After yesterday’s arrival in Galician lands, today we are eager to discover this new community, the lands of the apostle.
Let’s continue on the Camino Primitivo!
On this first day through Galician lands, we will face continuous slopes and advance in the company of the LU-530 road. On the tour we will enjoy magnificent views and the lush Galician vegetation.
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[contact-form-7 404 "Not Found"]Itinerary stage Fonsagrada – Cádavo Baleira
The eighth day of the Camino Primitivo has 23.4 kilometres of travel. Today’s terrain is quite extreme. First we’ll face a steep descent, from Hospital de Montouto. Then we will go up to Fontaneira, with the short break that A Lastra gives us.
Fonsagrada (km. 0). Beginning of stage
Practical tips for this stretch: In this section you may find muddy sections due to the presence of streams. Buen Camino!
We leave the town of Fonsagrada, descending, on the LU-530. Shortly thereafter we arrive in the neighbouring hamlet of Padron (km. 1.5), by a detour that begins on our right.
Following the indication of the 157,581 marker, we continue along a dirt track, crossing the LU-530 road on three occasions. Then we reach the descent to Vilardongo (km. 4.7), whose centre we leave on our left.
The pilgrim path continues in a straight line and at Pedrafitelas, crosses the LU-1906 road, which we also leave on the left. 400 metres later we pass by a picnic area. The route continues dotted with several streams, to the centre of Montouto (km. 7.5).
Montouto (km. 7,5).
Practical tips for this stretch: At the exit of Montouto you have to continue to the left. It’s easy for the detour to go unnoticed. Buen Camino!
At the exit of the centre you have to deviate to the left, descending slightly. Then we take a path that goes up to Hospital de Montouto (km. 8.8), located halfway up a hillside. On our right, we see an austere chapel, and soon after, in an open field, the dolmen of Pedras Dereitas.
On a track, we begin to descend, under a set of wind turbines. During the descent, we leave the track and continue along a narrow wooded path, on which the slope is accentuated. We pass by a bar and soon after, we start on the LU-530 road, along which we cross the town of Paradavella (km. 12.4).
At the exit, we take a path that is born on the right hand side and that runs along a wooded slope. We cross this beautiful, but uncomfortable, stretch to the road. We cross it and descend to A Calzada, located on the left. From there, we arrive at the neighbouring A Degolada (km. 14.9), in the Concello (council) de Baleira.
A Degolada (km. 14,9).
Practical tips for this section: In this section, you will complete the A Costa do Sapo climb. A steep slope but nothing that should frighten the pilgrim. Buen Camino!
In the town we find the Church of San Lourenzo. We continue and reach a fork in which we continue to the left, going down to the passing.
Then we go up to O Couto (km. 16.2). Behind the centre we start the well-known climb to A Costa do Sapo. Slowly we go up to the road, along which we access A Lastra (km. 17.3).
We cross the centre next to the road and next to the Church of San Xoan, we continue with the climb through the Camin da Rodela, which starts on the left. The slope is now somewhat more pronounced.
Out of breath, but sheltered by a pine forest, we reach the Alto de Fontaneira, at 950 metres above sea level (km. 19.7). After taking our breath, we continue along the road to the centre of Fontaneira, where we find the Parish Church of Santiago.
Fontaneira (km. 19,7).
Practical tips for this stretch: There are still a few kilometres left to reach your destination on this stage, but we warn you that you will not see Cadavo Baleira until you are practically on top of it, so do not despair during the tour. Buen Camino!
At this stage, we begin to feel some anxiety about arriving, but we still have a few kilometres left before reaching our destination for today. So prepare yourself now, so that the stretch ahead doesn’t feel not endless.
We leave the town on the LU-530 road from the left. We walk past the cemetery and go back to the road.
We go along the road for a good stretch, then leave it on the right (km. 22.3) and enter the Campo da Matanza. Finally, we reach Cadavo de Baleira, whose centre we do not see until we have it basically in front of our noses. Hence, many pilgrims find this stretch endless.
