Map of the Route of Padre Sarmiento

The Route of Father Sarmiento, a variant of the Portuguese Way, begins in Pontevedra and covers 148 km along the coast of the Rías Baixas, passing through places with rich gastronomy, seafood, and wines. Although the route has good access to services, it is important to consider the scarcity of services in some sections. Enjoy the excellent food in areas such as O Grove, Illa de Arousa, and Cambados, famous for its Albariño. It is recommended to start in Tui and join this variant for an alternative experience.

Keep the following map as this variant of the Portuguese Way, the Route of Father Sarmiento, is one of those unknown Ways where you can enjoy good gastronomy, paradisiacal beaches, and excellent landscapes. Undoubtedly a must for the summer, but you can undertake it at any time of the year. 148 km starting from Pontevedra will cross the impressive region of O Salnés until it rejoins the traditional Portuguese Way at the height of Pontecesures/Padrón. If you continue on this route, the total distance covered between Pontevedra and Santiago will be 190 km by choosing this variant.

How can I interpret this map of the Route of Father Sarmiento?

6 stages shape this Way, and you can see them reflected in the map of the route that follows the steps of the journey made by Father Sarmiento. Departing from Pontevedra, it will border the northern coast of the homonymous Ría and the southern coast of the Ría de Arousa. That is to say, you will walk the entire coastline of the Salnés region, a place that stands out among other things for its seafood and wine production. You will visit 1 Autonomous Community, Galicia; and 2 Provinces, Pontevedra and A Coruña.

Being one of the areas with the highest population in all of Galicia, you will find many populations with services so we could say there is no particular place you need to highlight on the map of the Way of Santiago, at least for this reason.

Sections where services are scarce or ¡Take note!

As we mentioned, along the route you will find infrastructures, but also a great gastronomic offer. This is an area closely linked to wine production (DO Rías Baixas, famous among others for Albariño) and seafood; you should take into account several places so as not to miss the best of the gastronomic offer, and we reflect this in this map.

Places like O Groveand Illa de Arousa are famous for their seafood, and you will be able to enjoy splendid views of the Ría and the rafts where mussels and oysters are cultivated. In addition, Cambadosis the capital of Albariño wine, and you will find numerous wineries along your way starting from Meaño and Sanxenxo. Also consider Carril, where you can taste fantastic clams.

But… where do I start the Camino?

Pontevedra is the starting point of the Route of Padre Sarmiento, so mark it on your map if you want to enjoy this wonderful gastronomy. Just like in the spiritual variant, our recommendation is that you start from Tui and then take this variant if you feel like enjoying a more alternative route; we leave you the Guide to the Portuguese Way of Santiago.