Redondela → Pontevedra

Rolling country lanes, woodland and historic stone bridges, with one steady cobbled climb over the Canicouva on remnants of the Roman road; a few stretches and crossings beside the busy N-550, then an easy approach into Pontevedra.

Stage map & GPX track

Distance and difficulty

The stage is about 19.6 km and rated moderate. The terrain rolls gently for most of the day, with one sustained climb — the cobbled Canicouva, on the line of the old Roman road — as the main effort. The footing is good overall, but there are a few sections and crossings beside the N-550 national road, including at Cesantes early on, where you should walk with care and wear something visible. Most pilgrims take five to six hours.

Route and variants

From Redondela the waymarked route runs as a single line — Coastal and Central are now one — through Cesantes and Arcade, over Ponte Sampaio and up the Canicouva before descending toward Pontevedra. There is no significant variant on this stage. The points that need attention are the N-550 crossings rather than any navigation choice: the arrows are clear, but the road is busy.

The stage, section by section

Leaving Redondela you pass through Cesantes — the early road crossings here are the most exposed of the day — and on to Arcade, a town famous for its oysters and, in season, a garden of hundreds of camellias. Beyond Arcade you cross the Verdugo river on the Ponte Sampaio, a fine medieval bridge that was the site of a decisive engagement in June 1809, when French troops under Marshal Ney abandoned the field during the Peninsular War. The route then climbs the Canicouva on stretches of the old Roman Road XIX, which once linked Braga and Astorga, before easing down through woodland into Pontevedra.

Arriving in Pontevedra

Pontevedra has one of the best-preserved medieval old towns in Galicia — a web of granite squares and arcaded streets, almost entirely pedestrian. The landmark for pilgrims is the round Santuario da Virxe Peregrina, the chapel of the Pilgrim Virgin, built on a scallop-shell plan. With its plazas, tapas bars and history, Pontevedra rewards an early arrival and an afternoon of wandering, and it is a comfortable base before the wine-country stage to Caldas de Reis.

Where to sleep and eat

As a city, Pontevedra has the full range of accommodation, including a pilgrim hostel and many hotels and guesthouses in and around the old town. Booking a bed near the historic centre puts you among the best of the city's tapas bars and squares for the evening. Eat well here — Galician seafood and the local wines — and resupply before the next stage, which passes through quieter wine country with fewer large towns.

Stage logistics at a glance

Distance about 19.6 km; difficulty moderate, with the cobbled Canicouva climb as the main effort; five to six hours for most. Services are good at Arcade (midway) and Pontevedra (end). The chief hazard is the N-550 crossings, especially around Cesantes — walk visibly and carefully. The next stage to Caldas de Reis (about 21 km) leads into Galician wine country.

Frequently asked questions