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Stage of the Camino

Palace of Reis to Arzúa

From Palas de Rei To Arzúa

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Origin

Palas de Rei

Destination

Arzúa

Distance

28.50 km

Duration

6.75 h

Difficulty

Media

Descent

120 m

Stage of the Camino

Stage Description

This is one of the longest stages of the Galician stretch, with continuous ups and downs. The path traverses a mosaic landscape of meadows, forests and small villages, crossing numerous streams. The key point of the journey is arriving at Melide, a bustling town where the Primitivo Way meets the French Way. Melide is an obligatory stop to taste its famous "á feira" octopus. After a well-deserved rest, the route continues with a similar profile until Arzúa, another important Jacobean town known for its exquisite cheese with Designation of Origin. This stage is demanding but very rewarding, filled with pilgrim life.
The stage from Palas de Rei to Arzúa is long and demanding but also one of the richest in experiences. The pilgrim faces a broken terrain that is a true rollercoaster of ups and downs, crossing the provincial borders of Lugo and A Coruña. The landscape is a delight, a tapestry of green meadows, oak and eucalyptus forests, and villages with charm such as San Xulián do Camiño or Leboreiro. The most important milestone on the journey is undoubtedly the arrival in Melide. In this crowded village, the French Way and the Primitive Way converge, multiplying the influx of pilgrims and creating an exceptional Jacobean atmosphere. Melide is famous throughout Spain for being the capital of octopus. It's almost a ritual for the pilgrim to stop at one of its many "pulperías" to taste a serving of "octopus à feira". After Melide, the path continues with its wavy profile until Arzúa. This village is another key point on the Camino, as it also brings together pilgrims from the Camino del Norte. Arzúa is famous for its cheese with Denominación de Origen Arzúa-Ulloa, a delicacy that the pilgrim can taste and buy.

Last updated: 12/08/2025

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