What We Learned on the Trail from Sarria to Santiago
In March 2026, four members of the Headwater team walked the final 117km of the Camino Francés from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela. This was not an ordinary walking holiday; it was a familiarisation trip designed to experience the Camino first-hand, to deepen our understanding of what this journey truly offers, and to ensure the stories we share with our customers are grounded in lived experience and continuous learning.
At Headwater, we believe that walking the routes ourselves adds to our knowledge, shapes how we design our holidays, and strengthens the advice we give. The Camino is a journey that demands effort, rewards resilience, and offers something increasingly rare: time, connection, reflection, and lasting perspective.
Watch their story below.
Why We Walked the Camino Francés
The Camino de Santiago is a network of ancient pilgrimage routes across Spain, Portugal and France, all leading to Santiago de Compostela. The Camino Francés, also known as the French Way, is the most well-known of these routes, with the final 117km from Sarria being the most popular section.
This stretch is achievable within a week, offers varied and beautiful scenery, and qualifies walkers for the Compostela certificate, provided at least two pilgrim stamps are collected per day across the final 100km.
For those considering when to walk, certain years hold particular significance. The Jacobean Holy Year is one of them and takes place next year. This rare event takes place only when St James’ Day, 25th July, falls on a Sunday. During a Holy Year, the Porta Santa, or Holy Door, at Santiago de Compostela Cathedral is opened, a deeply symbolic and moving moment for pilgrims.
We wanted to experience the Camino as walkers do, understanding not just the route itself but the meaning of arriving in Santiago, especially in years when the city is alive with shared purpose, celebration, and reflection. This first-hand experience allows us to continually learn and guide others more thoughtfully.
The Journey Begins: Sarria to Portomarín
We arrived in Sarria feeling a mix of nerves, excitement, and anticipation. Questions ran through our minds: What should we pack in our day bags? What would the walking feel like? How would our bodies cope with several consecutive days on the trail?
Under clear blue skies, we set off and quickly reached our first Camino milestone. The iconic blue sign with the yellow scallop shell and the distance remaining to Santiago made everything feel real.
Almost immediately, we fell into conversation with other pilgrims. Where are you from? Where did you start? Is this your first Camino? Each conversation carried warmth, curiosity, and encouragement.
Along the way, cafés and small kiosks welcomed pilgrims with smiles, sending us off with a heartfelt “Buen Camino” as we continued along the trail.
By the time we crossed the long bridge into Portomarín, tired but proud, day one already felt like an achievement, and a promise of more to come.
Finding the Rhythm of the Trail
Life on the Camino quickly settles into a steady rhythm. Mornings begin with breakfast and packing our small day bags.
We walked some stretches together, chatting and laughing. Others are spent in peaceful silence, lost in thought.
Café con leche stops soon become daily rituals. They offer rest, conversation, and something to look forward to. Spanish tortilla became our go-to fuel, simple, filling, and ideal for long walking days. We also quickly developed a love for Galician specialities such as pulpo and caldo gallego, which varied from place to place.
Collecting stamps in our pilgrim passports added another layer of meaning. Each sello marked not just distance covered, but moments experienced. Some stamps were simple, others ornate wax seals, but all told part of our story.
Kim reflected on this perfectly:
“This journey grew more meaningful with every step and each stamp in my pilgrim passport. Being away from the pace of everyday life, surrounded by nature and fresh air, gave me the space to slow down and truly reflect. The kindness of locals and fellow pilgrims made the journey even more special. It was a truly unforgettable experience; one I’ll carry with me for a lifetime.”
The People Who Shape the Camino
One of the most powerful aspects of the Camino is the people you meet. Pilgrims from all over the world share the same path, offering encouragement, kindness, and conversation, sometimes for a few minutes, sometimes for several kilometres.
There is an unspoken understanding on the trail. Everyone is there for their own reasons, yet everyone looks out for one another. A smile, a word of encouragement, or a shared coffee break can lift your spirits when your feet are sore and your legs feel heavy.
