We hope that the climb to Alto do Mar de Ovellas has not made a dent in your knees or ankles. We are sure that for those who began their journey hundreds of miles away from Santiago de Compostela, the ascent will not have been too difficult.
But if you are one of those who begin their pilgrimage in Santiago de Compostela, perhaps the route has become somewhat hard. It’s normal, they are the first few days.
Let’s continue on the Camino de Finisterre!
If yesterday’s stage was beautiful, today’s stage is even more so. It’s not for nothing that it has a reputation for being one of the most beautiful days of the whole Camino de Finisterre.
Thick oak, chestnut and beech forests will help us disconnect from hard sections on asphalt. Ancient crosses and granaries will accompany our steps through the valleys that bath the River Xallas.
The day faces its final kilometres across Mount Aro, which although we will cross over it on asphalt, it will give us magnificent views over the Fervenza Reservoir. The day concludes in the small medieval village of Olveiroa.
If you are thinking of doing the Camino de Santiago from Santiago de Compostela to Finisterre or Muxía, tell us what your plans are for the Camino de Santiago, and we will contact you to advise you on everything that you need.
Itinerary stage Negreira – Olveiroa
The second stage on the Camino de Finisterre is considerably longer than the first. 33.4 kilometres in total that are made through rural environments, lush forests and some other hard asphalt stretches.
The terrain on the path has frequent ascents, smooth, but some are quite long.
Negreira (km. 0). Beginning of stage
Practical tips for this section: Today it is worth having a good breakfast before starting the day. Between Negreira and Vilaserío we have two sections of constant climbing. Buen Camino!
We leave the centre of Negreira by the San Mauro road, crossing the arch that connects the chapel and the Pazo de Cotón. We cross the River Barcala, a tributary of the Tambre, and continue up the road that leads to the small hamlet of Negreiroa.
We leave the road, diverting to the right, and pass next to the Church of San Julian (km. 1). By a forested stretch we go up to the Alto da Cruz, where we go back to the road (km. 2,3).
Following a straight, about 600 metres, we arrive at San Mamede de Zas, where we leave the road to cross the centre of the village. At the exit of the town, we continue along a beautiful promenade flanked by stone walls and rich vegetation.
The pilgrim path passes close to the centre of Camiño Real, but does not enter it, leaving it on the left.
Camiño Real (km. 4,6).
Practical tips for this section: In A Pena you will find the first bar of this stage. It has to be accessed by stairs. The next bar is eight kilometres away. Buen Camino!
For a stretch, almost two and a half kilometres in ascent, we arrive at the next village, Rapote (km. 7), in the Parish of San Martiño de Broño. After the ascent, we start the descent to the riverbed, then climb again up the mount of Espñareiro, to A Pena (km. 8.2).
We pass by the Church of San Mamede and the rectory; and we go into Piaxe (km. 8.4). Half a kilometre later, we start on the DP-5603 road, at Portocamiño (km. 8.9), and follow the road route, surrounded by a rural landscape, to Cornovo (km. 9,3).
At the exit of the town, after the fork in the road to Gorgal and Xallas, we leave the asphalt again and cross the Rego do Forxán over a small footbridge. We walk through the area of Altiño do Cotón, accompanied by cornfields, pines and eucalyptus trees.
Again we return to the road, to advance through it for more than two kilometres, to Vilaserío (km. 12,7), in the Parish of San Pedro de Bugallido.
Vilaserío (km. 12,7).
Practical tips for this section: In Vilaserío you will find a bar, there are no more until Santa Mariña, more than eight kilometres away. Buen Camino!
We leave the village by the road, and continue along it to Cornado (km. 14,9), last village of the Negreira Council. From here, the landscape will change drastically due to the land consolidation.
We face a small ascent, and then, its subsequent descent, through a pine environment, and exit onto the DP-5604 road, on which we continue to the right for 400 metres.
Then, we turn left and soon after, after crossing a stretch prone to muddiness due to the proximity of the River Barbeira, we go onto an agricultural track surrounded by corn crops.
After approximately 45 minutes of walking, we reach the bridge that crosses River Maroñas. We cross it and enter the parish of the same name, in the Council de Mazaricos (km. 19.8).
Maroñas (km. 19,8).
Practical advice for this section: Special caution should be taken when crossing the AC-400 road in this section. This is a pretty dangerous junction. Buen Camino!
At the entrance of the centre, we are received by two typical granaries. By a post we continue to the neighbouring Santa Mariña (km. 20.8). The pilgrim trail deviates to the right in search of the AC-400 road.
We cross the road, and three metres after the Santa Mariña Hostel (km. 21.5), we leave the main road by a detour to the right. Following a local asphalted track, which runs uphill, we arrive at Bon Xesús (km. 23,3) and then to Gueima (23.7). Crossing a steep climb, we reach Vilar do Castro (km. 24.4).
In this village, we find two itineraries. The route that, by track, crosses Monte Aro and its fort, but that may be cut off. The other option is, next to an information panel, turn right and continue along an asphalt track, which gives us a good run-around.
At the first junction, we continue on the left. At no time should we leave the local track, along which we cross Campo Valado (km. 27.1), Porteliñas (km. 27.4) and Abeleiroas (km. 27.9).
Abeleiroas (km. 27,9).
Practical tips for this section: The last 25 minutes of the asphalted route can become very tedious, but you’ll soon arrive. Buen Camino!
