The first morning in Galician territory dawns, and our bodies full of energy ask for more road, and more kilometres, to discover the magnificence of Galicia.
Let’s go on the Camino Portugues coastal route!
The first stage that runs completely through Galician lands. Today we will leave from A Guarda using the Camino of the Shellfish, to cross very beautiful and photogenic places like the Monastery of Santa Maria of Oia or the views over Cape Silleiro, with the Atlantic as a backdrop.
We will complete the stage in Baiona, a locality with tourist, cultural and gastronomic interest, one of those places that you will fall in love with.
If you are thinking about walking the Camino de Santiago from Porto 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 Guarda – Baiona
The sixth stage of the Camino Portugues coastal route is a stretch full of beautiful views, with the faithful company of the Atlantic Ocean. The context will help us to complete a journey of considerable distance (30.7 km), with different slopes, some with a strong ascent.
Guarda (Km. 0). Beginning of stage
Practical tips for this section: From the Area Grande Beach, the route is complicated for the pilgrims who go by bicycle, so it is best to take the stone ramp to the PO-552 road, where you will find a viewpoint and a bike path that will continue to Baiona.
This option is also an alternative for walkers in extreme stormy days, as the waves could reach the road. Buen Camino!
By Rúa San Bernardo or Rúa Puerto Rico, we arrive at Rúa da Guía, which becomes a square in front of the Chapel of the Virgen de la Guia. By the Rúa Baixa to Praia, we arrive at the Fedorento and Area grande beaches located at the end of the town.
At the end of the beach, parking begins the most rugged stretch of the day today, we go along the Shellfish route, a tour at sea level enabling us to visit the nurseries used in the past to keep the shellfish alive.
Shortly after a kilometre, the arrows divert us to the left, along a path that becomes a dirt track through fields and small pine and eucalyptus forests. Then the road ascends to the PO-552 road (km. 3.8).
We follow the road bike path for 1.9 km, we pass the viewpoint of Punta Bazar and, just when entering the municipality of O Rosal, the arrows divert us to the left by a nice stretch, parallel to the road, which leads us to Portecelo (km. 7)
Portecelo (km. 7).
Practical tips for this section: The Monastery of Oia deserves a visit and many photos. Buen Camino!
We continue for two kilometres along the old Estrada Real, then returning to the bike lane. After several entrances and exits on the bike lane, we finally leave it taking an asphalted track that leads us to the Chapel of San Sebastián, in the municipality of Oia (km. 13).
800 metres Later, we enter the district of Arrabal, with stone houses, passing by the stone cross of the Sentinel, located in a small square.
We then descend to the locality until reaching the beach and the embankment of the monastery, after which we turn left to take a dirt track that advances between small stone walls.
In this section, we will enjoy a beautiful view of the meadows and fields with the ocean as a backdrop.
At Orelluda, we return to the bike lane. We follow it, passing by Hotel Glasgow and soon after a petrol station, to then cross the road by a pedestrian crossing and follow a paved road that runs uphill.
Following the indications of the arrows, we reach a higher elevation, with good views, and then we go back down to the road. We cross the road and follow a few metres along the bike path to turn left on a dirt track.
Soon we reach a pebble beach and the mouth of the River Mougas, which we cross thanks to a small blue-coloured bridge. After the bridge, we turn left to enter Porto Mougas, with houses on the seafront.
Porto Mougás (km. 19,2).
Practical tips for this section: In this section, you will pass near some Bronze Age petroglyphs, perhaps it is a good opportunity to visit them. Buen Camino!
We follow the main street, parallel to the coast until we finally return to link with the bike track on the PO-552 road. On the next curve, after the link, we leave the bike path through a dirt track that starts on the left, which we follow to Pedra Rubia (km 21), passing by the O Muiño campsite.
Once again, we return to the bike lane, we pass by the O Peñasco Hotel. 150 metres later, a pillar tells us that we must divert to the coast to follow a path that leads us to make a small detour, which takes us through a beautiful landscape.
Then we return to ascend the road and return to the bike lane, surpassing Punta Centinela, while appearing on the horizon Cabo Silleiro and its lighthouse. We enter then into the small village of A Ermida (km. 23.5).
A Ermida (km. 23,5).
Practical tips for this section: In this hilly section, you will find several gates that you must open and close. Keep your eyes open because it is common to see native wild horses in this area.Buen Camino!
We Pass by the Hotel Soremma and a few metres later, next to the Mougas campsite. We continue along the bike path for 650 metres and then the arrows invite us to cross the road to start a climb up a concrete ramp, next to some chalets.
The ramp is transformed into a dirt road and stones, the Camiño da Portela. We find a gate, which we must close behind us, and continue on a steep climb that takes us through one of the most magical and solitary environments on the Camino Portugues coastal route.
