Independent arrival in Zamora. We booked your hotel room. Proceed to your room, explore Zamora, and prepare mind and body for the Camino.

If you did not manage to explore Zamora fully yesterday, perhaps the morning is still a good time to do so. You will leave the city and walk through the “Land of the Bread” (Tierra del Pan), a flat and open landscape shaped by grain crops.

Distance: 19.3 km. (12 mi.) | Difficulty: Easy, but without any shadow

Just past the Ricobayo Reservoir, located unfortunately close to the highway, you will reach the ruins of the Castrotorafe Fortress, seat of the Order of Saint James in the Middle Ages, enthroned over the Way of Saint James. Your destination for the day is Granja de Moreruela, where the Vía de la Plata splits and continues towards Astorga on the Camino Francés (the French Way), and towards Santiago de Compostela on the Camino Sanabrés (also known as the Mozarabic Way).

Distance: 23.5 km. (14.6 mi.) | Difficulty: Easy

Today begins your first stage on the Camino Sanabrés (Mozarabic Way). You will enter the valley of the Esla, a picturesque, hilly landscape that finally takes over from the barren plains of the previous stages.

Distance: 26 km. (16.2 mi.) | Difficulty: Easy/ Moderate with slight differences in altitude

Continuing through a diverse landscape, you will first hike along the foothills of the Sierra de la Cuelbra, home to many Iberian wolves. Through the Sierra de las Cavernas, you will head to the valley of the Tera and to Santa Marta de Tera. Visit the parish church and observe the oldest preserved statue of Saint James. You continue on the Camino to La Barca and a short walk away to Camarzana de Tera.

Distance: 28.3 + 2 km. (17.6 + 1.2 mi.) | Difficulty: Moderate, long stage

Initially, you will walk back the short distance from La Barca to the Camino again. Along the Tera, surrounded by poplar plantations, you will come to the Nuestra Señora de Agavanzal Dam after a few kilometers/miles. The landscape remains green and the route takes you through some small villages until you reach Mombuey. Visit the parish church of the village and its prominent steeple. There is a transfer afterwards (not included, about 56 euros for the round trip the next day) to Puebla de Sanabria, where you will spend the next two nights.

Distance: 2 + 30.5 km. (1.2 + 19 mi.) | Difficulty: Moderate, long stage

You will walk to Puebla de Sanabria on field and forest paths, where the rivers Tera and Castro meet. In this border town between Portugal, León, and Galicia, a visit to the massive Castle of the Counts of Benavente (Castillo de los Condes de Benavente) and its almost square keep is definitely worth your while.

Distance: 30.9 km. (19.2 mi.) | Difficulty: Moderate, long and slightly hilly stage

The Way of Saint James takes you along streams and oak woods to the Padronelo Pass. Depending on the season, the slopes along the way are colored red and yellow by the blooming broom. After leaving the rather-flat-to-slightly-hilly stages behind, the ascent to Padronelo Pass offers some variety. You will spend the night in the small village of Lubián, the last stop before you reach the border leading to Galicia.

Distance: 28.4 km. (17.6 mi.) | Difficulty: Moderate, longer stage with the ascent to the Padronelo Pass

Just past Lubián, you will enter Galicia today, a region that lives mainly from agriculture and fishing. The capital is Santiago de Compostela, the final destination for many pilgrims. On your way, you will be accompanied by a constantly changing landscape today, from barren mountain slopes to lush green meadows.

Distance: 24.1 km. (15 mi.) | Difficulty: Moderate

Starting from A Gudiña, there are two route options. You follow the northern path towards Laza in order to reach your destination for the day, Campobecerros, located on the edge of the O Invernadeiro Natural Park. Accompanied by heather and broom, you can take a look at the Portas Reservoir on this route if the weather is good. Upon arrival in Campobecerros, there is a transfer to Laza (not included in the price, approx. 20 euros each way), where you will spend the next two nights.

Distance: 19.7 km. (12.2 mi.) | Difficulty: Easy

The transfer back to Campobecerros takes place in the morning (not included in the price, 20 euros each way). Even though you will have to ascend a bit the first kilometers/miles, shortly after, you will descend steadily through a landscape shaped by chestnuts, pines, and spruces to the valley of the Tâmega, where you will spend the night in Laza.

Distance: 15 km. (9.3 mi.) | Difficulty: Moderate

The ascent to Alberguería begins short after Laza, crossing forest paths and pine woods. Passing through the small agricultural town of Vilar de Barrio, the route continues partly through oak and deciduous forests until reaching Xunqueira de Ambía. On the way, you will be able to see the hórreos, typical of Galicia, warehouses built on stilts, where mainly corn is stored.

Distance: 33 km. (20.5 mi.) | Difficulty: Moderate/ Challenging, long stage with the ascent to Alberguería at the beginning of the stage

At the beginning, the route ascends again, but it later stays flat, for the most part. Through many small villages and hamlets, you finally reach the industrial area of the provincial capital Ourense, your destination for today. The old city and its cathedral already offer a small preview of Santiago de Compostela. The thermal baths, some of which can be used free of charge, are very popular not only among pilgrims.

Distance: 22.4 km. (13.9 mi.) | Difficulty: Easy

Farewell, Ourense; farewell, Camino – and safe travels on your journey back home or to your next adventure! Or, here is another option well-worth considering: to continue onto our next Part 5 of the Via de la Plata, from Ourense to Santiago de Compostela.

¡Buen Camino!