Explore the mountains of the south.
Feel the spirit of Galicia's south west, an area sharing strong Portuguese culture.
Indulge yourself in rooms en-suite in selected hotels along the way and enjoy a high level of comfort.
Time travel along 1000 years of history and meet people from every horizon.

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Departures:

>Self-Guided
Any time, all year round!

>Guided
See Guided Departures page

Our Camino Rustic walking holiday offers a unique chance to explore the Camino Portugues / Portugues Way to Santiago de Compostela in a more traditional way. You will stay in family-run "casas rurales" (rural guesthouses), often century-old buildings and tastefully renovated. It also gives you a chance to be closer to nature and make your journey to Saint-James even more authentic. Gastronomy is also a highlight on the Camino Rustic, with traditional meals cooked in our selected guesthouses.

This Camino, which was used by Queen Isabel of Portugal in the 13th Century, heads north following the Atlantic coast of Portugal & Spain. The Camino Portugues gently winds along ancient tracks & paths, running through woodlands, villages, farmlands & historic towns. The final leg of the Portuguese Way starts in Tui (Spain) and crosses Galicia from South to North. It also stays close to the Atlantic coast until Pontevedra before heading East to reach the main destination of everyone walking on the Caminos: Santiago de Compostela!

Day 1 - Tui
Tui's compact historic centre holds home to a number of important monuments, the most significant being its castle cathedral. The old town is located on the brow of a hill, with the tortuous Mino River in the valley beneath.

Town: ATM, shops, all facilities. Accomodation: 3* hotel, en-suite room.

Day 2 – From Tui to O Porrino (16km 4h +90m -80m)
From Tui's old port the Camino winds its way up to the old town, following the so-called Camino da Barca. Then through the Tunel das Monxas, the Camino enters a very steep section and leads to the evocative bridge of San Telmo. From there, travelling over a less abrupt terrain, we come to the town of O Porrino.

Guesthouse: Family-run casa rural, ideally located, fully renovated 18th century building. En suite room Meals: breakfast & dinner

Day 3 – From O Porrino to Redondela (17km, 4h15, +250m -280m)
When leaving O Porrino, we criss-cross the national road for several kilometres until we get to Mos. From there, it is a gentle climp up through eucalyptus woods to Monte Cornedo. It is then a nice walk through quiet country lanes and woodlands, passing a Roman milestone in Parque, an evidence we are following the original way to Santiago! We then arrive in Redondela with its 15th century church of St James and lively cafés.

Guesthouse: Country stonehouse, peaceful garden, home-cooked meals. En-suite room Meals: breakfast & dinner

Day 4 – Redondela to Pontevedra (19km, 4h45, +280m -300m)
We continue our way North, following the coastal inlet of River Pontevedra. Walking close by Ria de Vigo, we then climb up to Alto de Lomba. On our way down, we reach sealevel again in Arcade and soon we reach Alto da Canicouva. We continue between quiet country lanes and woodlands to Pontevedra.

Guesthouse: Historical building full of character, great location. En-suite room Meals: breakfast & dinner

Day 5 – From Pontevedra to Caldas do Rei (24km 6h +110m -100m)
Passing chestnut groves, the Camino leaves Pontevedra and runs parallel to the railway for a while. After passing through the hamlet of Ponte Cabras, we encounter the rectory of Santa Maria de Alba, tucked away among pine and eucalyptus trees. Emerging from the dense woods of Lombo da Maceira, you'll see a statue of Saint James the pilgrim, his cane pointing the way to proceed. The lovely village of Tibo, with its fountain, public washing place and stone cross, bring us to Caldas do Rei.

Guesthouse: Beautiful ancient residence, fully refurbished. En-suite room Meals: On-site breakfast, dinner

Day 6 – From Caldas do Rei to Padron (18km 4h30 +120m -100m)
Exiting the town, we take a bridge over the river Umia that leads us to a fountain of hot spring water that had lent the town its name since Roman times. Entering the woods once more, the Camino make its way gently uphill to the hamlet of Santa Marina. Going downhill, we then cross the river Fontenlo. Finally, following a Camino lined with pinetrees, we catch up again with the river as we arrive in Padron.
Padron is famous for being the first land sighted by the ship bearing the body of Saint James.

Guesthouse: Quiet country house, stone house nicely renovated. En-suite room Town: ATM, Internet, shops, all facilities

Day 7 – From Padron to Santiago (24km 6h +310m -60m)
A Esclavitude. On a hilltop to the left stands the mysterious, abandoned ruins of the hillfort Castro Lupario, and couple of kilometres later, we come to the oldest wayside crosses in Galicia. As we near Agro dos Monteiros, it is now possible to see the towers of the cathedral. Finally the Camino passes by the ruins of a castle known as A Rocha Vella, before entering the city of the Apostle.

Town: ATM, Internet, shops, all facilities Accomodation: 3* hotel in the historic centre. Renovated 18th-century family house, en-suite.

Day 8 – Santiago de Compostela

After breakfast we bid you farewell.

If you wish to stay in the area, we recommend that you:
- Take your time and visit the magnificent historic centre.
- Continue with us along the wild "Camino Fisterra" (Finisterre Way), and stay overnight at the 2* hotel in the light house!
- Visit the unspolit sandy coves and beaches of the west coast. With very few tourists, you are guaranteed a very special experience. Ask us for more information to walk it via our Green Camino Walking holiday!

Town: ATM, Internet, shops, all facilities Meals: Breakfast

The accommodation we have selected on our Camino Rustic is the best in terms of authenticity, healthy food, tradition, peace of mind and comfort. From ancient pilgrim hospitals to 17th century farmhouses, often of typical Galician architecture and always wonderfully renovated, these "casas rurales" are all set in beautiful locations. Some grow their own vegetables or produce their own wine. As well as spacious gardens, some even have a swimming pool in which to relax after the walk! Our selected accomodations gain in character and peace of mind and therefore guesthouses are often out of town (2-10km) with a reduced access to town centre. A short transfer (not included) is required to reach them.

These guesthouses have been carefully selected for their character, comfort, location, and friendliness, and are subject to availability. If the guesthouse described is not available we provide an alternative of the same standard of comfort and price.

• Nights in authentic guesthouses full of character during the walk
• Nights in 3* hotels in Tui and Santiago.
• Luggage transferred from hotel to hotel
• En-suite Rooms
• Half-board during the hike
• Detailed Walking Notes
• Map
• Pilgrim passport

• Flights
• Insurance (recommended)
• Drinks
• Dinners in Sarria and Santiago de Compostela
• Transfer from/to airport