Camino de Invierno: Monforte de Lemos to Santiago

Camino de Invierno: Monforte de Lemos to Santiago

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tourhub | The Natural Adventure | Camino de Invierno: Monforte de Lemos to Santiago | 825
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Camino de Invierno: Monforte de Lemos to Santiago

8 Days Starting in Monforte de Lemos, Lugo, Spain and ending in Santiago de Compostela, Municipality of Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain

Visiting: Monforte de Lemos, Chantada, Rodeiro, Lalín, Silleda, Ponte Ulla, Santiago de Compostela

Tour operator:

The Natural Adventure

Tour code:

825

Group Type:

Independent

Guide Type:

Self Guided

Physical rating:

High, Medium, Moderate to Strenuous

Age range:

12-99

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:
English

This tour is no longer available

Tour Overview

The Camino de Invierno is also known as the Winter Way, as it was taken by pilgrims en route to Santiago through Galicia during winter months. In particular, it avoids the village of O Cebreiro, at 1,300m and prone to heavy snow. Available between April and October, this is the last section walking from Monforte de Lemos to Santiago, with highlights including Galician wine country, heavenly views from Monte Faro (1,181m) and the many monasteries of the Ribeira Sacra region. An eight day self-guided walking holiday, staying in a mix of mostly small, locally-owned hotels. With luggage transfers.

Highlights

  • Ribera Sacra

  • Pico Sacro

  • Ponte Taboada

  • Catedral de Santiago de Compostela

  • Monte Faro (1,181m)

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Arrival In Monforte De Lemos

Location: Monforte de Lemos

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Ribeira Sacra or similar

Meals Included: No Meals

Welcome to Monforte de Lemos, the capital of the Terra de Lemos region. Depending on arrival time, spend some time wandering around the Old Town and especially Ponte Vella, the town’s Roman Bridge that crosses the Cabe River.

Day 2 : Monforte De Lemos - Chantada | 30.4Km

Location: Monforte de Lemos, Chantada

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Mogay or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today’s route heads through Ribeira Sacra, stopping at multiple monasteries along the way. The trail is mostly uphill and passes vineyards that hang almost vertically above the Miño River.

Walking for the day: 30.4km, 7h

Day 3 : Chantada - Rodeiro | 25.4Km

Location: Chantada, Rodeiro

Accommodation: Hotel, Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Carpineteria or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Breakfast

This stage of the route ascends Monte Faro, with panoramic views over Galicia. On clear days, Os Ancares, Serra do Courel, Cabeza de Manzaneda and Peña Trevinca, the highest point in Galicia (2,124m), are all visible from the summit.

Walking for the day: 25.4km, 6h

Day 4 : Rodeiro - Lalín | 21.8Km

Location: Rodeiro, Lalín

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Pontiñas or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

After a few days in the wine country, this next stage of the route follows a rural path that runs through central Galicia. The day concludes in the town of Lalín.

Walking for the day: 21.8km, 6h

Day 5 : Lalín - Silleda | 15.3Km

Location: Lalín, Silleda

Accommodation: Hotel, Hotel

Accommodation Name: Eco Hotel Nos or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Breakfast

This short stage of the route is fairly flat and follows paved paths. Cross over Ponte Taboada, before continuing alongside the Deza River into Silleda.

Walking for the day: 15.3km, 3h

Day 6 : Silleda - Ponte Ulla | 19.7Km

Location: Silleda, Ponte Ulla

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Eira Gundian or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today’s route enters the province of A Coruña. Descend along a path that crosses multiple bridges, before arriving in Puente Ulla, the final stop on the route to Santiago de Compostela.

Walking for the day: 19.7km, 4h

Day 7 : Ponte Ulla - Santiago De Compostela | 20.9Km

Location: Ponte Ulla, Santiago de Compostela

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Lux Santiago or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

The final stage of the route leads to the iconic Catedral de Santiago de Compostela. Stop to visit Santa Maria La Mayor, before entering the Old Town via Plaza de Mazarelos, the only entrance of the old medieval wall that is still standing. Enter Plaza del Obradoiro, before bringing you day and pilgrimage to a close at Catedral de Santiago de Compostela and collecting your Compostela Certificate.

Walking for the day: 20.9km, 5h

Day 8 : Departure

Location: Santiago de Compostela

Meals Included: Breakfast

Departure after breakfast.

