Sarria
Today we start the hike at Triacastela and arrive at the small town of Sarria. There is a change in the hiking route that has become a favorite. The old hiking trail went to Samos and then to Sarria. It was the original hiking route. The interior hiking route was improved with hiking trails and directions and is much shorter. There is less vehicle traffic as compared to Samos. Sarria is a small town with a good transportation infrastructure of Renfe train and a bus station. You can take a bus from Sarria to Lugo with a connection to Santiago de Compostela. You can take the Renfe train to Madrid. Sarria is the last 100 kms from Santiago, so the credential must be stamped at every village before reaching Santiago for the Compostella.
I no longer look for this certificate, so many times I end the Camino at either Sarria or Portomarin & arrive at Santiago de Compostela. The certificate can also be obtained at Muxia by simply asking for it at the town hall with the pilgrim passport without any stamps. I have known of pilgrims that ruin their Camino trip by leaving the Meseta and head to Sarria for this certificate. Simply not worth it. Sarria tends to fill up with the 100 km pilgrims.
I tend to hike the Camino during less busy seasons from mid September to the end of December. Most of the Camino pilgrims during the summer are college students and looking for a Camino party experience. The weather is very hot during the summer. Best to travel when the students return to the university. Weather temperatures drop & become ideal after September. Sarria has many albergues & restaurants & supermarkets to meet the 100 km peregrinos. Sarria is a must stop.
Triacastela – Sarria – interior hiking route ~ 21 kms. Difficulty 5/10 The alternate hiking trail to Samos ~ 26 kms. Difficulty 6/10. The hiking terrain is irregular so watch your step. A good gore tex jacket is sufficient to walk in this snowstorm weather.
Elevation
