Portuguese Way from Vigo with a dog (5 stages)

Stages

• day 1

  Arrival at Vigo

  The starting point of your Portuguese Way along the coast is located in Vigo. The city of Olívica, a historic town and the largest urban center in Galicia, is famous for more than just its lights: its oysters and its incredible views over the estuary of the same name and the Cíes Islands. Cradle of the movida Vigo, from its old town and the famous Mercado da Pedra you can enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the Ría de Vigo, place of battles with pirates and even inspiration for the king of travel, Jules Verne..
• day 2

  Stage 1. Vigo - Arcade (23 km)

  On this day we say goodbye to Vigo and start the last stage of our Portuguese route along the coast, as once we reach the height of Redondela, our route will merge with the original Portuguese route, having our final stage in Arcade.
  We leave Vigo through Urzaiz street, we cross the Calvario market and then we enter Toledo street and here we meet again our dear friends: the yellow arrows, which will guide us to the end of the stage in Arcade.
  Once we have reached the Fuente da Pouleira, we will continue walking along the path of Traída das Augas, enjoying beautiful views of the Vigo estuary. We will continue along the Madroa road until we reach the Rego de Fondón waterfall. From here, we will go up along the camiño da Fenteira, reaching the highest point of the stage. Then we only have to go down towards the church of San Andrés de Cedeira.
  

  Once in the church of San Andrés, we continue through the Cruceiro neighbourhood until we turn right into the camiño das Cardosas.

  As soon as we meet the train tracks, we will have reached the N-550 road, which we will have to follow, joining the main Portuguese road, until we reach Redondela. From Redondela, we will be very close to the end of the stage in Arcade.
  

  To consider

  If we want to do the Portuguese Way along the coast in as few days as possible, this should be our first stage. Since the minimum to get the Compostela is marked in the city of Vigo.
  

  Places of interest

  • Church of San Andrés in Cedeira
  • Church of Santiago - Redondela
  • Convent of Vilavella - Redondela
  • Tower House - Redondela
  • Jardines Alameda - Redondela
  • Pontesampaio Bridge - Arcade
  • Castle of Soutomaior

  Typical dishes

  • Chocos of Redondela
  • Arcade Oysters
  • Albariño wine
• day 3

  Stage 2. Arcade - Pontevedra (12 km)

  We leave Arcade by the famous bridge of Pontesampaio, a bridge in the province of Pontevedra that is witness to the epic battle against the French troops led by General Ney, during the War of Independence in June 1809. This battle meant the victory of the Galician and Spanish army over the French, with its consequent withdrawal from this territory.

  After passing the bridge of Pontesampaio bridge, our path continues along the road until we come across the Pazo de Bellavista. After seeing a crossroads we turn left to Ponte Nova, where there was an old medieval bridge that collapsed during a flood in 2006. This caused the modification of the route of the road until the construction of a new bridge that would allow the passage. Once we have crossed the river, we continue along an evocative walk along the Roman road XIX, where the stone slabs of the road will be the protagonists. This ancient road linked the cities of Braga and Astorga in Roman times. Today we know it as Brea Vella da Canicouva.

  The road leads us to Figueirido, where we can stop to refresh ourselves and quench our thirst in its natural spring.

  Once we have rested, we resume our walk through beautiful wooded paths that will lead us to the chapel of Santa Marta. Once here, we will continue along the fluvial path of the river dos Gafos, which forms the current official route of the path, up to the surroundings of the centre of Pontevedra.

  Pontevedra is for many people one of the most beautiful cities in Galicia, and no wonder. A stroll through its cobbled streets and squares will be enough to realize the special charm it hides. After Santiago de Compostela, Pontevedra is the place on this route with the largest number of heritage elements.

  To consider

  If you have never been to Pontevedra before, maybe this is a good time to get to know the city, so we recommend you to start walking early from Arcade. As we have suggested throughout the other stages, remember that you can always add extra days to your route to get to know the places that interest you the most.

  Places of interest

  • Pilgrim's Square - Pontevedra
  • Church of La Peregrina - Pontevedra
  • Church of San Francisco - Pontevedra
  • Chapel of the Nazarene - Pontevedra
  • Ruins of Santo Domingo at the Provincial Museum of Pontevedra
  • Royal Basilica of Santa María la Mayor - Pontevedra

  Typical dishes

  • Oysters
  • Scallops
  • Mussels
  • Clams
  • Chocos
  • Fish
  • Albariño Wine
  • Typical puff pastry filled with Almonds
• day 4

  Stage 3. Pontevedra - Caldas de Reis (21 km)

