Portuguese Camino - Tui to Santiago

Make your own way to the historic city of Tui in Spain, on the border with Portugal. Connected to the Portuguese town of Valenca by a 19th Century bridge over the River Mino, Tui is a walled town with a compact historic centre. The Cathedral is a central focus of the city perched on the top of the hill at the top of the town. Visit the cathedral to stamp your pilgrim passport. Overnight in Tui.

This stage is on woodland paths that follow the lovely Louro River valley, then along the N550 to the historical centre of O Porriño, a town famous for its pink granite due to its proximity to the granite quarries. There are hardly any gradients and you can enjoy a mixture of historical heritage and natural beauty. Essentially now a sprawling industrial town, O Porriño is located at the intersection of two motorways and the main railway line passes through town, so a private transfer (at 4pm, included) takes you back to Tui and your hotel. Overnight in Tui. Walking 17.5km/11mi, ascent 330m/1083ft, descent 350m/1148

At 8:30am, transfer back to O Porriño (included) to continue your walk. Soak in the rural essence of Galicia: small villages, ancient churches and paths that wind through forests and rivers. After a stage following and crossing the N550, ascend through mixed forest to Monte Cornedo and the Chans das Pipas plateau before walking down to the town of Redondela. It's here that the Coastal and Central Portuguese Caminos meet. Continue through tiny hamlets along a coastal inlet to reach Arcade, where you stay overnight. Walking 24km/15mi, ascent 483m/1584ft, descent 500m/1640ft

You start the day by walking over the beautiful old bridge at Pontesampaio. From here there's a short, quite steep uphill stretch following ancient stone paths before the path descends to the provincial capital of Pontevedra. There are some interesting sites to be explored here including the Santuario da Peregrin chapel and the Convento de San Francisco. The Medieval town centre is a maze of cobbled laneways with tapas bars and cafes. Overnight in Pontevedra. Walking 12km/7.5mi, ascent 330m/1082ft, descent 305m/1000ft

Starting from Plaza de la Peregrina in Pontevedra, next to the Iglesia de la Vírgen Peregrina, a symbol of the city, the path enters the serenity of the Galician rural landscapes. Most of this stage is through woodland and countryside along gentle river valleys with virtually no climbing. Closer to Caldas de Reis the route crosses the N550 and follows it for short sections. Located between the Umia and Bermana rivers, the town of Caldas developed as a result of its thermal waters and continues to be a major health spa. The botanical gardens next to the river are lovely for some respite from the walk. Overnight in Caldas de Reis. Option to upgrade to a comfortable 4 star inn with pool or 3 star rural inn - supplement applies and must be requested when initially booking the trip. Note transfers are required for the rural inn option - additional cost applies. Walking 21km/13.2mi, ascent/descent 550m/1804ft

This is a beautiful walk through the Bermana river valley with moderate gradients. The path descends into the Valga valley, passing through fields, forests and small villages. There are two short stages of main road: leaving Caldas and entering Padron. Padron is lovely, set on the banks of the Sar and Ulla rivers, with some St James relics to be seen at the Igrexa de Santiago (church). Herbón, a small village in the vicinity, is where the famous "Pimientos de Padrón" are grown. Overnight in Padron. Walking 19km/11.5mi, ascent 730m/2395ft, descent 740m/2428ft

This stage runs mostly on paved paths and through urban areas, following the N-550, which will be crossed a few times. There is a gradual climb to Agro dos Monteiros in O Milladoiro. Highlights include the Colegiata de Iria Flavia, which was the first cathedral in Galicia, and the Santuario de Nuestra Señora de la Esclavitud (legend has it that a man was healed by drinking water from its fountain) - and of course, your arrival at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela! Walking 26km/16.3mi, ascent 650m/2123ft, descent 400m/1312ft

Trip arrangements conclude after breakfast. We can assist with booking an extra night or two if you'd like to stay longer in Santiago - please ask for our rates.