starting at O'Cebreiro July 2011

[mel410]

Hi we are thinking of starting our walk from O'Cebreiro is this possible? I presume we would get a bus/taxi from Santiago to O'Cebreiro or is there an easier way - we are flying into Madrid from South Africa. Also wondering what to do once we have finished at Santiago as I will have 2/3 days to spare before flying home - is it worth staying in santiago or is there somewhere else worth going to before I leave.
Regards
Mel

[Covey]

Cebreiro is not the easiest place to get to, basically because it is a hill top with a small collection of places to eat and stay, but is not exactly a transport hub.

You would be better off starting at Sarria, walking to Santiago and then on to Finesterre on the coast. You still get your Compostella for the Sarria to Santiago part, and a second Compostella if you walk to Finesterre which takes three days. Finesterre is well worth a visit, even if you only do a day trip by bus.

You can get to Sarria from Santiago Airport, and there is a bus service from the airport to Lugo where you change to the Sarria bus. There is a direct bus service from Santiago town bus station to Sarria, but normally only goes once a day. There are flights from Madrid to Santiago so see if your travel agent can work in the Santiago leg in to the overall air miles for the SA to Madrid leg.

[Galician]

Hi Ocebreiro is a great place to start. It will mean that you can visit Triacastella and then head on to Sarria via Samos (Beautiful place).

You can catch a bus from (AEROPUERTO MADRID-BARAJAS T4) to Pedrafita do Cebreiro and then walk 5 klms to the Ocebreiro the village. From memory, two buses leave Madrid everyday - 10-30 AM in the morning and 12 midnight. The midnight trip takes about 5 hrs. You can book your bus ticket online with ALSA

Telefono: (34) 93 300 10 50
www.alsa.es

As for places to stay, A Coruna is a great port city as is Malpica - a lovely coastal town on the North Atlantic.

July is a great time of year. I'm not sure on your timings but if your planning to be in the Santiago by the July 25th, then I suggest you plan to get there on the 24th. There's a great celebration in the main square that evening and you'll be a chance to line up an visit the tomb of St James the next day.

Buen Camino