Cecile described it beautifully:
“A truly unique, almost timeless experience, where an extraordinary sense of camaraderie, shared among fellow pilgrims and locals, left me genuinely amazed. Everyone you meet is warm, supportive, kind, and respectful. You return home transformed, with memories and friendships that will stay with you for life.”
In Holy Years, this sense of shared experience becomes even more pronounced. Pilgrims from around the world arrive in Santiago with a collective sense of purpose, creating an atmosphere that is both celebratory and deeply reflective.
Each evening, we arrived at our hotels ready to rest and recover. We rehydrated, stretched tired muscles, and shared stories from the day over dinner. While the days were physically demanding, the evenings were calm and restorative, giving us time to reflect and reset.
Milestones, Scenery, and Small Moments
The Camino’s milestones are more than navigation tools. When energy dips, they offer reassurance and motivation, reminding you that each step is taking you closer to Santiago.
The scenery constantly invites you to pause. Eucalyptus forests scented with fresh air, ancient bridges crossing gentle rivers, and quiet villages that feel untouched by time. These small moments often become the most memorable.
Hannah summed up what the journey gave her:
“Walking the Camino gave me a real sense of achievement and showed me what I was capable of. I would recommend this to anyone, not just for the physical journey, but for the time to reflect, the people I met, the lasting relationships formed, and the memories it created.”
The Final Day: Arriving in Santiago de Compostela
On our final morning, we set off before sunrise. The trail was quiet, birdsong echoing through the woods as dawn slowly broke through the trees.
As we approached Santiago, more pilgrims joined the path, all sharing the same mix of anticipation and emotion.
Linking arms, we walked through the city together until we arrived at the Cathedral Square, marking the end of our physical journey.
Standing in front of the cathedral, holding our pilgrim passports and Compostela certificates, we felt an enormous sense of pride and gratitude. In Holy Years, this moment carries even greater significance, as the opening of the Holy Door marks a rare spiritual milestone for many pilgrims.
Around us were familiar faces, people we had walked with, spoken to, and shared moments with along the way. Smiles, hugs, and congratulations flowed freely.
Sharon captured the essence of it perfectly:
“I think everyone should walk part of the Camino at least once in their lifetime. The freedom of just focusing on the walk, without the pressure of daily life, is something invaluable and something I will treasure forever.”
Why Walk the Camino with Headwater?
The Camino is not an ordinary walking holiday. It is a physical challenge, but it is also deeply personal, shaped by connection, reflection, and shared experience.
Walking the Camino ourselves allows us to continually refine our itineraries, improve the support we offer, and share honest insights based on real experience.
Walking with Headwater allows you to fully immerse yourself in the journey without worrying about logistics. Accommodation is pre-booked in comfortable local hotels, offering privacy and proper rest at the end of each day. Optional luggage transfers mean you walk with just a day pack, free to focus on the experience itself.
Our Camino Francés: Sarria to Santiago itinerary is designed for active travellers, whether it is your first Camino or your first time walking consecutive long-distance days. With average daily distances of around 20km, it is challenging but achievable and deeply rewarding.
Jacobean Holy Year 2027: A Rare Time to Walk the Camino
The Jacobean Holy Year takes place only when St James’ Day, 25th July, falls on a Sunday. In 2027, pilgrims will once again have the opportunity to walk the Camino during this special year.
During a Holy Year, the Porta Santa (Holy Door) at Santiago de Compostela Cathedral is opened, a powerful and symbolic moment for pilgrims. Celebrations, festivities, and a remarkable shared atmosphere fill the city, bringing together walkers from around the world.
Walking the Camino during a Jacobean Holy Year is an unforgettable experience. Demand is high during these years, so early booking is strongly recommended.
Our Final Reflection
Although we all walked the same route, each of us came away with a different experience. That is what makes the Camino so special. It becomes your own story, shaped by reflection, challenge, and memory.
You start the Camino with anticipation and finish with something far deeper. Confidence, perspective, strengthened friendships, and a renewed sense of what you are capable of.
This commitment to learning from the trail is something we carry forward into everything we do at Headwater.
Buen Camino!
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