After yesterday’s short stage, another short stage awaits us, again without difficulties. Perhaps those who have started the Camino Portugues begin to grow impatient for arriving in Santiago de Compostela, but these two stages are ideal for those who started in Tui.
Let’s go on the Camino Portugues!
Today’s stage presents a difficulty similar to yesterday’s stage. The pilgrim leaves the Council of O Porriño early in the morning, entering Mos.
The ascent to the Chapel of Santiaguiño will be the hardest stretch of the day, but from there everything is downhill until our arrival in Redondela, where we can expect to see some beautiful scenery.
If you are thinking about walking the Camino de Santiago from O Porriño 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 O Porriño – Redondela
Today’s stage is a little over 15 kilometres, a good part of them in descent. The only significant climb is the ascent to the Chapel of Santiaguiño, in which 140 metres are ascended in just 3 kilometres.
O Porriño (Km. 0). Beginning of stage
Practical advice for this section: Given the proximity of the municipality of O Porriño with that of Mos, today you will be able to decide whether to have breakfast in the locality of O Porriño, or to walk a few metres, and to do it in Mos. Buen Camino!
We began the day, going back on our steps yesterday, to the roundabout that is next to the square of the Town Hall. There we turn left on Ramiranes Street, until a roundabout located on the N-550, which separates the Concello de O Porriño and that of Mos.
We continue straight ahead, passing under the Rias Bajas motorway (A-52), and we enter Ameiro Longo, a Parish of Sanguiñeda (km. 1.5). We pass by the Fonte do Chan and a plaque in homage to the Noves brothers, renowned Galician mountaineers.
After the marquee, we turn to return to the N-550 road. We cross the national road and we continue ahead, passing by some warehouses, by the Camiño de Quiringosta. Then we head towards Piñero, where we pass under the train tracks.
We follow a local road that crosses a river and we get to a T-junction, at which we go to the right. We follow the local road to Veigadaña and then to Mos.
Mos (Km. 5,5)
Practical tips for this section: This section faces the most pronounced ascent of today’s stage since the route runs through various centres where you can stop, and take your time to complete the ascent. Buen Camino!
From Mos, we begin a demanding ascent to the cross of Os Cabaleiros (km. 6.1). Following a local road, we pass the centres of Os Cabaleiros and Pereira, where we take a dirt track that runs surrounded by pines, oaks and eucalyptus.
The path leads us back to the asphalt, in Inxertado (km. 7.8). Further up, we take a shortcut to a sidewalk that returns to the road, at the Chapel of Santiaguiño de Antas, located at the highest point of the stage today.
Capilla de Santiaguiño de Antas (Km. 8,5)
Practical tips for this section: All this section is downhill; we recommend you use the poles to not damage your knees. Buen Camino!
One hundred metres after crossing the road, we find the milestone of Vilar-Guizán-Louredo, a Roman indicator of the Via XIX that joined Braga with Astorga. Soon after, we enter Vilar de Infesta, which we cross lightly downhill along the central road.
Next to the Choles Steakhouse (km. 10.2), we take a detour to the left, which leads us in front of a restaurant, where we turn right on a dirt track that leads to an asphalted track. Soon this gives way to a path that runs between pines and for which we enter the Parish of Saxamonde.
First, we pass through the district of Casal do Monte and a little further down, Padrón (km. 11.5). We continue descending to O Souto (km. 12.3) and then, along the N-550, continue to O Muro (km. 13.8)
We move 600 metres along the national road, leaving it on the right hard shoulder to get into Redondela. Immediately, the Convent of Vilavella and then Pedro Florani Viaduct.
By Pai Crespo and Xoán Manuel Pereira Streets, we reach the urban centre of our destination today.
Redondela (Km. 15,2). End of stage
Practical tips for this section: From the locality, you can visit the San Simón Cove, which is almost not seen during the stage. For this, we can take a long walk or get a taxi. See you tomorrow!
In the locality, we can visit both religious heritage, like the Convent of Vilavella, the Church of Santiago, and natural surroundings such as Mount Penide or the Alameda Park Gardens.
Comments stage O Porriño – Redondela
Here are some tips for today’s route and we also suggest some regional dishes.
Precautions stage O Porriño – Redondela
At this stage, again, we cross the N-550 road on several occasions, it is important to pay special attention in these moments along the route.
The pilgrims who make the Camino Portugues by bicycle must be very cautious in the descent of O Santiaguiño since it is a very pronounced descent, that could cause us a problem or two.
Gastronomy stage O Porriño – Redondela
Below we recommend some typical dishes of the locality of Redondela.
- Cuttlefish, a squid variant from the San Simón Cove. You can taste them in their ink, with rice or even in empanadas (pies).
- Fish from the estuary: Turbot, Conger or Hake.
