From La Caridad to Ribadeo

In this stage we leave Asturias to finally enter in Galicia. This is a very exciting stage, due to the change of Community, which announces that the end is near. We have two options for this stage from La Caridad to Ribadeo: the official route, which runs through Tol; and the variant along the coastal path, which takes us through the beautiful Tapia de Casariego.

We depart from La Caridad heading towards the village of San Pelayo to set our course for Ribadeo, first passing through Valdepares. At this point, we are presented with two options: take a detour along the coastal path to explore Cabo Blanco, la Atalaya, and the beach of Porcía, or continue straight to the center of Porcía. We undoubtedly recommend the coastal alternative.

After surpassing Porcía, we will have to decide again whether to continue the stage through Tapia de Casariego (coast) or through Tol (interior). The coastal variant passes through the beautiful towns of Salave, Tapia, Villamil, and Villadún, allowing us to enjoy the cliffs and beaches of the Cantabrian Sea. In contrast, the interior option goes through Brul, Tol, Barres, and Figueras, offering a final immersion in rural Asturias before entering Galicia through the municipality of Ribadeo.

Things to Consider

Some pilgrims choose to spend the night in Vegadeo instead of Ribadeo. If this is your case, after crossing the Tol River, you should take a detour to the left towards the center of that locality.

On the other hand, Playa de las Catedrales is one of the major tourist attractions in Galicia. Although it is located about 10 km off the official route of the Camino, the trip is worth it to admire the impressive rock formations sculpted by the sea. It is essential to plan this visit before leaving La Caridad, as it is a protected area that requires prior reservation and is dependent on the tides.

Places of Interest

• Port and Lighthouse of Tapia de Casariego
• Beach of Peñarronda
• Parish Church of San Esteban (Tapia de Casariego)
• Tower of los Moreno (Ribadeo)
• Beach of As Catedrais (Ribadeo)

Typical Dishes

• Octopus á feira
• Razor clams and squid from the estuary
• Fresh fish: grouper, bream, or sea bass
• Seafood rice
• Dessert: As Catedrais cake