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Camino Galicia

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The Spiritual Way (Variante da Ría)

Five days of monasteries, Albariño vineyards and a boat crossing of the ría de Arousa along the Translatio route, the one that brought the Apostle's body to Galicia. The world's only maritime Way of the Cross.

  • 100.5 km
  • 6 days
  • 5 nights
  • 4 walking stages
  • Moderate route

From €200 per person

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The route

The Spiritual Way, or Spiritual Variant of the Portuguese Way, is the most singular route of all: it combines hiking between monasteries and vineyards with a boat crossing that relives the Translatio, the sea voyage that carried the body of the apostle Saint James to Galicia.

From Pontevedra, the Pedra e Auga trail leads to the monastery of Armenteira, then descends through the Albariño vineyards of the Salnés valley to the ría de Arousa.

At Vilagarcía you board a boat to sail up the ría and the river Ulla to Padrón, following the world's only maritime Way of the Cross, lined with stone crosses along its banks.

The final stage walks the last stretch of the Portuguese Way into Santiago's World Heritage old town.

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Stage by stage

  1. Day 1

    Pontevedra

    Arrival
    Arrival in Pontevedra, home to one of the best-preserved old towns in Galicia. Do not leave without visiting the church of A Peregrina, with its curious scallop-shaped floor plan.

    Night in Pontevedra

  2. Day 2

    Pontevedra → Armenteira

    On foot22 km6 h
    A climbing stage from Pontevedra to the monastery of Armenteira, a Cistercian gem founded in the 12th century, along paths linked to the Pedra e Auga trail, past watermills, streams and woodland.
  3. Day 3

    Armenteira

    On foot24 km6.1 h
  4. Day 4

    Padrón

    On foot30.2 km4 h

    Night in Padrón

  5. Day 5

    Padrón → Santiago de Compostela

    On foot24.3 km6.1 h

    Night in Santiago de Compostela

  6. Day 6

    Santiago de Compostela

    Arrival

Pictures from the route

Frequently asked questions

  • Can I do the Camino on my own and stay in hotels or hostels?

    Yes, of course. You can do the Camino independently and stay in hotels and hostels. At Camino Galicia, we offer this option without the need to join a group.

    In fact, it is a very common choice: many people decide to do the Camino on their own to enjoy the experience at their own pace, disconnect and experience each stage in a more personal way.

    We take care of organising your accommodation, luggage transfers and support throughout the Camino, so you only have to focus on walking and enjoying the experience.

    Travelling alone doesn’t mean you’ll be alone: the Camino is a place where it’s very easy to meet other pilgrims and share moments along the route.

  • Will I have a guide accompanying me on the Camino de Santiago?

    No. Our trips are designed so that you can walk the Camino at your own pace, without a guide accompanying you during the stages.

    However, you won’t be alone. At Camino Galicia, we take care of organising all the necessary services, and you’ll have support throughout your trip to help with any questions or unexpected situations that may arise.

    All you have to do is walk, enjoy the scenery and experience the Camino your own way.

  • What kind of footwear should I bring?

    Hiking boots or trail shoes that are already broken in. New footwear is the most common cause of blisters on the Camino.

    You do not need high boots: it rains in Galicia either way, and what matters is a comfortable, well-held foot. Bring seamless technical socks, two pairs in case one gets wet.

  • Do I need to train before walking the Camino?

    You do not need to be fit, but arriving with some walking behind you makes a real difference.

    Walking 1 to 2 hours a couple of days a week during the previous month is enough. If you can, do one long walk with the backpack and footwear you will actually use: it is the best way to find out in time what rubs.

  • What documents do I need for the trip?

    A valid ID card or passport, and the European health card if you are coming from outside Spain.

    For the Camino you also need the pilgrim credential, stamped at least twice a day over the last 100 km. It is what lets you claim the Compostela in Santiago. You can get it in Sarria at the parish, the hostels and the friends of the Camino associations.

  • Do I need travel insurance?

    It is not compulsory, but it is strongly recommended. Travel assistance insurance covers medical care and, depending on the policy, cancellation if you end up unable to travel.

    Before taking one out yourself, write to us: we will tell you exactly what your trip already covers so you do not pay twice for the same thing.

  • Do I have to carry my backpack all day?

    No, if you want we transport your backpack from one accommodation to the next: leave it in the morning and find it on arrival.

    You only walk with a small day pack carrying water, something to eat, a rain jacket and whatever you need along the way.

  • What should I carry in my day pack?

    Water, something to eat, a rain jacket, sun cream, a cap and a charged phone. It can rain in Galicia at any time of year, so the rain jacket comes along even on a sunny morning.

    Add plasters or blister dressings: they weigh nothing and you will be glad to have them.

  • When is the best time to walk the Camino?

    April to October is the season with the best weather and everything open. May, June and September tend to be the most pleasant: mild temperatures and fewer people than in high August. As a result, they are also among the most popular months.

    You can also walk in winter, but there is less daylight and some places close.

  • What is the Compostela and how do I get it?

    It is the certificate issued by Santiago Cathedral to those who complete the Camino.

    To claim it you must have walked at least the last 100 km and show your credential with two stamps a day over that stretch. You collect it at the Pilgrim's Office in Santiago.

  • Can I walk the Camino with children?

    Yes, and it makes a great family trip. The stretch from Sarria has no technical difficulty and there are villages to stop at often.

    The key is to shorten the stages and not set a schedule. Tell us their ages and we will build an itinerary with gentler days.

  • How far in advance should I book?

    For summer and Easter it is worth booking months ahead: this is the busiest stretch and accommodation fills up.

    The rest of the year there is more room, but the earlier you book, the more choice you will have over the itinerary and the places you stay.

    Time flies! The 2027 Holy Year (Jacobean Year) is just around the corner, and accommodation is already starting to fill up.