Galicia: pilgrimage route to Santiago, the Portuguese route

Day 1

ITALY/ TUI (-/-/D)
In the mid-12th century, the veneration of Santiago’s tomb was one of the pillars of Christianity, and from Portugal too, various routes developed from all major cities.
This route departs from Portugal following the Atlantic coast. Being a coastal route, it crosses several rivers and mostly rural areas interrupted by beautiful pine and eucalyptus forests. There are no challenging mountain passes, with a maximum elevation of 300 meters. This is also a very ancient route, dating back to the Middle Ages, and is dotted with old chapels, sanctuaries, and ancestral sites. The route we propose covers 187 km from Barcelos to Santiago.

Pick-up from Santiago de Compostela airport or train station (arrival expected by 3:00 p.m.) and meeting with the guides. Transfer to Vigo for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 2

TUI / PONTEVEDRA (B/L/D)
We start from Tui and reach a bridge that offers us a couple of options: we can continue across the bridge or take a detour path to the left. Eventually, both paths will arrive at Madalena. From here, we follow a Roman road and reach the N-550, heading to Redondela and the Vilarella monastery.
The route passes through the town, where we find the historic inn "Casa da Torre", a 16th-century building. After leaving Redondela, we pass under the railway bridge, through woods to Soutoxusto. Surrounded by pines, we cross it and then descend to the village of Sete Fontes. We eventually arrive in Arcade, a place known for its delicious seafood!
After enjoying a good taste, we head toward the historic site of Pontesampaio where the route crosses the Verdugo River and was the site of one of the greatest defeats of the Napoleonic army during the revolutionary war!
We continue past other points of interest, such as St. James Bertola, as we approach Pontevedra.

Day 3

PONTEVEDRA / SOUITOMAIOR (B/L/D)
After reaching the town, the road takes us to the square and along the street to Santina. The road runs parallel to the Pontecabras railway line and continues under pines and eucalyptus trees until we reach the church of Santa María de Alba.

Day 4

SOUITOMAIOR / PADRON (B/L/D)
We take the path of Casal de Eirixio and O Pino through deciduous woods, near old mills. At the Solleiros mill, the road bends slightly toward Valga and then we head toward Padrón, in the province of Coruña.

Day 5

PADRON / SANTIAGO (B/L/D)
On the road to Santiago, we stop at Santiaguiño do Monte, which offers a lovely view, a chapel dedicated to Santiago, and an altar with the image of Santiago on one of the stones.
Upon arrival in Santiago, we enter O Obradoiro, where we can admire the main entrance of the Basilica of Saint James.

Day 6

SANTIAGO / ITALY (B/-/-)
Breakfast, visit to the Cathedral, and transfer to Santiago airport or train station.

Note: The itinerary described above is indicative and subject to change due to weather conditions or circumstances beyond our control. Options: 3-night route from Pontevedra, 4 nights from Redondela, 5 nights from Tui, 6 nights from Ponte de Lima, 7 nights from Barcelos, 9 nights from Porto, and 11 nights from Viana do Castelo.

Notes:
(B/L/D): B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner
Difficulty level: From ° to °°°°°

DURATION: varies depending on the selected program
DIFFICULTY: °°° (INTERMEDIATE)
ACCOMMODATION: hostels and small hotels
EQUIPMENT: ENGLISH or SPANISH SADDLE
HORSES: ANDALUSIAN, ARAB-SPANISH, ARABIAN, ANGLO-ARABIAN – well-balanced and well-trained. Good temperament and used to selected trails and terrains.
PACE: About 6 to 7 hours per day in the saddle. The ride includes all three gaits, but the main one is walking. The terrain is not particularly challenging, but good physical condition is required for the many hours spent riding each day.
WHAT TO BRING: comfortable riding clothes suitable for long hours in the saddle, including waterproof gear. Riding helmet, water bottle, waist pouch, sunscreen, insect repellent, basic first-aid medications.
TYPE: it is a point-to-point trail ride with overnight stays in hostels.

ACCOMMODATION:
Small hotels, guesthouses, hostels – mostly with private bathrooms.
Breakfast, picnic lunch, and dinner included.

Guaranteed departure dates, shared group, minimum 1 person from Italy:
22/03 – 27/03 PORTUGUESE WAY from TUI  6 days / 5 nights
01/04 – 12/04 PORTUGUESE WAY from PORTO  12 days / 11 nights
05/04 – 12/04 PORTUGUESE WAY from TUI  8 days / 7 nights
08/04 – 12/04 PORTUGUESE WAY from PONTEVEDRA  5 days / 4 nights
24/05 – 29/05 PORTUGUESE WAY from TUI  6 days / 5 nights
01/06 – 06/06 PORTUGUESE WAY from TUI  6 days / 5 nights
09/06 – 12/06 PORTUGUESE WAY from PONTEVEDRA  4 days / 3 nights
01/07 – 06/07 PORTUGUESE WAY from TUI  6 days / 5 nights
16/08 – 21/08 PORTUGUESE WAY from TUI  6 days / 5 nights
10/09 – 15/09 PORTUGUESE WAY from TUI  6 days / 5 nights

Other departure dates available on request throughout the year with a minimum of 4 participants.
PARTICIPANTS: MIN 4 – MAX 20