The Salnés Spiritual Variant of the Portuguese Camino de Santiago connects the Portuguese Way with the Translatio Route, also known as the Arousa Sea and Ulla River Route, which is the origin of all the Santiago routes.

Organised into three stages, the variant begins in Pontevedra and ends in Pontecessures, where it joins the final leg of the Portuguese Camino. From Armenteira, the Camino leads pilgrims along the Stone and Water Route, considered to be one of the most beautiful in Galicia.

One of the peculiarities of this variant is the possibility of doing part of the last section between Vila Nova de Arousa and Pontecessures by boat, sailing in the waters of the Arousa estuary and arriving via the last navigable section of the Ulla River. It is the same route that the remains of the Apostle Saint James are believed to have travelled on their way to Santiago de Compostela. The route passes through a beautiful natural area, visiting the only Holy Way river crossing in the world, where you can see seventeen ancient crosses that identify this Camino de Santiago as Translatio, the origin of all Caminos.

DURATION

3 days – 2 nights

DISTANCE

75 km in 3 stages

AVAILABILITY

March to November

INCLUDED

2 Nights of accommodation with breakfast

Luggage transfers between hotels (1 bag per person – Max. 15 kg/bag)

24/7 emergency support

NOT INCLUDED

Boat trip from Vila Nova de Arousa to Pontecessures, International flights, arrival and departure transfers, meals (where not listed as included in the itinerary),optional additional tours or activities during free time, insurance, tips and items of a personal nature

PRICE

On request

Notes

– This alternate route can be arranged on any of our Camino de Santiago hiking programs. For more information or a quotation, please contact us.
– We are a local company, so there are no intermediaries when booking through us. Our goal is get you the best price/quality possible and give you all the necessary local support
– The hotels in our programs are regularly inspected by our team and have been carefully selected for their location and comfort. All our handpicked hotels have en suite accommodation

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Stage 1: Pontevedra - A Armenteira (23 km )

The first stage of the Salnés Spiritual Variant begins in the beautiful city of Pontevedra. About 2 km after Pontevedra, you will leave the Portuguese Camino and begin the variant. You will pass by the imposing Poio Monastery and continue from there to the coastal village of Combarro. Then you will start a long climb towards Armenteira Monastery, built in 1162, where this stage ends.

Stage 2: A Armenteira - Vilanova de Arousa (23 km)

The second stage of this variant is one of the most beautiful stages of the Camino. After leaving Armenteira you will follow the Stone and Water Route, a trail that runs parallel to the Armenteira River, surrounded by lush vegetation and charming nooks. It continues via Ribadumia and Pontearnelas to reach the coast at Vilanova de Arousa, where another stage ends.

Stage 3: Vilanova de Arousa - Padrón (29 km)

The third and final step offers two alternatives. You can continue walking from Vilanova de Arousa to Pontecessures along the banks of the Ria de Arousa and the Ulla River, passing a series of fishing villages. The alternative to hiking is the Translatio sea route. There are several local companies that make this sea crossing (availability is subject to tides). On this waterway route, you can see the only water-based Holy Way in the world, a collection of 17 crosses that mark the Apostle’s journey. The sea route meets the Portuguese Camino in Pontecessures, from where it’s a short walk to Padron.