"The Camino is not walked, it is lived."

Spiritual Variant and Traslatio from A Guarda: 9 stages

Information about the trip: Spiritual Variant and Traslatio from A Guarda: 9 stages

This variant combines several routes: starting from the Portuguese Way beginning in Oporto, you will reach Pontevedra via the traditional inland route.
From here, you will begin the "Spiritual Variant" or Traslatio, which will take you through Armenteira to Vilanova de Arousa.
 
At this point, the pilgrim will follow the route in a boat, also called Traslatio, crossing the estuary and commemorating the transfer of the body of Apostle James.
Afterwards, they will conclude their journey by reaching Padrón on foot and, finally, Santiago de Compostela, the ultimate destination.
 
The Portuguese Coastal Route or Caminho da Costa is a stunning alternative to the traditional Portuguese Camino de Santiago. Following the wild Atlantic route before reaching Baiona, at the heart of the coastal inlets or fjords known as the Rías Baixas, and then moving onto Vigo and Pontevedra, where you will pick up the traditional route once again.

Travel itinerary (Summary)

  • DAY 1: Arrival to A Guarda
  • DAY 2: Stage 1, A Guarda, Oia  12,8 km 1/5
  • DAY 3: Stage 2, Oia, Baiona  17,9 km 1/5
  • DAY 4: Stage 3, Baiona, Vigo  27 km 1/5
  • DAY 5: Stage 4, Vigo, Redondela  16 km 2/5
  • DAY 6: Stage 5, Redondela - Pontevedra  19,6 km 3/5
  • DAY 7: Stage 6, Pontevedra, Armenteira  23,2 km 2/5
  • DAY 8: Stage 7, Armenteira, Vilanova De Arousa  22,7 km 2/5
  • DAY 9: Stage 8, Vilanova De Arousa, Padrón  2,5 km 1/5 15 M
  • DAY 10: Stage 9, Padrón, Santiago De Compostela  24,4 km 2/5
  • DAY 11: Return

Travel itinerary (Detailed)

  • 1

    Arrival to A Guarda


    158 km/ 98 mi separate the start of this itinerary from Santiago de Compostela, the final destination.
    Fill in your pilgrim’s passport and enjoy the views of the border between Portugal and Spain.
    The fishing village of A Guarda is home to Galicia’s most impressive Galician-Roman settlements: the Santa Tegra hill fort is an authentic archaeological gem with breathtaking views over the ocean.

  • 2

    Stage 1, from A Guarda to Oia


    Distance : 12,8 km Difficulty : 1/5

    Breakfast and start of the stage. This part of the route includes the best coastal landscapes in Galicia which showcase the immensity of the Atlantic Ocean.

  • 3

    Stage 2, from Oia to Baiona


    Distance : 17,9 km Difficulty : 1/5

    Breakfast and start of the stage. An overnight stay in the village of Oia, which is famous for its impressive monastery, is the perfect way to enjoy the quiet of this hamlet and the immensity of the Atlantic Ocean.
    On your way out of Mougás/Oia stop for a while to visit Baiona to admire its fortified castle surrounded by a stormy ocean.

  • 4

    Stage 3, from Baiona to Vigo


    Distance : 27 km Difficulty : 1/5

    Breakfast and start of the stage. Today you will follow the coast from Baiona to Nigrán before finally reaching the city of Vigo.
    Enjoy fantastic views over the Bay of Vigo, with the magnificent Cíes Islands on the horizon. On a hot day, stop off at the blue flag beach known as Praia América, in Nigrán for a quick swim.

  • 5

    Stage 4, from Vigo to Redondela


    Distance : 16 km Difficulty : 2/5

    Breakfast and start of the stage. From the city of Vigo, continue your coastal Camino with the Bay of Vigo to your left. Vigo is one of the seven largest cities in Galicia and is currently probably the most populated one. People from the entire region and even from other parts of Spain have always flocked to this city to work in its naval and fishing industries.
    After the serenity of the isolated Mougás, Vigo will give you the experience of life in a busy town. The stage ends in Redondela where you will rejoin the original Portuguese Route.

