Camino de Santiago Tour for Women: Walk the French Way
Sept. 17-25, 2027
Trip Overview
Dates: Sept. 17-25, 2027
Duration: 9 Days
Investment: Starting at $5750
Activity Level: Energetic - This tour involves approximately 10 miles per day of walking/hiking. Travelers should exercise regularly to prepare.
Availability: Join The Waitlist
Walk the Camino With Challenge, Meaning, and Support
Walking the Camino de Santiago is more than a hike.
For centuries, pilgrims have followed these ancient trails through Northern Spain in search of connection, reflection, challenge, and meaning. On this journey, you’ll experience the final 110 kilometers of the French Way alongside a small group of women, with the support to focus on the walk itself.
An experienced Camino tour leader and local guides will be there along the way, sharing the history and traditions of the trail while helping you navigate each day’s journey. Your luggage will be transferred between accommodations, and a support van will provide checkpoints along the route with water, snacks, and assistance when needed. At the end of each day, thoughtfully arranged lodging and group dinners give you a place to rest, refuel, and swap stories with your fellow pilgrims. Pasted text
But the Camino is still yours to walk. You’ll cover an average of about 10 miles per day across varied terrain, with space to move at your own pace, connect with the women around you, or spend time in quiet reflection. Pasted text
You do the walking. We’ll take care of the details that make the journey possible.
Is This Camino Journey Right for You?
This journey might be a great fit if you’re ready for a physical challenge, but want the logistics and support handled for you along the way.
You’ll likely feel at home on this Camino if you:
Exercise regularly and are willing to prepare for several consecutive days of walking
Are comfortable walking roughly 9–12 miles a day across varied terrain
Want the accomplishment of walking the Camino without arranging your own lodging, luggage transfers, and daily logistics
Like the idea of traveling with a group of women while still having space to walk at your own pace and enjoy moments of reflection
Are comfortable staying in a mix of hotels, inns, guesthouses, and rural accommodations where amenities may vary
Don’t mind choosing and purchasing your own lunch along the trail
Are traveling solo and want a built-in community to share the experience with
One important distinction: this is a slower-paced Camino, but it isn’t an easy one. You’ll still be walking day after day, with changes in elevation and plenty of miles under your feet. “Slower-paced” means there’s time to experience the Camino rather than race through it, not that the physical challenge disappears.
Camino de Santiago Journey at a Glance
Route: The French Way, walking the final section from the Sarria area to Santiago de Compostela
Duration: 9 days, including 7 walking days
Total Walking Distance: Approximately 110 km / 70 miles
Daily Walking Distance: Approximately 5.5–12 miles per day
Activity Level: Energetic. Travelers should exercise regularly and prepare for consecutive days of long-distance walking with elevation changes.
Lodging: 8 nights in a mix of hotels, family-run pazos, renovated farmhouses, guesthouses, and other accommodations along or near the Camino. Rooms have private bathrooms, but amenities can vary at smaller properties.
Luggage & Trail Support: Your main luggage is transferred between accommodations while you walk with a day pack. A private support van travels with the group and provides checkpoints with water and snacks along the trail.
Meals: Daily breakfast and dinner are included as outlined in the itinerary. Lunches are purchased independently along the trail, giving you the option to eat with the group or choose your own stop.
Arrival & Departure: Fly into and out of Santiago-Rosalía de Castro Airport (SCQ). One group transfer from the airport to Sarria is included on arrival day. Departure transportation is not included.
Compostela: Completing this route makes you eligible to receive the Compostela, the official certificate of completion from the Pilgrim’s Office in Santiago de Compostela.
Room Options: Private rooms are available. Solo travelers who would prefer to share may request roommate matching, subject to another traveler requesting a match.
Group Size: Minimum of 6 travelers required for the trip to be confirmed. Maximum group size TBD.
Price & Deposit: Starting at $5750
Why Walk the Camino With Bold Spirit Travel?
Walking the Camino is your accomplishment, but that doesn’t mean you have to figure out every detail on your own. Bold Spirit Travel takes care of the logistics and provides support along the way so you can put your energy into the experience itself.
Experienced Camino guidance. An expert tour leader accompanies you along the route, sharing the history and traditions of the Camino along with practical guidance for making the most of each day.
Support when you need it. A private driver and support van travel with the group, transferring your luggage between accommodations and providing checkpoints with filtered water and snacks. You carry only your day pack while you walk.
The logistics are handled. Your lodging is arranged along the route, and one coordinated group transfer takes you from the Santiago de Compostela airport to Sarria at the beginning of the journey.
