French Way (Camino Francés) ‧ Stage 28
French Way
On foot
33 stages
Information
About this stage
Through San Xil or through Samos? A big dilemma, as both are paths of the utmost interest. Through the San Xil valley we cross one of the most beautiful valleys of the entire Jacobean route; through Samos, 7.2 km longer, we cross spectacular oak and chestnut forests on the banks of the river Oribio (or Sarria), and we also visit the extraordinary Monastery of Samos.
In this stage we can enjoy magical and silent natural environments between forests and villages that do not have too many services for the pilgrim, so getting supplies in the middle of this stage is much more complicated than at any other point on our way.
Recommendation Pilgrim
For pilgrims on bicycles this is an easy stage as it is mostly on asphalt, so we should only take extreme caution with cars because there are many places where the hard shoulder is non-existent. If we choose the option of Samos, when we leave this place we can decide to continue on asphalt towards Sarria instead of facing the ascent by the marked route to Pascais. We will face small sections that are complicated both for cyclists and for people with reduced mobility due to the loose stones that in rainy seasons can complicate our way.
People with reduced mobility or low physical condition may encounter difficulties on the steep slopes along the stage and in the most neglected areas where we may even find fallen trees and branches complicating our passage. It is very important to bear in mind that the lack of a hard shoulder is a serious problem for everyone, but especially if you are in a wheelchair or on a bicycle.
Distance and elevation
Stage profile through San Xil
Stage profile through Samos
Route
Itinerary through San Xil
Km 0 ‧ Triacastela
At the end of the long avenue Camilo José Cela we turn right (left to go through Samos), come out onto the LU-633 road and cross it to take a local road in the direction of San Xil.
Local Information
Police, Medical Care, What to See, Where to Eat…
Km 1,9 ‧ A Balsa
We continue climbing steadily up a dirt track to the Fonte dos Lameiros, identifiable by a large shell; we then continue our ascent along an asphalted track.
Km 3,7 ‧ San Xil
We continue ascending along the same track. After almost two kilometres we reach the Alto de Riocabo and continue in the same direction. We continue along a beautiful corridor crossing a forest dominated by chestnut and oak trees.
Km 6,7 ‧ Montán
We keep descending, pass through the village of Fontearcuda, cross the LU-P-5602 road and, a little further on, we join this same road and follow it to Furela.
Km 9,9 ‧ Furela
On leaving Furela we cross the LU-P-5602 road again and follow a path parallel to it.
Km 11,1 ‧ Pintín
We continue in the same direction, return to the road and turn left.
Km 12,7 ‧ Calvor
We walk a few metres along the LU-P-5602 road until we cross it and take a path on the right.
Km 13,3 ‧ Aguiada
We return along the same LU-P-5602 and follow it in parallel.
Km 14 ‧ San Mamede do Camiño
Along a pedestrian path parallel to the LU-P-5602 road we reach Sarria. We come through the rúa Calvo Sotelo (LU-633 road): we cross it and continue straight on along the rúa Mestre Saavedra and the rúa do Peregrino. We go over the River Sarria along the latter, follow Avenida Benigno Quiroga to the right for about 40 metres, and turn left along a pedestrian stairway (Escalinata Maior), which takes us up to Rúa Maior.
Km 17,8 ‧ Sarria
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Itinerary through Samos
Km 0 ‧ Triacastela
We cross the central street of Triacastela to leave the town and it is here that we must make the decision that will mark our journey.
The fork awaits us at the exit of the village and gives us the option of taking the Samos by-pass or continuing along the original route explained above. On this occasion we opt for the left-hand route, following the hard shoulder of the road, which will take us through Samos.
Local Information
Police, Medical Care, What to See, Where to Eat…
Km 4 ‧ San Cristovo do Real
We arrive at San Cristovo do Real where the Pazo de Lusío is located. We must follow the road to Renche. There are yellow arrows painted on the right-hand side of the road, but there is a greater risk as we walk in the same direction as the traffic.
Km 5,6 ‧ Renche
We cross the river Oribio, known as the river Sarria from this point onwards. Close to the river we climb up to the village of Lastres, where we take a path to reach Freituxe.
Km 7,3 ‧ Freituxe
We cross the village and begin the descent to the next village.
Km 8,6 ‧ San Martiño do Real
We cross the LU-633 road through a tunnel and continue towards Samos, which houses a 17th century Benedictine monastery surrounded by an imposing wall and which is open to anyone who wishes to visit it. Just a hundred metres away is another building of great interest, the Chapel of the Saviour, of Mozarabic origin and built in the 9th century, guarded by a tree recognised as one of the 50 most important trees in Spain and known as the millenary cypress.
Km 10,2 ‧ Samos
In Samos they make famous sponge cakes following the recipe of the monastery with more than 250 years of history. We cross the village along the main avenue and take the LU-663 road. We pass a monument to the pilgrim and reach Teiguín, where we can find tables to enjoy lunch or sit down to rest for a few minutes. We leave the road to take a path that will lead us up a steep climb towards Pascais.
Km 13,4 ‧ Pascais
After Pascais we will descend by a ‘corredeira’ on the left hand side.
Km 15,3 ‧ Gorolfe
We continue along several tarmac roads to Sivil.
Km 18,6 ‧ Sivil
We say goodbye to the municipality of Samos and enter the municipality of Sarria through Perros. After crossing the road we reach Aguiada.
Km 20,5 ‧ Aguiada
This is the point of connection with the pilgrims coming from the San Xil by-pass. We continue parallel to the road.
Km 21,2 ‧ San Mamede do Camiño
After passing this village we continue along a track parallel to the road that will take us to Sarria.
