Stage 1. Santiago de Compostela – Negreira (20.6 km)

We start our Way to Finisterre and Muxía from the very Plaza del Obradoiro in Santiago de Compostela and we follow the arrows that lead us down the Costa do Cristo and the Rúa das Hortas towards Negreira. We cross Calle Galeras and continue until we reach a large oak grove, the Carballeira de San Lourenzo. After a steep descent, we cross a stone bridge over the river and take a dirt track that leads us to Sarela de Abaixo, from where we can enjoy an excellent panoramic view of Santiago de Compostela.

We continue our way through forests of carballos, pines and eucalyptus, passing through small villages and urbanizations until we reach Quintans, where we have a bar.
We continue without complications until we reach the Mesón Alto do Vento, where we find a restaurant with a terrace, highly recommended for our first stop.

Leaving the restaurant, we go down the sidewalk and take a street on the right that takes us to the village of Ventosa.

We continue along the road until we reach Augapesada, where we turn left onto a cobbled street. After passing a stone bridge we start a steep slope for 2 km until we reach the Alto do Mar de Ovellas. We continue along the road, going down to Caraballedo and Trasmonte, where there is a bar.

From here it doesn’t take long to reach Ponte Maceira, considered one of the most beautiful villages in Spain. A spectacular stone village where we will be struck by its magnificent medieval bridge.

After the stop and the usual photos, we cross the bridge over the river Tambre and continue along a street on the left, following a track between chalets and corn fields. We turn off onto a wooded path next to the river bank, which takes us to Barca and then to A Chancela, where there is a private hostel. From Chancela the itinerary continues straight ahead and without loss to Negreira, our end of the stage.

To consider

Some pilgrims decide to start walking towards Negreira at midday and take advantage of the morning in Santiago de Compostela. It can be done without problems as the stage is relatively short. It is also a good option to stop for lunch at the Alto do Vento inn ( 8 km from Santiago), which has excellent grilled meats and a good menu.

Places of interest

• Ponte Maceira
• Pazo de Cotón – Negreira
• Chapel of San Mauro
• Pazo de Chancela
• Pazo de Baladrón
• Chapel of San Brais

Typical dishes

• Grilled meat
• Trout
• Empanadas
• Fish stew
• Octopus á feira
• Santiago’s cake