Spiritual Variant and Traslatio from Tui: 7 stages

Information about the trip: Spiritual Variant and Traslatio from Tui: 7 stages

This variant combines several routes: starting from the Portuguese Way beginning in Tui, you will reach Pontevedra via the traditional inland route.
From here, you will begin the "Spiritual Variant" or Translatio, which will take you from 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.

This is the Camino from the border between Spain and Portugal to Santiago de Compostela. The Portuguese traditional route covers the last part of this Way in Spain and includes O Porriño, Arcade and other charming historic towns and cities in Galicia. This Camino takes in wooded areas, farmlands and hamlets, as well as historic towns and cities.

Travel itinerary (Summary)

DAY 1: Arrival to Tui
DAY 2: Stage 1, Tui, O Porriño 16,1 km 3/5
DAY 3: Stage 2, O Porriño, Redondela 15,8 km 2/5
DAY 4: Stage 3, Redondela, Pontevedra 19,6 km 3/5
DAY 5: Stage 4, Pontevedra, Armenteira 23,2 km 2/5
DAY 6: Stage 5, Armenteira, Vilanova De Arousa 22,7 km 2/5
DAY 7: Stage 6, Vilanova De Arousa, Padrón 2,5 km 1/5 15 M
DAY 8: Stage 7, Padrón, Santiago De Compostela 24,4 km 2/5
DAY 9: Return

Travel itinerary (Detailed)

ProgramDAY
1

Arrival to Tui

112 km/ 70 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. Explore the streets of this Medieval village until you reach its famous Cathedral.
ProgramDAY
2

Stage 1, from Tui to O Porriño

Distance : 16,1 km Difficulty : 3/5

Breakfast and start of the stage. From Tui we go through the tunnel of St Clare's Convent and past the churches of Saint Dominic and Saint Bartholomew. After crossing the Veiga bridge, you will reach one of the most beautiful stretches on the entire route, the river Louro valley.
At the end of the stage, you will reach an industrial estate before arriving in the city of O Porriño.
ProgramDAY
3

Stage 2, from O Porriño to Redondela

Distance : 15,8 km Difficulty : 2/5

Breakfast and start of the stage. From O Porriño, we head north. Along the way, you will be close to the Pazo de Mós, Santiaguiño de Antas and Chan das Pipas.
A steep descent starts here that leads us towards the end of this stage initially reaching the centre of Redondela.
ProgramDAY
4

Stage 3, from Redondela to Pontevedra

Distance : 19,6 km Difficulty : 3/5

Breakfast and start of the stage. The route continues to Arcade, a place renowned for having the best oysters in Galicia. Then to Pontesampayo where we will cross a long medieval bridge over the River Verdugo and then enter a cluster of narrow streets. That will guide us to one of the most beautiful stretches on the Caminho: a series of old by-ways which climb up the slope of Canicouva to Cacheiro.
After crossing the mountains, the track, now dominated by fields, vineyards and orchards, widens again until we reach Pontevedra for a well-deserved rest.
ProgramDAY
5

Stage 4, 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.
ProgramDAY
7

Stage 6, 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
ProgramDAY
8

Stage 7, 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.
ProgramDAY
9

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

8 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 (7th day).
Travel insurance.
Credencial (Pilgrim's passport).
Maps and tracks of the stages.
Telephone assistance (English-speaking)