After yesterday’s intense stage, both for its physical demands and for the multitude of interesting places to visit, we arrive today at the penultimate stage of the Camino Frances. In the middle of the spiritual phase, the feelings that we encounter intensify!
Let’s go on the Camino Frances!
Today’s stage begins at only 40 kilometres from Plaza de Obradoiro. Many will have the impulse to complete the next two stages in a single day in desperation to reach their desired destination. The truth is that it is better to contain yourself and complete the two stages and enjoy the last days of the route and enter Santiago de Compostela full of energy.
Today’s day runs through quiet service roads, with almost no houses and whose only drawback will be the numerous occasions on which we will be forced to cross the N-547 road.
If you are thinking about walking the Camino de Santiago from Sarria tell us what your plans are for the Camino de Santiago and we will contact you to advise you on everything you need.
Itinerary stage Arzúa – O Pedrouzo
The profile of today’s stage is simple. Low slopes and long forest tracks. The only discomfort of the day today is the national road, but in the vicinity of Santiago de Compostela, this fact will not be a big inconvenience for the excited pilgrim.
Arzúa (Km. 0). Beginning of stage
Practical tips for this section: If you are suffering from your feet, do not leave Arzúa without visiting any of their places endowed with healing powers. Arzúa invites you to eat one of its exquisite cheese sandwiches. Buen Camino!
The morning begins in the Rúa Cima do Lugar, from where we continue straight ahead to the cobbled Rúa do Carmen. Between arcades and facades covered with wood, we say goodbye to Arzúa.
By a path that runs through a rural environment, we descend to the French fountain. We cross the River Vello and we enter As Barrosas, where the Chapel of San Lázaro awaits (km. 0.9). From there, we descend to the River Brandeso, then climb to Preguntoño, a hamlet of the Parish of Burres, where the Chapel of San Paio is located (km. 2.2).
At the exit of the village, we cross the N-547 through a tunnel and we face a climb between crops of corn and meadows, until we reach A Peroxa, another hamlet of the parish of Burres (km. 3.3).
The Eucalyptus trees acquire more and more presence in the Galician landscape. Through slopes covered by leaf litter, we go down to the Ladrón Stream (km. 3.9) to reach Taberna Vella (km. 5.2).
Taberna Vella (Km. 5,2)
Practical tips for this section: between Ras and Brea, a few metres from the road, you will find the Ruta Xacobea food store, where you can buy typical Galician products. Buen Camino!
Seven hundred metres after Taberna Vella we find Calzada, a village of the Parish of Burres and last inhabited area in Arzúa (km. 5.8). We leave the place crossing a linking road and we enter the Council of O Pino, the last one before Santiago de Compostela. From here, we head to San Breixo de Ferreiros.
We follow on to the hamlet of A Calle (km. 7.8). We leave the centre after passing the Arroyo Langüello and continue along tracks and roads to Boavista (km. 9.3) and Salceda, located at the foot of the road N-547 (km. 11.1).
After Salceda, we separate a few metres from the national road on the right. Along the way, we pass the memorial to Guillermo Watt, a pilgrim who died on the Camino Frances. On the rise, we return to the foot of the road to cross it next to an agricultural machinery dealership. Afterwards, we arrive at Oxén, from the Parish of Miguel de Cerceda (km. 12.5),
The road continues to the left of the national road and leads to the nearby Ras, a hamlet in the same parish. Here we cross the N-547 by an underpass (km. 13.1). At this point, the pilgrims who have taken the variant of O Pino on the Camino del Norte converge. On the other side of the road you will find Brea.
A Brea (Km. 13,6)
Practical tips for this section: In this section, you will pass by the Chapel of Santa Irene, if you suffer any discomfort in your feet or any other part of the body, it’s an excellent occasion to test the healing power of the fountain that is located next to this Chapel. Buen Camino!
After Brea, A Rabiña in a few hundred metres appears. Parallel to the road and uphill, we pass by a picnic area with a fountain and a windmill. At the top, we cross the road and enter O Empalme, a village of the Parish of San Lourenzo de Pastor (km. 15.3).
Afterwards, we take a track in a descent that runs around eucalyptus trees to the tunnel that crosses the N-547. Crossing our path, the hermitage of Santa Irene appears with its Baroque-style fountain (km. 16.3).
