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19th Sep 2026 - 26th Sep 2026
8 days/Spain /Moderate to Challenging
Join us as we introduce a new trek to our Camino series as we discover another road to Santiago.
The Portuguese Way, used by Queen Isabel of Portugal in the 13th century, starts in Lisbon and ends at the famous Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Today the route is divided into 5 official stages and we will explore the final section.
You will start your journey in the Spanish border town of Tui and will walk 117km north through the beautiful Galician countryside, through woodlands and vineyards, across fields and meadows, on an undulating pilgrimage route that passes though historic towns as you follow in the footsteps of so many others before you, to the beautiful city of Santiago de Compostela.
The UNESCO World heritage site of Santiago de Compostela, the final destination of the legendary medieval Camino de Santiago (Way of Saint James), is named after the Apostle Saint James (Santiago), who is buried here.
Saint James went to this most north-western part of Spain, called by the Romans ‘Finis Terrae’ (end of the world), to preach and convert people to Christianity. After returning to Palestine in 44AD, he was taken prisoner and tortured to death. The king refused to bury him, so his disciples stole the body and brought him by boat to the Spanish coast where he was buried in a secret place in a wood.
Centuries later, in 813, the hermit Pelayo heard music in that wood and witnessed strange lights in the night sky. The site was thus called, in Latin, ‘Campus Stellae’, field of the star, a name that later became Compostela.
Today, thousands of people known as ‘pilgrims’ walk the Camino de Santiago for a number of different reasons; spiritual, cultural and adventurous or simply such as wanting to learn about the history of this ancient trail and as a way to get fit and spend time outdoors. This is not a religious tour. The Camino is about the journey and to the majority of people it symbolises a time of reflection, learning and fresh starts.
You don’t have to fundraise to join an open challenge but you can support a charity of your choice if you wish. See the costs tab for more details.
This trek is graded moderate to challenging. You will be trekking long distances over varying terrain which includes some steep uphill sections, in hot weather conditions.
You will be walking for many hours and sometimes on steep gradients. It is essential that you are fit enough to trek for at least 7-8 hours at a time for multiple consecutive days. Regular breaks are taken, but long days of walking are inevitable. You cannot be too fit for this challenge so you should train well before your departure.
Today, thousands of people known as ‘pilgrims’ walk the Camino de Santiago for a number of different reasons; spiritual, cultural and adventurous or simply such as wanting to learn about the history of this ancient trail and as a way to get fit and spend time outdoors. This is not a religious tour. The Camino is about the journey and to the majority of people it symbolises a time of reflection, learning and fresh starts.
An ideal candidate is someone who is open minded, positive, flexible and enjoys the challenges of the great outdoors. Adventure travel involves elements of the unexpected so do not expect the standards to be the same as you are used to at home. Remote areas are sometimes unpredictable (be it because of group pace, weather conditions etc.) and itineraries may be altered to allow for this. You must also be willing to train hard for this challenge!
The trek is accompanied by local professional English-speaking guides who have an excellent knowledge of hiking in the region. The guides are first aid trained and will support you throughout your journey. You will also be supported by a Different Travel Company UK tour manager.
The terrain will vary throughout the 5 days but in general you will trek all day along country roads, compact dirt and stone footpaths, forest tracks, gravel trails, paved streets and through woods and meadows with some uphill/downhill paths. Each day you will experience undulating terrain, so it is important that your training includes hill walking and trekking up and down gradients.
You will stay in basic hotels and simple guesthouses on a twin-share basis with en-suite facilities.
Breakfast and evening meals will be taken in a communal dining room at the accommodation or at local restaurants. You will enjoy hearty, delicious Spanish meals that will keep your energy levels high for each day’s trek. You will eat packed lunches which you will carry yourself each day or stop in small local restaurants. Please inform us in advance if you have any dietary requirements or preferences.
The section of the Camino de Santiago you will be walking is located in the Northwest of Spain in the region of Galicia also known as the Ireland of Spain. Here, there is usually a temperate climate all year round, however weather can be unpredictable, so it is important to be prepared for a variety of weather conditions and temperatures.
In general, the temperature each day can range between 16-23°C during the day but could drop to 12°C (or lower) at night. Weather conditions will vary but in September, it’s still relatively warm (average 19°C) but with a chance of rain.
It’s important to be prepared for all weather conditions and temperatures by packing non-cotton trek layers and waterproofs. It’s better to have waterproofs and not need them, than to not have any when you need them!
Although the temperatures and conditions above are historically accurate, climate change can impact the seasons so you may experience uncharacteristic conditions during the trip which are out of our control. Should this happen the guide will assess the situation and make decisions to ensure the best enjoyment and ultimately safety of the group as a whole.
You must be aged 18+ to join this trek. It may be possible for you to participate if you are 16 or 17 years old but you must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. There is no upper age limit.
London – Spain
Fly from London to either Santiago, La Coruna, Vigo, or Porto (tbc). On arrival transfer we to the picturesque town of Tui (approx. 1 hr drive from Santiago) where we spend our first night at a hotel and receive a briefing on the trek to come before enjoying dinner.