  Today's stage is a gentle and not very long stage, which does not present any difficulty. We will leave Pontevedra behind, leaving the city through its iconic Plaza de la Peregrina and after leaving the zigzag of streets and squares in the centre of Pontevedra, we will head towards Caldas de Reis, heading towards the Puente do Burgo.
  Once we cross the river Lérez, we leave the urban landscapes to enter fully into a beautiful rural environment. First, we will walk along a stretch next to the road until we reach the village of Alba, where we can visit the chapel of San Cayetano. From here the good part begins, the path takes us into the stretch of maximum natural splendour of the stage. We will walk in the shade of centenary oaks until we reach Pozo Negro, after passing the village of Cerponzóns.
  Once we have passed this idyllic natural spot, we must take extreme precautions when crossing the railway line to enter the municipality of Barro, through the parish of San Amaro. Here there is a formidable rest area where we can stop for a while to rest our legs.
  

  We continue between asphalted areas, roads and small rural villages until we arrive at Portas.

  From here we recommend making the effort to take a detour to visit the waterfall of the Barosa River. We assure you that it is worth it. After a refreshing break in the waters of the Barosa, we will continue our way through the villages of Briallos, Arcos da Condesa (we can stop to visit the chapel of Santa Lucia) and Tivo.
  From Tivo we are only 2 kilometres away from Caldas de Reis, our goal for today. Are you ready to discover the long thermal tradition hidden in the small town of Caldas de Reis?
  
  A place that dates back to prehistoric times, Caldas de Reis is nowadays a village widely visited for the medical properties of its thermal waters. In fact, one of its main attractions lies in the water route, a circular route 9 km long where you can see several waterfalls and waterfalls in a beautiful natural environment. In addition to the waters, Caldas has an infinity of heritage monuments that are worth visiting.
  

  To consider

  It will be worth the detour of 400 meters to visit the Cascades of the Barosa River, inside the Ria Barosa Natural Park. The access is very easy; between A Portela and Briallos, just where the road meets the national road, we have to cross it to take the access road to the waterfalls.
  

  Places of interest

  • Church of Santa Maria -Caldas de Reis
  • Park - Botanical Garden of Caldas de Reis
  • Church of Santo André de César
  • Water route
  • Church of Santo Tomás Becket - Caldas de Reis
  • The Fountain of Las Burgas - Caldas de Reis
  • Segade Bridge - Caldas de Reis

  Typical dishes

  • Chocos
  • Game meats
  • Empanadas (there are cockles, lamprey, cod... but the one that stands out the most is the one with sardines).
  • Trout and eels
  • Cornbread
  • Red Ribeiro wine
• day 5

  Stage 4. Caldas de Reis - Padrón (18.6 km)

  We leave Caldas de Reis by the rúa de San Roque, looking for the company of the N-550 road, and after walking a few meters to the side of the road, we will find a detour on the right hand side that will take us through a rural path towards the concello of Padron. We will notice how the slope of the path is slightly ascending, until we reach the parish of Carracedo. Carracedo is a perfect place to take a break and rest.
  Shortly after resuming the route, we will have the opportunity to visit the church of Santa Mariña, whose origins are uncertain. Again, we will meet the national road on our way to Valga. To get to Valga, we will have to cross the river Louro and then an overpass over the motorway. Once in San Miguel de Valga, we have the opportunity to visit its neoclassical church.
  

  Next we already enter in the concello of Pontecesures, natural neighbor of Padrón, of which it is only separated by the river Ulla.

  The first parish we will encounter is Condide. Afterwards, we arrive at the Infesta neighbourhood, where the restaurant A Mesa da Pedra is located, run by the Association of Friends of the Way. It might be a good option to stop here for lunch. This is an initiative that arises with the intention that all pilgrims can try different typical dishes of Galician cuisine at very low prices. In fact, there is no fixed price on the dishes, everyone contributes what he/she considers appropriate for the food received. Usually, people pay around 7€.
  Continuing our route, we will arrive at the centre of Pontecesures, a historic place that was once called "Port of Compostela", since this is where most of the goods that supplied the city used to enter. After passing the church of San Julián, we will notice that there is a detour to the right. This detour leads to the hostel of Herbón and takes a small detour on the way to visit the convent and the church of the place. To continue to Padrón, we will only have to go straight on following the N-550.
  
  Once we have crossed the bridge over the river Ulla, we will finally enter Padrón. Afterwards, we will cross a bridge again, this time over the river Sar, and we will find ourselves in the city centre. Apart from tasting the famous peppers, we can visit places like the food market or the church of Santiago. In the church of Santiago resides "el Pedrón" in which, according to the legend", the disciples of the apostle Santiago moored the boat that transported the mortal remains of the apostle once they arrived to the coasts of Padrón after sailing the river Ulla. This legend gave rise to what we know as the Spiritual Variant of the Portuguese Way.
  

