The Spiritual Variant of the Portuguese Camino de Santiago

The Religious Variant or Variante Espiritual is an elective route of the Portuguese Camino de Santiago from Pontevedra to Padron. This route is one among my favorites out of 9 totally different Camino de Santiago routes that I’ve achieved. The title religious comes from the truth that the route follows the final a part of the journey of the stays of the Apostle St.James. This variant goes previous some superb cities on the Portuguese Method.

I’ve achieved the route twice the primary time as part of our stroll on the Portuguese Camino from Lisbon and the second time as a separate route and each occasions actually preferred it.

Religious Variant PDF file

That will help you with planning now we have created a free downloadable PDF file with strolling levels and locations to remain on the Religious Variant of the Portuguese Camino.

Obtain the PDF file of the Religious Variant

The Religious Variant (Variante Espiritual) route overview

Complete distance – 74 km/46 mi; 46 km/28,5 mi strolling and 28 km/17,3 mi by boat

Variety of days – 3 days

Place to begin – 3 km north of Pontevedra on the Central route of the Portuguese Camino.

Ending level – Padrón

Complete ascent – 781 m

Complete descent – 779 m

Strolling floor – 22 km/13,6 mi on asphalt/cobbled and 24 km/15 mi on footpath/gravel street

Route marking – yellow arrows painted on sidewalks, fences, and poles in addition to small wood poles with steel tops with a carved Camino shell, and arrow.

What’s the Religious Variant of the Portuguese Camino?

The Religious Variant is an alternate route on the Portuguese Camino de Santiago. This coastal route is usually referred to as La Traslatio (generally spelled as Translatio) or the Ulla River Route referring to the final stage that’s achieved by boat. The route follows the final a part of the journey of the stays of the apostle Saint James (Santiago in Spanish) from Jerusalem to the Iberian Peninsula. The final stage which is a ship trip from Vilanova de Arousa to Pontecesures is a very powerful a part of the Variante Espiritual route. The 74-kilometers route splits from the Central Route of the Camino Portugues after Pontevedra and joins it once more in Pontecesures.

The Historical past of the Religious Route

The Religious Variant is usually referred to as the origin of the Camino de Santiago. Apostle Saint James or James the Nice was one of many first disciples of Jesus. The apostle was executed by decapitation. In line with the legend, the beheaded physique of St.James was transferred by the ocean in a stone boat. After reaching the banks of the Ria de Arousa the journey continued inland on the Ulla River to Iria Flavia, trendy Pontecesures. From there the stays of Apostle Santiago have been carried on land and buried within the space these days generally known as the town of Santiago de Compostela. St.James is the patron saint of Spain.

How lengthy is the Variante Espiritual?

The Religious route of the Portuguese Camino is 74 km/46 mi in whole; 46 km/28,5 mi of which you stroll and 28 km/17,3 mi you go on a ship. It takes 3 days to finish the route from Pontevedra to Padrón.

The place does the route begin?

The Religious route splits from the Central Route within the forest 3 km outdoors Pontevedra. There’s a well-marked route cut up; the left route throughout a small bridge is the Religious variant and the suitable route by way of the forest is the primary route of the Camino Portuguese. All pilgrims stroll out of the town of Pontevedra following the identical route and after 3 km whenever you get to the cut up you’ll be able to swap. You possibly can take this route even in the event you stroll solely the final 100 km on the Camino from Tui.

The place does it be part of the Central Route of the Portuguese Method?

The Religious Variant joins the Central manner of the Camino Portuguese in Pontecesures, a city on the Camino 2 km south of Padrón from the place you stroll the ultimate stage of the Portuguese path to Santiago. Pontecesures was referred to as Iria Flavia prior to now.

The Variante Espiritual vs the Central Route

I’ve walked the Religious Variant twice and I prefer it rather a lot. Which route to decide on is as much as you however if you wish to have a particular expertise on the Camino the Religious Method is a not-to-miss route.

The Religious Method is a bit longer than the Central Route. From Pontevedra to Pardon on the Central Route is 40 km/24,8 mi or 2 strolling days in comparison with 74 km/46 mi or 3 strolling days from Pontevedra to Pardon on the Religious Method. The precise strolling distance on each routes is just about the identical as a result of, on the Religious Route, you stroll solely 46 km/28,5 mi, 28 km you do by boat.

What I like concerning the Religious route is that it doesn’t undergo any industrial areas, close to busy roads, or cities. It’s a picturesque quiet coastal manner with spectacular surroundings and a number of other charming small cities. 

