Portuguese Way Central - Spiritual Variant

This long stage is the first full day in Galicia for many pilgrims. The route is demanding, with a "break-a-leg" profile that includes the tough climb up Alto de A Madalena. The route crosses the Lour...

This long stage is the first full day in Galicia for many pilgrims. The route is demanding, with a "break-a-leg" profile that includes the tough climb up Alto de A Madalena. The route crosses the Louro valley, passing through the industrial town of O Porriño (where it's recommended to take the riverine variant to avoid the industrial area). The landscape is a mosaic of rural zones, forests and more urbanized areas. The arrival in Redondela, a maritime village on Vigo's ria, famous for its viaducts, marks the union with the Costa Way, creating a lively pilgrim atmosphere.

This stage is one of the most beautiful on the Portuguese Way in Galicia. After leaving Redondela, the path gently ascends, offering spectacular views of Vigo Bay. The most notable landmark is the med...

This stage is one of the most beautiful on the Portuguese Way in Galicia. After leaving Redondela, the path gently ascends, offering spectacular views of Vigo Bay. The most notable landmark is the medieval bridge of Pontesampaio, the scene of a famous battle against Napoleon's troops. After an arduous climb along an ancient paved road, the route smooths out and follows a beautiful rural landscape through woods and villages. Arrival in Pontevedra, with its spectacular pedestrian old town, one of the best preserved in Galicia, is an unbeatable reward.

This stage is famous for its long stretch without any intermediate town, following the route of the ancient Roman road Vía Aquitana. It's a day of solitude and introspection, an immersion in the vastn...

This stage is famous for its long stretch without any intermediate town, following the route of the ancient Roman road Vía Aquitana. It's a day of solitude and introspection, an immersion in the vastness of the Meseta. The path is an endless straight line, flat and without shadows, testing the pilgrim's preparation, which must carry enough water and provisions. Arrival at Ledigos, a small village with a cozy hostel, is relief and well-deserved rest after one of the most authentic experiences of the Castilian plain.

This stage takes place over a soft and undulating terrain, departing from the province of Palencia to enter that of León. The road passes through "Cuesterilla del Diablo", a small section of toboggans...

This stage takes place over a soft and undulating terrain, departing from the province of Palencia to enter that of León. The road passes through "Cuesterilla del Diablo", a small section of toboggans, before smoothing out again. It goes through small villages like Terradillos de los Templarios. The end of the stage is in Sahagún, a town of immense historical and artistic importance, considered the heart of the French Way and cradle of Mudéjar art. Its heritage, with the churches of San Lorenzo and San Tirso, and the ruins of the Monastery of San Benito, is impressive.

This stage is a short and flat journey that ventures into the Leónese high plateaus. The path follows a dirt trail that advances in a straight line parallel to the road, through a landscape of infinit...

This stage is a short and flat journey that ventures into the Leónese high plateaus. The path follows a dirt trail that advances in a straight line parallel to the road, through a landscape of infinite horizons and fields of cultivation. It's an intermediate stage with few intermediate towns such as Calzada del Coto and Bercianos del Real Camino. The route offers the pilgrim an experience of solitude and meditation, ideal for connecting with the essence of the Meseta. The end of the stage is in El Burgo Ranero, a small village with traditional adobe architecture.