PORTUGUESE CENTRAL WAY

Departing from Porto or Valença are days of an unforgettable "journey", with steps of walking and time reserved to know the locations through which we pass, all of them with symbols of this millennial route.

Pay attention to the exit in Porto, because there fork 2 routes : the Central Way and the Way by the Coast.
For the Portuguese Central Way you must follow the directions that cross the city.

Nº STAGES : 10
KM’S: 241,10

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STAGE 1 : PORTO > VAIRÃO

KM'S : 24,9 | DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY : Moderate

At this stage we go through :
Senhora da Hora, Araújo, Maia, Mosteiró, Vilar, Gião, Vairão.

About the stage :
The first 10 km will be in the city and we recommend you to enjoy the passage through iconic places of Oporto, such as the Cordoaria Garden and R. Cedofeita.
Outside the city, fields and rural paths help smooth the km’s to travel.
Some parts of this stage involve crossing roads with a lot of traffic, so we recommend great care.

Notes :
In Araújo, you have to choose wich bridge you want to cross the river Leça : Ponte de Moreira or Ponte Romana de Barreiros (or Azenha), any of the options is beautiful.

STAGE 2 : VAIRÃO > PEDRAFURADA

KM'S : 19,7 | DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY : Moderate

At this stage we go through :
Vilarinho, São Mamede, São Miguel de Arcos, São Pedro de Rates, Pedra Furada.

About the stage :
Quiet stage with few differences relifs, where we will walk through the beautiful villages of the municipality of Vila do Conde.
Medieval bridge of D. Zameiro and the village of S. Pedro de Rates are landmarks.
The end of the stage is in a small town but it has some services.

Notes :
1 - At the crossing points, be careful when crossing the roads that are busiest.
2 - Do not miss visiting/staying overnight at the Pedrafurada Hostel/Restaurant.

STAGE 3 : PEDRAFURADA > TAMEL

KM'S : 19,2 | DEGREE DIFFICULTY : Moderate/Difficult

At this stage we go through :
Pereira, Carvalhal, Barcelinhos, Barcelos, Tamel.

About the stage :
Stage with noticeable reliefs at the beginning and end.
The localities of Barcelinhos and Barcelos are points that stand out in today’s stage. On the main avenue of Barcelos there is a century-old pastry shop where "Sonhos" are a must-see all year round.

Notes :
At this end of stage there is only one public hostel (Hostel Casa Recoleta).

STAGE 4 : TAMEL > PONTE DE LIMA

KM'S : 24,5 | DEGREE DIFFICULTY : Moderate/Difficult

At this stage we go through :
Balugães, Vitorino de Piães, Facha, Sobreiro, Seara, Ponte de Lima

About the stage :
Demanding stage not only by the relief in the last part of the stage but also by being quite long.
The rural paths attenuate a little the hardness of some points, and the many manor houses announce the proximity to the end of the stage.
Ponte de Lima is the town that never wanted to be a city, but has all the valences of one, so we find all kinds of services.

Notes :
Ponte de Lima is known for its excellent gastronomy, one of its delights is Serrabulho rice, a typical dish of pork slaughter. If you make the Way during the winter, do not miss the opportunity to enjoy this delicacy.

STAGE 5 : PONTE DE LIMA > RUBIÃES

KM'S : 17,4 | DEGREE DIFFICULTY : Moderate/Difficult

At this stage we go through :
Arcozelo, Codeçal, Alto da Labruja, Águalonga, Rubiães.

About the stage :
Demanding stage for the ascent to the Alto da Labruja.
Almost the entire route is made by rural paths and we can almost divide it into 2 in terms of characterization : the first part with little pronounced unevenness (we feel we are going up, but slowly) and where the water dominates the landscape with the river Labruja and its beautiful waterfalls; and the second part with mountain and more mountain, always climbing, until reaching the Alto da Portela da Labruja. Another constant of this stage is the built heritage that we face at every moment.

Notes :
A small café/supermarket in front of the beautiful chapel of Sra. das Neves, marks the starting point of the climb of Labruja. If you haven’t filled up with water and some food for the climb, do it here. The climb, however hard, if done calmly and without running, is nothing extraordinary.

STAGE 6 : RUBIÃES > TUI

KM'S : 19,1 | DEGREE DIFFICULTY : Easy

At this stage we go through :
S. Bento da Porta Aberta, Fontoura, Pedreira, Valença do Minho, Tui

About the stage :
Easy and very pleasant step, with an initial drop quite easy to overcome.
The whole route is very pleasant, although in the last 5 km’s, due to the asphalt, they become quite tiring.
After entering Valença, the Camino has 2 options to be done, crossing the wall or following the EN13.
We suggest stopping at any of the excellent pastries or in some of the green areas to rest and replenish your energy and then visit the fabulous wall, where every stone is a piece of history. The exit is through the alley that descends from the Pousada de S. Teotónio and leads us to a staircase directly to the border to cross the Eiffel Bridge.

Notes :
In Pedreira (about 5 km’s from Valença), it is worth stopping at Quinta do Caminho for coffee or lunch.

STAGE 7 : TUI > PORRIÑO

KM'S : 16,1 | DEGREE DIFFICULTY : Easy

At this stage we go through :
Tui, Ribadelouro, Orbanelle, As Gándaras, Porriño

About the stage :
Easy step to do without significant unevenness.
The town of Tui is beautiful and the historic area is a must see! The Cathedral (where you can stamp your credential), the convents, the churches, the chapels, the streets, the buildings.... Worth seeing!
Leaving Tui, the whole route is made by rural paths full of green and shade, which in hot days is very grateful. The Bridge of S. Telmo and the commemorative plaque of the passage of this saint on pilgrimage to Santiago, should deserve your attention.