There are fewer pilgrims on the Religious route in comparison with the primary Camino Route. If you wish to have a quiet couple of days on the Camino it’s a superb choice.

The boat trip from Vilanova de Arousa is an expertise by itself. The surroundings is gorgeous and really peaceable. It enriches the Camino expertise no matter whether or not you stroll the Central or the Coastal Route of the Portuguese Camino.

Is the route well-marked?

Sure, the Religious Variant is marked like some other Camino route. You possibly can see yellow arrows painted on sidewalks, partitions, and poles. In addition to wood poles with steel shells and arrows. It’s straightforward to comply with however generally you do have to concentrate, particularly strolling by way of the forest.

Taking a ship (the Traslatio water route) on the Religious Variant of the Portuguese Camino

A ship trip from the port of Vila Nova de Arousa to Pontecesures is part of the route and is among the highlights of the Camino. You possibly can ebook your ticket on-line or purchase it on the ticket workplace in Vila Nova de Arousa. The corporate workplace is on the Camino route on the other facet of a protracted pedestrian bridge (Pasarela de O Terron) that you simply cross to get to the city 200 m from the pier. You’ll find it on Google.maps as Ruta Translatio. The workplace is open every day from 8 am to 7 pm.

In regards to the boat trip

Boats depart from the port of Vila Nova de Arousa each morning. departure occasions range relying on the tide. Normally, it’s between 7 am and eight am. In the summertime months, there is perhaps two every day departures. You possibly can verify the occasions on-line. It’s really helpful to substantiate the departure time a day earlier than as as a consequence of climate circumstances it would change. 

The journey takes 1h30min. 

The value is 25 euros per individual.

Moreover the massive boat La Barca del Peregrino, there are small pace boats between Vila Nova de Arousa and Pontecesures. They’re operated by A Mare Turismo Nautico. A trip is costlier, 30 euros per individual. The length of the trip is about the identical however small boats go quicker. In case you determine to take a pace boat remember that it’s an open boat with no roof take a jacket with you in case it will get chilly or wet.

If the massive boat is full don’t fear you’ll be capable to get a spot on a pace boat. I did the Religious Variant finish of Could and there have been two pace boats with pilgrims on the route as our massive boat was full.   

Between April and October, it’s nearly assured that the boat will go. Outdoors of the season, it depends upon the demand. If there are pilgrims they may go in any other case they gained’t. I requested on the boat about their season and so they advised me that generally they exit even in December if there are individuals. Final 12 months I wished to stroll the Religious Method finish of October and there have been no boats after the twenty first of October. If there should not sufficient individuals for the massive boat to go you’ll be able to attempt to ebook a small boat because it doesn’t want that many passengers.

Will I get the Compostela if I take a ship?

Many pilgrims are involved about getting their Compostela certificates in the event that they take a ship as in response to the principles it’s a must to stroll not less than the final 100 km to Santiago de Compostela on any Camino route. There may be nothing to fret about boat trip is part of the route. You’re purported to take a ship between Vilanova de Arouse and Pontecesures. You gained’t have any difficulties getting your Compostela in Santiago due to the boat. They even offer you a stamp that confirms that you simply did the interpretation as part of your pilgrimage on the Camino. 

I’ve achieved the Religious Variant twice and the primary time we didn’t take a ship and determined to stroll from Vilanova de Arouse to Pontecesures simply to verify the route. It wasn’t a superb expertise. The route is poorly marked we needed to stroll subsequent to railways and alongside busy roads. In whole, we walked greater than 30 km that day. The boat trip is rather a lot higher. It’s fairly good for a change to sit down on a ship and benefit from the surroundings after strolling for days. 

Baggage switch service on the Variante Espiritual

It’s potential to make use of a baggage switch service on the Religious route. Correos and Tui Trans supply baggage supply from door to door on the Religious Variant of the Portuguese Camino de Santiago. The typical value is 6 euros per backpack per stage.

Religious Route GPX information

The Religious Variant of the Portuguese Camino strolling levels

The stroll consists of three levels: the primary two are strolling levels the final stage is a ship trip + a brief stroll. 

Stage 1. Pontevedra to Armenteira, 21 km/13 mi

Distance – 21 km/13 mi

Time – 4 hours (shifting time) 

Ascent – 606 m

Descent – 358 m

Strolling floor – 9 km/5,5 mi footpath/gravel street, 12 km/7,4 mi asphalt/cobblestones

It was an exquisite and difficult strolling day with a number of highlights. You’ll discover considerably fewer pilgrims on the Religious variant in comparison with the Central Route of the Portuguese Camino which is a pleasant factor in the event you stroll it within the peak season.

