Portuguese Coastal Camino - Spiritual Variant from Vigo

Make your own way to Vigo (in Spain) and the joining hotel. Vigo is a typical Galician town with a wide sandy beach. Its old quarter Casco Vello is home to the neoclassical Church of Santa María. Nearby is the archaeological site of Castro de Vigo, on the slopes of O Castro Mountain. Time permitting you can explore its nature trails and climb to the top, where there are the remains of the old walled city and lovely views of the Vigo estuary. We can assist with booking pre-tour accommodation on request, please ask our team.

The route as you leave Vigo is mainly uphill and will reward you with spectacular views as you enter the Senda da Auga (water trail). Continue to Redondela, where you will join the main Portuguese Camino route, and on to the small town of Arcade, which is known for its oysters. Overnight in Arcade. Distance 23km/14.4mi

You start the day by walking over the beautiful old bridge at Ponte Sampaio. From here there’s a steep uphill stretch following ancient stone paths before the path descends to the provincial capital of Pontevedra. There are some interesting sites to be explored in Pontevedra including the Santuario da Peregrin chapel and the Convento de San Francisco. The Medieval town centre is a maze of cobbled laneways with tapas bars and cafes. Overnight in Pontevedra. Distance 13km/8.1mi

Leave the main Portuguese Camino and walk to Armenteira. Your Spiritual Variant begins next to the Sanctuary of the Pilgrim, in the heart of Pontevedra's historic centre. Leaving town you'll cross the Lérez River via the Burgo Bridge and gradually enter a rural area. Continue along secondary roads and some well-trodden dirt tracks that will lead you to the Monastery of San Xoán de Poio. From here, the path descends to the charming fishing village of Combarro before heading uphill to the Mirador do Loureiro viewpoint. Enter a predominantly rural area, passing through small forests with the sound of the Armenteira River in the background. This stage ends at the peaceful Monastery of Santa María de Armenteira. Distance 21km/13.2mi

From the Armenteira Monastery the trail descends through forests, past mills and small waterfalls along the Ruta da Pedra e da Auga (Route of Stone and Water). This is one of the most beautiful sections of the Spiritual Variant. From Barrantes, you'll pass vineyards and small villages. In Pontearnelas, you'll reach the Umia River estuary and soon arrive at the Arousa Estuary. Pass the Illa de Arousa (Island of Arousa) in the middle of the estuary and, continuing along the path to Playa del Terrón (Terrón Beach), you'll reach the Vilanova de Arousa Marina. Overnight in the capital of the Arousa Estuary and the natural port of Santiago de Compostela. Distance 24km/15mi

From the Marina in Vilanova you'll travel by boat (approx 15 nautical miles, 1.5hrs) along the Arousa estuary, passing mussel rafts and Cortegada Island, part of the Atlantic Islands Marine-Terrestrial National Park. This boat takes you into the Ulla River estuary, where you'll see the markers indicating the route of the world's only Maritime-Fluvial Way of the Cross. You'll pass through Catoira, in front of the iconic Torres de Oeste (West Towers), and continue along a stretch of river surrounded by vegetation until you reach the Pontecesures dock. Here you'll disembark and, once ashore, continue towards Santiago on foot to your accommodation in Cornide or O Milladorio. Distance to Cornide approx 14km/8.75mi, to O Milladoiro approx 18km/11.2mi

The last day or your Camino takes you through small villages, meadows, fields, and forests. Typical Galician landscapes will guide you along paved roads and well-trodden dirt paths. At the end of the day you walk into the outskirts of Santiago. You'll pass through Milladoiro and, leaving the Alameda de Santiago behind, enter the cobbled streets of its historic center and soon reach the Plaza del Obradoiro, where the imposing Cathedral of Santiago stands. Overnight in Santiago. Distance from Cornide approx 12km/7.5mi, from O Milladoiro approx 7.5km/4.7mi