Meals: Dinner
Tui – O Porrino
After a hearty breakfast we start our Camino at the Cathedral of St Mary of the Assumption of Tui. We will pass through the tunnel on the rua das Monxas, which goes underneath the convent building, and through picturesque narrow streets. Our walk will continue along the original Roman route, the Via Romana XIX, as we pass by the historic Puente de a Veiga bridge, along country roads, through woods and across more bridges before we finally reach the town of O Porrino.
Trekking: Approx 17km / 10.6 miles
Duration: Approx 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
O Porrino – Arcade
We set off this morning and cross the Lauro valley. After a slow steady climb we reach the town of Mos and then the chapel of Santiaguino de Antas. We head downwards towards the Chan das Pipas pine forest, admiring views over the Ria de Vigo estuary, and then pass through the town of Redondela. This afternoon we trek uphill for a while before descending to the coastal town of Arcade, at the mouth of the Verdugo River, our home for the night. Arcade is a pretty and historic town, well-known for its oysters.
Length: Approx 24.5km / 15.2 miles
Duration: Approx 6.5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Arcade – Barro
It’s an impressive day on the Camino today as we climb the ancient stone road of Verea Vella da Canicouva, which leads uphill past fields and into a forest. After we pass through the forest our views turn to vineyards, from whose grapes the local Albarino wine is made, and you can spot distant mountains ahead. We pass through Pontevedra, the second most important city in Galicia. There may be time to visit the circular church of the Pilgrim Virgin; built for pilgrims in the 18th century, its floorplan is in the recognisable shape of a pilgrim’s scallop shell. We continue on to Barro where we will get picked up by vehicle to transfer back to Pontevedra for dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.
Length: Approx 22km / 13.6 miles
Duration: Approx 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Barro – Padron
This morning we transfer back to where we finished our walk yesterday and continue on our journey with our longest stretch of walking. We pass through the lovely village of Tibo, with its fountain, public washing place and stone cross, and the ancient spa town of Caldas de Reis. We’ll cross a bridge over the River Umia which leads to a fountain of hot spring water that has lent the town its name since Roman times. We continue through woods and follow the Camino gently uphill to the hamlet of Santa Marina before descending and crossing the Fontenlo river en route to Padron. Padron is most famous for being the first landmass sighted by the ship bearing the body of St James along the river, and in its church is the original stone, O Pedron, said to be the mooring post that the boat carrying St James was tied up to. The town is also famous for the padron pepper.
Length: Approx 29.2km / 18.2 miles
Duration: Approx 7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Padron – Santiago de Compostela
This morning we’ll pass through many small hamlets before arriving at the Baroque sanctuary of A Esclavitude. To the left, on a hilltop stand the mysterious ruins of the hillfort Castro Lupario. Continuing for a few more kilometres, we reach the oldest wayside crossing in Galicia, and approaching Agro dos Monteiros, from here you should be able to see the spires of the Cathedral in the city of Santiago. As we approach Santiago, we pass the ruins of a castle known as A Rocha Vella. Finally, we enter the city of the Apostle and end our Camino in the Plaza del Obradoiro, the main square in front of the Cathedral. This symbolic end to the Camino is experienced by millions of people every year; enjoy the chance to soak in its atmosphere and beauty as you celebrate your achievements.
Length: Approx 24.7km / 15.5 miles
Duration: Approx 6.5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Santiago
Today is at leisure for you to enjoy the sights of Santiago de Compostela. You may wish to visit the Cathedral and perhaps attend a pilgrims’ mass. There are also many opportunities for sightseeing and souvenir shopping before gathering for a celebratory farewell dinner this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Santiago de Compostela – UK
Transfer to the airport for the return flight to the UK.
Meals: Breakfast
N.B. This itinerary may change due to unusual weather patterns, the ability of the group, and so on. We will do our best to keep to the set itinerary however we cannot be held responsible for changes that might occur outside of our control. In all such circumstances your guide and tour leader will have the final say in the interest of the health and safety of the group.
Registration fee: £375 and then either…
Self-funded: £1,875
or
Sponsorship: £3,750
or
Flexi: £1,875 trip costs and £1,875 sponsorship for a charity* of your choice
This option is for those who choose to pay the trip costs (flights, accommodation, food, guides etc.) themselves. There is no sponsorship required although if you wish to raise sponsorship for a charity you are welcome to do so.
This option is for those who wish to raise sponsorship to cover both the costs of the trip (flights, accommodation, food, guides etc.) and a donation to their chosen charity. There is a minimum sponsorship amount for each trip that you are required to raise in order to participate.
This option is for those who choose to pay the trip costs (flights, accommodation, food, guides etc.) themselves while still raising some funds for the charity.
*If your chosen charity is not on this list, please seek permission to fundraise for them by taking part in this challenge before making your booking.
If you’ve a question about this challenge that you can’t find the answer to within the given information then complete this quick form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
