As we advised you yesterday, today’s route is hard. If you took advantage of yesterday’s afternoon to rest or to visit Betanzos, you will notice it on today’s tour. Luckily, those restless ones who could not stop still yesterday afternoon, today will find the option to split the stage in two, before facing the big ascent to A Malata.
Let’s continue on the Camino Inglés!
The third stage of the Camino Ingles is the most feared of all of the days, as it is a long journey with steep slopes. Advancing through solitary and rural environments, crossing tiny urban centres, many of them without services, and away from the coast, we will reach the highest altitude on the Camino Ingles.
Presedo is a good choice for those planning to split this demanding stage into two parts. Those who decide to take the whole tour in one day, will end the day in a small village of Bruma, Meson do Vento.
Itinerary stage Betanzos – Bruma Meson do Vento
On the third stage of the Camino Ingles we face 30.3 kilometres of travel. The section has a medium-high difficulty as it faces a slope of 300 metres.
Betanzos (km. 0). Beginning of stage
Practical advice for this section: By the end of 2017, the Xunta de Galicia was modifying the layout of this stage. Some of the sections described in this guide may have varied significantly. The pilgrim will find them properly signposted. Buen Camino!
Along Rua do Castro we walk back on our steps to the Plaza de los Hermanos Garcia Naveira, passing next to the Town Hall. We cross the square and, leaving on our left the statue of the Naveira family, we pass next to the Tourist Office in the town. Along Rua Rollo we head to the As Cascas Bridge, which crosses the River Mendo (km. 1).
We cross the bridge, and in front, the AC-840 road and turn 90 degrees to the left on Rua da Cascas. We climb an asphalt track that runs among palm trees, fig trees and lemon trees; and we cross the bridge over the railway. Nearby is O Terreo and O Farragoto, in the parish of Santiago de Requian (km. 2,3).
Approximately 600 metres later we find another bridge by which we cross the A-6 motorway. Following the signage, we make a couple of turns to the right and left and enter Xan Rozo (km. 3.6).
Xan Rozo (km. 3,6).
Practical tips for this section: You will not find services on this section. Buen Camino!
At the fork that we will find continues in front until the DP-0105 road which goes to Vilacoba. We follow its path, on the left, for a few metres and, at the first detour, leave the road on the right. We continue along a track that passes next to the Liminon football ground, in the Abegondo concello (council).
At this point the pilgrim path, following the route of the Camino Ingles, begins to advance towards the interior of Galicia. On a forest track, we go back to the road. We then continue to walk along the road to the right and cross the River Mero.
On the left we leave the road, entering the parish of Cos. We pass a gas regulation station and arrive at the Church of San Estevo de Cos (km. 7.7).
San Estevo de Cos (km. 7,7).
Practical tips for this stretch: If you find the stage is very hard and you prefer to face the climb with a few kilometres already accumulated, one option is to split it in two, staying overnight in Presedo. Buen Camino!
After the temple, we turn right and move again onto the CP-0105 road, following it, on the left, for 150 metres. On the right, we leave the asphalt and pass next to the O Carballal house, alternating between stretches of asphalt and dirt.
We are cut off by the AC-0106, which we cross by advancing a few metres to the left. On a paved track we reach the parish of Santiago de Meangos, passing through the hamlets of O Souto and Cima de Vila (km. 9.5), where the Church of Santiago is located on a hill.
We leave this last hamlet on the left and after numerous crossings on rural tracks, we descend to the parish of Presedo. A grassy section gives way to another asphalt one that leads to the DP-0105 road, over which we cross the Rego do Fontao (km. 11.8).
200 metres later, we leave the road by a path that begins on the left, passing next to the Meson Museo Xente no Camino. We continue to follow tracks and rural roads and pass many crossings, where it is advisable not to lose sight of the pilgrim signage. We visit the hamlets of Agra and Leiro, where the Church of Santa Eulalia is located (km. 14,4).
Santa Eulalia de Leiro (km. 14,4).
Practical tips for this section: This section has been possibly modified, following the changes made by the Xunta de Galicia in 2017, pay attention to the signage, since no guide has well documented the changes that are being made. Buen Camino!
We keep moving straight on, passing through the centre of Francos. On a dirt track, which crosses a bay tunnel, we arrive at the houses of Boucello, with a water reservoir.
We descend to a paved track that runs parallel to the road. Following this straight for 700 metres we enter the parish of Santo Tome de Vilacoba, passing through its first hamlet, Frean (km. 17,2).
We leave the road to the right, at the first bend, and continue along a path near the River Mero. When we reach the junction, we continue along the path on the right that goes uphill.
In the undergrowth, we pass by the ruins of a mill. We continue to climb to a house and from there we descend, on the left, to the road that leads us to San Paio (km. 18.1).
San Paio (km. 18,1).
Practical tips for this stretch: We are faced with the hardest stretch on the Camino Ingles. On this one we will cross a slope of 300 metres, to A Malata. Shortly thereafter we will reach the highest level on the Camino Ingles route, at 454 metres high. Buen Camino!
