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2
introductory to moderate
Activities
  • self guided walk
Accommodation
  • 9 nights in comfortable hotels
Meals
  • 6 Dinners
  • 9 Breakfasts

10 Days£1370GBP

View Inclusions

Overview

Trip Code: PTX

Trip highlights

  • Monte Santiaguino where St James first preached in Iberia
  • Padron where the boat carrying St James' mortal remains was shipwrecked
  • Arriving into Santiago and experiencing the satisfaction of reaching the end of the ‘Camino'
  • Enjoying a quieter pilgrimage route, following in the footsteps of Celtic, Roman and Christian wayfarers
  • Exploring the magnificent city of Santiago with its impressive architecture and cathedrals

While most pilgrims heading to Santiago de Compostela take the well-known French Route, there’s a quieter, equally rewarding path that winds up from the south – the Portuguese Camino. Often referred to as the ‘Inspired Way’, this trail has long stirred the hearts of poets and pilgrims alike, thanks to its peaceful rural landscapes, historic towns and understated beauty. This gentler, self-guided itinerary – the final section of our four-stage Central Portuguese Camino – begins in the charming border town of Tui. From here, you'll walk just over 100km, the minimum required to earn your Compostela certificate. Designed for walkers who prefer a slower pace with time to reflect, this Rambler version allows you to soak up the cultural and spiritual essence of the trail, with fewer kms per day.

Countries:

Spain (Portugal if arriving into Valenca across the river from Tui)

Starting Point:

Tui

Finishing Point:

Santiago de Compostela

Itinerary

Expand all | Collapse all

Make your own way to the historic city of Tui in Spain, on the border with Portugal. Connected to the Portuguese town of Valenca by a 19th Century bridge over the River Mino, Tui is a walled town with a compact historic centre. The Cathedral is a central focus of the city perched on the top of the hill at the top of the town. Visit the cathedral to stamp your pilgrim passport. Overnight in Tui.

Meals:  Nil

This stage is on woodland paths that follow the lovely Louro River valley, then along the N550 to the historical centre of O Porriño, a town famous for its pink granite due to its proximity to the granite quarries. There are hardly any gradients and you can enjoy a mixture of historical heritage and natural beauty. Essentially now a sprawling industrial town, O Porriño is located at the intersection of two motorways and the main railway line passes through town, so a private transfer (at 4pm, included) takes you back to Tui and your hotel. Overnight in Tui. Distance 17.5km/11mi

Meals:  B

At 8:30am, transfer back to O Porriño (included) to continue your walk. Soak in the rural essence of Galicia: small villages, ancient churches and paths that wind through forests and rivers. After a stage following and crossing the N550, ascend through mixed forest to Monte Cornedo and the Chans das Pipas plateau before walking down to the town of Redondela. It's here that the Coastal and Central Portuguese Caminos meet. Continue through tiny hamlets along a coastal inlet to reach Arcade, where you stay overnight. Distance 24km/15mi Option to split today and stay overnight in Redondela. In this case the walking is O Porrino-Redondela 16km/10mi and Redondela-Arcade 8km/5mi. Must be requested at time of booking, supplement applies.

Meals:  B,D

You start the day by walking over the beautiful old bridge at Pontesampaio. From here there's a short, quite steep uphill stretch following ancient stone paths before the path descends to the provincial capital of Pontevedra. There are some interesting sites to be explored here including the Santuario da Peregrin chapel and the Convento de San Francisco. The Medieval town centre is a maze of cobbled laneways with tapas bars and cafes. Overnight in Pontevedra. Distance 12km/7.5mi

Meals:  B,D

Most of this stage is through woodland and countryside along gentle river valleys with virtually no climbing. Overnight in rural accommodation in Outeiro/San Amaro. Distance 12km/7.5mi

Meals:  B,D

Continue walking after breakfast. Closer to Caldas de Reis the route crosses the N550 and follows this road for short sections. Located between the Umia and Bermana rivers, the town of Caldas developed as a result of its thermal waters and continues to be a major health spa. The botanical gardens next to the river are lovely for some respite from the walk. Overnight Caldas de Reis. Option to upgrade to a comfortable 4 star inn with pool or 3 star rural inn - supplement applies and must be requested when initially booking the trip. Distance 12km/7.5mi

Meals:  B,D

Enjoy a beautiful walk through the Bermana river valley. The path then drops down into the Valga valley. There are two short stages of main road: leaving Caldas and entering Padron. Padron town is lovely, set on the banks of the Sar and Ulla rivers, with some St James relics to be seen at the Igrexa de Santiago (church). Overnight in Lestrove/Padron. Distance 19km/11.5mi

Meals:  B,D

Breaking the long day to Santiago allows you to enjoy your arrival into Santiago tomorrow even more, and gives you that time to reflect on the journey so far. Overnight in Rúa de Francos/Milladoiro dependent on availability. Distance 13-15km/8.2mi

Meals:  B,D

The final day takes you through pine, oak and eucalyptus wood, before there's a climb to reach Santiago. Closer to Santiago the route follows some sections of main road. Overnight in Santiago. Own dinner arrangements. Distance 10-12km/6-7.5mi

Meals:  B

Trip arrangements conclude after breakfast. We can assist with booking an extra night or two if you'd like to stay longer in Santiago, and a day trip to Fisterra - please ask our team.