You possibly can cut up the day into two elements to make it simpler because the ascent within the second half of the day is sort of robust particularly in the event you do it in summer season. On the primary day, you stroll 11 km from Pontevedra to Combarro. Spend an evening in Combarro and the subsequent morning stroll 10 km from Combarro to Armenteira with a 400-meter ascent to the highest of the steep hill. Combarro is a captivating distinctive coastal city. We spent there a few days and loved it. We stayed at Casa Noelmar, an awesome place situated within the coronary heart of the historic centre.

Challenges

A number of quick ascents and first rate within the first half of the day between Pontevedra and Combarro.

A steep and lengthy ascent, 400 m within the second half of the day from Combarro to Armenteira. After conquering the hill by the tip of the day you’re fairly drained.

Highlights

Stage 1 route description

From the historic centre of Pontevedra (Church of Virxe Peregrina) comply with the Camio indicators that can lead you out of the city throughout the Ponte do Burgo Bridge. for the primary 3 km, you comply with the Central Route of the Portuguese Camino out of the city by way of the forest.

At 2,5 km there’s a water fountain

At 3 km on the bridge, there’s a cut up. The left route is the Religious Method which fits throughout the bridge in direction of the coast, and the suitable route (the primary route) continues straight in direction of Caldas de Reis.

At 5,5 km you get to the small city of Cabaleiro the place you will discover a few lodges and eating places. 

Between 6 km and eight km, the Camino goes by way of the forest and small villages. 

At 8,5 km you stroll previous the attractive monastery of Poio. You possibly can keep on the resort situated in one of many complicated buildings. 

9 km you get to the city of Poio the place you will discover a few bars. 

On the roundabout after Poio flip left. The Camino goes away from the street in direction of the coast.

At 11 km you get to a small seashore and the city of Combarro. It’s an ideal place to cease for relaxation and lunch in the course of the day earlier than the steep ascent. The route doesn’t undergo the historic heart it simply touches it however it’s so small that strolling round it’ll hardly add any distance to your stroll. I’d recommend spending a while within the city it has many attention-grabbing medieval buildings situated alongside the slender cobbled streets. 

At 11,5 km after crossing the primary avenue in Combarro you begin the regular climb that continues for the subsequent 9 km. So be sure to have sufficient water.

At 13,5 km there’s a small kiosk the place you should buy snacks and water however it was closed after I walked by.

At 15 km (at a wood board with a route map) don’t miss a improbable lookout level in your left. 

​At 19 km there’s a cut up that isn’t marked effectively don’t flip off the primary street (maintain proper). Within the final half, there shall be a number of splits however you simply follow the primary route until there’s a yellow arrow indicating the path.

At 20 km the ascent is over and also you begin a descent on a footpath which will get fairly steep simply earlier than you attain Armenteira. 

At 21 km you’ll arrive on the Armenteira Monastery. 

Locations to remain in Armenteira

Stage 2. Armenteira to Vilanova de Arousa, 23,6 km/14,6 mi

Distance – 23,6 km/14,6 mi

Time – 4h30min. (shifting time) 

Ascent – 170 m

Descent – 417 m

Strolling floor – 15 km on a footpath/gravel street, 8 km on asphalt, 500 m on a quiet street

The primary a part of the day by way of the attractive forest is my favourite a part of the Religious Variant. The Camino follows the path that is known as the Route of Rock and Water (Ruta de Pedra e da Agua). Total it’s a really good strolling day by way of the forest and alongside the river for the primary 15 km. After that, you stroll by way of quiet cities and neighborhoods until you attain the coast.

Challenges

It was a comparatively straightforward stroll with no specific difficult elements in addition to the downhill stroll firstly however it wasn’t steep extra of a gradual downhill.

Highlights

An attractive stroll by way of the lush-green forest alongside the river with small waterfalls and large boulders

A quiet stroll by way of an exquisite pure space alongside the river and between the vineyards

A stroll alongside the coast of the Atlantic Ocean on the final 3 km earlier than Vilanova de Arousa

Stage 2 route description 

The primary 5 km on a footpath by way of the forest. Proper initially when you get to the footpath there are two trails one goes on the suitable facet of the river and one crosses the bridge and follows the river on the left. I took the suitable path. It goes nearer to the river and extra by way of the forest. The left path goes by way of extra open elements and is a bit farther from the river. Each trails merge a few kilometers later on the street the place you’ll see a Camino signal. If it rains rather a lot the suitable path would possibly get muddy and a bit slippery because it goes generally over rocks. A number of forest paths cross the route simply follow the primary path until you get to the street the place you’ll see Camino indicators once more.