In Orbanelle, we suggest going through the Natural Space of As Gândaras, but you should check if it is passable (rainy seasons), if you do not have valid information, choose to follow the Industrial Polygon.

Notes :
If the accommodation where you will be located in the center of Porriño, and opted for the Natural Space of Gândaras in Orbanelle, we suggest on the River Louro Path (already in the final section of the stage), look for the exit for the passage over the railway, which leads near the historical area. If you’re staying at the Public Hostel, this Path will lead you to the door.

STAGE 8 : PORRIÑO > REDONDELA

KM'S : 15,5 | DEGREE DIFFICULTY : Moderate

At this stage we go through :
Mos, Redondela.

About the stage :
Stage with some considerable unevenness, short but accentuated.
A stop at Mos to replenish energies is advisable, since from there and up to about 3 km’s from Redondela is always up.
The top of this ascent is the Park that the Chapel of Santiaguiño of the Mount presides. Near this park (being on the way and before crossing the road, turn to the left) there is a bar that has a very original stamp, valley to
worth stopping to take a water. From there the rest of the route is always descending!

Notes :
The arrival in Redondela requires crossing the N550, which is quite busy.
We recommend redoubled care for this stretch of approximately 500mt.

STAGE 9 : REDONDELA > PONTEVEDRA

KM'S : 19,6 | DEGREE DIFFICULTY : Easy

At this stage we go through :
Cesantes, Arcade, Pontesampaio, Pontevedra

About the stage :
This stage is quite demanding due to the differences that we will have to overcome, but nothing that is not done calmly and a very careful energy management.
We suggest that the stage be done early, to avoid the rise from Pontesampaio, in the heat force.
We leave the inhabited area and enter rural and mountain paths, where it is necessary to be careful, because there are points where maintaining balance can be difficult task. Calm, quiet and manage everything very well until you reach the top, is the secret. Bringing a fruit or a bar for some sugar break is absolutely advisable.

From here it is a quiet route. You can not miss the stop in the Chapel of Santa Marta to stamp the credential, where an image of Nª Sra. Fatima welcomes us. At this point we are -/+ 5 km’s from Pontevedra.

Notes :
1 - At the exit of Redondela we should be careful when crossing the road (again the N550). In the next 2/3 km, we have a path of constant ascent but subtle, which we only "feel" in the last part.
2 - After the Chapel of Santa Marta, already on the EN550, we find the indication of an alternative route through the Path of the River Gafos, which avoids the last stretch that is made entirely by the N550. It is a route of about 4 km’s that is indicated with green and orange arrows and that takes us through paths very nice trees until Pontevedra.

STAGES 10 : PONTEVEDRA > CALDAS DE REIS

KM'S : 21,1 | DEGREE DIFFICULTY : Moderate

At this stage we go through :
Alba, San Amaro, A Portela, Barro, Briallos, Caldas de Reis

About the stage :
Quite stage with enough easy to overcome slopes.

We leave Pontevedra crossing the Puente del Burgo, where we can see both left and right the other bridges of the city, which is the provincial capital.

We leave the urban agglomeration and we have an "Ecovia" where the people of the area do their joggings, biking, hiking. It’s normal to run into a lot of people, no matter what time it is.

The section between Pontevedra, Alba and San Amaro is very beautiful, with streams of water and paths
that look like enchanting forests!

In Barro we advise the detour to visit the Natural Park of Barosa, just cross the N550 road and
walk about 400 meters. There is a bar and the waterfalls deserve this detour.

In Caldas, the source of the hot water bath is a mandatory stop point.

Notes :
In Sto. Amaro, the first village out of the enchanted forest, right at the entrance has a bar that is a must-stop for coffee, the hospitality and friendliness of the owners fills our hearts.

STAGE 11 : CALDAS DE REIS > PARDÓN

KM'S 18,6 | DEGREE DIFFICULTY : Moderate

At this stage we go through :
Carracedo, O Pino Valga, San Miguel de Valga, Pontecesures, Padrón

About the stage :
Another stage full of charm!
The first part of the stage has a considerable unevenness, but without great difficulties, and from O Pino we have another enchanted forest!

Along the way we find many signs of the Way and its importance for the people of these lands.

Notes :
1 - In Carracedo, there is a bar 5 mt from the road when crossing the N550, it is a bar of pilgrims and in which to eat a "tostada" deserves the penalty!
2 - In Pontecesures, there is another stop for pilgrims at the "Mesa de Pedra", where you can eat fabulous snacks and drink cider.
3 - In Padrón, the visit to the Church of Santiago and throw a small coin to the stone that is under the altar, is a tradition.
4 - Next to the church has the mythical "Tio Pepe" bar and his famous hugs.

STAGE 11 : PARDÓN > SANTIAGO

KM'S 24,3 | DEGREE DIFFICULTY : Moderate/Difficult

At this stage we go through :
Iria Flavia, Esclavitude, O Faramello, Agrela, Milladoiro

About the stage :
The stage today is demanding, with enough gap in the final part.

In Iria Flavia , before passing the overpass, make a visit to the medieval church space, is almost always closed, but it is worth stopping.

In Esclavitude with its miraculous source (where we suggest fill your bottle) and visit the splendid example of the Baroque that is the Sanctuary of Slavavitude (XVII-XVIII century).

Notes :
Since 2017, the route from Milladoiro has been changed, and now takes us through a route with more asphalt, very tiring climbs and descents, as it is done through the villages until resuming the old Camino in Santomil and ending in Rúa Rosalía de Castro.

In our humble opinion, with this amendment the Camino has lost quality, not only for the very asphalt, but also because it "stole" us the beautiful views it offered us. We recommend aventure to follow the old route.