About This Walk
Walk the French Way Final Stage in 2026 with Karl Henry
September 16th – 23rd 2026
Non Refundable Deposit – €100 Plus Booking Fee
Click Here to Book Now!
Walk the last 115 km of the classic French Way of the Camino with fitness expert and personal trainer Karl Henry from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela (the minimum required to earn your Compostela. This is often viewed as one of the most historic routes, as you will walk through many varied landscapes, there are numerous reminders of the pilgrims’ past who travelled the route, including crosses, statues and grain silos.
This final section of the walk takes you through the region of Galicia in Northern Spain to Santiago for a unique experience you’ll treasure forever through the undulating landscapes of Galicia. Enter the ancient city of Santiago de Compostela and relish the end of your journey at the Cathedral!
Karl Henry is Ireland’s most recognised and leading Personal Trainer and wellness coach. He is the name that is synonymous with wellness in Ireland. He kick-started his personal training company by training clients in their homes in 2004 and now runs his wellness centre in West Cork, working with clients both in-person and online. Karl is responsible for creating some of the most famous physiques in fashion, music, politics, and the corporate world.
Karl is a bestselling author, having written five books in total. His books aim to help readers achieve lasting changes in their wellbeing. Karl’s number one podcast, ‘The Real Health with Karl Henry’, motivates, empowers, educates, and inspires listeners to live a healthier and happier life.
Karl is well known for his role as the leading Expert on RTÉ One’s Operation Transformation and was the Health and Fitness Expert on the show since it began. A self-professed Fitness Fanatic, Karl’s interests include Hill Walking, Cycling, Triathlons, Swimming, Surfing, Kite Surfing, and anything that gets his pulse rate up! He regularly runs Marathons and Ironman’s in locations across the globe including one of Ireland’s toughest endurance races, Race Around Ireland, in 2019.
Join Karl on a journey of discovery along the Camino Frances on September 16th 2026.
Highlights:
- Self Guided Trip
- Karl Henry and a Uwalk Guide will accompany the group along the Camino, however, please note that this is a Self Guided Walking Trip. Walking Notes will be provided with your documents to help you along the way.
- Walk the Camino with like minded people – great way to make new Irish hiking friends!
- 24/7 Emergency Support
- Traverse the most popular section of the entire Camino de Santiago from Sarria to Santiago
- Meet like minded pilgrims and fellow hikers from Ireland along the route
- Enjoy mouth watering local cuisine
- Sarria is 115km from Santiago, which is the minimum distance required for pilgrims to receive the “Compostela” certificate
- The main street of Sarria, Rúa Maior, has a picturesque atmosphere where we suggest you enjoy a good coffee during the afternoon.
- Varied landscapes with forests, farmlands and rustic villages
- Beautiful green landscape that is a characteristic of Galicia
- In Santiago de Compostela you can visit the beautiful old town, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- After finishing in Santiago, you can choose the optional excursion to take a day trip to Finisterre from Santiago* (Subject to availability & demand)
Day 1: Dublin to Santiago
After arriving into Santiago de Compostela, a scheduled coach transfer* will take you to Lugo where you will be based for 3 nights.
Overnight Hotel – Lugo
*Transfer Included: Coach transfer departs from Santiago Airport
Transfer Time: 1 Hr 15 Mins
**Late Transfer NOT Included – Available at an Additional Cost approx. €50pp
Day 2: Lugo (Walk - Sarria to Portomarín)
Breakfast: 7am
Bus leaves: 7.30am – Coach transfer from Lugo to Sarria for the start of the
first day’s walk.
Route: Walk from Sarria to Portomarín, (23Km)
Start Walk: Sarria
This first stage goes through different towns where you can visit some Romanesque churches along paths and forest tracks. On reaching Portomarín we have the opportunity to visit the Romanesque church of St. Nicholas and this pretty village with its peculiar history.
Finish Walk: Portomarín
Afternoon coach transfer: from Portomarín to Lugo. (Approx 30 mins)
Bus leaves: Approx 4.30 / 5pm
Bus Stop Location: Location to be confirmed at hotel reception each morning.
Transfer Time: 25 Mins
Overnight Hotel – Lugo
Day 3: Lugo (Walk - Portomarín to Palas de Rei)
Breakfast: 7am
Bus leaves: 7.30am – Coach transfer from Lugo to Portomarín to start your walk.
Route: Walk from Portomarín to Palas de Rei, (23Km)
Start Walk: Portomarín
First, we descend to the reservoir and then we’ll start climbing the hill to the Monte San Antonio, from where we will reach the villages of Toxibó and Gonzar.
Then we will go through different villages and small towns like Hospital
de la Cruz, Ventas de Naron and Eirexe until Palas de Rei.