We continue on a road with stone slabs, we pass another gate and we reach a plain, after which, going straight ahead, the descent through a forest begins. We reach a small paved road and follow it to the district of Cabreiro, of the parish of Baredo.
Baredo (km. 27,4).
Practical tips for this section: Throughout this section, you will enjoy splendid views; prepare your camera to immortalize them. Buen Camino!
On arrival in Baredo, we follow the indications of the arrows with attention, advancing between chalets and fences of houses.
We leave the centre by the Río Pequeño Way, in ascent. At the end of the street, we turn left to follow the EP-2203 road, for 700 metres, surrounded by pine trees and accompanied by the great views over the Cies Islands.
When you reach the crossroads, turn left, passing a viaduct over the AG-57 motorway. We turn right, bordering a small park with a cross and playgrounds, and we pass a viewpoint with some stone tables, perfect to enjoy a panoramic view of Baiona and the Ria de Vigo.
We continue on the right and we reach the district of San Antón, the upper part of Baiona. From there we begin the descent to the urban centre, passing by the Chapel of Santa Liberata and the former Collegiate Church of Santa Maria.
Baiona (km. 30,7). End of stage
Practical tips for this section: Baiona, in addition to witnessing the arrival of La Pinta, contains many legends such as the Liberata Chapel. Take your time to discover this beautiful seaside resort. See you tomorrow!
Walking through Baiona means walking imbued with the smell of the sea. In its streets, full of picturesque fishermen’s houses, you can visit the Chapel of Santa Liberta, with a sad and incredible legend behind it, the former Collegiate Church of Santa Maria or the replica of the Pinta located in the Port.
In the vicinity of the centre, you will find the monument and viewpoint of the Virgen de la Roca or the Fortress of Monterreal on Mount Boi, with the Hospital Santi Spiritus at the entrance.
Comments stage Guarda – Baiona
We give you some recommendations for today’s route and we suggest some typical products of the region that you can try during this stage.
Precautions Guarda – Baiona
During today’s stage, we’ll tour one of the wildest stretches of the Atlantic coast of Galicia. If we coincide with a stormy day, we will be amazed by the height of the waves and the force of the wind.
At the exit of A Guarda, cyclists must take the bike path of the PO-552 road to Baiona, to avoid the long stony paths on this day.
Food Guarda – Baiona
Here you will find some gastronomic suggestions for today’s day.
- Shellfish: King prawns, Lobster, Crab and Spider Crabs.
- Fish
- Wine from the “Rías Baixas”
Services stage Guarda – Baiona
Meet the main health care services, cafes, ATMs, restaurants and are in this stage of the Portuguese Coastal Way.
Map stage Guarda – Baiona
Consult the map with the route, points and towns along the stage.
Profile stage Guarda – Baiona
Consult the profile of the stage: altitude and degree of difficulty of each section.
What to do stage Guarda – Baiona
Below we provide you with information on the points of interest you will find on your first day in Galician lands.
Cruceiro de la Centinela
The Stone Cross of the Sentinel dates from 1764. It is located in a square that bears the same name. From this place, you have a magnificent view of the pier, the beach and the Monastery of Oia.
Monasterio de Oia
The Monastery of Oia is a former Cistercian monastery dating back to the 12th century. The building presents Romanesque, Renaissance and Baroque elements, all of them corresponding to different renovations.
The architectural site highlights the personality of its church, with a strong façade, with almost no decoration. The processions cloister, the chapter house, the sacristy and the high chancel were added later, in the renovations carried out during the 16th century.
In the 17th century, with the rise of the prominence in sculptures, various elements and images were incorporated as the main altarpiece that presides the head of the church. In The 18th century, the site underwent an ambitious repair, in which it modified its Templar façade and widened the monastery. The tower was also added.
In 1931, the whole monastic site was declared an asset of Cultural Interest.
Castro de A Cabeciña
The Castro of A Cabeciña is situated one kilometre from the Port of Mougas, with extraordinary views of the sea. This place houses a set of petroglyphs from the Bronze Age, made by the inhabitants of the old fortress. The Fort stands out for its monumental defences and its strategic location.
Faro de Cabo Silleiro
The Cabo Silleiro Lighthouse was built in 1924 to replace an earlier lighthouse, from 1862. Its function is to alert on the dangerous points of navigation by the presence of pitfalls and the proximity of the Cies and Stelae Islands, as well as of the entrance of the Ria de Vigo.
Iglesia de Baredo
The Church of Baredo dates from 1812 and was built to replace a primitive temple from 1140, of which remains are not preserved. The temple is simple, has a baroque altar and looks like a cross vault.
Inside is the image of the Virgin of Cela, which according to tradition appeared in the sea in the 16th century. Popular history tells us that after King Henry VIII ordered to burn and destroy all the religious statues of the country, some devotees threw the images to the sea to save them.
