In no case the first variant, because there are absolutely no regulations in this regard as to how long it should take and also because the way is YOUR way and you can cover it in the time you want, as you want and can.
Typically an average of twenty kilometers per day is covered, and the stages are divided into places of particular interest to pilgrims or depending on the availability of accommodation and services, but each of the routes can be adapted to you and your wishes / preferences.
It is also possible to do the way in multiple periods of time, at different times or even years, as we often don’t have enough time to do it all at once.
Do I have to be in good physical condicion to complete the St. James Way?
Although the St. James Way is neither a sporting experience nor does it require special skills, it must be taken into account that the St. James Way requires certain physical demands. The difficulty is not necessarily to cover the kilometers on the first day. The challenge is to do this over several consecutive days. Most of us are not used to covering many kilometers for several days in a row. It is quite possible that our muscles are a bit sore at first, usually the feet are the most stressed and yet annoying blisters can often occur.
It is therefore advisable to complete a small and simple training session at least in the month before the start of the St. James Way. Simple walks or z. B. simply leaving the car and walking to work or running errands, climbing stairs, etc.
It is important that we try to incorporate different elevation changes and also different road surfaces into our routine as this is exactly what we will find on the Way and one of the things that will be the most strenuous for us.
It is also very important to do this little training with the shoes and socks that we want to use on the St.James Way. New footwear and new socks in the first stage are not a good idea, as they are an absolute guarantee for blisters on your feet. We should do the Way of St. James with breathable shoes and socks without seams, which have already been used and run in and to which our feet are already well used.
Do I have to bring walking sticks to the St. James Way?
Even if walking with sticks is not absolutely necessary or compulsory, we recommend it to all our pilgrims. They are a great support when faced with bumps to avoid falls and slips, and they can help set the pace of our steps.
Nowadays it is very easy to get collapsible sticks that can be easily stored in any pocket or small backpack so that they do not disturb when we are not using them and have them on hand when we need them.
Is the St. James Way suitable for people of all ages?
Even if walking with sticks is not absolutely necessary or compulsory, we recommend it to all our pilgrims. They are a great support when faced with bumps to avoid falls and slips, and they can help set the pace of our steps.
Nowadays it is very easy to get collapsible sticks that can be easily stored in any pocket or small backpack so that they do not disturb when we are not using them and have them on hand when we need them.
What is the weather like on the St. James Way?
The weather on the St. James Way depends on the route chosen and the time of the pilgrimage.
We are on Galician territory for the (last) hundred kilometers that are required to receive the Compostela. This means, in general, a mild climate with more or less frequent rainfall during most of the year. That means a very suitable climate for hiking, as there are no excessively high temperatures here in summer and the winters are also rather mild. In order to protect ourselves in the rain, it is usually sufficient if we have a thin raincoat / rain cape in our backpack just in case.
What should be taken into account are other areas with a somewhat more extreme climate, such as the Castilian plateau in the summer months, where temperatures can be very high and where we find few forest areas where you can protect yourself under shady trees. If you decide on one of these routes in summer, you should avoid the midday hours of the day to walk and always have enough water with you.
We also have to take into account the areas where we can find snow, fog and poor visibility in the middle of winter, such as O Cebreiro or Roncesvalles.
What is the best time of year to do the St. James Way?
Well, like the choice of routes, the choice of season for the St. James Way is also very personal. It depends on which climate we like best. For example, some people find it too hot to hike in the summer months and prefer cooler temperatures for this. There are even people who prefer to go out in winter to enjoy the snow-capped areas of these beautiful landscapes.
When choosing what time to hike, we also have to take into account the region we are going to visit, as, for example, the route of the Portuguese Way, which runs through the south, has a pleasant climate all year round and the one further north Routes naturally have a somewhat colder climate.
Another criterion that we have to consider when choosing the time is the ambience in which we want to be on the St. James Way. If we want to meet many pilgrims and people, the busiest time is the end of spring, summer and the beginning of autumn. If we prefer a very quiet St. James Way, which is more focused on our introspection, it is ideal to do it outside of these seasons.
Whatever you prefer, it is always recommended to have a raincoat with you, as it can “drizzle” in Galicia as early as mid-August.
What should I bring with me for the St. James Way?
Well, like the choice of routes, the choice of season for the St. James Way is also very personal. It depends on which climate we like best. For example, some people find it too hot to hike in the summer months and prefer cooler temperatures for this. There are even people who prefer to go out in winter to enjoy the snow-capped areas of these beautiful landscapes.
When choosing what time to hike, we also have to take into account the region we are going to visit, as, for example, the route of the Portuguese Way, which runs through the south, has a pleasant climate all year round and the one further north Routes naturally have a somewhat colder climate.
Another criterion that we have to consider when choosing the time is the ambience in which we want to be on the St. James Way. If we want to meet many pilgrims and people, the busiest time is the end of spring, summer and the beginning of autumn. If we prefer a very quiet St. James Way, which is more focused on our introspection, it is ideal to do it outside of these seasons.
