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12 Days - 11 Nights
Self-guided
from 1 person
March to November
Viana do Castelo is one of the most beautiful cities in the north of Portugal. Its involvement in the Portuguese Discoveries and, later on, cod fishing shows its traditional connection to the sea. The special geographical situation, next to the sea and to the mouth of the Lima River, can be seen from the Santa Luzia hill. Viana is rich in palaces emblazoned with coats of arms, churches and monasteries, monumental fountains and water features that constitute a wealth of heritage worth visiting. Whichever streets you stroll through in the historic centre, you will always come back to the Praça da República, the heart of the city.
Since the Middle Ages, Viana do Castelo welcome Pilgrims to Santiago as prove the “Old Hospital” build in the 15th Century to help and receive Pilgrims to Santiago.
Meeting with a member of our team for a briefing and to collect the documentation.
→ Accommodation: Hotel 3*
→ Meals: Breakfast
→ (19 km / 11,8 Miles)
Today’s journey is largely inland, with occasional coastal views from a string of hillside villages. Enjoy the shade of the eucalyptus forest as you make your way uphill before descending to the low-key beachside resort town of Vila Praia de Âncora.
→ Accommodation: Hotel 3*
→ Meals: Breakfast
→ (15 km / 9,3 Miles )
A level coastal path connects Âncora with Moleda and then continues to the charming town of Caminha. If there’s time, take a detour through the pine forest beside the beach before catching the ferry across the River Minho to the peaceful fishing town of A Guarda in Spain, a great place to tuck into fresh seafood.
→ Accommodation: Hotel 2*
→ Meals: Breakfast
→ (13 km / 8,1 Miles)
Try to make time for a detour to the Santa Tegra Celtic settlement before leaving A Guarda – the views are spectacular. Follow the Camino through the town center and out towards the rugged coastline. Use coastal paths, forest tracks and tarmac roads to reach the small beachfront village of Oia, dominated by its 12th century monastery.
→ Accommodation: Hotel 2*
→ Meals: Breakfast
→ (17,5 km / 10,9 Miles)
Leave Oia and continue alongside beaches and cliffs, between cultivated fields, enjoying the waves beating on the rocks.
Before reaching “As Mariñas”, you get to the top of “Cape Silleiro”, this path crosses the road again and rising up circles around the top of Silleiro, where there is the chapel of “Virgen de Cela”, entering in “As Cadeiras” before continue along a track towards “O Ponte”.
Follow the road PO-2203 to finally cross under the highway and enter “Baiona” where you finish this stage.
→ Accommodation: Hotel 3*
→ Meals: Breakfast
→ (25 km / 15,5 Miles)
Start this stage from the church of “Santa Maria”, continue parallel to the beautiful town harbour.
The route approaches the river Miñor, which you cross over a beautiful stone bridge that brings you to “A Ramallosa” and Nigran.
After crossing “As Nogueiras” begin a gentle climb up “Mount San Roman” and continue to admire the wonderful view of “Islas Cies” as you climb to “Castro Alto da Medoña”. Enter the city of Vigo by crossing the city Park (Park Castrelos) and following the “Lagares” river until reaching the “Avenida de Madrid” where this stage ends.
→ Accommodation: Hotel 3*
→ Meals: Breakfast
→ (22 km / 13,5 Miles)
Walk along Vigo’s main shopping street and out of the city onto a long road that connects a string of peaceful hillside villages with views across the city, estuary and port. Around halfway into the journey you’ll exchange houses for trees before the steep descent towards Redondela. Climb through the woods before heading down to Arcade, a riverside town famous for its oysters.
→ Accommodation: Country Hotel 2*
→ Meals: Breakfast
→ (13 km / 8 Miles)
Leave Arcade via its iconic bridge. Follow ancient stone paths up through another forest then take a scenic detour along the River Tomeza to approach Pontevedra surrounded by birdsong and greenery instead of traffic. Explore the historical city center, its atmospheric squares and tapas bars.
→ Accommodation: Hotel 3*
→ Meals: Breakfast
→ (22 km / 13,6 Miles)
Start this stage walking from the old city of Pontevedra to the millennial bridge, O Burgo, over the Lérez River. Continue along the beautiful Valley of the Gandra River until San Mauro and from there, until Caldas de Reis.
→ Accommodation: Hotel 2*
→ Meals: Breakfast
→ (19 km / 11,7 Miles)
Leave Caldas de Reis along some enchanting stretches, following a path that leads you to the church of Santa Maria de Carracedo and then you will cross a particularly luxuriant landscape along the side of the Valga River until Padron.
→ Accommodation: Hotel 3*
→ Meals: Breakfast
→ (25 km / 15,5 Miles)
The last stage starts leaving Padron through Galician villages until the magnificent sanctuary of Nossa Señora da Escravitute. Continue for Teo and following broad streets and narrower shortcuts you finally arrive to the suburbs of Santiago that lead us through a labyrinth of streets to the Cathedral of Santiago.
→ Accommodation: Hotel 3*
→ Meals: Breakfast
→ After breakfast: end of our services
* For an easy walk we can split some of the long walking days in two - contact us.
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