2023 Camino de Santiago - Triacastela to Sarria - Stage 24

Stage 24: Triacastela to Sarria
Today we leave Triacastela and head towards Sarria, one of the most well-known towns on the Camino de Santiago, as it is the starting point for the famous 100 kilometers. There are two routes to get to Sarria from Triacastela: the original route through Samos, a stretch with more asphalt that runs along the Oribio River and visits a famous Benedictine monastery; and the variant through San Xil, a much more beautiful route that goes through lush oak and chestnut forests.
We choose the variant through San Xil, a route that offers us a wide variety of landscapes and environments.
We start the stage with a light breakfast and set off. The first stretch of the stage is quite easy, as it runs along a wide and comfortable forest track. Shortly after, we reach the village of A Balsa, where we stop to visit the Capela de Santo Antonio Da Balsa, a rustic chapel from the 19th century.
From here, the most demanding stretch of the stage begins. The terrain becomes more abrupt and the slope increases. The climb is tough, but the effort is rewarded by the stunning views that the forest offers us.
After a steady climb, we reach the Fuente de los Lameiros, a beautiful pond with a large shell that offers a small respite to the pilgrim. A few meters away, we turn off to access San Xil, a small town with a population of just 25 people.
We continue climbing up a paved track to San Xil. From here, the path continues to climb up a narrow road to the vicinity of the Riocabo pass.
Once at the pass, we leave the road and enter a lush forest of chestnuts, oaks, and birches. This is the most beautiful stretch of the stage, as the path runs along a narrow and winding trail that gives us spectacular views of the Sarria River valley.
After a long descent, we reach the church of Santa María de Montán, a 12th-century Romanesque church.
We continue along the road and climb a small hill to find several houses in the village of Montán.
Surrounded by grazing meadows, we enter the municipality of Sarria. We continue very close to the road to reach the next village, Pintín (Calvor).
From here on, and until Sarria, the most mundane part of the day takes place, as we walk along the side of the road between pastures, passing by some farms.
Sarria has many services for pilgrims and visitors alike. As soon as we arrive in the town center, we see references to the Camino everywhere. Hostels, inns, restaurants, and the pilgrim's office...
We continue through the urban area along Rúa do Peregrino until we reach the riverside promenade around the Sarria River. We cross the river by a bridge to reach a large staircase.
The staircase is the entrance to the medieval old town, which is located in the upper area, while the new town extends in the lower part along the river.
The Camino de Santiago runs along Calle Mayor, which climbs between hostels, inns, and halfway along Calle Mayor is the Iglesia de Santa Mariña, next to the market square and built in 1885, where our hotel is located behind.
Conclusion
After refreshing ourselves, we prepare to explore the city a bit, as well as have dinner and rest in preparation for our next stage the next day.
We hope you enjoyed this stage as much as we did!
Good Camino!