What's Included

  • Accommodation

    7 nights in private en-suite rooms

  • Meals

    7 breakfasts

  • Luggage transfers on all walking days (one piece up to 20kg per person)

  • Guided tour in Santiago de Compostela (Old Town)

  • Galician cheese tasting in Santiago de Compostel (unavailable on Sundays)

  • Pilgrim’s Passport and scallop

  • 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative

What's Not Included

  • Airfare and connecting land transfers

  • Lunches and dinners, drinks and snacks

  • Additional luggage

  • Travel insurance

  • Personal expenses

  • Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on the spot)

  • Any items not explicitly listed as included

Check out our Q&As

  • When to go

    This trip is available from April until October. The best months for walking are from April–June and September–October, as the summer months can be very hot. The flexibility of self-guided walking holidays means that there are no fixed dates meaning you can start your trip on any date during the season.

  • Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?

    This will be provided on all documentation

  • Difficulty and terrain

    This walk is graded moderate and includes walks of up to 30km (7h) a day. The route follows a mixture of farm and dirt tracks, minor roads and footpaths and is clearly marked with yellow painted arrows. We strongly advise you to only follow marked trails and never try to shorten the path through unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with maps and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime.

  • Compostela/Pilgrim’s Passport

    You need to get your passport stamped in churches, restaurants or hotels along the way to obtain a Compostela Certificate at the end of the walk in Santiago de Compostela. Due to the large influx of pilgrims during summer, the Pilgrim Office in Santiago has installed a numbered ticket system for issuing pilgrim certificates (the Compostela). This new system allows pilgrims to collect a ticket and check the status of the queue and estimated waiting time to obtain the Compostela. The number of tickets per day is limited, so on days with high numbers of pilgrims arriving, there is a possibility that not all pilgrims will be able to collect their certificate on the day of arrival and will, instead, need to collect it the following morning. Therefore, if obtaining the Compostela is important to you, we recommend arranging return travel in such a way that allows you to be in Santiago de Compostela the morning after your arrival.

  • Is there a supplement for solo travellers?

    If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own This holiday is available for solo travellers; a supplement will be charged as accommodation and luggage transfer costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single rooms)

  • Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?

    Yes we can, please contact us for details

  • Are flights included in this tour?

    No, international flights are not included

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    The Natural Adventure was founded by people who love hiking and cycling in wild and wonderful places. Places that we want to keep that way. Responsible tourism has, therefore, been at the heart of what we do since the get go.

  • Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?

    In April 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 crisis, we launched the Support Local Communities Initiative. We have enabled an option when booking a tour for customers to make a donation to support our local partners. 100% of the donations go directly to our local suppliers.

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    Whether you’re travelling on your own, as a couple, a group of friends, or a family, our self-guided holidays allow you the freedom to choose your own holiday companions.

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Our self guided walking and cycling holidays typically include: Accommodation, Breakfasts, Luggage transfers, Detailed holiday information pack including GPS-checked and regularly updated route descriptions, road notes and maps, 24/7 phone assistance by our local representative and/or our central office

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    We are part of the 'Safe Travels' initiative.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    Yes, as long as you can reach the next location.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Accommodations in double or twin rooms (solo travellers are usually accommodated in single rooms at an extra cost; we never mix and match)

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    If possible, and entirely at the discretion of the Tour Operator, a change of the dates may be possible without charging an amendment fee, provided that it is requested at least 30 days before the departure date. In some cases, we will still have to pass to you any non-refundable charges imposed by our suppliers. In all other cases, change of dates will normally be treated as a cancellation.

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    All places have been carefully checked by us and their quality is regularly monitored. We have selected accommodations that offer friendly service, clean and comfortable rooms and local flavour.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    The Natural Adventure was founded in the UK in 2009, by Peter Duncan, former UK Chief Scout and BBC Blue Peter presenter, and Alex Pazderski, an avid hiker and acclaimed expedition kayaker. Both natural adventurers and keen explorers of wild places and trails, remote communities and responsible tourism partners, Peter and Alex founded our company inspired by the responsible travel values t

Reviews of this operator

Kicki Neely  

Walking Fishermens trail in western…

19-Sep-2022

Walking Fishermens trail in western Portugal will be a memory for life. We loved every minute of our week. All arrangements worked perfectly, from accommodation to luggage transport to questions we had before setting off. Our local agent met with us before we started the walk and we felt very reassured by his local knowledge and support. All accommodation was different, local, clean, friendly and easy to find. Very good value for money. I can really recommend Natural Adventure company and we will be back for more adventures. Many thanks Kicki Neely and friends

Marian Wilkins (Google Reviewer)  

A friend and I did...

