Route of Father Sarmiento

Stages

• day 1

  Arrival at Pontevedra

  The adventure begins! You will start the Spiritual Variant from the beautiful city of Pontevedra. . 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. You can visit, among other things, the Ruins of Santo Domingo in the Provincial Museum of Pontevedra, the Royal Basilica of Santa María la Mayor, and the symbol of the city: the church of La Peregrina.
• day 2

  Stage 1. Pontevedra - Sanxenxo (25 km)

  We can begin this first stage by leaving the city of Pontevedra, or starting directly from Poio. If we set off from Pontevedra, we will need to cross the “O Burgo” bridge towards Sanxenxo to enter the municipality of Poio. After crossing the urban center of Poio, we will continue along the coastline, alternating between coves of beautiful beaches and rocky outcrops. Along the way, we will have the opportunity to visit the beaches of Lourido and Cabeceira, and pass by the port of Campelo.

  Subsequently, the coastline curves inland upon reaching the promenade of da Seca, only to open up again towards the beach da Pinela, presenting us with the iconic village of Combarro.

  Here we can take a break to explore the beautiful village of Combarro.

  Once we resume our journey, we continue along the coastline of the province of Pontevedra, passing through the places of Chancelas, O Covelo, Raxó, and A Granxa, until we reach Sanxenxo. This is a landscape dominated by continuous coves, beaches, and outcrops, where we walk with the island of Tambo on the horizon.

  Things to consider

  It is common for pilgrims starting the Padre Sarmiento route to have previously completed a section of the Portuguese Way and, upon arriving in Pontevedra, decide to continue along this variant until reaching Sanxenxo.

  It is highly recommended to make a considerable stop in Combarro to thoroughly explore the village.

  Places of interest

  • Combarro
  • Island of Tambo
  • Viewpoint of A Granxa
  • Portonovo
  • Silgar Beach

  Typical dishes

  • Empanada de zamburiñas
  • Octopus á feira
  • Fish and seafood
  • Seafood rice
  • Albariño wines
• day 3

  Stage 2. Sanxenxo - Grove, O (19.5 km)

  We will leave Sanxenxo to progressively bid farewell to the urban beaches and enter more natural surroundings that will accompany us until O Grove. The first stop on today's stage will be at Punta Vicaño, from where we can enjoy beautiful views of Sanxenxo. Subsequently, we will pass through the areas of Portonovo and Paxariñas.

  As we continue advancing, we will arrive at Punta Faxilda, from where we will have an impressive panoramic view of the Ons Islands. After that, after advancing a few more kilometers, we will pass by the Hermitage of Nosa Señora de A Lanzada, located on a coastal promontory.

  The next point of passage is the sedimentary formation of A Lanzada, a large straight expanse of fine golden sand, dunes, and turquoise waters, where we can relax before reaching the end of the stage in O Grove.

  Things to consider

  O Grove is geographically situated on a tombolo, a small island connected to the mainland by a strip of land that shapes the sedimentary space of A Lanzada, so it can only be accessed from the path of Sanxenxo. For this reason, the next stage we present is circular, in order to explore the coastline of O Grove.

  Places of interest

  • Montalvo Beach
  • Major Lagoon
  • Punta Faxilda
  • Hermitage of Nosa Señora da Lanzada
  • A Lanzada Beach
  • Castro de A Lanzada

  Typical dishes

  • Fish
  • Seafood from the estuary: Zamburiñas, razor clams, and clams, lobsters, crayfish…
  • Mussels in vinaigrette
  • Varied empanadas
  • Seafood rice
• day 4

  Stage 3. Grove, O - Grove, O (29 km)

  About this circular stage of O Grove, there is nothing written regarding how to undertake it; you can start from whichever end catches your attention, as the order of the factors will not alter the product. Just like in the rest of the route of Padre Sarmiento, we will find this circular section marked.

  Apart from the impressive coastal landscape that we will enjoy, the most representative landmarks we can discover on our little detour are: the islands of Sálvora, the island of La Toja and its curious chapel covered in shells, archaeological sites, lagoons, an open-air museum, the viewpoint of Siradella, and various beaches.

  Things to consider

  Staying an extra day in O Grove to complete this circular stage and enjoy its charms is entirely optional and depends on you and the time you have available. Some pilgrims choose to stay and enjoy the sun and the beach, while others prefer to keep walking.

  Places of interest

  • O Grove and its port
  • San Vicente do Mar
  • The island of La Toja
  • A Salazón Museum
  • O Grove Aquarium
  • Viewpoint of A Siradella
  • Bodeira Lagoon

  Typical dishes

  • Fish and seafood
  • Seafood rice
  • Octopus á feira
  • Grilled razor clams
  • Albariño wines
• day 5

  Stage 4. Grove, O - Cambados (22 km)

  We continue our adventure retracing the path taken towards the beach of A Lanzada, to leave the peninsula of O Grove and begin the route to Cambados. Keeping the intertidal complex Umia-Grove on our left, the path leads us along the coast of Meaño towards Cambados. In this stretch, the landscape will be dominated by the ancient tile factories of Meaño, “As telleiras,” and the vineyards of white grapes.