Whatever you prefer, it is always recommended to have a raincoat with you, as it can “drizzle” in Galicia as early as mid-August.
What should I carry with me in the small backpack?
Try to carry only the bare essentials for each stage in a small backpack so that you can walk more comfortably and easily. Leave all heavy objects in your luggage, which Rutas Meigas will transport to the next accommodation.
– Personal documents.
– Water. Although it is common to find sources of drinking water and places to shop, it is good to have enough water with you to have something to drink at all times.
– Sun and head protection.
– Raincoat / rain cape
– A small first aid kit with plasters (or special bandages for blisters), some bandages and tape.
Rutas Meigas provides you with maps of the individual stages that you can easily take with you. However, we also have the option of tracking them from our mobile phone.
What can you eat on the St. James Way?
Try to carry only the bare essentials for each stage in a small backpack so that you can walk more comfortably and easily. Leave all heavy objects in your luggage, which Rutas Meigas will transport to the next accommodation.
– Personal documents.
– Water. Although it is common to find sources of drinking water and places to shop, it is good to have enough water with you to have something to drink at all times.
– Sun and head protection.
– Raincoat / rain cape
– A small first aid kit with plasters (or special bandages for blisters), some bandages and tape.
Rutas Meigas provides you with maps of the individual stages that you can easily take with you. However, we also have the option of tracking them from our mobile phone.
What should I do when I arrive in Santiago de Compostela?
Traditionally, the St. James Way ended at the north gate, called the Puerta del Paraíso or Francígena (facade of the Azabachería) or at the south gate (facade of the Platerias), although nowadays all pilgrims choose to end their journey in the spectacular plaza la Plaza del Obradoiro. When you get there, pause for a while to rest and be amazed by the incredible surroundings that surround you. It will be a moment of great emotion, a moment of celebration, sharing with other pilgrims, but also of introspection, of remembering everything that you have experienced and achieved. Arriving at the Obradoiro is the culmination of all efforts, and when you get there you will feel that all the efforts are worth it. Then you can go to the pilgrims office to pick up your well-deserved Compostela. Don’t worry if there is a long line. With the shift system, you will be notified on your phone when it is your turn, so you can take a stroll through the old town or comfortably wait in one of the bars around the office.
When you arrive at your hotel, Rutas Meigas has already left your luggage there so that you can freshen up and then comfortably go back out to explore the city. You will certainly want to take part in the pilgrim mass, which is currently celebrated at 12:00 and 18:00 in the afternoon. With Rutas Meigas you also have a guided tour inclusive through the historical center with one of our official Galician tourism guides.
Of course, it is also essential to enjoy the wonderful gastronomy that Galicia offers and that you can find in the many bars and restaurants of the city. In Compostela it is a tradition to drink wine in the many streets of the old town. Not to forget that we are invited to a tapa here with almost every drink.
If you are staying longer in Santiago and want to learn more about Galicia, we at Rutas Meigas offer an extensive catalog of excursions from Santiago.
What is the pilgrimage mass?
It is a liturgical celebration that is celebrated in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. It begins by reading the list of pilgrims who have passed through the pilgrimage in the last twenty-four hours, including the starting points of their pilgrimage and the nationalities or provinces from which they come.
When is the pilgrimage mass celebrated?
Currently, the pilgrimage mass is celebrated twice a day at 12:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m
What is the botafumeiro and where can I see it?
The botafumeiro is a symbol of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela and, ultimately, of the city itself. It is certainly the largest censer in the world. He weighs 53 kilos and measures 1.50 meters. Dipped in silver, it hangs on the twenty-meter-high central dome. Eight men, called “tiraboleiros”, move it (or dance it) through a system of pulleys, causing it to travel at a speed of almost seventy kilometers per hour.
We find references to the botafumeiro as early as the 14th century in the Calixtino Codex, where it is referred to as “Turibulum magnum”. Its original use was to perfume the cathedral and remove the bad smell of the pilgrims, who in many cases even slept in the temple.
The botafumeiro works on the main celebrations of the Cathedral of Santiago and pilgrimage events requested by the cathedral.
What do I do if I have further questions?
If you have any questions about the Camino de Santiago that you cannot solve yourself, you can always contact the Rutas Meigas emergency number.
Our advice.
Clear the way and with an open mind. It is a learning path about the world, about life and about yourself. You will meet many new people from many countries and many fields. You will surely find more than one friend for life. You will also find out new things about yourself. Accept what you find out on your route, because what you learn on the Camino de Santiago will be with you forever.
Be respectful with the rest of the people you meet and the environment as well. The Way of St. James crosses many natural areas. Leave everything as you found it.
Try to forget your cell phone. Although it is recommended to carry it with you and it can also be of help when we follow the routes, try to carry it in your backpack or in a bag and use it as little as possible. Concentrate on the nature around you, on the people you meet and of course on yourself.
Be a pilgrim, not a tourist.