  To consider

  This is the penultimate stage of the Portuguese Way before reaching Santiago de Compostela. It is advisable to leave early from Caldas de Reis and thus take the whole day to rest in Padrón, and go to bed early to start the last stage early and enjoy the day in Santiago.
  

  Places of interest

  • Convent of San Antonio Herbón
  • Church of Santa María de Herbón
  • Church of Santiago - Padrón
  • Bridge of Santiago - Padrón
  • Rosalía de Castro's House - Padrón

  Typical dishes

  • Herbón-Padrón peppers
  • Lamprey
  • Galician octopus
  • Tetilla cheese
  • Autochthonous apple
  • Almond and egg yolk cake
• day 6

  Stage 5. Padrón - Santiago de Compostela (24.3 km)

  The first milestone of today's exciting journey towards Santiago de Compostela, we will find it in the monumental collegiate church of Iria Flavia, the first parish that we will set foot on after leaving the urban centre of Padrón. After stopping to contemplate this significant monument, our route continues through small villages and neighbourhoods that follow the course of the N-550 road and the railway line. On some occasions, you will have to cross the railway track, so you will have to be extremely careful.
  A Escravitude is the next landmark we will reach. Here, we can visit the Sanctuary built in the 16th century on the so-called "Fonte Santa". As in so many other places along the way, this place has a legend to tell. It is said that the waters of the "Fonte Santa" healed a pilgrim suffering from hypopresia, on his way to Compostela. After three days, the man was miraculously cured and exclaimed: "Grazas Virxe, por librarme da Escravitude do meu mal" (translated into Spanish as: thank you Virgin, for freeing me from the slavery of my evil); and this is where the toponym A Escravitude comes from. We continue our journey taking extreme precautions between the asphalt stretches and the crossings over the train tracks.
  

  The next enclave of reference is A Picaraña, where you can take the opportunity to make a technical stop for refreshments.

  After the short rest, the hardest part of the stage begins: the ascending slopes. We head towards Faramello and Teo along ascending paths. At this point we can make a small detour on the way to Castro Lupario, also known as Castro de Beca. It is believed that this castrexo settlement was the home of the mythical queen Lupa, who appears in the Codex Calixtinus.
  
  There is little left and the next point of our adventure brings us closer to the imminent end. We will pass through Osebe before entering O Milladoiro. Here we can already appreciate a strong change in the landscape that heralds the periphery of the urban space of Santiago de Compostela. Finally, we enter Santiago de Compostela by the hand of the mythical neighborhood of Conxo, a place that once constituted a municipal entity itself, until it was swallowed up and annexed by the growth of the Galician capital. At this point, you can stop to visit the church of Santa Maria, located in the alameda of the neighborhood.
  Dear friends, the end is already counted by the minute. We only have to walk along the streets of Sánchez Freire, García Prieto, Rosalía de Castro and Rúa do Franco to find ourselves in front of the imposing façade of the Cathedral of Santiago in the Plaza del Obradoiro.
  

  Congratulations pilgrim, you made it!

  You are in Santiago de Compostela, the city where rain is art. After having stamped the credential at each stage and having collected your Compostela, after all the effort it's time to enjoy the city, you've earned it. We hope you enjoy strolling through the old town, enjoying a fresh beer accompanied by a delicious tapa, dancing and singing in a foliada, or tasting some of its traditional liqueurs, among a thousand and one other things that this small but great city has to offer.
  

  To consider

  Don't forget to pick up your Compostela at the Pilgrim's Welcome Office in Santiago is located in Rúa Carretas, which is accessed from the Plaza del Obradoiro by Rúa Costa do Cristo, and although it is open from 12:00 to 16:00, we recommend going for a walk early from Padrón and go with time to avoid queues.
  The pilgrim's mass is celebrated every day at 12:00 and 18:00.
  

  Places of interest

  • Collegiate Church of Iria Flavia
  • The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
  • San Martín Pinario Monastery - Santiago de Compostela
  • Saint Dominic of Bonaval - Santiago de Compostela
  • Abastos Market - Santiago de Compostela
  • Faculty of Geography and History - Santiago de Compostela
  • Hostel of the Catholic Monarchs - Santiago de Compostela

  Typical dishes

  • Zorza
  • Raxo
  • Lacón with turnip tops
  • Fish and seafood
  • Galician veal meats
  • Denomination of Origin Wines
  • After-dinner liqueurs: coffee liqueur, herbs, white marc, cream...
• day 7

  End of the Camino

  After arriving... End of the Camino