At the detour to the Corzón Viewpoint, we turn left and pass next to the Parish Church of San Cristovo de Corzón (km. 30).
The pilgrim path does not enter the village, but deviates to the left along a straight road. After more than a kilometre, we arrive at the village of Mallón (km. 31.2).
We turn right to continue along a bigger road and reach the River Xallas which divides the councils of Mazaricos and that of Dumbría. We cross it over a bridge and at the other end we are greeted by Ponte Olveira (km. 31.9).
We complete the 25 minutes of travel that remain to the centre of Olveiroa by road, without getting lost. At the entrance of the town we are greeted by a granary, enabled as a private hostel.
Olveiroa (km. 33,4). End of stage
Practical tips for this section: In Olveiroa, the main conversation of the pilgrims is what route they will follow the next morning. In this village, it is up to us to decide which course we choose to take, whether towards Fisterra or Muxía. See you tomorrow!
Olveiroa is a quiet medieval town, clearly marked by the presence of pilgrims, so it has the basic services to cover most of the needs you may have.
In the small village you can visit ancient granaries, the Church of Santiago or the Chapel of St. Lucia, located 750 metres from the pilgrim hostel.
Although it is a visit that cannot be made on foot, because the distance is too large, in the vicinity of the town is located the Ézaro Waterfall, the only European waterfall that pours its waters directly into the sea. You can take a taxi to get there.
Comments stage Negreira – Olveiroa
Here are some tips for the second stage on the Camino de Finisterre.
Precautions stage Negreira – Olveiroa
Today’s stage involves some difficulties. In addition to the long distance, the route faces several steep ascents, such as the one between Negreira and Vilaserío.
This section implies an almost continuous ascent, except the final descent to Vilaserío, which is punishing quite early in the morning. To the above, it should be added that it is easy to find the ground in a muddy state.
On the other hand, it is a stage in which we cross the road several times. It is advisable to pay special attention at the junction of the AC-400 in Santa Mariña, as it is a rather dangerous traffic junction.
Food stage Negreira – Olveiroa
During today’s stage, you can enjoy some of the dishes that we recommend below.
- Pulpo á feira – Octopus, Galician style
- Empanadas
- Padrón Peppers
- Fish: turbot, hake, and cod, among others.
- Shellfish in general
- Fish stews
- Beef and Game meats
- Tarta de Santiago (Almond cake)
Services stage Negreira – Olveiroa
Get to know the main healthcare services, cafes, ATMs and restaurants that are located on this stage of the Camino de Finisterre.
Map stage Negreira – Olveiroa
Check the map with the route and locations that the stage runs through.
Profile stage Negreira – Olveiroa
Find out about the profile, altitude and degree of difficulty on each section.
What to do on stage Negreira – Olveiroa
Below we provide information about places of interest that you can visit in Olveiroa.
Olveiroa
Olveiroa is a small village of less than 200 inhabitants, belonging to the municipality of Dumbría.
The development of this town has gone hand in hand with the rise of the Camino de Santiago, from almost having no population, to having almost all the services that pilgrims may need. Nevertheless, Olveiroa has preserved its medieval layout.
In the town you can visit ancient granaries, the Church of Santiago, the Chapel of St. Lucia, located 750 meters from its centre.
In the vicinity, the Ezaro Waterfall is located, which although very far away to visit on foot, is worth a visit, since it is the only waterfall in Europe that pours its waters directly into the sea.
Puente de Olveiroa
The Olveiroa Bridge crosses the River Xallas and is a must for all pilgrims who want to enter the town. From the bridge, and accompanying the river course, it is possible to reach the Fervenza Reservoir.
Ancient granaries
The centuries-old granaries in Olveiroa are the largest and best preserved in the province. These are built in stone. Next to them is a cross.
Iglesia de Santiago
The Church of Santiago de Olveiroa is a sober temple, of Romanesque origin, although somewhat distorted today due to the renovations that it has undergone.
The main door of the church is Baroque in style and is crowned by a belfry. On the lintel of the door you can see a particular image of Santiago the Apostle, of which, its origin is unknown.
In the atrium of the church, some of the locals who lost their lives in the War of Independence against the French are buried.
Chapel of Saint Lucia
The Chapel of Saint Lucia is 750 metres from the Olveiroa pilgrim’s Hostel. The temple is famous for having a fountain that, it is said, cures vision problems.
That is why during the pilgrimage that takes place here, it is customary to wet a handkerchief in its waters, pass it over the eyes and tie it to one of the bars inside the chapel.
Cascada de Ézaro
The waterfall in the town of Ézaro, in the municipality of Dumbría, is one of the most famous in Europe, as it is the only one on the continent that pours its waters directly into the sea.
The waterfall leaps over 40 metres, however the River Xallas, which feeds it, in its final stretch presents a slope of 155 metres.
In the vicinity of the waterfall, there is a viewpoint, from which you can enjoy magnificent views of the meeting of the river with the sea.
Access to this area is too far from the pilgrim path for your visit to be made on foot, but from Olveiroa it is possible to take a taxi to visit the place.
Practical information:
Hours: Opens every day of the year. In summer it is possible to see it illuminated during some designated days from 23 hours (23 and 25 June – 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 July – 6, 13, 14, 15, 20 and 27 August – 3, 10, and 17 September).
Admission: Free.
- Go to <<< Stage 1 on the Camino de Finisterre
- Go to >>> Stage 3 on the Camino de Finisterre