25-Jan-2024

A friend and I did the Alps to the Riviera walk in France at the end of 2021 and it was the best holiday experience either of us has ever had. It’s an amazing way of immersing oneself in the countryside and getting the full flavour of the country away from the tourist attractions. The Natural Adventure Company made perfect arrangements for us, gave us clear directions and was just a call away, to sort out any issues. The walk gave us incredible memories that will enrich us for a lifetime. I am in the process of booking my next wonderful adventure and I can’t wait to get started!

Cynthia Shinn (Google Reviewer)  

I have been working with...

26-Feb-2024

I have been working with The Natural Adventure for a few years now and it's been a flawless experience. I have now booked 4 different trips (4th to happen in April 2023). Accomodations have been great and local operators (bikes, hiking guides and boats) have all been great. The rates are very fair and trip selections are great. Hoping to see some boat bike options in Greece and Turkey!

Ellen Taylor-Powell  

Great communications, customized trip

20-Aug-2022

This is our first time using Natural Adventure to plan a hiking trip in Europe. I wanted an 8-day hike to start on a certain date to explore a northern region of Portugal. They were so accommodating - customized our trip to meet our needs with responsive communications and full itinerary; everything has been taken care of. We look forward to the trip!!

Linda Giovine (Google Reviewer)  

We hiked the Kerry Way...

02-Jun-2022

We hiked the Kerry Way with Natural Adventure and it was terrific. Outstanding views and good Irish weather. Some days were longer than expected due to placement of Bed and Breakfasts. Hosts were warm and helpful even dried our gear and shared local secrets. Irish hospitality in high gear.

Tim Fuhs (Google Reviewer)  

My wife and I booked...

14-Sep-2023

My wife and I booked the Lechweg short break hike with the natural adventure company this Fall and we’re very happy with our experience. I noticed one of the reviews questioning what they (natural adventure co) provide. That’s a fair question and from my perspective as a USA citizen, they provided a very important liaison/conduit role into the EU that would be prohibitive or downright impossible for a non EU citizen hiking/biking in Europe. In addition, I have found that in dealing directly with a few European companies directly, information does not always flow as smoothly as we like. The natural adventure company’s communication style fit our liking perfectly in that we receive a fast and thorough response with every question. They are prompt and helpful. They did subcontract with another company for boots on the ground support but the hotel reservations and itinerary were in house. We would definitely use the natural adventure company again no question.

Beverley Young  

Highly Recommended

03-Aug-2022

All the way through from booking, correspondence afterwards and now a wonderful holiday. The Natural Adventure have been helpful and have provided a brilliant holiday. The hikes each day are cracking, maps & routes are detailed and easy to follow. The hotels are great too. Completely love our holiday! Would definitely use The Natural Adventure again and recommend.

Jeroen van kesteren  

This was our first ever cycle holiday…

17-Nov-2022

This was our first ever cycle holiday so expectations where high. And Natural Adventure delivered with a vengeance. Everything was so well organised and friendly. Our contact at HQ Dalila was friendly, concerned and lightning fast in her responses. The trip itself was well designed to show you a lot in a short timespan but dayly distances where very doable leaving lots of time to divert or spent in the lovely overnight towns. The hotels ranged from cosy and homey to lavish and extravagant which was a real nice surprise at every end of the day. We will defintely be back for more! TNX SO MUCH GUYS!

Nigel Homer (Google Reviewer)  

Just finished our around Zugspitze...

20-Jun-2022

Just finished our around Zugspitze walk. The walking was not too strenuous through an amazing landscape. Hotels were of a good standard and food generally excellent. I would definitely recommend to anyone who was reasonable fit.

James Bailey (Google Reviewer)  

AVOID OR BOOK DIRECT Whilst I’d...

02-May-2024

AVOID OR BOOK DIRECT Whilst I’d 100% recommend hiking the Camino, unfortunately I couldn’t recommend The Natural Adventure Company to anyone. We signed up for the Relaxed Portuguese Camino - however, the organisation was woeful. None of the private transfers showed up, the welcome pack wasn’t delivered on time, and many of the hotels were well-below standard - including one where the manager was extremely aggressive to both us and other customers. During the trip, there was no proactive support from the Natural Adventure, and their customer service was appalling. Even after the tour, I tried to contact the company to draw their attention to the myriad of other 1 star reviews for the hotel in question - which includes reviewers stating the hotel owner physically assaulted them - but unfortunately they weren’t interested. As other reviews have pointed out below, you should also beware that The Natural Adventure simply subcontract the entirety of their tours to other providers. So if you still want to sign up for this tour, you could cut out the middle man and book the EXACT same tour directly with Portugal Green Walks - for less money!

Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    The Natural Adventure requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 42 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of the natural adventure charges.

    Up to 42 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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