In the centre of San Paio we find a chapel and, after this, and just before kilometre point 154, we leave the road, next to a laundry. So then, we start the hardest climb of the whole Camino Ingles. Shortly after the ascent begins, we pass by the Church of Santo Tome de Vilacoba (km. 18.5).
After crossing the first slope we turn right to O Vieiro. 400 metres later approximately, we turn left and pass through O Monte. In this hamlet, we continue along a path that, on the rise and with a few turns, leads us to Fontenla, where a long flat stretch gives us a break (km. 20.4).
The straight passes through the recreational area in Vizono and flows into a perpendicular path, which we cross, without changing direction, to access a grassy track. In a clearing, appears the San Pedro de Vizono cross.
Shortly thereafter, we cross the bridge that crosses the AP-9 motorway and continue along an asphalt track to the vicinity of Castro Maior. We leave the detour to our right and cross the hamlets of O Pozo and A Malata, where we reach the highest level on the Camino Ingles, 454 metres above sea level (km. 25,2).
A Malata (km. 25,2).
Practical tips for this stretch: In this section, you will find pilgrims advancing in the opposite direction. They are those who follow the Camino Ingles from A Coruna, notice that the markers have signage on each side. Buen Camino!
We cross the AC-223 road and continue accompanied by eucalyptus trees and oaks. We pass over the Rego dos Santeiros and 200 metres later, by some farms, we go onto a wide track, which we follow on the right.
On this track, the route of the Camino Ingles that comes from A Coruña passes by. That’s why on a marker that we will find on this stretch (km. 26.5), and that invites us to turn left, has a scallop on each side.
We continue, cross the Rego dos Outeiros and turn right approaching the centre of Hospital da Bruma (km. 28.3), in the Mesia council. We pass next to the pilgrim hostel of the Xunta and going along Rua Roberto Eorjan, we arrive at Meson do Vento (km. 30,3).
Bruma Mesón do Vento (km. 30,3). End of stage
Practical tips for this stretch: Congratulations, you have successfully completed the hardest stage on the Camino Ingles. See you tomorrow!
Some pilgrims will choose to stay in Hospital da Bruma. We prefer to continue two more kilometres to the neighbouring village of Meson do Vento, where, unlike Hospital da Bruma, it is possible to find some services. Today’s afternoon is inevitably to rest, only the Chapel of San Lorenzo will demand our attention.
Comments stage Betanzos – Bruma Meson do Vento
Here are some tips for successfully completing the most demanding stage of the Camino Inglés.
Precautions stage Betanzos – Bruma Meson do Vento
This is the most difficult stage of the Camino de Santiago on the Camino Ingles section. Its 30 kilometres of travel, full of slopes and interior tracks, make it a demanding stage for most people. Therefore, you must stand up to it very calmly, making as many stops as you need, especially in the ascending sections.
Added to the above, is the fact that the stage does not have many intermediate points with services, so the route must be made with water and some food. Vilacoba is a good supply point, before continuing to Bruma.
Food on the stage Betanzos – Bruma Meson do Vento
On the third day of the Camino Ingles, you can taste some of the following dishes, typical of the region.
- Octopus
- Empanada
- Tetilla cheese
- Mussels
- Sardines
- Padron peppers
- Callos
- Galician Broth
Services stage Betanzos – Bruma Meson do Vento
Get to know the main healthcare services, cafes, ATMs and restaurants that are located on this stage of the Camino Inglés.
Map stage Betanzos – Bruma Meson do Vento
Check the map with the route and locations that the stage runs through.
Profile stage Betanzos – Bruma Meson do Vento
Find out about the profile, altitude and degree of difficulty on each section.
What to do on the stage Betanzos – Bruma Meson do Vento
Here are some historical and cultural points of interest that will come your way during today’s tough stage. They’re the perfect excuse to take a break.
Church of San Esteban
The Church of San Esteban de Cos is located in the hamlet known as A Igrexia, within the cemetery, like many other temples of Galicia. The church consists of a rectangular nave, next to which is a small semi-detached chapel.
Its simple façade features a belfry with a single bell. On both sides of the building two pinnacles are located finishing off the pillars.
Santa Eulalia Church
The Church of Santa Eulalia is located in the village of Leiro, within a cemetery. The temple has a rectangular floor plan. The highlight is its belfry, almost the same height as the nave. In this you can see two half-point arc spans, in which the bells are located.
Bruma
Bruma is a parish in the municipality of Mesia. In it, is located Hospital da Bruma, with less than 50 inhabitants and without services, except the pilgrim hostel, and Meson do Vento, the neighbouring village, which although is also small, has basic services. In the parish you can visit the Chapel of San Lorenzo.
Chapel of San Lorenzo
The Chapel of San Lorenzo is located in the parish of Bruma. The temple dates back to the 16th century, and is in a late Gothic style. Throughout history, the temple has undergone various renovations and today, the only thing that remains of its original structure is the triumphal arch, hidden behind a false ceiling.
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