- Shellfish from the estuary: Spider Crabs, Mussels or Scallops.
Services stage O Porriño – Redondela
Meet the main health care services, cafes, ATMs, restaurants and are in this stage of the Portuguese Way of St. James.
Map stage O Porriño – Redondela
Consult the map with the route, points and towns along the stage.
Profile stage O Porriño – Redondela
Consult the profile of the stage: altitude and degree of difficulty of each section.
What to do stage O Porriño – Redondela
Here we are talking about the places you will be able to visit during today’s stage. A short enough stage for you to stop and do some sightseeing.
Pazo de los Marqueses de Mos
The Pazo de Los Marqueses de Mos is located next to the old Roman Road that connects Braga with Tui and Compostela. The construction dates back to the 17th century and was the residence of the Marquis of Mos, until it was burnt and demolished by the French troops at the beginning of the 19th century.
The building consists of three floors and an attic in the east wing. The construction covers approximately 1,160 square metres and is shaped in the form of an “L”. The building has three façades and a chancel, of which three granite terraces and two chimneys topped out in a sphere stand out.
The Pazo shows a shield that was very important in the locality, because during its design, in the 19th century, was when the emblem of the municipality was created.
Iglesia de Santiago de Sanguiñeda
The Church of Santiago de Sanguiñeda was erected in 1685 and is of late Romanesque style. In the temple, the staircase that leads to the façade of the church and the Belfry stand out, formed by a single vain, and crowned by a capital.
On its façade, it houses two stone carvings. One represents the Virgin with child and the other, Santiago.
Iglesia de Santa María de Guizán
The Church of Santa María de Guizán was built around 1192 and is in Romanesque style. The temple features a single rectangular nave and an 18th-century apse.
Of the construction, the western façade should be highlighted, formed by a Romanesque façade with two archivolts, which are held in columns. It also highlights the cornice of the south façade, which rests on seventeen historic corbels.
Castro de Torroso
The Castro de Torroso is located in the parish of the same name, in a privileged area protected by the mountains of Galleiro and the Sierra do Galiñeiro. It is an Iron age site, which was discovered by chance in 1983.
Between 1984 and 1990 excavations were carried out that proved that the site was a fortified town with dry stone walls, from the 7th century BC. Among the materials found, the decorated ceramics, as well as various elements of iron and bronze, stand out.
Iglesia de San Salvador
The Church of San Salvador is located in the village of Louredo. The building has a Romanesque style, although it underwent several renovations during the 18th century. Of the Romanesque elements that still preserve the temple, the tympanum and some consoles of the late 12th century are highlighted.
Redondela
Redondela is a charming little town, of almost 30,000 inhabitants, distributed into ten parishes. The locality, given its proximity to the estuary, is dedicated to fishing.
In it, we can find religious heritage, such as the Convent of Vilavella, the Church of Santiago, as well as natural surroundings like the Mount Penide or the Alameda Park Gardens.
Convento de Vilavella
The Convent of Vilavella is located at the entrance of Redondela and dates from the 16th century. The convent is made up of various constructions and monuments. In 1931, the convent was abandoned and remained empty until 2003, when it began to be used as a wedding suite and restaurant.
Monte Penide
Mount Penide is located on the south of the Ría de Vigo and is 450 metres above sea level. In the plateau of this mountain different cultures have been installed over time, so it has an extensive number of archaeological points.
From Neolithic times, (5000-3000 BC) there are more than thirty burial mounds distributed on a large plain known as Chan da Cruz, one of the most important megalithic necropolis. From the Bronze Age, you can find hundreds of petroglyphs that decorate the rocks of the town’s mountains. Finally, from the Iron Age, Castro Negro is conserved, where engravings of prehistoric times are also located.
Iglesia de Santiago
The Church of Santiago is located in the city centre of Redondela and dates from the 15th century, although it had to be rebuilt in the 16th. The temple has a single nave, covered with ribbed vaults, and a chancel, covered with a starry vault.
Of the church, its great façade stands out, with lintelled cover. At the top of the cover is a large rose window and the façade is topped with the image of Santiago Matamoros.
Practical information:
Mass times: From 1 July to 31 August, Monday to Friday and Eves (20:30), Sundays and Public Holidays (10:00 and 12:30). From September 1 to June 30, Monday to Friday and holiday eves (19:30), Sundays and Holidays (10:00 and 12:30).
Viaducto Pedro Floriani
The Pedro Floriano Viaduct, or Madrid-Redondela Viaduct, began operating in 1876 and was inaugurated by King Alfonso XII himself, the following year. The construction functioned for almost 100 years, up to 1971.
Jardines del Parque de la Alameda
The Alameda Park Gardens are located in the centre of the town of Redondela, near the Town Hall building. In the gardens you can visit several centenary trees and the monument to the writer Castelao, the work of Xoan Piñero.
