The Way of Saint James: The Portuguese Way from Ponte de Lima to Santiago de Compostela.

Arrival in Porto then transfer to Ponte de Lima (2 hours bus journey) by you. Ponte de Lima is one of the oldest cities in Portugal. There you will find a historic center, a Roman-Gothic bridge, chapels, an agricultural museum, gardens and beaches.

One of the most physical stages of the path which runs half along the Rio Labruja, but also one of the most beautiful. A route far from the tarmac, taking Roman roads and bucolic paths. Passing by the Cruz dos Mortos, also called the French Cross, we will remember the rear guard of Napoleon who was destroyed in this place in 1809. We continue our route to reach Portela Grande and its marvelous view. Then descent towards Cabanas and finally São Roque via a Roman road. Taxi transfer for a second night in Ponte de Lima.

Transfer to São Roque by taxi. After traveling 5 kilometers, we will reach the sanctuary of São Bento da Porta Aberta which will represent the only slight difficulty of the day. We will then reach the Capela do Senhor dos Aflitos in Fontoura from where we will head towards Valença and its fortress. On the program, Roman bridges, Roman roads and trails that you never want to leave.

We will then say goodbye to Valença and Portugal before crossing the bridge built under the direction of Gustave Eiffel which has spanned the Rio Minho since 1884. The Santa Maria de Tuy Cathedral which has been waiting for pilgrims since the 12th and 13th centuries. This day is the biggest step on this path. We are in Galicia and from now on we will encounter markers indicating the number of kilometers to go before arriving in Santiago. After passing the Chapel of the Virgin of the Way, we will reach the Ponte das Febres (Bridge of Fevers) where San Telmo was found dying of malaria. Then head to the historic town of Redondela and its Santiago church for a well-deserved rest in the superb Vigo estuary.

You will walk along rather quiet roads, you will take forest paths and Roman roads. A day spent in rich and varied nature. The path to Arcade is magnificent. From the 12th century, Pontevedra was known as one of the most important ports in Galicia, an importance it retained until the end of the 17th century. Pontevedra is a very interesting city, the entire historic center is worth visiting with the sanctuary of the Virgin of Peregrina and the basilica of Santa Maria A Grande among others.

We leave beautiful Pontevedra for Caldas de Reis. This stage takes a very pleasant route. There you will find paths, vineyards and Roman roads.
Halfway through we will reach San Mauro then we will gently slide towards the Rio Agra to reach Caldas de Reis and its hot water springs. Caldas de Reis is indeed known for its thermal waters and hot springs. There are numerous Roman archaeological remains there. Caldas was the episcopal see until 569 before being transferred to Padron. Since the Middle Ages, it has been the obligatory passage for pilgrims coming from the south.

During this penultimate stage, we will again and always be accompanied by a generous nature. We will walk on paths where calm and tranquility reign. Arriving in Padron, we will go to the Santiago Church. Under the altar is preserved “el pedron”, the stone which, it is said, was used to secure the boat bringing back the body of the apostle James from Jerusalem. According to tradition, it is in this city that Saint James preached for the first time during his stay in Spain. After his torture, two of these disciples would have transported his body in a stone boat without sail or rudder from Jerusalem. Padron was the episcopal seat until the discovery of the tomb of Saint James in Santiago de Compostela.

Here we are, it’s the last stage of the hike before reaching Santiago de Compostela! This twenty kilometer will bring us to the end of our stay. After traveling about ten kilometers crossing the countryside and eucalyptus forests, we will reach the large suburbs of Santiago and finally the Sanctuary!

End of stay after breakfast.