Isolated from the noise of the road through the lush eucalyptus population, we pass by the 20km stone and cross the road again through another tunnel. Surrounded by eucalyptus, some houses dot the surroundings until our arrival in the village of A Rúa, now in the parish of Arca.
By an asphalted track we reach the hard shoulder of the N-547 road. Following its path rising up we arrive at our destination today, O Pedrouzo.
O Pedrouzo (Km. 19,3). End of stage
Practical advice for this section: This afternoon is intended to reflect on what we have lived and learned on the journey. The arrival tomorrow in Santiago de Compostela will be intense and we should have done some personal work before arriving. See you tomorrow!
The Camino Frances does not pass through O Pedrouzo, to access the locality it is necessary to take the left when arriving at the N-547. Those who wish to continue walking must cross the road and go straight ahead.
Despite the fact that or Pedrouzo is not in the middle of the route of the Jacobean road, many pilgrims choose to spend the night here because it is a good distance to get to Santiago de Compostela in time for the Pilgrim’s Mass, which is officiated at 12 noon. However, some choose to continue to Monte do Gozo and reserve themselves only 5 kilometres for the last day.
We stay here today, visit the Church of Santa Eulalia de Arca and rest, and arrive tomorrow to Santiago de Compostela, full of energy.
Comments stage Arzúa – O Pedrouzo
Today’s day does not present any great difficulties, it is a pure procedure before making the triumphal entrance in Santiago de Compostela. For that reason, you should enjoy the pleasure of eating after many kilometres of walking.
Precautions stage Arzúa – O Pedrouzo
Today’s stage is simple, suitable for any type of physical condition, including people with reduced mobility. The tracks, roads and roadsides that run through the Jacobean path in the penultimate stage of the Camino Frances are in good condition.
Gastronomy stage Arzúa – O Pedrouzo
Meat is the basis of most of our recommendations for today.
- Hen and rooster of the Piñeira breed, a breed that is only present in O Pino.
- Portions of Chorizo, Raxo, Zorza, Orella and Lacón rations. They are abundant dishes and ideal for sharing.
- Pork or beef.
- Local cheese.
- Regional wines.
- Padrón peppers. Although the Camino Frances does not cross the Camino Portugués, the fame of the Padrón peppers have crossed borders and can be tasted in the vicinity.
Services stage Arzúa – O Pedrouzo
Consult the main health care services, cafes, ATMs, restaurants and are in this stage of the French Way.
Map stage Arzúa – O Pedrouzo
Consult the map with the route, points and towns along the stage.
Profile stage Arzúa – O Pedrouzo
Consult the profile of the stage: altitude and degree of difficulty of each section.
What to do stage Arzúa – O Pedrouzo
Now, we give you details about the places you can visit in the penultimate stage on the Camino Frances.
Chapel of Santa Irene
The Chapel of Santa Irene is located at the exit of Brea. The temple is dedicated to the Portuguese martyr. Its construction was made with the donations of two nobles who lived in the nearby hamlet of Dos Casas.
The temple is of a rectangular floor and stands out for its elaborate walls and the extensive ornamentation of the doors, in which lintels were used in stone. The chapel has a gable roof, lined with country tile.
Next to the chapel is a fountain of Baroque style, which is attributed with healing powers. According to the legend of the place, they say that the water emanating from the fountain was used to eradicate the plague in the orchards of the region.
The construction of the fountain is made of natural stone. In the past, on the fountain, there was an image of the saint made in granite, which dates back to the 17th century. However, in 1989, the image disappeared.
Church of San Vicente de Burres
The Church of San Vicente (or San Vincenzo) is located in Burres. It is a small temple with a nave of a rectangular floor. Its façade is neoclassical in style and has recently been restored. The church also has a Baroque-style belfry.
Chapel of San Paio
The Chapel of San Paio is located in Preguntoño, a hamlet of the Parish of Burres. Its construction was made in ashlars in the 18th century. The temple is surrounded by a wall and has a small belfry that finishes in the shape of a cross.
O Pedrouzo
O Pedrouzo is a locality of 540 inhabitants. It is erroneously cited on many occasions as Arca. However, O Pedrouzo is a locality of the parish of Arca and capital of the Concello of O Pino.
In the village, you can visit the Church of Santa Eulalia de Arca, in neoclassic style. It is a large temple, formed by two naves on a Latin cross floor, and a huge bell tower, made of stone, which houses two bells. The pilasters and triangular pediment stand out from the façade. The altar wall is decorated with scallop shapes.
