(Optional: arrive in Braga a day earlier and receive your pilgrim kit, including a visit to the cathedral ‘Sé de Braga’ and pilgrim blessing. We will then travel together the next day by bus to Vigo, where our Camino really starts.)
Day 1: Arrival in Vigo
We gather in Vigo and enjoy our first evening together in this beautiful city.
Day 2: Walk from Vigo to Redondela (15 km)
We walk out of Vigo city center past the harbor and various residential areas. Once the city is behind us, after an initial steep climb, a quiet side road, partly unpaved, leads us through a series of hilltop villages with spectacular views of the Vigo estuary and the floating mussel farms. A pleasant forest section ends with a steep descent to the town of Redondela.
Day 3: Walk from Redondela to Arcade (10 km)
In Redondela the different routes of the Portuguese Caminos come together and from then on we will meet more pilgrims along the way. Via a wooded hill we arrive at Arcade where we cross an old and historically important bridge to leave the center and walk to the hotel.
Day 4: Walk from Arcade to Pontevedra (12 km)
We walk uphill along beautiful, old (Romanesque) stone paths through a beautiful landscape and forest. A gradual descent takes us to the small chapel of Santa Marta. From here a beautiful detour takes us along the Tomeza River and wooded streams to Pontevedra.
Pontevedra itself is a particularly attractive city. In the historic center, the beautiful squares offer us plenty of opportunities to enjoy tapas outside.
Day 5: Walk from Pontevedra to Combarro (12 km)
About 2 km after leaving Pontevedra we choose the ‘Variant Spiritual’. We walk through the picturesque landscapes of Comarca and O Salnês, cross the village of Poio – with its ancient monastery – to arrive in the beautiful coastal town of Combarro.
Day 6: Walk from Combarro to Armenteira (11 km)
Today we face a long and demanding climb to Armenteira, which again takes us past places with beautiful views. We stay in Armenteira near the beautiful monastery, built in the 12th century.
Day 7: Walk from Armenteira to Ribadumia (11 km)
Today’s stage is one of the most beautiful and fun of the entire Portuguese Camino. From Armenteira to Pontearnelas we walk along “A Ruta da Pedra e da Auga”, which meanders through beautiful natural landscapes in the towns of Meis and Ribadumia. Along the banks of the Armenteira River we pass numerous old water mills, small waterfalls and bridges.
Day 8: Walk from Ribadumia to Vilanova de Arousa (12 km)
Along the banks of the Armenteira River we pass numerous old watermills, small waterfalls and bridges.Vegetable gardens and vineyards indicate that the mouth of the Arousa is approaching. We reach the beaches and the town of Vilanova de Arousa.
Day 9: Boat trip (Translatio) from Vilanova de Arousa to Pontecessures
Walk from Pontecessures to A Picaraña (12 km)
On the last day of the Variant Spiritual, before rejoining the traditional route of the Portuguese Camino, we sail by boat from Vilanova de Arousa to Pontecessures. We take the Translatio, which takes us via the Ulla River on the same journey that the remains of Saint James made, up to Pontecessures.
From Pontecessures we first walk to Padron, where we can visit the church named after the apostle James. From Padron we walk to our final destination of the day in A Picaraña.
Day 10: Walk from A Picaraña to Santiago de Compostela (16,5 km)
The final stage starts with a steady but not too difficult climb, largely through forests, from 160 meters to a summit of 260 meters. As we descend along quiet asphalt roads, we see the city of Santiago de Compostela ahead of us on the next hill. The home stretch!
When we come within a radius of 4 km from the city, we have to decide whether we want to stay in the middle of the greenery for as long as possible or whether we want to follow the original route, taking a shortcut over a steep hill through built-up areas.
We walk into the center of Santiago de Compostela and end our tour on the square in front of the cathedral!
Day 11: Santiago de Compostela
Free day in Santiago de Compostela
Day 12: Departure
After breakfast the trip with the group ends.
Optional: extend your trip with one or more days in Braga!
