Camino Portugués

We will head south into Portugal to begin our pilgrimage. Our first stop is Valença, a walled town with Roman origins located on the left bank of the Miño River. From the fortress, we can overlook the Spanish town of Tui and the International Bridge that connects Portugal to Spain. Completed in 1878 under the direction of Gustave Eiffel, the bridge shares stylistic similarities with the Eiffel Tower in Paris. We will walk across this bridge, which serves as the border between the two countries.

Perched in an elevated position near the Rio Miño, the bridge provides beautiful views of the lush river valley and back towards Valença. Strolling through the cobblestone streets of the old town is an experience in itself, as it retains a historic atmosphere complete with remnants of the defensive walls. Inside the town, you’ll find several historical sites, with the most significant being the 12th-century cathedral nestled in the heart of the medieval center. This cathedral is a remarkable example of the wealth of Tui during that era, showcasing Gothic and Romanesque architectural styles.

After our visit to Tui, we will head west to explore the 1st-century Celtic ruins at Santa Tecla, which are situated high above the Atlantic Ocean and the estuary of the River Miño. This archaeological site predates both the Romans and the pilgrimage era.

Next, we will drop down to A Guarda to satisfy our appetites before journeying north along the dramatically stunning Atlantic coastline. Before reaching Baiona, we’ll enjoy a pleasant 8-kilometer walk to our hotel for the night.

8km – Breakfast & Dinner included

After breakfast, meet the group to depart for a scenic drive along the coast to Vigo, where you begin the last 100-kilometer of the Camino de Santiago. We begin our day at the Parish Church of the Immaculate Conception or as the locals call it “Los Picos” for its unusual shape. We’ll meander trails and country lanes through forests and villages with lovely views down to the busy estuary below. Take note of the rafts floating in the sea. These are called Bateas, Galician mussel and oyster farms. The largest quantity of fresh fish in Europe makes its way through the port of Vigo. At day’s end, we’ll gather at a café in Redondela to celebrate our first big day on the trail.

18 km – Breakfast & Dinner included

Redondela is where we join the central Camino Portugues and befriend many other pilgrims on their way to Santiago. The Church of Santiago (12th century) will wish us a farewell as we make our way up and down to Arcade and to the high point of Alto de Canicouva eventually landing us in the historic city Pontevedra.

23km – Breakfast & Dinner included

Leaving the old town of Pontevedra, keep a look out for the excavations of the foundations of the original Roman bridge and a replica Milário (roman milestone), just before crossing the 12th Century O Burgo bridge. Today is a peaceful day of gentle and isolated countryside following the route of the railway line with minimal services.

The forest paths, replete with eucalyptus and pine, are calming places to get into the zone of simply walking….nothing else. We pass by a notable number of cruceiros plus the 12th Century Santa Maria de Alba with its interesting statues and the small chapels of San Amaro and Santa Lucia.

After the village of San Amaro, there is an optional detour to Parque Natural de Ria Barosa to visit the waterfalls. This is particularly recommended if there have been heavy rains or if it is hot and sunny, as the viewing area offers shady picnic tables.

The end of the day brings you to Caldas de Reis, a town that is famed for its thermal waters. The Celts and Romans settled here for this reason and named it ‘Aquis Celenis’. Caldas de Reis has long since been a draw for people to come and ‘take the waters’ and it has always been especially important as a resting place for pilgrims to take advantage of the healing waters. So, join in with the tradition and soak your feet in the lavadero filled with hot water & quench your thirst at the cold spring, just across the Roman Bridge. We spend the night in this pretty spa town and dinner is on your own to explore one of the local restaurants.

23 km – Breakfast included. Dinner on your own.

A short and peaceful day of walking with a few hills and delightful forest tracks of eucalyptus and pine along with the ubiquitous gorse and broom. The climb to O Pino is through pretty villages with sweeping views of the surrounding countryside and hills. We only pass four churches before Padrón, the most beautiful of which is the complex of Santa Marina de Caracedo, set amongst the fields on the edge of the village of Campo.

Arriving in Padrón is an important stage in your Camino, not just as it is the last town before Santiago, but due to its long association with the legend of Santiago. More is always made of his death, but it was here that the Apostle Saint James first preached on the rocks above the town and a miracle occurred; he made a spring appear using his staff. Of course, it was also here that the boat was moored that carried Santiago’s body from Palestine. The town takes its name from the ‘Pedrón’; stone that the boat was reputed to have been tied to. The original stands beneath the high alter in the neo-classical Church of Santiago alongside the canal.

The town is dominated by the Convent and Fountain of Carmen, both imposing and beautiful. Behind them, and above on the hill, is the Chapel of Santiaguiño and the Santiaguiño do Monte, a shrine formed of the rocks where Santiago first preached. A narrow pathway of 126 steps takes you there…..take the time and make the effort to go to this special place. Padrón is also famous for its little green peppers which are fried whole in olive oil and are highly addictive! Eating them is a gamble though as one in every five or six has a spicy kick….

We will drive ahead to our beautiful rural retreat where we sleep two nights.

18 km – Breakfast and Dinner included

Today, we’ll begin our day by climbing up to Santiaguiño do Monte in Padrón to claim our ‘jubilee’. Upon return to Padrón, we take to the trail with a varied days walking of gentle terrain through the sleepy villages of Romeris, Rueiro, and Villar allowing our final, up-close glimpse into how the locals live and the simplicity of rural Galician life, before reaching the enormous Baroque sanctuary at A Escravitude. Here a climb begins through pine forest on alternating woodland tracks and country roads, with a short stretch of main road and more rolling hills as far as the beautiful village of Rua do Francos, nestled amongst enormous, ancient oak trees and home to one of the oldest wayside crosses in Galicia. More delightful oak, pine, and eucalyptus woodland routes await before we start our long climb to the modern suburb of Milladoiro, a satellite community of Santiago where we finish our day and shuttle back to our hotel for our penultimate night together.
19 km – Breakfast and Dinner included

We take to the Camino one last time today. Leaving behind the buildup of Milladoiro, we begin a gentle descent through a scattering of villages. Along the way we get a brief glimpse of our first views of Santiago de Compostela and its cathedral spires; our final destination. Eventually we arrive into ‘civilization’; we begin ascending our final few kilometers of busy sidewalk before finally, the time comes for the entrance into the medieval heart of this famed city. Our Camino walking journey ends at the steps of the cathedral today. We will gather for a celebratory dinner together.

7 km – Breakfast and Dinner included

After a leisurely breakfast, a local tour guide and historian will show us the main sights on a two hour guided walking tour of the city and the cathedral finishing in time to attend the Pilgrims Mass.

Breakfast included