Spiritual Alternative of the Portuguese Way from Tui

Route for Pilgrims

Day 1: Arrival at Tui

Bathed by the river Miño, this medieval town stands out for housing one of the most impressive cathedrals in the whole of Galicia: the cathedral of Santa María, located on the top of a promontory. Tui can also boast of having been surrounded by the most extensive wall in the whole of Galicia. Accessible by train, we can also help you with transfers from any other station or airport.

Day 2: Stage Tui – Redondela

This stage begins with the descent to the Miño river and continues along the riverbank, offering an idyllic landscape, and then continues walking alongside vineyards and into lush forests. However, to get to these charming places we have to go along stretches of road and even through an industrial estate, although for some years now there has been an official alternative that only adds 500 metres to the route and runs along a riverside walk in the middle of nature.

We keep on walking down and the reward is still admiring the beautiful scenery along the way to Redondela.

Day 3: Redondela – Pontevedra Stage

This is a short stage, with very little gradient and, therefore, little physical demand and with exceptional signposting. We will advance at all times very close to the Vigo estuary, although we will rarely be able to see it, and we will reach Pontevedra by means of a beautiful river path. Pontevedra has a great historical heritage with an atmosphere difficult to find anywhere else.

Day 4: Stage Pontevedra – Armenteira

Starting from the Plaza de la Peregrina, in Pontevedra, the route heads through the picturesque landscapes of the O Salnés region, passing through the dynamic town of Poio with its ancient monastery and the beautiful coastal town of Combarro to ascend to the final destination of the stage: the amazing Monastery of Armenteira, a building steeped in history since 1162, and where it is possible to stay.

Day 5: Stage Armenteira – Vilanova de Arousa

This stage begins by following the suggestive “Ruta da Pedra e da Auga”, a path along the small river Armenteira, framed by lush vegetation and peaceful and picturesque corners. It continues in a northerly direction, passing through Ribadumia and Pontearnelas, to reach the coast at Vilanova de Arousa.

Day 6: Stage Vilanova de Arousa – Padrón

This is where the sea route, called Traslatio, begins. This section can also be covered on foot, along the coast of the Ría and the Ulla. After setting sail from Vilanova, we sail up the beautiful Ría de Arousa until we reach the mouth of the Ulla River and sail its last stretch to our final destination. Along the way you can see the world’s only fluvial maritime Way of the Cross, a collection of 17 cruceiros (stone crosses) that mark the Apostle’s route. According to tradition, the stone boat with the body of Saint James reached Iria Flavia, near the present-day town of Padrón, and it is at this point that the spiritual variant rejoins the Portuguese Way.

Day 7: Stage Padrón – Santiago de Compostela

We can already sense Compostela. This is the last stage of the Portuguese Way in which we will reach the Cathedral after overcoming the distance that separates the two towns. It is an easy stage, with many small villages and urban areas with a moderate and progressive gradient.

Day 8: Santiago de Compostela

After breakfast, our services will be completed. Enjoy all the attractions that the Galician capital has to offer: culture, history, gastronomy…