Stage of the Camino
Lavacolla to Santiago de Compostela
From Lavacolla To Santiago de Compostela
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Destination
Distance
9.70 km
Duration
2.40 h
Difficulty
Media
Ascent
150 m
Descent
190 m
Stage of the Camino
Stage Description
The final stretch of the Camino Francés and the crowning moment of the entire pilgrimage: the little over nine kilometres that separate Lavacolla from Obradoiro Square. From Lavacolla, the Camino climbs gently among radio and television facilities up to Monte do Gozo, the “mount of joy” from which pilgrims catch their first glimpse of the cathedral’s towers. After the descent, the route enters the city through the San Lázaro neighbourhood and Rúa do Valiño, makes its way into the old town through the Porta do Camiño and emerges, to the sound of the gaita, onto Obradoiro Square, at the foot of the cathedral. It is a stage short in distance but immense in emotion, the culmination of hundreds of kilometres of Camino.
Barely ten kilometres separate Lavacolla from the goal, yet they are the most longed-for of the entire Camino. The stretch, physically easy, holds the greatest emotional charge of the pilgrimage: the first sight of the cathedral from Monte do Gozo and the entrance into the old town of Santiago.
From Lavacolla, the Camino climbs gradually, leaving behind the studios of the Televisión de Galicia and the radio antenna, until it crests Monte do Gozo. At its summit, beside the great commemorative monument and the chapel of San Marcos, pilgrims gaze for the first time, far in the distance, at the towers of the cathedral: the “joy” that gives the mount its name.
After the descent from Monte do Gozo, the route crosses the motorway and enters the urban fabric through the San Lázaro neighbourhood and Rúa do Valiño. Asphalt replaces the corredoiras, but the waymarkers and the shells guide the pilgrim unerringly towards the heart of the old city.
The Camino enters the old town through the Porta do Camiño and descends along Rúa das Casas Reais, Rúa da Acibechería and the archway of the Palacio de Xelmírez to emerge, almost without warning, onto the immense Obradoiro Square. Before the baroque façade of the cathedral, amid the sound of the gaita echoing beneath the arcades, the Camino Francés and the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela come to an end.
From Lavacolla, the Camino climbs gradually, leaving behind the studios of the Televisión de Galicia and the radio antenna, until it crests Monte do Gozo. At its summit, beside the great commemorative monument and the chapel of San Marcos, pilgrims gaze for the first time, far in the distance, at the towers of the cathedral: the “joy” that gives the mount its name.
After the descent from Monte do Gozo, the route crosses the motorway and enters the urban fabric through the San Lázaro neighbourhood and Rúa do Valiño. Asphalt replaces the corredoiras, but the waymarkers and the shells guide the pilgrim unerringly towards the heart of the old city.
The Camino enters the old town through the Porta do Camiño and descends along Rúa das Casas Reais, Rúa da Acibechería and the archway of the Palacio de Xelmírez to emerge, almost without warning, onto the immense Obradoiro Square. Before the baroque façade of the cathedral, amid the sound of the gaita echoing beneath the arcades, the Camino Francés and the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela come to an end.
Last updated: 25/06/2026
Where to Sleep
Accommodations in this Stage
Find the perfect place for your rest in Lavacolla o Santiago de Compostela.
Eurostars Araguaney
Hotel Palacio del Carmen, Autograph Collection
NH Collection Santiago de Compostela
Parador de Santiago de Compostela
A Quinta Da Auga Hotel Spa Relais & Chateaux
Compostela Hotel
Eurostars Gran Hotel Santiago
Eurostars San Lazaro
Exe Peregrino
Hotel Compostela
Hotel Santiago Plaza Affiliated by Meliá
Hotel Virxe da Cerca by Pousadas de Compostela
Oca Puerta del Camino Hotel
Pazo de Adrán
San Francisco Hotel Monumento
Airas Nunes by Pousadas de Compostela
Carris Casa de la Troya
Hotel Alda San Bieito
Hotel Alda San Carlos
Hotel Altair
Hotel Ciudad de Compostela
Hotel Concheiros
Hotel Gelmírez
Hotel Lux Santiago
Hotel Praza Quintana
Hotel Rua Villar
Hotel Santiago Apóstol
San Miguel Santiago
Hotel Costavella
Hotel Universal
Hotel Alda Avenida
Hotel Garcas
CONCHEIROS 5 APARTAMENTOS TURISTICOS
México PR
Coliving Compostela
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