Cadavo de Baleira (km. 23,4). End of stage
Practical tips for this stretch: Cadavo is ideal for resting and tasting Galician gastronomy. There’s not much else to do in the village. The relaxed afternoons in these small villages are one of the most beautiful memories that you will take from the Camino de Santiago. See you tomorrow!
Cadavo de Baleira is another quiet town, without many attractions in its centre. The most interesting element in this village is a monument made by Gaudi, which is located in the recreational area. We have all afternoon to rest.
Comments stage Fonsagrada – Cádavo Baleira
Here are some tips for successfully completing the eighth stage on the Camino Primitivo.
Precautions stage Fonsagrada – Cádavo Baleira
This stage is a real legbreaker. The steep descent from Hospital to Paradavella and the subsequent climb along the Costa do Sapo, passing through Lastre, to the Alto de Fontaneira, will undoubtedly test the strength in our legs.
The surface in some points during the stage can make it difficult to advance at some times. It is best to take it easy and move slowly, while enjoying the beautiful surroundings.
Food on the stage Fonsagrada – Cádavo Baleira
For today’s route, we recommend the following dishes of traditional Galician cuisine.
- Cocido (Galician Stew)
- Butelo: a dish made with pork ribs, salt, garlic and red pepper.
- Mushrooms
- Bacon with cachelos (potatoes) and turnip tops
- Lugo Mountain Stew
- Chestnuts
- Local artisan Bread
Services stage Fonsagrada – Cádavo Baleira
Get to know the main healthcare services, cafes, ATMs and restaurants that are located on this stage of the Camino Primitivo
Map stage Fonsagrada – Cádavo Baleira
Check the map with the route and locations that the stage runs through.
Profile stage Fonsagrada – Cádavo Baleira
Find out about the profile, altitude and degree of difficulty on each section.
What to do on the stage Fonsagrada – Cádavo Baleira
Below we give you information about places of interest that you can visit in the eighth stage of the Camino Primitivo.
Mámoas
Shortly after leaving Fonsagrada we can observe almost a hundred mamoas, burial mounds made of rock, typical of the Neolithic period. In the vicinity of the complex are the remains of a castro and the dolmen of Montouro: Pedras Dereitas.
Hospital de Montouto
The old hospital in Montouto is located next to the dolmen Pedras Dereitas. The building was founded in the 14th century, under the mandate of Pedro I, known as the Cruel, in order to give shelter and attention to the pilgrims who were heading to Santiago de Compostela.
Originally, the hospital was set on the Alto del Murada, but poor conditions and difficulties in its access caused it to be moved halfway up the hillside. The remains that can be seen today correspond to modifications made in the 17th century. Among the remains, you can see the presence of various buildings: a chapel, a block, and the kitchen zone, among others.
Iglesia de San Xoán
The Church of San Xoan is located in the village of A Lastra. It is a simple temple, with little architectural value. Inside it retains a neoclassical altarpiece with the sculptures of St. Francis of Assisi and the patron saint of the church, both from the 18th century. There is also a carving of the Virgin with the Child, dating from the 15th century.
Parish Church of Santiago
Church of Santiago is located in the town of Fontaneira. The temple was built in 1802. Its structure consists of a living room floor plant, composed of a single nave and a gabled roof.
Inside it shelters a baroque altarpiece, with the figures of Santiago Matamoros, San Antonio de Padua, San Pablo and San Pedro, among others. Formerly, next to the Church was a hospital for pilgrims.
Cadavo de Baleira
The village of Cadavo is the capital of the municipality of Baleira, which has 290 inhabitants. Given Cadavo’s size relative to the rest of Baleira’s hamlets, it is common for people to refer to Cadavo as a municipality. The village bases its economy on commerce and hospitality, although as a centre it does not have many places of interest for the visitor.
O Cadavo Recreation Area
The recreational area of O Cadavo is a green space in which there is a monument made by Gaudi, which used to once be in the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.
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