  • 6

    Stage 5, from Redondela to Pontevedra


    Distance : 19,6 km Difficulty : 3/5

    Breakfast and start of the stage. The way out of Vigo might be a bit confusing, but once you manage to leave the city, the path begins to clear and the open ocean gives way to the “rías” or Galician fjords.

  • 7

    Stage 6, from Pontevedra to Armenteira


    Distance : 23,2 km Difficulty : 2/5

    Breakfast and start of the stage. You will wake up at your accommodation in Pontevedra, where a nice breakfast is included to kickstart your day with energy, and you'll begin your walk towards Armenteira.
    After crossing the city of Pontevedra, at 2 km, you'll find a left deviation. At this point, the "SPIRITUAL VARIANT" begins, passing through Poio and Combarro before reaching the Monastery of Armenteira, situated in a very peaceful rural area amidst the mountains.
    It's worth noting that after Combarro, there is a 7 km stretch where the difficulty of the stage increases, so we recommend carrying water.

  • 8

    Stage 7, from Armenteira to Vilanova De Arousa


    Distance : 22,7 km Difficulty : 2/5

    Breakfast and start of the stage. From Armenteira to Pontearnelas, we will follow "The Route of Stone and Water," which winds through a natural area of great beauty.
    Walking in the shade of the trees, you'll come across ancient water mills resting on the riverbanks. Orchards and vineyards will signal your approach to the Arousa estuary. After covering 22 km, you'll reach the beaches and the town of Vilanova.

  • 9

    Stage 8, from Vilanova De Arousa to Padrón


    Distance : 2,5 km Difficulty : 1/5 En Barco : 2,5 Millas

    Breakfast and start of the stage. In Vilanova de Arousa, you will begin the Traslatio or maritime-fluvial route, which will take you by boat for a journey covering 15 nautical miles to Pontescures, from where you'll continue by foot. Further along, you'll arrive in Padrón, where you can explore various points of interest in the area.
    The departure time of the "traslatio" by boat depends on the tide. The boat journey takes approximately 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes

  • 10

    Stage 9, from Padrón to Santiago De Compostela


    Distance : 24,4 km Difficulty : 2/5

    Breakfast and start of the stage. This last stage starts by leaving Padron and continuing through Galician villages to the magnificent sanctuary of Nossa Señora da Escravitute.
    You finally start to see Santiago de Compostela in the distance and at Agro dos Monteiros, you will be able to see the towers of the Cathedral for the first time.
    After crossing the river Sar, you will make your way through the suburbs of the city to the Faxeira gate, the entrance for the Portuguese Route in this old city. Walk through a labyrinth of streets to Obradoiro square and its Cathedral, where the Apostle awaits you.

  • 11

    Return


    After breakfast, go to exchange your pilgrim’s passport, if you haven’t already done it. Alternatively, we suggest you visit the cathedral and the surrounding areas or attend a pilgrim mass.

Included

  • 10 nights in handpicked hotels and inns, all with en-suite accommodation, on a bed and breakfast basis.
  • Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel (1 x max. 20kg/44lbs bag per person)
  • Traslatio by boat (9th day).
  • Travel insurance.
  • Credencial (Pilgrim's passport)
  • Maps and tracks of the stages.
  • Telephone assistance (English-speaking)

    • Not included

    • Lunches.
    • Caminha ferry.
    • Flights or trains.
    • Single room supplement: €320
    • Dinner’s supplement: €320
    • Superior category supplement: €260
    • Superior category single room supplement: €360
    • Superior category dinner’s supplement: €370
    • Tourist taxes.

      • Accommodations

      • All accommodations have rooms with en-suite facilities.

      Conditions


      Price per person based on double room

      Daily departures form April to October

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