Overview Pilgrimage in Galizia Pontevedra to Santiago de Compostela Camino PR18-1010: Pontevedra - Sanxenxo - O Grove - Cambados - Vilagarcía de Arousa - Padrón - Santiago de Compostela Type of travel: Individual - 9 daysDistance/difficulty: ca. 166 km, easyFare: from 820 EUR per person The Padre Sarmiento route stretches over 170 km through the picturesque rías of Pontevedra to Santiago de Compostela. It is named after Fray Martín Sarmiento, who documented his pilgrimage in his book "Journey to Galicia" from 1745. In the Salnés region, the Padre Sarmiento Route leads through breathtaking landscapes, past valleys, rivers, vineyards and charming fishing villages. The route is divided into stages that combine nature, history, culture and art. The first stage begins in the town of Pontevedra and leads to Poio, before finally reaching Sanxenxo. Our second stage takes us from Sanxenxo to O Grove, along a picturesque coastal path. The third stage is a circular route on the O Grove peninsula and leads through the Isla de la Toja with its idyllic hermitage. The fourth stage takes us through a landscape of marshes and vineyards to Cambados, the capital of Albariño wine. From Cambados, we walk along the coast until we reach Vilagarcía de Arousa, also known as the "Port of Compostela". On the penultimate stage, we leave the coast behind us and cross forests to reach Padrón. Finally, the last stage joins up with the Portuguese Way of St. James, which leads from Padrón to Santiago de Compostela. Itinerary Pilgrimage in Galizia Pontevedra to Santiago de Compostela Day 1: Arrival in Pontevedra Our journey begins at the confluence of the Rio Lérez and the Ria de Pontevedra, the starting point of the Padre Sarmiento route. Pontevedra, a city with a rich trading and seafaring tradition, is one of the most important historical centers in Galicia and invites you to take a relaxing stroll through its charming pedestrian streets. Here we can admire impressive civil and religious buildings. In the heart of the city is the Sanctuary of the Pilgrims, whose almost round shape is reminiscent of a pilgrim's shell. In addition, the city center offers an excellent selection of wines and restaurants where you can enjoy the delicious Galician cuisine. Day 2: Pontevedra - Sanxenxo (25 km, approx. 6 hours) Our hike begins by crossing the traditional Puente del Burgo to get from Pontevedra to Poio. The beautiful monastery here is well worth a visit. Continuing along the coast, we reach the picturesque town of Combarro, known for its wooden granaries on the coast and narrow streets. Our destination for the day is Sanxenxo, the unofficial summer capital of Galicia. Day 3: Sanxenxo - O Grove (19.5 km, approx. 5 hours) Today we start our day on the urban beaches of Sanxenxo before immersing ourselves in unspoiled nature. From Punta Faxilda we can see the island of Ons and visit the hermitage of A Lanzada, a place full of myths and legends. Our route finally takes us to the magnificent beach of the same name before arriving in O Grove, the seafood capital of Galicia. Day 4: O Grove - circular route (29 km, approx. 7 hours) Although it is a circular route, this is the longest stage of our trip. We discover the Isla de la Toja, known for its hot springs and the unique hermitage, which is completely decorated with scallop shells. At the end of the stage, we enjoy the most beautiful view of the Ría de Arousa from Monte Siradella. Day 5: O Grove - Cambados (22.2 km, approx. 5 hours) Today our route takes us to the Meaño area in the heart of Salnés. We walk through a landscape of marshes and vineyards that announce our proximity to Cambados, the capital of Albariño wine. In this royal city, we admire one of the most impressive historical sites in Galicia, especially the majestic Plaza de Fefiñanes. Day 6: Cambados - Vilagarcía de Arousa (21 km, approx. 4 hours) This day takes us along the coast through the charming little town of Vilaxoan to our destination, Vilagarcía de Arousa, also known as the "Port of Compostela". Day 7: Vilagarcía de Arousa - Padrón (25.3 km, approx. 5 hours) Today we cross a landscape of marshes and forests, with the last part of the stage taking us through rural Galicia. At the end of the Ría de Arousa, we come across the River Ulla, which forms the natural border between the provinces of Pontevedra and Coruña. In the town of Catoira, we see the Tower del Oeste, which once protected the coast and Compostela from invasions by sea. This is where the traditional Viking pilgrimage takes place, one of the most spectacular festivals in Galicia and of international tourist interest. Day 8: Padrón - Santiago de Compostela (24.3 km, approx. 6 hours) Our last stage takes us along the Portuguese Way of St. James through small rural villages until we finally reach Santiago de Compostela, just as Father Sarmiento did in 1745. Day 9: Santiago de Compostela Our journey ends after check-out. The route of Padre Sarmiento doesn't convince you? There are many alternatives: Camino del Norte (Northern Way) Runs along the north coast of Spain. Start: Irun on the French-Spanish border. Length: approx. 825 km. A scenic route that passes through cities such as San Sebastián, Bilbao and Gijón. Camino Portugués (Portuguese Way) Leads from Portugal to Santiago de Compostela. Starting points: Lisbon (approx. 620 km) or Porto (approx. 240 km). Variants along the coast and inland. Camino Francés (French Way) The most popular and best-developed, but also the most demanding Way of St. James, but can be divided into shorter sections, such as Sarria-Santiago. Start: St. Jean-Pied-de-Port (France). Length: approx. 800 km to Santiago de Compostela. Passes through cities such as Pamplona, Burgos and León. Via de la Plata (Silver Way) One of the longest pilgrimage routes in Spain. Start: Seville (Andalusia), shorter version from Ourense. Length: approx. 1,000 km. Leads through the interior of the country via cities such as Mérida, Salamanca and Zamora. Camino Primitivo (Original Way) The oldest Way of St. James, used by the first pilgrims. Start: Oviedo (Asturias). Length: approx. 320 km. A challenging route through mountainous terrain. Camino Inglés (English Way) Used by English and northern European pilgrims Start: Ferrol Length: approx. 120 km (from Ferrol) or 75 km (from A Coruña). Camino de Invierno (winter route) Alternative route to the Camino Francés to avoid the snowy mountains in winter. Start: Ponferrada. Length: approx. 270 km. Camiño dos Faros See the lighthouses along the Atlantic coast in west Galizia. Route: Malpica - Finisterre Length: approx. ca. 196 km. Each of these Caminos has its own scenic and cultural characteristics and offers pilgrims different levels of difficulty and experience.
