Monreal del Llano to Quintanar de la Orden

Leaving the impressive city of Lugo involves a journey that immerses the pilgrim once again in deeper and more solitary Galicia. The profile is undulating but without great difficulties, allowing for an enjoyable walk. The exit from Lugo is long and urban, but once the outskirts are passed, the path enters a predominantly rural landscape. The route follows part of the ancient Roman road network, connecting small villages and scattered farmsteads. This stage has few intermediate services, so it's essential to plan well for stops and bring water and some food. The landscape is dominated by "sega prairies" (prairies of shearing), oak forests ("carballeiras") and eucalyptus plantations. It's a day to enjoy the silence, broken only by the sounds of the countryside, and to appreciate traditional Galician architecture, with its stone houses, hórreos and crosses. The stage ends in San Romao da Retorta, a village with a Romanesque church that was an important stop on the medieval Jacobean route.