Sarria is the starting point of the Camino chosen by thousands of pilgrims every year. It makes sense: it sits at kilometre 111 of the Camino Francés counting from Santiago, which guarantees you surpass the minimum 100 km required to earn the Compostela. But preparing well — even for "just" a week of walking — makes the difference between a transformative experience and a blistered adventure. This guide gives you everything you need before you take the first step.
1. Physical training: the most common mistake
The most common mistake of first-time pilgrims starting from Sarria is underestimating physical preparation. You don't need to be an athlete or in peak condition, but arriving in Sarria without having walked more than three kilometres in a row for the past several months has consequences that make themselves known from the second day.
What actually works is simple: walk with a loaded pack in the weeks beforehand. Not an empty gym bag — your real pack, with the real weight. If you can manage two or three outings of between 8 and 15 kilometres over varied terrain during the month before, you'll arrive in Sarria in good shape.
- Start with 6–8 km walks and gradually build up to 15–18 km.
- Always walk in the footwear you'll use on the Camino. New shoes are not broken in on the first stage.
- If you can include some elevation gain in your training routes, all the better — the exit from Sarria has a few climbs.
- Pay attention to how your knees and ankles respond. If there are any niggles during training, address them before the Camino.
2. The pack: how much weight is too much
Pack weight is the most important decision you'll make before setting off. The general rule is that a loaded pack should not exceed 10% of your body weight. For a 70 kg person, that means 7 kg. It sounds light. But when you carry those 7 kg for 25 km, it no longer feels so light.
Clothing and footwear
- 2–3 quick-dry t-shirts (avoid cotton)
- 2 pairs of trekking trousers or leggings
- 1 lightweight waterproof jacket (Galician weather is unpredictable)
- 1 fleece or windbreaker for cold mornings
- 3–4 pairs of trekking socks (the most important investment)
- Quick-dry underwear
- Well-worn trekking boots or shoes (never new)
- Sandals or lightweight flip-flops for the albergue
Hygiene and basic first aid
- Microfibre towel (lightweight, fast-drying)
- Travel-size toiletries
- Blister cream or preventive Vaseline
- Medical tape and sterile needles
- Anti-inflammatory and painkiller
- Sunscreen and insect repellent (especially in spring)
Documents and money
- National ID or passport (required for registration at all accommodation)
- Credit/debit card
- Cash (some bars and pilgrim passport stamp points only accept cash)
- Pilgrim passport — credencial (see next section)
Basic equipment
- Trekking poles (optional, but many pilgrims adopt them from day two)
- LED head torch (for pre-dawn departures)
- Portable phone charger
- Plastic bags inside the pack (to waterproof in case of rain)
3. The pilgrim passport: what it is and where to get one
The pilgrim passport — also called the credencial — is the document that certifies your pilgrimage. In it you collect stamps from the albergues, churches, bars and establishments you pass through during the route. On arriving in Santiago, you present it at the Pilgrim's Office along with your application for the Compostela.
To receive the Compostela you need at least two stamps per day during the last 100 km of the Camino. Since Sarria is 111 km from Santiago, you must start stamping on day one and not miss a single day.
You can get the credencial at several points in Sarria:
- At the Pilgrim Welcome Office (Oficina de Acogida al Peregrino) in Sarria.
- At the parish church of Santa Marina de Sarria.
- At some of the village's albergues.
- At Hotel Kavia Sarria: if you're staying with us, we provide the credencial and stamp it at reception free of charge.
4. The night before the Camino: final preparations
Arriving in Sarria the day before you start — rather than on the morning of the first stage — is one of the best decisions you can make. You'll have time to:
- Rest properly before the first stage.
- Buy anything you're missing at the shops on the Rúa Maior (several are specialist Camino outfitters).
- Obtain and stamp your credencial at leisure.
- Pack your bag calmly in your hotel room.
- Have a proper breakfast before setting off.
The first stage — Sarria to Portomarín, around 22 km — has some dirt-track sections and a few climbs at the start. Setting off rested and composed makes a real difference.
5. Useful apps and digital resources
- Buen Camino (official app of the Federation): GPS tracking of the Camino, stage information, services and albergues.
- Gronze.com: the reference site for detailed stage planning.
- Google Maps offline: download the area before you leave. Coverage in rural sections can be patchy.
- Wikiloc: downloadable GPS routes for the Camino Francés.
In summary
Preparing the Camino from Sarria is a matter of a few weeks if you approach it with a plan: start walking with a loaded pack as soon as possible, sort out your footwear and socks (they account for 80% of physical comfort), arrange your credencial before you arrive and book accommodation for the night before in Sarria.
The rest — the landscape, the encounters, the silence of early mornings on the Galician Camino — you'll discover by walking.