Finish Walk: Palas de Rei
Afternoon coach transfer: Palas de Rei to Lugo.
Bus leaves: Approx 4.30 / 5pm
Bus Stop Location: Location to be confirmed at hotel reception each morning.
Transfer Time: 30 Mins
Overnight Hotel – Lugo
Day 4: Palas de Rei to Arzua – 29km
Breakfast: 7am
Bus leaves Lugo: 7.30am – Coach transfer from Lugo to Palas de Rei.
Route: Walk from Palas de Rei to Arzúa, (29Km)
Start Walk: Palas de Rei
When leaving Palas de Rei we’ll have a nice walk through forests to Coto. About noon we’ll reach Melide, halfway along this stage, where you can taste the octopus in one of its typical local cuisine restaurants called “pulpería”. Then across eucalyptus forests we will reach the village of Boente, from where we’ll walk to the village of Ribadiso before reaching Arzúa.
Finish Walk: Arzúa
No afternoon coach transfer. You will walk to Arzúa where your hotel is situated.
Overnight Hotel – Arzúa
Day 5: Arzúa (Walk - Arzúa to Lavacolla)
Breakfast: 7am
No morning coach transfer
Route: Walk from Arzúa to Lavacolla (Arca), (29Km)
This morning walk from Arzúa through eucalyptus forests which bring us even closer to our destination. We’ll pass through different towns, including Santa Irene and Arca.
Afternoon coach transfer: From Lavacolla (Arca) to Arzúa.
Bus leaves: Approx. 4.30 / 5pm
Bus Stop Location: Location to be confirmed at hotel reception each morning.
Transfer Time: 20 Mins
Overnight Hotel – Arzúa
Day 6: Arzúa (Walk - Lavacolla to Santiago de Compostela)
Breakfast: 7am
Bus leaves: 7.30am – Coach transfer from Arzúa to Lavacolla (Arca) and walk to Santiago de Compostela.
Route: Walk Lavacolla to Santiago de Compostela, (12Km)
As we get closer to our destination we pass through the Monte del Gozo, whose name comes from the joy felt by the pilgrims when seeing the city for the first time.
Overnight Hotel – Santiago
Day 7: Free day in Santiago de Compostela
Breakfast: 7am
Free to Explore the town of Santiago de Compostela.
Spend the days visiting this beautiful city, proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. Why not visit the market town, Plaza de Abastos or one of its museums e.g. the Museum of Pilgrimages and the Cathedral Museum.
Overnight Hotel – Santiago
Day 8: Depart Santiago de Compostela
Breakfast: 7am
Free morning in Santiago before your transfer to the airport. Coach transfer will depart your Santiago hotel to service the recommended flight departure. (Flights details TBA)
Transfer Included: Coach transfer to airport. (Check hotel reception to confirm departure time).
For those requiring a later transfer, taxi and public transport is readily available from Santiago. See links below.
Depart Santiago de Compostela for home.
7 Nights from €1049 per person sharing
Non Refundable Deposit of €100 per person + booking fee
Trip Payment Required in Instalments
Sept 2025: Deposit €100 (To secure your place)
October 24th, 2025: €300
February 28th, 2026: €300
May 15th, 2026: €249
July 17th, 2026: €100
Please note you will be sent an email to notify you of the instalment payment that is due, or you can call Uwalk directly on this date to make the payment.
Price from €1049 per person includes:
- French Camino Final Stage with Karl Henry
- Meet and greet on arrival in Santiago and private coach transfer to your accommodation.
- Karl Henry and a Uwalk Guide will accompany the group for five days self-guided walking along the Camino to Santiago averaging approximately 15-25 Kms per day, however please note that this is a Self Guided Walking Trip. Walking Notes will be provided with your documents to help you along the way.
- 7 Nights 2/3* Hotel accommodation with private facilities. We have chosen popular family run hotels along the route. Accommodation is generally simple, tried and tested and in line with a typical Camino experience mostly on or beside the Camino route.
- 3 Nights in Lugo
- 2 Nights in Arzúa
- 2 Nights in Santiago
- Rooms are based on twin share with private facilities. Solo travellers can opt to be paired with other solo travellers for room sharing. Single rooms are generally not available.
- Breakfast included daily
- Scheduled Airport Transfers* included to accommodate the Aer Lingus flight. Transfers required later than the scheduled transfer are available at an additional cost.
- 1 x 20kg Bag transferred daily – 20 kilos and maximum size is 65 x 50 x 40 cm.
- Daily Coach Pick Up and Drop off transfers for all walking points. Please clearly mark all your belongings with your name and contact details. Labelling your belongings prevents mix ups, delays and loss. We will provide Uwalk baggage labels when you arrive at the first hotel.
- Walking Notes – A hard copy of each day’s walking notes will be available at your hotel.
