AMONG VINEYARDS, VALLEYS AND RIVERS
DAY 1: MAKE YOUR OWN WAY TO PONTEVEDRA. ACCOMMODATION AND BREAKFAST.
DAY 2: PONTEVEDRA-SANXENXO (25 KM): Leaving Pontevedra via the bridge of “O Burgo”, the coast of the estuary takes you to Poio. Its beautiful monastery is the start of the route that will take you to the Salnés region. The route takes you to Combarro, a symbol of the perfect union between the blue of the sea and a land carved out of granite. Walking among its sea houses, hórreos and cruceiros, the route invites you to imagine the history of the mysterious island of Tambo. Hidden coves, inlets and majestic nooks and crannies open up to the world from the viewpoint of A Granxa. From here you can enjoy magnificent views of the Pontevedra estuary as you head towards Sanxenxo, the capital of Galician tourism. Overlooking the sea, “la Madama” bathes the city in mythology and charm. In all its streets we will find one great proposal after another to end this first stage.
DAY 3: SANXENXO-O GROVE (19.5KM): Sanxenxo is a walk along the seashore. The viewpoint of Punta Vicaño offers a beautiful green space to relax. On the way to Portonovo, we leave behind the urban beaches and enter a more natural environment. From Punta Faxilda, the impressive view of the island of Ons reveals why the sunsets in the Salnés are unique. At the hermitage of A Lanzada, the legends and rituals surrounding the ancient fortress add to the maritime spectacle of the area. The Atlantic splashes over the remains of the tower that the Meiriños built to defend Compostela. And it is here, between Sanxenxo and O Grove, that we find one of the most beautiful beaches in Galicia, A Lanzada. A magical place surrounded by an entire ecosystem of dunes.
DAY 4: O GROVE-CIRCULAR (29 KM): O Grove invites you to enjoy natural landscapes, history and gastronomy. A circular stage guides you through this area, considered “the paradise of seafood”. The route will show you beautiful views of the island of Sálvora, archaeological sites, lagoons and an open-air museum, which are just some of its treasures. Leaving the port of O Grove behind, you will head towards the island of La Toja, famous for its thermal waters. There you will have the opportunity to visit its peculiar hermitage, completely covered with scallop shells. Three kilometres from the end of this leg, at the viewpoint of Monte Siradella, you can enjoy the most privileged views of the Ría de Arousa.
DAY 5: O GROVE – CAMBADOS (22.2KM): Today you head towards the heart of the Salnés region, through the lands of Meaño. Old tile factories (As Telleiras) add to the historical value of the area’s daily activities. A landscape of marshes and vineyards leads to Cambados, a Historic-Artistic Site and the capital of Albariño wine. The fishermen’s quarter of Santo Tomé preserves its old charm. Houses covered with shells, the Pazo of Montesacro or the Tower of San Sadurniño bring back to life the greatness of a city that fought against the Normans and the Vikings. Cambados invites you to stroll through its cobbled streets, stately mansions and squares, and a good place to end this stage is “Fefiñáns” square.
DAY 6: CAMBADOS-ILLA DE AROUSA (18KM): On the first stretch you will find the tidal mill of “A Seca”, one of the few sea water mills in Galicia, which will surprise you with its peculiar engineering. It has been completely restored and is now a museum. Continue along the coast until you reach the two-kilometre bridge that takes you to “A Illa de Arousa”. Here you can admire an absolutely idyllic place, marked by fishing tradition and surrounded by the most beautiful beaches. The fishing port of O Xufre, the lighthouse of Punta Cabalo, the route of Os Cons (large granite rocks sculpted by the wind and waves) and the viewpoint of Con do Forno are some of its attractions. The Moll de Pau and the Tinned Food Museum complete this stage.
DAY 7: A ILLA DE AROUSA-VILANOVA DE AROUSA (16.7KM): You start this stage by heading towards Carreirón Natural Park, famous for its beaches with crystal-clear water and white sand. Remember that this is an area of particular interest for bird watching. Cross the bridge again and continue towards the beaches of O Terrón, a coastal route that will take you to the centre of Vilanova de Arousa. In this town, where the writer Ramón del Valle-Inclán was born, you can relive his history by visiting his house museum. In Vilanova de Arousa, the “Route of Father Sarmiento” meets the “Spiritual Variant”, which, through the Translatio, makes it possible to discover “the origin of all paths”.
DAY 8: VILANOVA DE AROUSA-VILAGARCÍA DE AROUSA (11.9 KM): This stage allows you to continue discovering the marvellous landscape of the Ría (estuary). From the sandy area of “As Sinas” you head towards the fishing village of Vilaxoán. Enrique Valdés Bermejo botanical park will welcome you to Vilagacía de Arousa. This town is known as “the Port of Compostela” and will allow you to discover the Pazo de Vista Alegre, which, together with its Convent, forms an architectural ensemble of great value, declared a National Historic-Artistic Monument. The most urban and commercial section of our route will lead us to its marina. The beach of Compostela will lead us to the fishing village of Carril, from where we will be able to contemplate “Cortegada”, a green island where the largest laurel forest in Europe grows, with trees up to 13 metres high.
DAY 9: VILAGARCÍA DE AROUSA-PADRÓN (25.3 KM): On the way to Catoira, there is a landscape of forests and marshes. The Arousa estuary meets the Ulla River, creating a natural border that separates the provinces of Pontevedra and La Corunna. The West Towers recall its splendid past in defence of the town of Compostela and evoke the last journey made by the remains of the Apostle up the waters of the Ulla to Pontecesures, on the way to Santiago de Compostela.
DAY 10: PADRÓN-SANTIAGO (23 KM): From Padrón, our route follows the Portuguese Way through Iria Flavia, A Escravitude and its Sanctuary, O Milladoiro, A Rocha Vella to reach Santiago de Compostela through the Porta Faxeira, which leads us to the Praterías door of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, where, like us, Fray Sarmiento completed his journey in 1745 to earn the Jubilee.
DAY 11: CHECK OUT AND END OF OUR SERVICES.
INCLUDED
– Accommodation in double or single room. Breakfast incl.
– Transport of backpacks for each of the stages along the route (max. 15 Kg per backpack).
– Accommodation along the way: Hotels, rural houses, hostels or pensions.
– 1 Guided tour of Santiago (historic centre): 2h in Spanish.
– Informative dossier.
– Travel insurance with 24-hour telephone assistance service.
NOT INCLUDED
– Support car. Transfers IN/OUT
OPTIONAL SERVICES
– Discount for third person in extra bed sharing room with 2 adults 10%.
– Half board supplement (no discount for 3rd person) per person/night €18.00
– Picnic lunch supplement: sandwich, drink and dessert person/day €9.40
– Santiago-Sarria airport transfer supplement: (max. 4)* €162.50
– Santiago city to Santiago airport transfer supplement: (1 to 3 people) €41.25
– Santiago city to Santiago airport transfer supplement: (4 to 7 people) €63.75
– Private transfers and/or support car during the route: please ask.
– Cancellation insurance: please ask.
* FLIGHT DELAYS OR WAITING FOR LUGGAGE CLAIM: €25.00/HOUR