Route of the Camino Frances stage: O Pedrouzo – Santiago de Compostela (20 km)
The final stage of the Camino de Santiago Frances leads from O Pedrouzo to Santiago de Compostela over 20 kilometres: forest, skirting the airport, the old Lavacolla where pilgrims used to wash, Monte do Gozo where the cathedral’s towers first came into view, and the final entrance into the Praza do Obradoiro. Journey’s end.
KM 0
O Pedrouzo
Leave O Pedrouzo through the woods and climb to O Amenal, already skirting Santiago’s airport.
3.5 km
O Amenal
Last significant climb: the Camino skirts the runway of Lavacolla airport along a long fenced stretch, with planes taking off overhead.
6 km
San Paio
A hamlet past the airport, with the church of San Paio. The path descends towards Lavacolla.
9.5 km
A Lavacolla
Here medieval pilgrims would <strong>wash in the river</strong> to arrive clean before the Apostle; the <em>Codex Calixtinus</em> itself tells the story. Church of San Pedro.
11 km
13.5 km
14.5 km
Monte do Gozo
The “hill of joy”: from here pilgrims would see the cathedral’s towers for the first time and fall to their knees. Today there is a large monument, a chapel and an enormous hostel. 5 km remain, now downhill into the city.
20 km
Santiago de Compostela
Enter the old town through the <strong>Porta do Camiño</strong> and go down through the rúas until you emerge into the <strong>Praza do Obradoiro</strong>, facing the Baroque façade of the <strong>Cathedral of Santiago</strong>. Journey’s end.
O Pedrouzo – Santiago de Compostela: Complete Guide
Stage Profile: Distance, Elevation and Difficulty
Distance: 20 km. Walking time: 4 h 30 min – 5 h 15 min. Elevation change: about +350 m and –280 m. Difficulty: easy-to-moderate. The first kilometres, through forest and skirting the airport, have a few short climbs; Monte do Gozo is the last one. From there, 5 km of descent and flat ground entering Santiago through modern neighbourhoods as far as the historic centre. It is easy by bike except for urban traffic.
Monte do Gozo and the Arrival at the Praza do Obradoiro
Monte do Gozo — Mons Gaudii, the hill of joy — was where the medieval pilgrim saw the cathedral’s towers for the first time and burst into tears; whoever spotted them first was crowned “king” of the group. Today the grown city partly blocks that view, but the emotion of the final descent remains intact. Then comes the entrance through the Porta do Camiño, the narrow rúas, perhaps a gaiteiro (bagpiper) under the arch of the Pazo de Xelmírez, and suddenly the enormous Praza do Obradoiro with the Baroque façade rising in front of you: the end of the Camino. On arrival, pilgrims embrace the statue of the Apostle, visit his tomb in the crypt, attend the pilgrim’s Mass (12:00 and 19:30; the botafumeiro swings only on certain days) and collect the Compostela at the Oficina de Acollida ao Peregrino.
What to See: Monuments and Heritage
Along the way, the church of Lavacolla and the Monte do Gozo monument. And in Santiago, the Cathedral — with the Pórtico da Gloria by Maestro Mateo, the crypt with the Apostle’s relics, the botafumeiro and the embrace of the Apostle —, the Praza do Obradoiro, the Hostal dos Reis Católicos (the former Royal Hospital), the Praza da Quintana, the monastery of San Martíño Pinario and the Mercado de Abastos.
A Bit of History
The tomb of the apostle St James was discovered around the year 820, when the hermit Pelayo saw lights over a wood — campus stellae, “field of the star”, which would give Compostela its name. King Alfonso II travelled from Oviedo and ordered the first church to be built: he was the first pilgrim, and his route the Camino Primitivo. Since then, for over a thousand years, millions of people have walked here.
Local Cuisine
To celebrate your arrival: tarta de Santiago, pulpo á feira, empanada, pementos de Padrón, seafood and queixo de tetilla. Albariño wines (Rías Baixas) and Ribeiro; and a licor café or a queimada afterwards.
Practical Tips
Leave very early if you want to make the 12:00 pilgrim’s Mass. Collect your Compostela at the Oficina de Acollida ao Peregrino (rúa das Carretas); in high season there are queues, so it is worth registering online beforehand. Book accommodation in Santiago well in advance. And if you still feel like walking, the Camino continues to Fisterra and Muxía on the coast: three or four more stages to the “end of the world.”
Services and Accommodation by Village
Listings published in our guide for the villages on this stage. O Amenal, San Paio, Vilamaior do not yet have accommodation or heritage listings in the guide.
O Pedrouzo
Hostels
- Albergue de la Xunta de Galicia O Pedrouzo
- Albergue Hostel Azul Cielo
- Albergue O Burgo
- Albergue O Trisquel
- Albergue Spa Cruceiro de Pedrouzo
Accommodation
A Lavacolla
Hostels
Accommodation
Churches
San Marcos
Accommodation
Monte do Gozo
Hostels
Santiago de Compostela
Hostels
- Albergue Azabache Santiago de Compostela
- Albergue Dream in Santiago
- Albergue La Credencial Santiago de Compostela
- Albergue Monterrey Santiago de Compostela
- Albergue Santiago KM0
- Albergue Santo Santiago
- Albergue Santos
- Albergue SCQ Santiago de Compostela
- Albergue Seminario Menor Santiago de Compostela
- Albergue SIXTOs no Caminho
- Albergue The Last Stamp Santiago de Compostela
- Residencia de peregrinos San Lázaro
Churches