- Pilgrim Passport – You will receive on arrival at your first hotel.
- All local taxes and charges.
- 24/7 Emergency medical support in the event of an emergency
- Uwalk – Walking guide throughout trip
- Emergency back up from our local office in Santiago.
Departs: September 16th – 23th 2026
Note:
- Final payment is due on July 17th 2026.
- Transfers on arrival required later than the scheduled transfer, are available at an additional cost.
- This is a holiday. You might decide to take a chill day from walking. It is perfectly ok to take a taxi back to the hotel if you want to take a break.
- Accommodation is in hotels with private facilities. We have chosen popular 4 star hotels in Lugo and Santiago. Accommodation follows the character of the area.
- Rooms are based on twin share. Solo travellers can opt to be paired with other solo travellers for room sharing. Single rooms are not guaranteed, have very limited availability and are available on request.
- Twin Room – 2 Guests (Both names are required when booking)
- Twin Room – Guaranteed Room Share (If you are a solo traveller and wish to share a room, we will match you up with someone to share a room).
- Travel Insurance: **It is compulsory to have travel insurance for this trip**. You must confirm you have adequate travel insurance and provide a copy of your insurance to Uwalk by July 17th 2026.
- We recommend European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) lets you get healthcare abroad for free, or at a reduced cost while on holiday. Apply HERE
- Single Trip travel insurance can be purchased HERE €35 per person.
- Transfers are available on day of arrival and day of departure at for flights arriving/departing in at the same time as the Aer Lingus flight.
Not included:
- Flights not included
- Travel Insurance is Compulsory for this trip. Travel insurance can be purchased HERE.
- Transfer for Ryanair and other flights
- Lunch, Dinner, Snacks – Enjoy on route.
- Flights are NOT Included in this package. Please see the flight details below to book your flight for this trip.
Transfers ARE Included for the recommended flights.
Flights for these dates are not yet on sale, but we’ll update as soon as they are published by the airline.
*********
Accommodation is in hotels with private facilities. We have chosen popular family run hotels along the route. Accommodation is simple and follows the character of the area.
Hotels:
- 3 Nights in Lugo
- 2 Nights in Arzúa
- 2 Nights in Santiago
Available Rooms:
- Twin Room – 2 Guests (Both names are required when booking)
- Twin Room – Guaranteed Room Share (If you are a solo traveller and wish to share a room, we will match you up with someone to share a room).
Karl Henry and a Uwalk Guide will accompany the group for five days self-guided walking along the Camino to Santiago averaging approximately 15-25 Kms per day, however please note that this is a Self Guided Walking Trip. Walking Notes will be provided with your documents to help you along the way.
Camino Travel Tips
- Break in your walking boots and socks to prevent blisters. It is also a good idea to have worn any clothing on long walks before you travel to make sure they are comfortable.
- Bring runners or ideally flip flops for evening time to give your feet at chance to breath & recover
- Pack a sports bottle & fill it each morning before you leave the hotel at breakfast
- Bring spare (dry!) socks in your backpack
- Get your pilgrim passport stamped in hotels, shops & restaurants along the Way. You must have walked 100km in order to receive your Compostela certificate of completion, in Santiago.
- If you have luggage transport booked with us, put your name on your luggage label and attach it to your case on the first morning. This will enable the driver to identify your bag and its destination each day.
- Buy a scallop shell on your first day & attach it to your rucksack
- A poncho is fantastic for any wet days to keep you, your clothing & your bag dry
- If you run out of battery on your camera / phone along the way, charge it in one of the many restaurants / cafes that you stop at. Just bring your adapter & lead. Or take a charged battery pack with you.
What to pack in your rucksack?
- Plasters (incl. blister plasters)
- Safety Pins
- Sun Cream
- Lip Protection
- Snacks (Protein Bars, Glucose sweets or take a few pastries from the breakfast buffet!)
- Hiking Poles (if required)
- Plastic Bags for wet clothing
- Spare socks & t-shirt depending on the weather
- Water Bottles
- Tissues / Wipes
- Antibacterial Hand Gel
- Camera (Charge your battery fully & make sure you’ve plenty of memory!)
- Mobile Phone
- Sun Glasses
- Pilgrim Passport
- Emergency Phone number (on travel documents)
- Hotel Voucher & Directions to hotel
- Spanish Phrasebook
Cancellation Policy
Up to 60 days before travel = loss of deposit
60 – 30 days before travel = 50% cancellation charges
30-15 days before travel 75% cancellation charges
Inside 14 days 100% cancellation charges: NO REFUND.
Name Changes
Name changes may be allowed subject to the agreement our suppliers/partners as follows:
Up to 30 days before travel €50.00pp
30 days to 8 days €100.00pp
Inside 7 days no changes.
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