Stage 4: A Rúa de Valdeorras-Quiroga

Stage 4 of the Winter Way, from A Rúa de Valdeorras to Quiroga, covers approximately 25 kilometers and offers pilgrims a diverse experience. The trail crosses picturesque landscapes, from the initial vineyards to the forests and valleys that characterize the second part of the route. This stage offers walkers a mix of natural and rural environments, providing a unique experience in the heart of Galicia.

Keep walking along the Via Nova. We will reach Montefurado. This place has a famous mine shaft, dated on 2^nd century. The tunnel was made in a straight line, out of the river course, in order to divert the waters of the river Sil and remove the gold. Part of this stage runs parallel to a low-traffic road, but it’s also aligned with the river course. So the views are still very nice.

After Montefurado, you will find a litte chapel, known as Capela das Farrapas, where pilgrims relinquished their old, dirty and ripped clothes after a long trail, in order to avoid any infection.

Since this area is characterized by having a Mediterranean climate, the olives and the oil are also very typical. You will find a 300 years oil mill next to the Chapel das Farrapas, where the residents celebrate an event in honor to the Oil every year.

Before arriving in Quiroga, you will find the remains of a 10-13^th Century Castle (Castillo de Novaes). It was the residence of the Hospitallier Order of St. John of Jerusalem (San Juan de Jerusalén), founders of many pilgrims’ hospitals.

Besides the cultural heritage that you will find in Quiroga, the most notable aspect in this area is the nature. Quiroga belongs to the Serra do Caurel (Courel mountais), a UNESCO Global Geopark since 2019 and an authentic geological sample that hides fossils and unique remains from hundreds of millions of years ago. A real paradise!

Towns through which the stage takes place

• A Rúa de Valdeorras: Starting point with its wine charm, this city invites pilgrims to explore its streets before starting the day.
• Petín: Intermediate town, surrounded by nature, where pilgrims can enjoy the serenity of the environment and rest before continuing.
• Quiroga: Final city of the stage, with its cobblestone streets and rural atmosphere, offers pilgrims the opportunity to immerse themselves in the local culture.

Monuments to see along the route

• Church of San Juan Bautista in A Rúa de Valdeorras: It stands out for its architecture that fuses Romanesque and Gothic elements, being a point of historical interest.
• Roman Bridge over the Sil River in Petín: Ancient bridge that crosses the Sil River, representing the importance of communication routes in the region.
• Castro de la Torre in Quiroga: Archaeological site that evidences the ancestral presence, inviting pilgrims to connect with the past.

This stage offers pilgrims a varied experience, from the departure in a wine-growing city to the arrival in a rural town, passing through natural environments and monuments that enrich the journey on the Winter Way.