Preparation starts before Spain. You’ll receive a planning guide and join a pre-trip meeting about a month before departure to meet your guides and fellow travelers and prepare for the journey ahead.
Support through the finish line. When you reach Santiago de Compostela, your tour leader will help you navigate receiving your Compostela and attending the Pilgrim’s Mass if you choose.
A community to share it with. You’ll walk alongside other Bold Spirit travelers and meet fellow pilgrims from around the world, with plenty of opportunities for connection as well as space to experience the Camino at your own pace.
Daily Distance & Elevation
| Walking Day | Route | Distance | Elevation Gain | Elevation Loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 2 | Barbadelo → Portomarín | 11.5 mi / 18.5 km | 1,150 ft / 350 m | 1,625 ft / 495 m |
| Day 3 | Portomarín → Airexe | 10.5 mi / 17 km | 1,565 ft / 475 m | 730 ft / 220 m |
| Day 4 | Airexe → Leboreiro | 10.5 mi / 17 km | 920 ft / 280 m | 1,500 ft / 460 m |
| Day 5 | Leboreiro → Arzúa | 12 mi / 19.5 km | 1,305 ft / 400 m | 1,515 ft / 460 m |
| Day 6 | Arzúa → Santa Irene | 10 mi / 16 km | 1,045 ft / 320 m | 1,075 ft / 325 m |
| Day 7 | Santa Irene → Vilamaior | 9 mi / 14.5 km | 1,050 ft / 320 m | 1,035 ft / 315 m |
| Day 8 | Vilamaior → Santiago de Compostela | 5.5 mi / 9 km | 200 ft / 60 m | 615 ft / 200 m |
| Walking Day | Route | Distance | Elevation Gain | Elevation Loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 2 | Barbadelo → Portomarín | 11.5 mi / 18.5 km | 1,150 ft / 350 m | 1,625 ft / 495 m |
| Day 3 | Portomarín → Airexe | 10.5 mi / 17 km | 1,565 ft / 475 m | 730 ft / 220 m |
| Day 4 | Airexe → Leboreiro | 10.5 mi / 17 km | 920 ft / 280 m | 1,500 ft / 460 m |
| Day 5 | Leboreiro → Arzúa | 12 mi / 19.5 km | 1,305 ft / 400 m | 1,515 ft / 460 m |
| Day 6 | Arzúa → Santa Irene | 10 mi / 16 km | 1,045 ft / 320 m | 1,075 ft / 325 m |
| Day 7 | Santa Irene → Vilamaior | 9 mi / 14.5 km | 1,050 ft / 320 m | 1,035 ft / 315 m |
| Day 8 | Vilamaior → Santiago de Compostela | 5.5 mi / 9 km | 200 ft / 60 m | 615 ft / 200 m |
Your Nine-Day Camino de Santiago Itinerary
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You’ll meet the rest of your Bold Spirit Travel crew at the Santiago de Compostela airport on the first day. If you fly in earlier than our start date, please plan to meet us directly in Sarria at the hotel.
Your flights should be booked in and out of the Santiago-Rosalia de Castro Airport (SCQ - the Santiago de Compostela airport). We will provide you with the exact flight time to book for the group transfer.
Our private driver will pick the group up at the Santiago de Compostela airport and take you to Sarria, our home for the first night.
Note that we provide just one group transfer from the airport. You may need to wait for your travel crew if you come on a different flight.
In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner and get to know your walking buddies—we start our trek tomorrow.
Travelers Note: Your guide and driver will pick you up at the airport in Santiago de Compostela and take you to the hotel in Sarria. We believe that this service makes your trip to Spain easier and sets Bold Spirit Travel apart from other operators. We make your arrival to the trail easy…you do the walking.
Meals included: Welcome dinner
Hotel: 3-star guest house in Sarria
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Good morning, Pilgrim!
Banish jet lag with a strong cup of frothy cafe con leche and one or two Spanish pastries. Big breakfasts are served daily at our hotels and you need the fuel for your many miles of daily walking.
We pick up the trail today near Sarria in Barbadelo.
Walking shoes on and our luggage in the support van, we are ready to seize the day. You will be on the lookout for trail markers: the yellow arrow and the Camino scallop shell.
You and your Bold Spirit Travel crew will traverse the final 100 kilometers of the Camino, which is the last section of a much longer 800-kilometer trail.
But today the plan is to cover 18 kilometers from Barbadelo to Portomarín. Get ready to immerse yourself in the beauty of Northern Spain and get your first taste of Camino life.