When the Virgin appeared, she tried to move to Baíña since the parish church was there, but they say that the carriage that transported her did not want to move and the image was left in Baredo, until today.
Baiona
Baiona is a municipality of 35 square kilometres and has slightly more than 12,000 inhabitants. Its old town, declared an asset of Historical-Artistic Interest by the Xunta de Galicia in 1993, is characterized by narrow cobblestone streets and arched buildings, built with stone or granite and low in height.
The locality is known, among other reasons, for having witnessed the arrival of the Caravel “Pinta”, in March 1493, after the discovery of the New World. In commemoration of this fact, a replica of the ship is installed in the port.
Walking through Baiona you will find in every corner a small temple, a fountain or a noble house of considerable architectural and/or historical interest.
Some of the most outstanding places are the Chapel of Santa Liberta, with a sad and incredible history behind it, the former Collegiate Church of Santa Maria, the monument and viewpoint of the Virgen de la Roca or the Fortress of Monterreal on Mount Boi, with the Hospital Santi Spiritus at the entrance.
Ex colegiata de Santa María
The Church of Santa Maria is located in the town of Baiona. The temple was built in the 13th century and was considered Collegiate between 1482 and 1850.
Its structure consists of three naves divided by rectangular apses, covered with barrel vaults. The sobriety of the temple is emphasised, typical of all the centres that were influenced by the Cistercian Order.
On the façade, there is an impressive Romanesque rose window and several Romanesque windows.
Capilla de Santa Liberata
The Chapel of Santa Liberata is located in Baiona. It is a temple of Italian style plateresque that began to be built in 1695 by popular request. The temple is consecrated to Santa Liberata, the martyr daughter of Baiona and first woman in the world to be crucified.
According to the story, about the year 119, Lucio Catelio Severo ruled in Balcagia, the current Baiona, along with his wife Calsia.
She had a multiple birth of nine daughters and thinking that this extraordinary fact would instil on her husband suspicions of infidelity, she ordered the midwife to throw them in the river.
The midwife, moved by compassion decided to leave the little ones to Christian women from a nearby locality. The ladies raised and educated them in the Christian faith.
The girls were baptized as Basilisa, Eufemia, Genivera, Germana, Marciana, Marina, Victoria and Liberata In the 2nd century, persecutions began for Christians throughout the region, ending up with the new sisters in the presence of Catelo.
When he saw the resemblance of the girls with his wife, he spoke to Calsia, who recognized what he had done.
Both Catelo and Calsia implored the girls to renounce the Christian faith, but they affirmed emphatically that they preferred death than to renounce the Christian faith.
Catelo was found, then, in the plight of whether to be carried away by the love of a father who felt for the young or impose the authority of the Judge. After many pleas by Catelo and Calsia, this enraged man gave a day to the girls to decide if they wanted to abandon Christ or die.
The sisters in order to avoid their own father killing them, fled the locality, each one taking a different path. Catelo ordered a search to seize them. Eight of them were found and martyred in different parts of the region.
Liberata, withdrawn in a wilderness and feeding on roots, managed to survive for a time until she was betrayed by men who were attracted by her beauty, they felt rejected by her.
Once captured, she was the victim of various aggressions and maltreatment and was finally crucified.
The church altarpiece is presided over by a crucifixion scene and high-relief medallions depicting the agony suffered by her eight sisters.
Virgen de la Roca
The Virgen de la Roca is the most famous monument in the municipality of Baiona. It was inaugurated in 1930 and is the work of the architect Antonio Palacios, designer of various modernist buildings.
The sculpture is 15 metres high and represents the Virgin holding in her right hand a boat, which serves as a lookout, which is accessed by an interior stone staircase. The hands and face of the Virgin are made with white marble and her crown is porcelain.
Fortaleza de Monterreal
The Fortress of Monterreal is situated on Mount Boi. The construction is before the birth of Christ and in it have inhabited various peoples, such as Celts, Phoenicians and Romans. In the old days, the town of Baiona was settled in this place.
The Peninsula occupies an area of 18 hectares surrounded by 3 kilometres of walls from the 11th and 17th centuries. Currently, the wall retains three towers.
At the entrance is the Clock Tower, in which is housed a bell in charge of giving the alarm in case of attack by enemies; To the east is located the Tower of the Pincer and, in the eastern part, the Tower of the Prince, which acted as a lighthouse for the boats.
Practical Information
Timetable: Daily (from 10:00 to 22:00).
Admission: 1 euro on foot and 5 euros in car.
Hospital Santi Spiritus
The Hospital Santi Spiritus is located at the entrance of the Fortress Monterreal, on Mount Boi. The building dates back to the 16th century, although it was rebuilt in the 17th century, on the site it currently occupies.
The hospital was dedicated to charity and catered for the poor and pilgrims. It currently houses the municipal public library.
