Camino Portuguese Coastal Spiritual Variant

This fishing village is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the Rías Baixas. It has a wide range where you can enjoy both the incredible natural, cultural, historical and gastronomic resources. Noteworthy are the Paseo del Monte Boi, the Monterreal fortress, the Silleiro lighthouse and the Cíes Islands. Arrival on your own.

This first stage is fascinating with its landscapes. On the way to Vigo, you hike to Nigrán, past beaches such as Panxón, Patos and Samil until you reach the largest city in Galicia, Vigo. The difficulty today lies in the kilometers and differences in altitude. There is also a possibility to hike inland towards Priegue and Coruxo and then go along the river path. This option can be a little less interesting, especially access to Vigo as it's an industrial area.

Leave Vigo in the direction of Senda da Traida das Augas, where the route leads us to Redondela, where your route inland meets the Portuguese route. Before the Camino reaches this point, it passes near Trasmañó. Some pilgrims opt for a deviation of ~ approx. 5 km to see the impressive waterfall. The forests and the inlets remain your companions on the road during this stage. When you finally pass Redondela, you will reach Cesantes.

Leave Cesantes towards the Arcade, famous for its oysters. Accompanied by the Vigo estuary, you cross lush forests until we reach the historic Ponte Sampaio in the direction of Pontevedra.

Starting at the Peregrina Square, in Pontevedra, the route runs through the landscapes of the O Salnes region, passing through the town of Poio with its old monastery and the beautiful coastal town of Combarro. The destination of the stage is the amazing Monastery of Armenteira, a construction steeped in history since the 12th century.

The stage of the sixth day begins by going through the "Ruta da Pedra e da Auga", a path that borders the small Armenteira river, framed by exuberant vegetation and peaceful and picturesque corners. You will continue heading north through Ribadumia and Pontearnelas, to reach the coast in Vilanova de Arousa.

In the last stage, from Vilanova to Padrón, you will do the maritime route itself, the Traslatio. After setting sail from Vilanova de Arousa, you will go up the Arousa estuary until you reach the mouth of the Ulla River and navigate its last stretch to Pontecesures. Along the way you will go through the only fluvial maritime Via Crucis in the world, 17 crosses that mark the route of the Apostle. Once docked again on land, you will have a couple of kilometers to walk to Padrón.

The last stage of the camino. You will cross the N-550 road several times and be guided by the railway line. First hike towards Iria Flavia and then begin an ascent to “O Milladoiro” to finally see the towers of the cathedral as you approach Santiago. The desire to arrive is combined with the pain of parting, knowing that this unique experience is over.

Buen Camino and see you next time!