You’ll grab lunch on your own along the trail. There are many local spots to stop for a quick bite or a more leisurely meal with wine. Our guide will have daily suggestions, but you decide where to stop.
Our group stops in Portomarín for the night. Your luggage will be transferred to the hotel.
Wash off the trail dust and relax a bit before a hearty group dinner with wine served at the hotel.
Distance: 11.5 miles (18.5 kilometers)
Elevation gain: 1,150 feet (350 meters)
Elevation loss: 1,625 feet (495 meters)Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: 3-star hotel in Portomarín
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Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and fill your water bottle for today’s trek. Note that our support van will have filtered water for you to refill your bottle along the trail.
Starting from Portomarín, we ascend through woodlands and then pop over our high point for the day, the Sierra Ligonde. Our morning is spent on hushed country lanes. From the top, views abound in every direction.
The villages we pass through today have long-standing associations with the Camino—just think of how many pilgrims have walked these trails before you over the centuries! You are following in many footsteps. Think about those who came before you and why they chose this trail.
We will pass through Castromaior (from the 4th century BC) where you can explore a Celtic-Iberian ruin.
Enjoy lunch today on the trail. Each day, we will offer a lunch spot suggestion for the group. You can always eat with the Camino crew or go solo. It’s up to you.
Our group will travel together, but that does not mean we are joined at the hip. Your pace may be faster or slower, depending on the day. You might feel chatty in the morning and need room for self-reflection in the afternoon. You do you. There is time and space for it.
Enjoy the walk and soulful meditation in the ever-changing landscape of eucalyptus forests, petite villages, and historic churches.
A final climb brings us to Airexe where we stop for the day.
Back at the hotel, freshen up and then swap trail stories over drinks. Enjoy a delicious Spanish dinner at the hotel with our group.
Distance: 10.5 miles (17 kilometers)
Elevation gain: 1,565 feet (475 meters)
Elevation loss: 730 feet (220 meters)Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: 18th-century farmhouse guesthouse near Palas de Rei
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You’re awake early for breakfast at the hotel before lacing up and heading down the trail. You have been walking a couple of days now. You are finding your stride and getting used to the rhythm of the Camino.
The Camino gets easier with each day, though your body may be a bit sore, too.
Today you will cut through the town of Palas de Rei, or Palace of the King, named after an 8th-century Visigoth king who was in charge around these parts once upon a time.
Stop for lunch when you feel hungry. There are cafes and restaurants along the way. Make time to have frothy coffees with your Camino buddies as we walk along the trail. Indulge in the fresh OJ that is served in most bars. There are lots of opportunities to linger and chat with new friends found along the path.
From Palas de Rei, the route undulates and eventually drops us in San Xulian, a classic Camino village with a 12th-century church worth admiring.
In Leboreiro, we’ll meet up with our driver and zip off to our hotel for a well-earned dinner and a good night’s rest.
Distance: 10.5 miles (17 kilometers)
Elevation gain: 920 feet (280 meters)
Elevation loss: 1,500 feet (460 meters)Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: 18th-century farmhouse guesthouse near Palas de Rei
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After breakfast at the hotel, lace up those shoes and grab your walking sticks, it’s time to pick up the path in Leboreiro.
Hit the trail toward the village of Furelos to admire its medieval bridge. The Camino is not about getting to the destination village as quickly as possible. It’s about slowing down and enjoying the many delights along the way.
If you tend to lead a fast-paced life, can you challenge yourself to slow down on this trek and spend more time just being in the moment?
Melide is the next stop on your route. Plan to grab lunch at a local pulperia to sample one of Galicia’s specialties—pulpo Gallego, aka steamed octopus. After lunch, we ascend and descend, traversing quaint hamlets and swaths of forest to end our walk in Arzúa.
Arzúa is a buzzing town famous for producing creamy cheeses. You might pick up a wedge for later. This is also a good place to find an ATM or pick up anything you might need at a pharmacy. Many of the villages we stay in are tiny with few services so Arzúa is a smart place to stock up on anything you feel you need.
Distance: 12 miles (19.5 kilometers)
Elevation gain: 1,305 feet (400 meters)
Elevation loss: 1,515 feet (460 meters)Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: Traditional “pazo” guesthouse near Arzúa
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You’ve got the hang of this Camino thing now. You know how to put on double socks and Vaseline to protect your feet. You have a knack for moleskin and washing out your quick-dry shirts. You’ve embraced eating a big pilgrim breakfast before hitting the trail. You’ve found your stride.
