Today is our last day, at least on this tour of La Via de la Plata. We have shared many kilometres together, some of the pilgrims who have accompanied us on this adventure will have travelled even more kilometres than us.
Today we will enter the Plaza del Obradoiro and at last reach the tomb of the apostle. Thank you for sharing this adventure with us!
Let’s finish La Via de la Plata!
Today’s day is much more pleasant than you would expect, just because we approach a city. Of course, it’s not just any city.
The beginning of the stage takes place in a wooded environment, then enters rural areas, crossing some small villages, such as Lestedo, where we will have the opportunity to discover the legend of the Pico Sacro.
Finally, we will enter the urban area of Santiago de Compostela. Advancing through streets and avenues to Plaza del Obradoiro.
If you are thinking of doing the Camino de Santiago from Ourense, 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 Ponte Ulla – Santiago de Compostela
20.9 kilometres separate us from our destination, Santiago de Compostela. The route of this last stage is done, at the beginning, through rural environments, but losing sight of the asphalt only in rare cases. The final stage runs through the town. The slopes are mild or moderate.
Ponte Ulla (km. 0). Beginning of stage
Practical advice for this stretch: It is true that most pilgrims yearn to reach Santiago de Compostela before the 12 noon to attend the pilgrim’s mass, but the path during the last day also deserves to be enjoyed. Have breakfast before you leave Ponte Ulla, in Outeiro you will only find one hostel and they only serve sandwiches in high season. Buen Camino!
We begin the last day on the Via de la Plata by heading to Pazo de Vistalegre. We pass through the underpass here and go out to the N-525 road. We go up the hard shoulder, to the left. We joined a run of run-down asphalt and return to the national road.
Before reaching the sign for Ponte de Sarandon, we take a path to the right that leads to a tunnel. We face a steep climb and go out on a paved track. Following the asphalt, we turn twice to the right, to finally exit to a forest track.
This path, without any shade, returns us to an asphalt track, which we follow to the left. Passing by the fountain and the Chapel of Santiaguino, we arrive in Outeiro, in the Parish of Vilanova.
Outeiro (km. 4,6).
Practical tips for this stretch: In Lestedo we have the option to divert to the Pico Sacro, 1.8 kilometres from the pilgrim path to access the Codex Calixtino. On this peak, the first tomb of Santiago was placed
From the peak, you can enjoy a beautiful landscape and the towers of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. If you don’t want to climb to the peak, but you’re interested in the legend, you can visit the Information Centre, for which you only have to deviate 400 metres. Buen Camino!
From the Outeiro watchtower, we continue along a path that enters the forest of Vedra. We continue straight ahead for two kilometres. Following the path, we pass a track and immediately reach a paved section.
Next to a cross (km. 7.6), with Ardaris in front of us and entering the Parish of Lestedo, we turn 90 degrees to the right and continue on asphalt. Next to the Lestedo football ground, if we look to our right we will see the Sacred Peak, linked to the pilgrim legend about the transfer of the body of Santiago the Apostle.
Between houses with vines, we reach a point where the arrows indicate that we continue straight on and a marker points to the right. We follow the indication of the pilgrim marker and set course for Rubial (km. 8.7).
Rubial (km. 8,7).
Practical tips for this stretch: In Deseiro de Arriba you will find a bar, although you have to deviate 200 metres to reach it. Buen Camino!
In the urban centre of Rubial we find a house with battlements, next to a cross with images of Christ and the Sorrowful Virgin. Behind it, we have to turn left and descend to a road, which we cross to continue straight ahead.
Through wide meadows we reach a pass under the railway. After this we cross a bridge and, bat a corner, we enter Deseiro de Arriba, in the Parish of Boqueixon (km. 10,4).
We immediately realize that we are going round and round, as the pilgrim path leads us to a fork where we continue to the left, as if you were walking on the road. 150 metres later, we turn right and go up to the centre of A Gandara.
We move forward next to a sawmill, following the pilgrim signs at the various junctions that we find on this section and finally we go out onto the AC-960 road. Turn left and reach the fork of the N-525 road. After this we arrive in A Susana (km. 12,2).
A Susana (km. 12,2).
Practical tips for this stretch: In A Susana you will also find some bars, a few metres from the pilgrim path. Buen Camino!
We enter the town by a narrow street and after a rodeo, we cross the road. At the height of a picnic area, we cross the N-525, by an underpass.
Shortly after, we cross a stream and turn left, to climb a track of asphalt. We quickly turn right, where a marker indicates that only 7.998 kilometres are left to arrive in Santiago de Compostela.
We continue and reach Canoteira de Marrozos (km. 13.2). Over a bridge, we cross the railway tracks and turn left, to face a steep climb.
The effort gives us beautiful views over the valley, dotted with houses on its slopes. We go down and in the middle of the descent, we turn to the right and, soon after, to the left, reaching the railway track. We cross it and enter Vixoi (km. 14.6).