Meals:  B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.
On self guided trips, actual route information provided before departure will be more detailed.

Inclusions

What's included

  • 9 breakfasts, 6 dinners (no dinner in Tui and Santiago). Breakfasts are usually continental inclusive of breads, cheese, ham, tea, coffee & juices. Dinner will consist of 3 courses, usually starting with a salad, followed by a chicken, red meat, fish or pasta dish & finishing with a dessert of fruit or cakes.
  • 9 nights in comfortable hotels on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities (upgrade to 4 star hotel/parador in Tui and Santiago, upgrade hotel option at Caldas de Rei - supplement applies. Upgrades must be requested at time of booking)
  • Transfers between Tui and O Porriño
  • Digital information pack with route notes, maps & GPX
  • Luggage Transfer, 1 piece maximum 20kg, supplement applies for excess
  • Pilgrim Passport
  • Emergency hotline

  • Travel to Tui and from Santiago de Compostela
  • Meals not listed as included, drinks
  • Travel insurance - mandatory
  • Guide – this is a self guided walking holiday
  • A supplement will apply if you are travelling solo or book a single room
  • Entrance fees not listed as included
  • Transfers not listed as included
  • Transfers by taxi or public transport if you need to skip a stage
  • Excess luggage
  • Option to upgrade accommodation in Caldas de Reis - please ask our team for details, must be requested at time of booking
  • Option to upgrade to the parador in Tui and/or Santiago - please ask our team for details, must be requested at time of booking
  • Tourist tax - if applicable
  • Items of a personal nature

Suitability

introductory to moderate

2

GRADE 2 - Daily walks are between 10-24km on well marked trails over diverse terrain – from relatively flat to hilly. Route finding is reasonably straight forward following the yellow arrows and granite pillars (showing distance to Santiago), however you still need to be vigilant as markers from other trails such as the GR11 can be confusing (refer below for further details on self guided adventures). However our notes include hints and pointers to help you navigate the route. The route will inevitably cross main roads close to cities and towns, although the majority is on side roads and walking trails. The main areas to concentrate on route finding are arriving and leaving towns and cities. The accent is on keeping a steady pace to take in all of the attractions, with time to stop and take photos. You will need a good level of fitness to participate fully in this adventure.

Departure dates

Daily from 1 Mar to 1 Nov

Notes

Note:
Option to upgrade hotel in Caldas de Reis, and to the Parador in Tui and Santiago de Compostela - supplements apply. Must be requested at time of booking.Note: parador upgrades rates are on a request basis.
Note:
Other dates are available on request. Supplements may apply outside the main season due to additional charges for luggage transfers and hotel closures (which may require a change in the overnight towns or transfers to confirm your booking). Winter can be a magical time to experience the Camino with fewer people and more local encounters, but the walking day is shorter.
Note:
Santiago airport (code SCQ) will be closed from 23 APR-27MAY 2026 for planned runway works. The nearest airports are in Vigo or A Coruna. Additional bus transfers will be available to these airports during this time or we can assist with a private transfer on request - please ask our team. The Triathlon World Championships will be held in Pontevedra 20-30 Sep 2026, it may be necessary to adjust the stage or stay in an alternative town during this time.

Priceper person from

£1370GBP

Options & Supplements*
  • Caldas de Reis upgrade: 4* Pousada Real - twinshare HB pp supplementGBP£25
  • Caldas de Reis upgrade: 4* Pousada Real - single supplement (HB)GBP£42
  • Caldas de Reis upgrade: 3* Torre de Rio - twinshare pp, HBGBP£80
  • Caldas de Reis upgrade: 3* Torre de Rio - single, HBGBP£110
  • Single SupplementGBP£460
  • Solo Traveller SupplementGBP£530
*Prices listed are per person

Trip reviews

Why travel with us

Personal Experience

We've been exploring the world on foot for over five decades, and our passion for walking runs deep. Having hiked nearly every corner of Europe, we take pride in sharing the joy, freedom and perspective that only travelling on foot can bring, all with the exceptional service and care our travellers know us for.

Great Value & Quality

Our trips offer excellent value for money, with everything you need for a seamless walking holiday. Each package includes detailed route notes, maps and navigation app, luggage transfers, and comfortable locally run accommodation. We take care of the planning, so you can simply enjoy the walk.

Self-Guided Specialists

We've been operating self-guided active holidays since 1973, taking care of every detail so you can relax and explore at your own pace. With many walking and hiking tours departing daily, you'll enjoy the freedom and flexibility to travel when it suits you.

Videos

Walking the Camino Portuguese Coastal Route