For many centuries pilgrims followed this path - the Way of St. James. Since they came from all over the world, there are also different routes. Whether they came from France, Portugal, the north or along the sea, they all lead to Santiago de Compostela in the Spanish province of Galicia.
Our partner offers you the unique opportunity to discover the Way of St. James on horseback. Everything will be taken care of - the food is excellent and you will stay overnight in the most beautiful accommodations along the Way of St. James. You have the choice between the traditional French Way, the Portuguese Way and the Sea Route.


The French Way of St. James

The French Way is the Way of St. James with the greatest historical heritage and also the most famous internationally. Its route through the north of the Iberian Peninsula was established around 1135 in the Codex Calixtinus, an important book of the cultural heritage of the Way of St. James. When this book was written, the pilgrimages reached their peak and the French Way reached its greatest influx - apart from the present day. Santiago de Compostela became and still is a destination for pilgrims from the whole Christian world.

On your day of arrival you will be picked up at Satiago de Compostela airport at around 4 pm and taken to your starting point in Cebreiro.
From the mountain pass of Cebreiro (1300m) in the province of Lugo, about 150 kilometres are ridden to reach Santiago de Compostela. Every day you will cover about 30-35 km on horseback and spend 6-7 hours in the saddle.

Itinerary

7-day tour from Cebreiro

Cebreiro is a village with a prehistoric tradition that has adapted to severe climatic conditions. This village is also an important ethnographic site, where you can visit some small thatched houses (pallozas) that mark the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula. From Cebreiro, where you will spend the night in a welcoming hotel, the route goes through mountains and open country to the mountain ranges of Os Ancares and OCourel.

After reaching the OPoio mountain pass (1337 m, maximum height of the French Way in Galicia), the gentle descent to Fonfría begins. From here you can reach Triacastela with a magnificent view. Continue towards Samos, passing through a beautiful landscape where the Sarria River winds its way through. You will pass idyllic villages like San Cristovo and San Martiño. The riding days usually end with a short break in the late morning, before you stop for lunch in a good restaurant (rarely is there a picnic in the open air). In the afternoon you will continue your ride, maybe there will be another break before you reach your destination. Today would be Samos, where you stay overnight in a nice accommodation.

The next day you will arrive in Sarria, the largest town on the French Way in Galicia (with more than 7000 inhabitants). Here you will find a monastery worth seeing, which is considered to be one of the oldest monasteries in the Occident. Over an old bridge you leave in the direction of Barbadelo. Before you reach Barbadelo, however, you will pass through one of the most beautiful oak forests on the route. Through forests, meadows and cultivated land, the Way of St. James continues to the municipality of Paradela, where it passes through beautiful countryside until it reaches the banks of the river Miño. Here, for the first time on the French Way in Galicia, you can enjoy the sight of vineyards. Portomarín is finally reached by crossing the Miño bridge, built in the early 1960s to cross the Belesar reservoir. You can also take a look at the ruins of old Portomarín, which was destroyed by the reservoir. Portomarín is nevertheless one of the places in Galicia with the most beautiful and richest heritage, where you can also spend a night.

Via Gonzar you will continue to Castromaior, Ventas de Narón and Lameiros, a town that already belongs to the municipality of Monterroso. The route continues to the municipality of Palas de Rei, whose name comes from a distant royal palace. Here you will stay overnight in a small, lovingly run accommodation.

Via A Ulloa, which is known for its milk production and excellent cheese, the route leaves Palas. Soon you will arrive at the Castle of Cambre, one of the few Galician feudal castles that could be saved from the battles of the Irmandiños. From here and on the way to Leboeiro and Furelos, where you have to cross a medieval bridge, the route passes through the province of A Coruña. In Melide, which is the geographical centre of Galicia and where you can taste the most delicious Galician-style octopus (pulpo a la gallega), the route continues through the city. Directly after Melide you will reach Boente, Castañeda and Ribadiso, near Arzúa, which is also famous for its cheese. From Arzúa, the route continues through meadows and through oak and eucalyptus forests, passing around small villages such as Calzada, Salceda, Brea and Ría. In Salceda you will find accommodation in an idyllically situated Salceda.

In the municipality of Santiago de Compostela, from Monte de Gozo you can see the towers of the cathedral of Santiago for the first time. After a night in a 4-star hotel with a view of Santiago, you will pick up your pilgrim´s pass, the Compostelana, in the city the next morning. On this tour, as on all other tours, you have the possibility to ride on the last day between 7:00 and 9:00 a.m. until directly in front of the cathedral. If you want to and have time, you will attend the pilgrim mass in the cathedral at 12:00. Afterwards transfer back to the airport, train or bus station.

Accomodation
You will stay in the best hotels, country houses, pazos and paradores.

Saddle & Tack: Spanish saddles and bridle (English, Brazilian or Western saddles are also available on request)

Experience: The pace on the riding tours is moderate. However, due to the sometimes challenging terrain and occasional gallops, you should have sufficient riding experience and be confident in all gaits.

Horses: Andalusian and Spanish mixes with good character, persistent and sure-footed.