You have 17 kms today to reach Santa Irene.
Part of the Camino’s magic is the food. Savor the flavors of Spain while you are here. Order a beer or wine with lunch. Relax. The Camino, and our itinerary, allow time for food and rest. We challenge ourselves physically each day, but we also enjoy moments of respite with a cold drink in the shade.
Our Bold Spirit Travel posse continues westward on the trail through stands of eucalyptus until we reach Santa Irene. Enjoy a drink and wait for the rest of our group. Then hop in the van and we are off to our hotel for the night.
Once settled in your room, enjoy a hot shower and put your feet up. Your legs and feet may be sore. Give them a break and maybe opt for a sweet little siesta.
Dinner is together this evening at the hotel.
Distance: 10 miles (16 kilometers)
Elevation gain: 1,045 feet (320 meters)
Elevation loss: 1,075 feet (325 meters)Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: Traditional “pazo” guesthouse near Arzúa
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You’re getting closer to our final destination, Santiago de Compostela. But today, we enjoy the journey.
You will pass through some beautiful scenery as you stroll woodland trails. You will also pass by the Lavacolla airport, definitely a sight the pilgrims of 800 years ago would not have seen!
Lavacolla translates, roughly, to washing one’s, um, private areas. This is where pilgrims used to clean themselves in a stream before descending into Santiago de Compostela, the holy city and their final destination. But we have no need to stop and bathe here—there’s a nice shower at the hotel. ;-)
Dinner will be enjoyed together in the evening after hot showers and some time to put your feet up. Play a game of cards with fellow pilgrims or write in your journal. Tomorrow you will reach Santiago.
Distance: 9 miles (14.5 kilometers)
Elevation gain: 1,050 feet (320 meters)
Elevation loss: 1,035 feet (315 meters)Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: 4-star hotel just outside the city limits of Santiago de Compostela
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This is our last day walking the Camino together.
We begin our trek with a climb from near Vilamaior to Monte del Gozo, or Mount Joy, where on a clear day the towers of the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral can be spotted. The saying goes that if you are the first in your group to spot the church towers, you may officially change your name to King (Rey, Leroy, Le Roi). Or maybe Queen? It has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?
The walking portion of our journey ends today at the steps of the cathedral. Your tour leader will help you navigate getting your Compostela as well as attending the Pilgrim’s Mass if you wish to do so. You might just want to sit in a plaza and pat yourself on the back while enjoying a glass of wine. You may want to go shopping (Santiago has wonderful boutiques).
Check into the hotel and then wash off the trail dirt. You made it!
Rest and then explore this city. Pop into the Pilgrim’s Museum to learn more about the walkers who came before you. Get a (well-earned) massage.
We have much to celebrate. Walking so many kilometers is a great accomplishment, and while your feet may be tired, your heart will be full. Tonight, we will gather for one last dinner. Raise a glass to your fellow pilgrims!
Distance: 5.5 miles (9 kilometers)
Elevation gain: 200 feet (60 meters)
Elevation loss: 615 feet (200 meters)Meals included: Breakfast, Celebratory Dinner
Hotel: Lovely “pousada” in the center of Santiago de Compostela
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You have accomplished something BIG! Your body (and spirit) is strong and amazing. What a gift!
Today, enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel followed by a two-hour guided walking tour of the city and the cathedral with our local guide.
Later, it’s time to say “adios” to your Bold Spirit Travel friends.
Arrange a taxi to take you to the airport (it’s a quick ride from downtown Santiago and the hotel will call a cab for you; this is not included in the tour price).
Or, extend your trip and explore Cape Finisterre on the ocean which is Km Zero on the Camino. Finisterre, or Fisterra, was long considered a holy place for the pre-Christian people who lived here.
Pro Tip: Take a day tour by bus and see this gorgeous coastal area. You could also extend your trip another week and walk to Finisterre on the Camino. Discover Galicia offers guided tours.
Distance: Zero!
Meals included: Breakfast
What's Included in Your Camino Journey?
What’s Included:
Eight nights at beautiful hotels, inns, and B&Bs
An English-speaking Bold Spirit tour leader accompanying you every step of the way
All meals as indicated in the detailed itinerary
Group airport transfer from Santiago de Compostela airport to our hotel in Sarria on the tour start date (1 transfer)
Private land transfers for the Bold Spirit group throughout the entire adventure
A small group experience
Local expert bilingual guides walking with the group
Luggage transfers from hotel to hotel
Checkpoint stops on the trail with snacks
A planning guide to get you ready for this Bold Spirit adventure
A pre-tour meeting about 1 month before departure
What’s NOT Included:
Round-trip airfare—you need to arrive in Santiago de Compostela and meet us at the airport
Gratuities for guides and drivers
Cost for additional activities such as massage or a day trip to Fisterra
Meals not outlined in the detailed itinerary; lunches are not included but there are stores along the route and small bars/restaurants that cater to pilgrims.
