Getting off the trail between Sarria and Portomarín

[Kim M]

I am starting my pilgrimage alone from Roncesvalles in a few days but my wife will join me October 15 at Sarria for the last stretch. After that point we will not be staying in Albergues and going a little more upscale. She is a bit worried about her capacity to walk 24 km her first day and there does not appear to be any places to stay on that route other than Albergues. I see there are numerous hamlets that we walk through. My question is that if she tires out and wants to take a bus or other transportation to Portomarin, will it be relatively easy to do so? What alternatives are there?

 

[peregrina2000]

Well, actually, Kim, there are places to stay in between Sarria and Portomarin. In fact, one of my very favorite places on that last stretch is there, the Casa Morgade. It's probably about halfway between the two towns and is a very welcoming place. I was there in 2000 or 2001 when it was just opening and it has morphed into a combo hotel/albergue/restaurant/cafe. But what hasn't changed is the friendliness and caring of the family running the operation. Highly recommended.

http://www.casamorgade.com

buen camino, Laurie

 

[Deleted member 3000]

a bus or other transportation to Portomarin

Buses are available from Melide on to Santiago, but you will need a taxi for Sarria to Portomarin and Portomarin to Melide. Buen camino.

 

[nidarosa]

Another vote for Casa Morgade. It has private rooms as well as a dorm with 'flat' beds - not bunkbeds!

 

[mountaingoat999]

I am starting my pilgrimage alone from Roncesvalles in a few days but my wife will join me October 15 at Sarria for the last stretch. After that point we will not be staying in Albergues and going a little more upscale. She is a bit worried about her capacity to walk 24 km her first day and there does not appear to be any places to stay on that route other than Albergues. I see there are numerous hamlets that we walk through. My question is that if she tires out and wants to take a bus or other transportation to Portomarin, will it be relatively easy to do so? What alternatives are there?

Hi Kim

When I was volunteering twice this year. both times some of the Mochila (rucksack transport vans)were allowing a pilgrim to travel with them, I saw this several times and noticed the pilgrim was either too tired or injured in some way....in these instances the albergue was a private one in Villfrance de bierzo I seen this and the pilgrim waited till around 11 am that morning.....unaware of the fee they charge. I saw this a few times . only a solo pilgrim..

just thought I would mentioned it, so it's another option to hand.. the times I seen this the pilgrims in question asked the albergue owner prior, to arrange this whilst the person was collecting rucksacks.it seems these days anything is possible.

 

[CarriePhoto]

I'm not sure if this is allowed or not, but I used this website when I was walking and found it helpful.

http://www.gronze.com/guia-del-camino-frances/etapas/etapa-28-sarria-portomarin

I stayed at the Casa do Rego July of last year. It was wonderful. The family that own it are extremely nice and I had a fantastic burger. It was a small albergue, but I was the only one there.

 

[Kim M]

Thanks so much for all your suggestions. We will wait to see what unfolds for us on the Camino.
Buen Camino.

 

[Bajaracer]

I am starting my pilgrimage alone from Roncesvalles in a few days but my wife will join me October 15 at Sarria for the last stretch. After that point we will not be staying in Albergues and going a little more upscale. She is a bit worried about her capacity to walk 24 km her first day and there does not appear to be any places to stay on that route other than Albergues. I see there are numerous hamlets that we walk through. My question is that if she tires out and wants to take a bus or other transportation to Portomarin, will it be relatively easy to do so? What alternatives are there?

If your wife doesn't carry a pack, then 24km will be a lot easier. If she is just walking the last 100km, don't bother buying a big backpack, just get a small daypack to carry water, food, socks, and raingear, use a bag transport service for her regular luggage, from Sarria to Santiago is €3 per day, so if she can complete the walk in under six days, the total transport cost will be €18 or less.

 

[Leah C. O'Leary]

I am starting my pilgrimage alone from Roncesvalles in a few days but my wife will join me October 15 at Sarria for the last stretch. After that point we will not be staying in Albergues and going a little more upscale. She is a bit worried about her capacity to walk 24 km her first day and there does not appear to be any places to stay on that route other than Albergues. I see there are numerous hamlets that we walk through. My question is that if she tires out and wants to take a bus or other transportation to Portomarin, will it be relatively easy to do so? What alternatives are there?

Kim, I'm starting from Sarria to Santiago starting the route on September 30 - I used a travel agency that made arrangements for small hotels between Sarria and Santiago for the whole route I'm walking. Email me at leaholeary@aol.com and I'll send you the itinerary and list of hotels along the route that they lined up for me - they made reservations.

 

[whariwharangi]

I am starting my pilgrimage alone from Roncesvalles in a few days but my wife will join me October 15 at Sarria for the last stretch. After that point we will not be staying in Albergues and going a little more upscale. She is a bit worried about her capacity to walk 24 km her first day and there does not appear to be any places to stay on that route other than Albergues. I see there are numerous hamlets that we walk through. My question is that if she tires out and wants to take a bus or other transportation to Portomarin, will it be relatively easy to do so? What alternatives are there?

Concello Portomarin provides following about buses from Portomarin to Sarria.
http://www.concellodeportomarin.es/concello/autobuses.php

You would have to contact Empresa Portomarin to find if there are any stops on their route between the towns. Given that much of the camino is off the C-535 highway I would consider it unlikely that it would be of any service to you.