  The approach to the climax of the marshes of the intertidal complex Umia-O Grove at the mouth of the Umia River will indicate that we are nearing the end of our stage. We can stop to contemplate the landscape at the Bird Observatory of the intertidal complex. At the height of the observatory towards the interior, lies the albariño winery Condes de Albarei, a winery that has accumulated several victories in its record.

  Things to consider

  In Cambados, the mythical albariño wine festival is celebrated every year during the month of August. The town center fills with stands belonging to dozens of wineries, and a jury selects the winery of the winning harvest of the year, so if you are coming from O Grove, you might want to plan your visit well before starting to walk. The prices of wine bottles are lower than usual, and there is a lively atmosphere.

  If you are undertaking the route during these dates, we recommend adding an extra day in Cambados to enjoy this experience.

  Places of interest

  • Tower of San Sadurniño
  • The square of Fefiñanes
  • The ruins of Santa Mariña
  • The Ramón Cabanillas Museum
  • The Ethnographic Wine Museum

  Typical dishes

  • Albariño wine: wineries Bouza do Rei, Condes de Albarei or Paco y Lola
  • Razorfish
  • Scallops
  • Varied fish
  • Seafood and fish rice dishes
• day 6

  Stage 5. Cambados - Illa de Arousa, A (18 km)

  In the first section of this stage, from Cambados to Illa de Arousa, you will find the Tide Mill of “A Seca”, one of the few sea water mills that exist in Galicia, which will surprise you with its peculiar engineering. It is currently fully restored and can be visited. The path continues along the coast until you reach a two-kilometer bridge that will guide you to Illa de Arousa.

  This small island is a truly idyllic place, marked by fishing tradition and surrounded by the most beautiful beaches. The fishing port of “O Xufre”, the Lighthouse of “Punta Cabalo”, the route of “Os Cons” (large granite rocks sculpted by the wind and waves), and the Viewpoint of “Con do Forno” are some of the attractions that this stage will offer you.

  Things to consider

  In this stage, the route of the Padre Sarmiento leaves Cambados to venture into the sea in Illa de Arousa, where we will see countless marine tourist spots, so we recommend enjoying the stage, as with the visits it is only 18 kilometers.

  Places of interest

  • Tide Mill of “A Seca” - Illa de Arousa
  • Lighthouse of Punta Cabalo - Illa de Arousa
  • Viewpoint of “Con do Forno” - Illa de Arousa

  Typical dishes

  • Mussel: the quintessential mollusk
  • Razorshells
  • Fish and seafood
  • Octopus á feira
  • Albariño wine from the Rías Baixas
• day 7

  Stage 6. Illa de Arousa, A - Vilanova de Arousa (17 km)

  We leave Illa de Arousa and head towards the Carreirón" Natural Park we leave Illa de Arousa, with the intention of returning to the beaches of Vilanova. A place characterized by its beaches of crystalline waters and white sandy beaches. We must remember that we are in an area of special interest for bird watching.
  After crossing the bridge again, you will continue your way to the beaches of "O Terrón", a coastal route that will take you to the centre of Vilanova de Arousa, your end of the stage. This municipality, which was the birthplace of the writer Ramón del Valle-Inclán, you can relive the history of his life and work by visiting his house museum.
  

  To consider

  In Vilanova de Arousa, the Route of Father Sarmiento meets the Spiritual Variant to continue together to Santiago de Compostela, so as the stage is quite short, we can take the opportunity to see the last remnants of the Illa de Arousa.
  

  Places of Interest

  • Carreirón Natural Park
  • Manor house of Valle-Inclán
  • Towers of Cálogo
  • Church of Santa María de Caleiro

  Typical dishes

  • Mussel: the mollusc par excellence
  • Scallops
  • Fish and seafood
  • Octopus á feira
  • Albariño wine from Rías Baixas
• day 8

  Stage 7. Vilanova de Arousa - Padrón (35.5 km)

  The first milestone of today's journey will be Vilagarcía de Arousa, 9 kilometers from Vilanova, which we will reach by alternating coastal paths and trails, and once in Vilagarcía, we will begin the land route of the famous and mythical Traslatio to Padrón. The path runs alongside the Ulla River, upstream. We leave the center of Vilagarcía heading towards Carril, crossing along our way the places of Bamio, Catoira, Vilarello, and Pontecesures.

  Without a doubt, the most impressive point along the route will be Catoira with its imposing towers. Once we arrive at Pontecesures, after crossing the bridge to Padrón, the spiritual variant of the Camino will have ended. From here, one can continue to Santiago de Compostela via the conventional route of the Portuguese Way.

  Padrón is famous, among other things, for its peppers and for being the site where the boat of the Apostle Santiago landed. For this last reason, it is mandatory to fully complete the spiritual variant by visiting the famous Pedrón in the church of Santiago, which according to legend was used to tie the Apostle's boat.

  Things to consider

  There is a specific certificate that accredits the completion of the spiritual variant: the Pedronía. It is issued at the town hall of Padrón, so we must set out to walk early from Vilanova de Arousa if we want to collect it.

  Places of interest

  • Vilagarcía de Arousa
  • Towers of Catoira
  • Rosalía de Castro House-Museum
  • Collegiate Church of Iria Flavia
  • Church of Santiago

  Typical dishes

  • Padrón peppers
  • Fish and seafood
  • Zorza
  • Galician stew
• day 9

  Stage 8. 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 10

  End of the Camino

  After arriving... End of the Camino