Sarria to Santiago

[Eyskens]

In June '01 I did Sarria (where I had to stay in a room over a bar as
the Refugio was 'Completo')to Gonsar, Gonsar to Casanova, both cookie
cutter Refugios from the '93 Holy year but very nice with full kitchens,
and a washer at Casanova. Casanova to Arzua, where I stayed at a nice
hostal (name forgotten) as once again the Refugio was Completo, Arzua to
Arca - stayed at the Hostal O Pino-excellent because I wanted to treat
myself the last day on the road, then on to Santiago-five days without
much strain that I remember, but then I had started in SJPP.

Jim Eyskens

-----Original Message-----
From: Road to Santiago Pilgrimage [mailto:GOCAMINOapete.uri.edu] On
Behalf Of Jeffrey Crawley
Sent: Monday, January 26, 2004 12:46 AM
To: GOCAMINOapete.uri.edu
Subject: Re: Sarria to Santiago


I see from my credential I took 6 days from Sarria to Santiago, it
rained every day and I certainly wasn't rushing it.

You might like to try the new, private refugio in Sarria, keep on up the
hill from the old one, it's at No32, very quiet (6 of us in a room of
30+ beds). 6 Euros and you don't have such a climb up the hill in the
morning.

The first main stop out of Sarria is Portomarin and they started pulling
the refugio down at the end of September last. I was told the new one
should be built by this May, until then the old overflow building is
being used, no kitchen, very dirty but it is a lovely town and the lady
from the Ayuntamiento was very helpful.

If you stay at Palas de Rei try to get a bed at the back of the
building, it faces a busy street and the early morning traffic can be
very noisy.

Melide is an easy next step, large refugio, reasonable kitchen, few
cooking utensils but, heck, you've got to try the octopus at the
Pulparia anyway. Market day on Sunday.

Ribadiso is lovely but there's more to do in Arzua and another good
refugio.

Arca O Pino was OK, kitchen (again few utensils), supermarket next door,
there is a branch on the Camino as you enter Arco, cross the road if
you're going to carry on and by-pass the town, straight up the hill for
the refugio on your left.

I've never met anybody who liked Monte de Gozo but it is convenient if
you want to roll into  Santiago first thing in the morning.

Sarria to Santiago is a good stretch if you have limited time, nice
countryside, even the euclyptus forests have a charm all of their own.

regards

Jeffrey.

> >How much time should I allow to walk from Sarria to Santiago?
> >
> >Janey
> >