Walk & Write the Camino with Dr Stephanie Dale

Your pilgrimage begins in the medieval town of Sarria. From the moment you arrive, the Camino’s rhythm begins—slow, steady, and full of quiet possibility. Make your way to the hotel and settle in before joining your fellow walkers for a shared welcome dinner. This evening is simply about arriving—meeting your group, tuning into your surroundings, and opening the first page of your walking-writing journey.

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Let the pilgrimage begin. We leave Sarria, stepping into tree-lined pathways and gravel tracks that wind through quiet hamlets. Today is about settling into the rhythm of the trail—moving at your own pace, observing, and being open to whatever inspiration may come. This morning begins with our first creative session. Together, we’ll explore what creative living means to each of us—whether through writing, photography, journaling, sketching, or simply tuning in more deeply to the world around us.

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This morning we set fresh intentions and continue on to the beautiful riverside town of Portomarín. Today’s walk leads through hamlets, woodlands, and pastures where raised stone granaries—hórreos— dot the landscape, a testimony to Galicia’s rural traditions. Over the coming days, Stephanie will offer a blend of formal and informal creative sessions—on hilltops, in cafés, village squares, or quiet forests. Through shared writing time, gentle prompts, and one-on-one check-ins, each of us will be supported to deepen our own creativity, however it takes shape.

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Today’s trail leads us through fragrant stretches of broom, peaceful hamlets, and roadside calvaries—stone crosses that mark the pilgrim way. We descend into Ligonde, where the modest church is dedicated to St James himself. By now, many walkers will feel the rhythm of the journey taking root—each step easier, more intentional, more your own.

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After breakfast on Day 5 we will transfer to Ligonde, and pick up our walk from where we left off yesterday. We will traverse country roads, stopping to marvel at the mossy beauty of a 17th Century Wayside Cross. We will pass through Palas de Rei and other small villages before arriving at the hamlet of Coto.

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This morning we will depart Coto for Melide, which is one of the larger towns along the Galician section of the Compostela trail. Galicia is renowned for its seafood. After sampling local delicacies such as Melide’s famous ‘Pulpa a feira’, octopus cooked with red pepper and paprika, we will journey onwards to Castaneda.

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Today we walk through gently undulating eucalyptus forests, with their fresh scent and soft light. Our path weaves through the province of A Coruña, from Arzúa to Salceda, passing lively villages that invite us to pause—whether for coffee, conversation, or a moment with the page. By now, many pilgrims feel a quiet confidence setting in. Steps feel steadier and creativity flows more freely. We meet at our appointed time in Salceda and transfer to our hotel in Lavacolla.

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This morning we return to Salceda and continue walking from where we left off. Today’s trail carries us through soft green fields, quiet lanes, and pockets of forest. With Santiago now just a day away, a quiet anticipation begins to build. We overnight again in Lavacolla, with time to rest, write, and prepare for tomorrow’s arrival.

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Today we walk our final steps into the fabled city of Santiago de Compostela. The final stretch into the city is always moving. As we descend toward the cathedral, there’s time to absorb the moment—what it means to arrive, and what you’ve gathered along the way. For those collecting stamps, the Pilgrim Office awaits with your official Compostela certificate. Wander the cobbled streets, visit the cathedral, write a final note in your journal. Over dinner, we’ll celebrate this shared journey—each of us arriving in our own way, carrying words, reflections, and a quiet kind of joy.

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Today is yours to enjoy the atmosphere, culture, and cuisine of Santiago de Compostela. Some may choose to visit the coastal village of Finisterre—once thought to be the edge of the world—to dip your feet in the Atlantic and savour a seaside lunch. Others might prefer to stay in the city and attend the midday Pilgrim Mass at the cathedral. In the late afternoon, we gather for a final creative session—an opportunity to reflect on your writing journey, honour what’s been sparked, and ask: where to from here? This evening we celebrate our final night together with a shared meal. We raise a glass to words written, paths walked, and stories only just beginning.

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We share a final breakfast together. Though the walking has ended, the journey continues—in the stories you’ll carry, the pages you may write, and the quiet shifts that stay with you. This is farewell, but not the end. Many pilgrims form lifelong friendships on the Camino, and many return to walk again. Buen Camino.

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