Spiritual route from the RÃa de Arousa, recreating the arrival of the Apostle James by sea.
Stages(10)
Pontevedra → Armenteira
The first stage of the Spiritual Way, departing Pontevedra toward the interior of the RÃas Baixas. The path ascends through oak and chestnut forests to the Monastery of Armenteira, founded in the 12th century by Cistercian monks. This monastery is the key spiritual point of the route, where pilgrims stamp their credential and connect with the contemplative tradition of the Way. The climb is demanding but the natural setting makes it worthwhile.
Armenteira → Vilanova de Arousa
A descent from the monastery toward the Atlantic coast, crossing the Salnés Valley, famous for its Albariño wine vineyards. The path passes through wine-making villages with stately manor houses (pazos) and stone crosses. Vilanova de Arousa is a charming coastal town where, according to tradition, the body of the Apostle James arrived by boat. Here begins the maritime part of the Spiritual Way, which is what makes this route unique.
Vilanova de Arousa → Padrón (boat + walking)
The most special stage of the Spiritual Way. It begins with a traditional boat journey along the Arousa estuary and the Ulla river, recreating the Traslatio — the legendary voyage of the Apostle James body from Palestine to Galicia. The navigation takes about 3 hours and is a thrilling experience. Upon disembarking at Pontecesures, you walk 12 flat km to Padrón, where tradition places the stone (pedrón) to which the apostolic boat was moored.
Padrón → A Escravitude
A short and flat stage departing from Padrón, a town famous for its peppers and as the place where RosalÃa de Castro wrote much of her literary work. The path runs through green fields and quiet villages of inland Galicia. A Escravitude houses an 18th-century Marian sanctuary with a miraculous fountain that pilgrims traditionally visit. An ideal stage for those who prefer short days or need to recover from the boat day.
A Escravitude → Santiago de Compostela
The final stage of the Spiritual Way, filled with the emotion of arriving in Santiago. The path gently climbs through wooded hills, passing through Faramello and Picaraña. The last kilometers merge with the classic Portuguese Way. The entry into Santiago through the Conxo neighborhood and the descent to the Cathedral is an unforgettable moment. The Pilgrim Office certifies the Compostela for those who completed at least the last 100 km (or the maritime crossing).
Tui → O Porriño
A variant of the Spiritual Way starting in Tui, on the Portuguese border. Tui is an episcopal city with an impressive 12th-century cathedral-fortress. The stage is mostly flat, crossing farmland and riverside forests along the Louro. O Porriño is an industrial town but with good pilgrim services, including renovated hostels. A transitional stage connecting to the main route toward Pontevedra.
O Porriño → Redondela
A stage with moderate climbs that leaves the Louro valley to ascend toward Redondela. The most memorable section is the final descent toward the Vigo estuary, with spectacular panoramic views of the San Simón inlet and the Rande bridges. Redondela is known as the town of viaducts for its two great stone railway bridges. The old town has good tapas bars and a welcoming atmosphere for pilgrims.
Redondela → Pontevedra
A stage with rolling sections connecting Redondela to Pontevedra, the city where the spiritual part of the route properly begins. The path offers two variants: the inland route through Arcade (more direct) and the coastal one through Cesantes (more scenic, with estuary views). Pontevedra is an urban gem with one of the best-preserved pedestrian historic centers in Galicia. The Plaza de la Leña and the Church of La Peregrina (with a scallop shell-shaped floor plan) are must-sees.
Pontevedra → Caldas de Reis
A flat and pleasant stage following the Lérez river. The path leaves Pontevedra via the Burgo bridge and runs along tree-lined trails through riverside forests and villages with granaries and stone crosses. You pass through Barro, with Celtic castro remains, and the Pazo de Oca (the Galician Versailles). Caldas de Reis is a spa town where pilgrims can enjoy natural hot water fountains by the river. Perfect for soaking tired feet.
Caldas de Reis → Padrón
A flat and peaceful stage connecting two towns with Jacobean history. The path follows rural trails through vineyards and forests, crossing the Umia river. You pass through Valga and Pontecesures, where tradition says the boat carrying the Apostle body landed. Padrón is famous for its peppers (padrón peppers — some are hot, some are not) and the Church of Santiago, beneath whose main altar the pedrón is preserved — the mooring stone of the apostolic boat. From here you connect with the spiritual route to Santiago.