Vía de la Plata / Camino Sanabrés
From Seville to Santiago along the old Roman road: the longest, quietest and most history-rich route.
Why choose the Vía de la Plata
This is the great southern route and the longest of them all: nearly 1,000 km from Seville to Santiago following the line of an ancient Roman road. It crosses Andalusia, Extremadura, Castile and León and Galicia, passing through gems like Mérida, Cáceres, Salamanca and Zamora.
Its great appeal is the solitude: you walk it in silence, with long stages between villages and very few pilgrims. That's also its challenge: it demands self-sufficiency, planning and always carrying water. At Granja de Moreruela it forks: the Camino Sanabrés heads towards Ourense and Santiago, while the other option links up with the Francés at Astorga.
Main sections (38–40 stages)
Almost nobody walks it in one go: these are the natural blocks, all with good train or bus connections.
| Section | Route | Distance | View guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andalusia | Seville → Mérida | ~215 km | View stage → |
| Extremadura | Mérida → Cáceres → Baños | ~180 km | View stage → |
| Salamanca | Baños de Montemayor → Salamanca | ~110 km | View stage → |
| Zamora | Salamanca → Granja de Moreruela | ~120 km | View stage → |
| Sanabria | Granja de Moreruela → A Gudiña | ~180 km | View stage → |
| Galicia | A Gudiña → Ourense → Santiago | ~200 km | View stage → |
Distances are approximate and may vary depending on the variant and the exact start and end point of each day. We'll be publishing a detailed guide for each stage.
The essentials for this route
An honest selection for the terrain and climate of this route. The links are affiliate links; they cost you nothing extra.
💧 Large bottle or hydration bladder
There are long stages with no fountains or villages: water is the critical piece of kit on this route.
🧢 Cap and sun protection
Extremadura and Castile show no mercy: very little shade and hours of direct sun.
🥾 Well-ventilated footwear
Dry, flat terrain dominates; prioritise breathability over waterproofing.
📱 GPS or offline app
Signage is good, but the unpopulated stretches make a backup track advisable.
Also available at Decathlon [ENLACE_AFILIADO_DECATHLON] and Trekkinn [ENLACE_AFILIADO_TREKKINN].
Accommodation along the route
Infrastructure is sparser due to low pilgrim numbers: plan each day with accommodation confirmed, especially between Seville and Salamanca.
Public and private
Available on almost every stage, but with few beds. Many are municipal and work on a first-come, first-served basis.
More comfort
Often the only option in small Extremaduran villages. Book by phone.
For a good rest
Good options in Seville, Mérida, Cáceres, Salamanca, Zamora and Ourense.
View the full route
The map above, next to the hero, shows the complete route all the way to Santiago.
⬆️ Scroll up to see the map
Everything about the Vía de la Plata / Camino Sanabrés
How many kilometres is the Vía de la Plata?
How many days does it take?
What's the best time of year?
What is the Camino Sanabrés?
Is it a very solitary route?
Is it difficult?
Can it be walked in sections?
Why is it called Vía de la Plata?
Ready to walk to Santiago?
Choose your starting point, plan your stages, and when you arrive, come celebrate with us at Bonsai Café: brunch, specialty coffee and cocktails right in the centre of Santiago.