THE ROUTE
With the information of Gronze
We will do the last five stages of the Portuguese way (we will start for the coast, in Vigo, and quickly we will connect with the main way) until arriving Santiago de Compostela.
NOTE: Both the numbering and the extension of the route stages may vary depending on the source consulted.
Vigo-Redondela – 16 km
The exit of Vigo will give us a pleasant surprise. The itinerary goes over the track of the “Traída das Aguas”, with woods and panoramic views over the estuary. Upon entering Redondela, our coastal route converges with the Portuguese central route, the great Jacobean route that comes from of Lisboa, Porto, and Tui, whence we will continue during the next days to Compostela.
See more: Vigo-Redondela at Gronze
Redondela-Pontevedra – 19,6 km
Short stage with a deeply urban character, but with sections really interesting. Today we will affront two ascents of 120 and 135 meters. Both are progressive and do not involve any difficulty, although the first is a bit more tough. After that, we will arrive at Pontevedra, the provincial capital, leveraging a beautiful path near the river.
See more: Redondela-Pontevedra at Gronze
Pontevedra-Caldas de Rei – 21,1 km
Short stage, easily and with a little slope. We will follow the axle of national road N-550 and we will continue ever for a comfortable paved route or for ground. More or less at 3 km of Pontevedra, we will have the option of following the route known as “Spiritual Variant”, which every day they win more adepts among the pilgrims. Today we will finish in Caldas de Reis, locality famous for his spa of thermal waters.
See more: Pontevedra-Caldas de Reis at Gronze
Caldas de Reis-Padrón – 18,6 km
Today maybe will be the stage with the more interesting landscape of the Galician section of the Portuguese way that runs along the side of the Valga river until Padrón. Same as yesterday, we will follow the axle of national road N-550; but today, the incline, although moderate, will be more frequent. Padrón, is famous for its peppers, and is a locality of high cultural interesting too.
See more: Caldas de Reis-Padrón at Gronze
Padrón-Santiago – 24,3 km.
This is the last stage of Portuguese way, this road pass mainly on pavement and in urban areas, following, how not, the national road N-550, which today we will go across until four times.
In relation to incline, it is important to make mention the moderate and the progressive ascend to Agro dos Monteiros in O Milladoiro, and you will finally arrive to the suburbs of Santiago that lead us through a labyrinth of streets to the Cathedral of Santiago.
In the cultural sphere, a part of Santiago with their awesome cathedral, is important highlight the beautiful collegiate of Iria Flavia, which was the first cathedral in Galicia; in their grove, under an olive, we find the modest tomb of Camilo José Cela.
Ver más: Padrón-Santiago de Compostela at Gronze
Tourist Information
You can find additional touristic information about the stages of the way and their numerous attractions at the following links:
Santiago de Compostela Turismo
Vive el Camino. El Camino de Santiago
El Camino de Santiago. Eroski Consumer
Federación Española de Asociaciones de Amigos del Camino de Santiago