Alcoholic beverages, unless otherwise specified (most dinners include wine)
Personal expenses, such as souvenirs
Travel insurance (must have emergency evacuation medical insurance)
Early hotel check-in
Telephone charges
Room service/minibar
Laundry
Training and Preparing for the Camino
Walking the Camino is an incredible experience, but your body will be doing real work. Preparing ahead of time will help you enjoy the journey rather than simply counting down the miles until you can take off your shoes.
Train for multiple days of walking
This is an Energetic journey with seven consecutive walking days, including days of up to 12 miles and more than 1,500 feet of elevation gain. Your preparation should include regular walking and practice covering longer distances on consecutive days, not just one long hike at a time.
Pack light and layer up
Your main luggage is transferred each day and is limited to 40 pounds. Pack layers for changing weather and use our Camino de Santiago Packing List for specific recommendations.
Prepare for varied terrain
The Camino includes climbs, descents, woodland paths, country lanes, and uneven surfaces. Incorporating hills and varied terrain into your training will help prepare you for the trail.
Plan for your dietary needs
Vegetarian and vegan options can be limited in rural Spain. If you have dietary restrictions, consider packing trail mix, protein bars, or other supplemental snacks.
Break in your gear
Wear comfortable, broken-in trekking shoes and practice carrying your day pack before the trip. Taking care of your feet and preventing blisters is especially important when walking day after day.
Purchase travel insurance
Emergency evacuation medical insurance is required. Additional travel insurance covering cancellation, trip interruption, luggage, and personal belongings is also strongly recommended.
Travel Solo, Walk Together
You don’t need a travel companion to say yes to the Camino. Many Bold Spirit travelers join on their own and become part of a community before the journey even begins.
A pre-trip planning session gives you the chance to meet your guides and fellow travelers before arriving in Spain. Once you’re on the Camino, you’ll share the experience as a group without being expected to walk side-by-side all day. Walk at your own pace, spend time getting to know the women around you, or take a stretch of the trail for yourself and some quiet reflection. Pasted text
“I wanted to walk the Camino but didn’t want to fuss with booking hotels or finding restaurants. Bold Spirit Travel provided just what I needed. The guides on the trip were really helpful, supportive, and knowledgeable. I always knew where I needed to go and felt safe the entire way. Additionally, I had the pleasure of meeting a wonderful group of women during my adventure.”
— Nikki P.
And the connection doesn’t have to end in Santiago. Bold Spirit creates a WhatsApp group for each trip so travelers can exchange photos and stay in touch with the friends they’ve made along the Way.
Common Questions About Walking the Camino
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No. While the Camino has centuries of religious and pilgrimage history, travelers walk it for many different reasons. This journey leaves room for reflection, connection, physical challenge, and experiencing the history and traditions of the Way.
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Yes. Completing this Bold Spirit route makes you eligible to receive the Compostela, the official certificate of completion issued by the Pilgrim’s Office in Santiago de Compostela. Your tour leader will help you navigate the process when you arrive.
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You should exercise regularly and prepare specifically for walking long distances on consecutive days. This journey includes seven walking days ranging from approximately 5.5 to 12 miles, with plenty of climbs and descents along the way. Before your trip, work up to longer walks and practice walking on back-to-back days so your body is prepared for the repeated effort of the Camino.
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Yes. Your main luggage is transferred between accommodations, so you only need to carry your day pack while walking.
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Absolutely. Solo travelers are welcome, and you’ll meet your guides and fellow travelers during a pre-trip planning session before arriving in Spain.
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You’ll stay in a mix of hotels, family-run pazos, renovated farmhouses, pousadas, and Galician manor homes. Rooms have private bathrooms, although amenities such as air conditioning, hairdryers, and televisions may vary at smaller properties.
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Comfortable, broken-in trekking shoes, a day pack, and a reusable water bottle are essentials. For the complete list, see the Camino de Santiago Packing List.
Ready to Walk the Camino?
Join the waitlist for our next Camino de Santiago journey and be the first to know when booking becomes available.
Have questions about walking the Camino de Santiago with Bold Spirit Travel? Book a free discovery call!