At 5 km you’re out of the forest. You must cross a few roads earlier than you may get again on a footpath that goes alongside the river. There’s a massive restaurant on the suitable simply 50 m away from the Camino.

Between 5,5 km and 13 km, you stroll largely alongside the river and vineyards. It’s a pleasant and peaceable stroll.

At 6,5 km there’s a restaurant proper on the Camino route.

At 10 km a the bridge there may be one other restaurant. The Camino route goes throughout the bridge and all the way down to the river on the opposite facet of it.

At 13 km you get to the city of Ponte Arnelas the place you will discover lodges and eating places.

Between 14 km and 15 km, you stroll 500 mon a street with not a lot site visitors. There are two bars on that stretch.

At 15 km simply after a flip off from the street, there’s a small chapel the place you may get a stamp.

At 16 km one other restaurant. After the primary 5 km, there shall be loads of alternatives to cease for relaxation and meals.

At 19,5 km there’s a bar.

At 21 km you get to the coast. You may have round 2 km to Vilanova de Arousa. From there on there shall be a restaurant/cafe each km or so.

The Camino goes alongside the coast for the final 3 km providing spectacular views.

At 23 km you get to a protracted pedestrian bridge that you simply cross to get to the city of Vilanova de Arousa.

After crossing the bridge on the left, you’ll see a glass constructing and a pier. Pilgrims’ boats to Pontecesures go away from there. 

Locations to remain in Vilanova de Arousa

Stage 3. Vilanova de Arousa to Padrón. The Translatio Sea Route, 30 km/18,6 mi

Distance –  30 km/18,6 mi; 28 km/17,3 mi by boat + 2,3 km/1,4 mi strolling (from Pontecesures to Padrón)

Time – 2 hours, 1h30min. boat, half-hour strolling

Ascent – 5 m

Descent – 4 m. The strolling a part of the final part could be very flat

Strolling floor – 2,3 km on asphalt

The final day of the Variante Espiritual is a brief stage. In whole, it takes round 2 hours to get from Vilanova de Arousa to Padron. This implies you will have loads of time to proceed strolling previous Padron to get nearer to Santiago de Compostela as a way to make the ultimate leg of the Portuguese Camino shorter.

The boat trip

The pilgrims’ boat often leaves at 8 am. They ask you to be on the pier quarter-hour earlier than. In case you purchase your ticket on-line you don’t must print it displaying it on the display of your cellphone is sufficient. Actually, they didn’t even verify the tickets simply requested for individuals’s names and located them on their record.

Our boat was full we left at 8 am on the dot. You sit contained in the boat the place you’re shielded from wind and rain. If you would like you’ll be able to stand on the again the place there may be an open space. The Translatio route begins on the Arousa Sea and continues alongside the River Ulla which is among the main rivers in Galicia. The boat makes a number of stops most of them at stone crosses. The captain tells you a little bit of historical past and factors within the path of crosses. They provide you tea and a pastry on the boat which was nice as a result of every thing within the city was nonetheless closed after we left.

There are 17 stone crosses alongside the river banks that point out the route. I counted 10 crosses the remainder of them have been in all probability too far to note. The boat journey had an nearly meditative impact on me. It positively might be described as one of many highlights of the Portuguese Camino de Santiago. Moreover historical crosses on the way in which you see different monuments e.g., Torres do Oeste (two outdated watching towers).

The stroll to Padrón

After 1h30min. the boat arrives in Pontecesures the place you get off and begin strolling alongside the river financial institution after which throughout the bridge in direction of Pardón following the Camino arrows. The tip of the stage is 2 km on foot. In case you determine to remain in Padron there are a number of non-public albergues in addition to one public. The city is thought for the normal dish referred to as Padron Peppers which go effectively with native white wine.

Padrón is 24 km from Santiago de Compostela. After the boat trip you arrive in Padrón earlier than 11 am so as an alternative of staying there you’ll be able to proceed strolling in direction of Santiago and cease at one of many locations on the way in which to make your final day’s stroll shorter.

Locations to remain in Padron

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The gorgeous half of Stingy Nomads, chargeable for all our land adventures (mountaineering, climbing, strolling the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves strolling since she was a baby, she prefers to stroll 1000 km with a backpack slightly than to do a ten 000 km street journey (truly any street journey). Alya is an enormous fan of Latin America, the Spanish language, and dancing. Each time we go away she desperately misses our canine Chile.