8-Day / 7-Night Gentle (Spiritual Variant)

From your point of arrival, use the public transport information we provide to make the journey to the lively city of Pontevedra, known for its charming old town, the Roman bridge of Ponte do Burgo and the famous scallop-shaped Church of the Pilgrim Virgin.

Free time in the morning to explore the lively city of Pontevedra, known for its charming old town and the scallop-shaped Church of the Pilgrim Virgin. Leaving Pontevedra across the historic Ponte do Burgo, the Spiritual Variant leads through peaceful countryside and woodlands to the impressive Monastery of San Xoán in Poio.

From the Monastery of San Xoán in Poio, you briefly continue along the shore of an estuary to picturesque Combarro, famous for its waterfront hórreos. A sustained climb through farmland and eucalyptus forest then leads over the Castrove hills. Passing ancient petroglyphs and panoramic viewpoints, the route descends to the beautiful Monastery of Santa María da Armenteira.

From Armenteira, the Spiritual Variant follows the beautiful Ruta da Pedra e da Auga (Route of Stone and Water), descending beside the Armenteira River past old watermills, waterfalls and woodland. The route then continues beside the River Umia to Ponte Arnelas.

From Ponte Arnelas, your route winds through rural villages, eucalyptus forest and vineyards. You then descend towards the Ría de Arousa, where a wonderful coastal section past beaches and shoreline scenery leads into Vilanova de Arousa.

A unique and memorable day combining a scenic boat journey with a relatively short walk along the Camino. From Vilanova de Arousa, take a boat through the beautiful Ría de Arousa and up the River Ulla, following the route traditionally associated with the arrival of the remains of Saint James in Galicia. Along the way, you pass mussel farms, small islands and the historic stone crosses of the Maritime-Fluvial Way of the Cross.

After disembarking at Pontecesures, you continue on foot into Padrón, a town closely linked to the legend of Saint James. Rather than finishing here, you follow quiet lanes, woodland and small villages to A Picaraña, shortening tomorrow’s otherwise long final stage to Santiago and allowing for a more relaxed approach to the end of your Camino. Transfer back to Padrón.

The final stage of the Camino Portuguese is both emotional and symbolic. After a short transfer, the walk begins again with quiet rural lanes that gradually shift from countryside to urban outskirts. Following a long but gentle uphill walk, the spires of Santiago’s cathedral suddenly come into view, at Milladoiro. Here, pilgrims used to be humbled by their first glimpse of the cathedral and they kneeled in reverence. From Milladoiro the last few miles of the Camino lead you into the heart of the city, through bustling streets and historic gates. Reaching the Praza do Obradoiro and standing before the cathedral is a moment of reflection, joy, and accomplishment – a fitting end to your pilgrimage.

There are regular flights from Santiago Airport as well as bus and train services from Santiago to other Spanish cities and airports. Your hosts can usually provide the most accurate local details, but if you need additional guidance, our team is happy to help.