The Route of Father Sarmiento

Once we leave Pontevedra behind, we will move on to the next town, Poio. We will be able to contemplate its magnificent 7th century monastery, the Monastery of San Juan de Poio.

In addition, the path will take us to one of the most picturesque villages of the Rías Baixas: Combarro. This stands out for its hórreos (raised granaries) and its small houses by the sea.

We will finish the stage in Sanxenxo, a very popular tourist spot in the Galician summers.

This stage will allow us to discover some beach areas, and enjoy some of the most attractive tourist spots in Galicia. Silgar Beach in Sanxenxo, Portonovo, A Lanzada on our arrival in O Grove… This is the favourite stage for lovers of the sea and the impressive sandy areas.

We will finish the day in O Grove, a town that stands out for its seafood. The views from Mount Siradella are highly recommended.

For those who wish, it is possible to stop one more day in the O Grove peninsula, and take the circular route. This is an area with a lot to see, and it is worth adding an extra day to visit all its attractions.

From La Toja Island, San Vicente and its beaches, the Adro Vello, the port of Meloxo, Mount Siradella… A must for those who want to enjoy the charms of the region.

This stage will take us into the interior of the region of O Salnés. We will cross green areas of vineyards and wineries, to conclude the day in the capital of Albariño wine, Cambados.

We highly recommend a walk through its cobbled streets and squares. Among the points of interest, it is worth mentioning the Pazo de Fefiñanes, and the Tower of San Sadurniño.

We will walk a shorter stage than the previous ones, and it will take us to the Island of Arosa (or Illa de Arousa). Among the points of interest of this paradisiacal island, we can find the port of “O Xufre” (from where boats leave for tourist routes in the area), the Lighthouse “Punta Cabalo”, or the Mirador de Con do Forno.

The day begins with the spectacular Carreirón Natural Park in the background. In this way, we will leave behind A Illa de Arousa, to enter the peninsular territory. Our destination will be Vilanova de Arousa, a place of interest because it was the birthplace of the great writer Ramón María del Valle Inclán.

The shortest and lightest stage of the Route of Father Sarmiento begins, from Vilanova de Arousa to Vilagarcía de Arousa. It is a walk that will allow us to contemplate the spectacular views offered by the estuary, from Las Sinas Beach, to more urban sections as once in Villagarcía, with its Pazo de Vistalegre and its Botanical Garden.

This is the last stage along the sea. Little by little we are entering the interior of Galicia, through the Ulla River. The path will allow us to contemplate the well-known Torres del Oeste, in Catoira, and emulate the journey made by the remains of the Apostle Saint James through the Traslatio.

Finally we arrive at Padrón, cradle of great writers of the Galician literature, like Rosalía de Castro and Camilo José Cela.

Finally we arrived to the last stage of the Route of Father Sarmiento, which also coincides with the last stage of the Portuguese Way. For this reason, more pilgrims will accompany us in the last kilometers to Santiago de Compostela.

For those who find walking 24 km is too much in one day, there is the possibility of dividing this last stage in two, and spending the night in A Escravitude or Teo.

After breakfast, end of services in Santiago de Compostela