About this trip.
Comparing firms? Every Camino holiday on Mooch, route by route.
Before you book: Walking holidays vs cycling holidays — when each one is the right answer · Which Camino route is right for you — an honest opinion on each of the seven
Vilalba to Arzúa on the Northern Way
This section covers the final 100km of the Camino del Norte. It starts in the market town of Vilalba and crosses Galicia's farmland and countryside to Santiago de Compostela. The first day goes through the Terra Chá region on forest paths, past small farming villages, as far as Baamonde. From there you're collected and taken to a rural property in Miraz. Next morning you're driven back to Baamonde, where the medieval St James Church (Igrexa de Santiago) is worth a look before a fairly easy day's walking across rural Galicia.
From Miraz the trail climbs to its highest point at Marcela, then goes on to Sobrado dos Monxes. The monastery there dates back to the 10th century, although its current facade is baroque. You're picked up at the monastery for another night in Miraz, then taken back to Sobrado the next morning. That day you walk the last stretch of the Camino del Norte before it joins the Camino Francés in Arzúa. Expect to meet many more pilgrims in this busy market town, and try the local cheese it's known for.
The final stretch into Santiago
After Arzúa the path runs through woods and villages and across streams to Pedrouzo (310m). The chapel of Santa Irene, with its unusual statue of Santiago, is on the way. On the last walking day you pass Lavacolla, where pilgrims once washed in the river before reaching the city. Then rows of tall eucalyptus trees lead to Monte do Gozo, the Mount of Joy (368m), where you get your first view of the cathedral. Santiago (264m) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the cathedral holds a pilgrim mass every day at noon. Get your pilgrim passport stamped along the way so you can claim your Compostela certificate. The trip ends after breakfast. Extra nights, a tour of the historic centre or a day trip to Finisterre or the Cíes Islands can be arranged on request. You can also start further back at Ribadeo to see Cathedrals Beach, and the route can be walked or cycled.
Where you stay
The standard hotels and guesthouses are up to 3-star, with en-suite rooms, mostly in town centres close to the trail. Now and then a place is a few kilometres off the route, and transport is arranged when that happens. The Superior Collection uses 4 and 5-star hotels, boutique guesthouses, country homes and Parador hotels where available. In some places only standard accommodation is available.
Getting to Vilalba and home from Santiago
A Coruña Airport is 57km from Vilalba, with one bus a day (line 20) taking 1 to 1.5 hours. Santiago de Compostela Airport is 87km away, and line 13 runs to Vilalba twice a week, taking about 1 hour 45 minutes. From Vigo Airport (200km), you go to Santiago first and then catch one of three daily buses to Vilalba. To get home, a shuttle bus runs every 30 minutes from Santiago city centre to the airport (11km). It stops at Plaza de Galicia, the train station and the bus station. Trains and buses also link Santiago with Vigo and A Coruña for their airports. Private transfers can be arranged.
The shape of the trip.
Everything you might be wondering.
Q1How hard is it really?
The grading is set by the operator and usually reflects daily distance and total ascent. As a rule of thumb: if you can comfortably manage a 5-6 hour hillwalk at home on a weekend, a moderate-graded route will be fine. Read the day-by-day notes carefully, and train with a loaded pack in the months before.
Q2Can I do this solo?
Yes — self-guided walking holidays are well suited to solo travellers, and some operators waive the single-room supplement on certain departures. The route notes are written for confident independent walkers, and most operators run a 24/7 support line.
Q3Do I need to speak the language?
No. Hotels and restaurants on the route are used to English-speaking walkers. A phrasebook for menus and a few polite basics (hello, thank you, please) is all you really need. The operator's support line speaks English.
Q4Can I bring my dog?
Some routes are dog-friendly, others aren't — it depends on whether all the accommodation on the itinerary accepts dogs. Check with the operator before booking. If you do bring a dog, you'll need a pet passport, up-to-date rabies vaccination, and a lead for villages.
Q5What if it rains?
The route is walkable in rain — your luggage travels ahead regardless, so you'll always arrive somewhere dry. Some trails get slippery in wet weather and the operator's support line can arrange a taxi for any stage if conditions are properly bad.
Q6How do I get there from the UK?
Most routes are reachable by a short flight to a nearby airport, followed by train or transfer. The operator will usually point you at the nearest airport and can advise on rail connections. Some will book train tickets on your behalf for a small fee.
Q7Can I shorten or extend it?
Usually yes. Many operators offer shorter versions of a route as a standalone, and most will add extra nights at the start or end at their own rates. Ask when you enquire — they'll tailor it before booking.
Q8What about cancellation?
Typically a deposit (usually 20-25%) is taken at booking, with the balance due 8-10 weeks before departure. The operator's own terms apply — Mooch doesn't handle the booking or refunds. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
Three walking holidays, side-by-side.
The two closest walking holidays on Mooch, both on the Camino. Prices are the operators' own, per person.
