Complete Guide to the Camino Sanabrés

The Camino Sanabrés is one of the most authentic, natural, and spiritual routes of the Camino de Santiago. It represents the western variant of the Vía de la Plata and begins in the historic town of Granja de Moreruela (Zamora), from where it branches off toward Galicia, crossing territories of Zamora (in Castile and León) and Ourense, Pontevedra, and A Coruña (in Galicia).

It is a route of a deeply rural character, with low levels of overcrowding, a strong cultural identity, great natural landscapes, traditional villages, and a pilgrim experience marked by silence, introspection, and connection with nature. The Camino Sanabrés is considered by many pilgrims to be one of the most pure, peaceful, and authentic routes within the Jacobean network.

Where does the Camino Sanabrés start?

Traditional starting point of the Camino Sanabrés

Main starting point: Granja de Moreruela (Zamora)
Other common starting points: Puebla de Sanabria, A Gudiña, Ourense
Approximate total distance: 365 km
Number of stages: 13–16 stages
Eligibility for the Compostela: Yes
Type of route: rural, forest, mountains, valleys, traditional villages
Profile: relaxed pilgrims, lovers of nature and solitude

Stages of the Camino Sanabrés

The Camino Sanabrés has an approximate length of 365 km from Granja de Moreruela to Santiago de Compostela. Traditionally, it is divided into around 14–15 stages, depending on the pilgrim’s pace and planning.

From Granja de Moreruela, the route heads toward Puebla de Sanabria, crosses the mountains of Sanabria, enters Galicia through A Gudiña, travels through the interior of Ourense, and finally connects with the Camino Mozárabe and the Galician section of the Vía de la Plata before reaching Santiago.

It is one of the most highly valued variants for its balance between nature, culture, heritage, and spirituality.

Frequently asked questions about the Camino Sanabrés

How many kilometers is the Camino Sanabrés?

Approximately 365 km from Granja de Moreruela to Santiago.

How many days does it take to complete?

Between 13 and 16 days, depending on pace and planning.

Where does the Camino Sanabrés begin?

In Granja de Moreruela (Zamora), as a branch of the Vía de la Plata.

Is the Camino Sanabrés difficult?

It has a medium difficulty, with demanding stages in mountainous areas, but without the extreme hardship of the full Vía de la Plata.

What is the best time of year to do it?

Spring and summer. Autumn is also highly recommended for the landscapes.

Does it qualify for the Compostela?

Yes. It far exceeds the required minimum 100 km.

Historical importance of the Camino Sanabrés

The Camino Sanabrés has medieval origins as an alternative pilgrimage route to Compostela for pilgrims coming from the south of the Iberian Peninsula. Historically, it connected the lands of Sanabria and inner Galicia with the main Jacobean routes, serving as a spiritual, commercial, and cultural corridor.

It is a route with a rural tradition, less monumental than others, but deeply authentic and closely linked to the rural, monastic, and traditional pilgrim world.

Stages of the Camino Sanabrés (Granja – Santiago de Compostela)

#	Stage	Distance
1	Granja – Faramontanos	18.0 km
2	Faramontanos – Tábara	7.3 km
3	Tábara – Santa Marta	23.1 km
4	Santa Marta – Calzadilla	11.6 km
5	Calzadilla – Rionegro	17.5 km
6	Rionegro – Mombuey	9.3 km
7	Mombuey – Asturianos	16.7 km
8	Asturianos – Puebla de Sanabria	14.6 km
9	Puebla de Sanabria – Requejo	11.9 km
10	Requejo – Lubián	18.9 km
11	Lubián – A Gudiña	23.7 km
12	A Gudiña – Laza	34.5 km
13	Laza – Xunqueira	32.6 km
14	Xunqueira – Ourense	22.4 km
15	Ourense – Cea	22.0 km
16	Cea – Castro Dozón	15.3 km
17	Castro Dozón – A Laxe	18.3 km
18	A Laxe – Ponte Ulla	29.0 km
19	Ponte Ulla – Santiago de Compostela	20.5 km

Total distance Camino Sanabrés: 386.3 km

Camino Sanabrés statistics

In this guide, at Peregrino Online we have structured the itinerary into two distinct routes: the Vía de la Plata and the Camino Sanabrés. Both routes split in the town of Granja de Moreruela, where the pilgrim can choose between continuing toward Astorga to connect with the Camino Francés or taking the Camino Sanabrés variant toward Galicia.

In some guides both itineraries appear unified into a single route, but at Peregrino Online we believe that this distinction provides greater clarity, geographic coherence, and informational value for pilgrims. Nevertheless, the statistical data presented below correspond to the combined total of the Vía de la Plata and the Camino Sanabrés.

Pilgrimage data

In the year 2025, nearly 9,000 pilgrims completed all or part of the Vía de la Plata. The main starting points were:

Ourense: approximately 4,500 pilgrims
Seville: approximately 1,800 pilgrims

At a greater distance, with fewer than 300 pilgrims per year per town, other starting points appear such as Salamanca, Zamora, and Granja de Moreruela, confirming the decentralized and flexible nature of the itinerary.

Trends and attendance

In recent years, the Vía de la Plata has maintained a stable average of approximately 9,000 pilgrims per year, reflecting a constant and sustained flow, without overcrowding peaks.

Unlike other routes such as the Camino Francés or the Camino Portugués, the Vía de la Plata does not present saturation problems, making it an ideal option for pilgrims seeking a more peaceful, authentic, and solitary experience.

Months with the highest number of pilgrims

The month with the highest attendance is May, followed by June and July.

Climate is a determining factor in date selection:

Pilgrims who start the route in Seville usually choose April, May, September, and October, avoiding months of extreme heat.
Those who begin in Galicia mainly opt for June and July, taking advantage of the milder climate.

Pilgrim profile

56% of pilgrims who walk the Vía de la Plata are of Spanish nationality.

Among international pilgrims, the most prominent are:

Portugal
Italy
Germany
United States
United Kingdom
France

Ways of completing the Vía de la Plata

The vast majority of pilgrims complete the Vía de la Plata on foot, although approximately 12% choose to do it by bicycle.

It is a long itinerary, with nearly 1,000 km from Seville, representing a significant physical challenge for walkers. However, due to its continuity of route, progressive profile, and low overcrowding, the Vía de la Plata is considered one of the best Camino de Santiago routes to cycle.

Planning the Camino Sanabrés

Required days

13–16 days from Granja de Moreruela.

Best time

Spring, summer, and early autumn.

Difficulty

Medium.

Infrastructure

Sufficient network of hostels
Rural services
Good signage
High level of tranquility

Pilgrim preparation

Average physical condition
Basic planning
Proper equipment for mountain terrain
Weather and rain management
Orientation in rural areas

Who is the Camino Sanabrés ideal for?

Pilgrims seeking tranquility
Lovers of natural landscapes
People who avoid overcrowding
Spiritual pilgrims
Contemplative travelers
Lovers of rural life

Advantages of the Camino Sanabrés

Low overcrowding
High authenticity
Great natural beauty
Deep spiritual experience
Traditional villages
Silence and reflection

The Camino Sanabrés within the Camino de Santiago

The Camino Sanabrés is one of the purest variants of the Jacobean system. It represents the natural connection between the Vía de la Plata and inner Galicia and is considered one of the most spiritual, peaceful, and authentic routes of the Camino de Santiago.