Vixoi (km. 14,6).
Practical tips for this stretch: You are in the final straight, this is the last stretch before reaching your great destination. Buen Camino!
Later we pass next to the Chapel of St. Lucia, located at the highest point on the stage. 200 metres later we enter Pineiro (km. 16.5).
From the centre we face the slope of Calle Camino Real de Pineiro, which soon becomes a path. Continuing to climb, we pass under the AP-9 motorway.
Next, we cross the railways, where a tragic accident occurred in 2013. Shortly thereafter we enter Angrois (km. 18.5). We go up the Camino Real de Angrois and, after crossing a road, we continue along the Sar road.
In front of us, we see the towers of the Cathedral of Santiago. Excited to see our destination on the horizon, we enter the Rua da Ponte do Sar and cross a bridge (km. 19.5).
We climb the Rua do Sar and the Rua Castron Douro, to reach the peak. There, without arrows that guide us, we cross the street and pass through the Porta de Mazarelos, the only access to the wall that still exists.
We arrive at Praza da Universidade and continue straight on the Rua da Caldeireiria. At the first side street in the city we turn to the left, on the descent, by the corner of Rua Xelmirez.
Here, we enter the Praza das Praterias. A few last steps lead us to the Praza do Obradoiro, where in front of us stands the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela (km. 20.9).
The end of La Via de la Plata.
Practical tips for this stretch: Take it easy to arrive in Santiago de Compostela. Many pilgrims will harass you with everything you have to do on arrival (rituals, get the Compostela, etc.), but the moment when you enter the Plaza del Obradoiro is unrepeatable, so do not rush and enjoy the excitement of the moment. See you soon, pilgrim!
In the Plaza del Obradoiro, we put our faithful companion on the ground, the backpack that has travelled with us on each of the kilometres that we have walked to get here. We look up and are impressed with the majesty of the Cathedral of Santiago.
Hugs, kisses and tears invade the square. Gradually pilgrims with which we have shared kilometres, meals and peaks on the way arrive in the square.
Enjoy that moment, the arrival of each of them once again floods the whole square full of excitement. The thrill of having reached our destination, each with their own backpack, with their own fears, with their good and bad experiences during the tour.
The Cathedral of Santiago is there, witnessing everything. A silent witness who for centuries has seen thousands and thousands of pilgrims, who after many kilometres, have come to that same place, where you are now, excited.
We calmly begin to comply with the traditions that are associated with the arrival in Santiago de Compostela. One of them is to attend the Pilgrim’s Mass at 12. If you’re not on time, don’t worry, you’ll be able to attend it the next day.
Another is to conclude our journey where it corresponds, in the tomb of Santiago the Apostle. To do this, climb the steps and join a long queue at the High Altar, which is open from 9:30 to 13:30 and from 16:00 to 19:30. In it we can visit the tomb of the Holy One.
Another thing you will have to do if you want to be mentioned in the Pilgrim’s Mass and if you want to show in the records that you have completed the Camino de Santiago, in addition to taking a nice diploma home, is to obtain the Compostela. To do this you must go to the Pilgrim’s Office, found at Rua Carretas 33, next to the Hostal de los Reyes Catolicos.
Here you’ll probably also have to queue. When your turn comes, they will stamp your credential one last time and give you the Compostela.
This is free, but you will also be given the option to obtain a distance certificate, which costs 3 euros, indicating, unlike the Compostela, the place of departure, the kilometres travelled and the day of your arrival.
Our advice is to take a couple of days to do all of the above calmly and to visit the city. The experience has been very intense and it is worth dedicating a few days to close it.
However, if you do not have time and have to return home on the day of your arrival, you can store your backpack in the Official Consignment Office of Campus Stellae, located in the Plaza de las Platerias, for two euros. Thus, you can visit Santiago de Compostela without carrying your backpack, which you have already carried enough.
From the consignment they manage shipments of material throughout Spain or Europe. However, if the tour has been done with us, we will also take care of these last details, so you can enjoy your final destination, without worrying about anything more.
Comments stage Ponte Ulla – Santiago de Compostela
Here are some tips for you to enjoy the last day on La Via de la Plata.
Precautions stage Ponte Ulla – Santiago de Compostela
Today is not a difficult one. Perhaps the access to Santiago de Compostela, since it is a large city, as it becomes monotonous, but the excitement of the arrival will be much stronger than that.
Food on the stage Ponte Ulla – Santiago de Compostela
Below we recommend some dishes that you can taste in the capital of Galicia.
- Mariscada. It is a classic reward for the effort made with a good Galician seafood.
- Galician-style Octopus
- All types of fish served in any style.
- Galician Beef
- Bacon with Turnip tops.
- Tarta de Santiago (Sweet Almond Cake)
- Home-made Liqueurs
- Queimada
- Ribeiro Wine
- Tapas: Santiago has arich Tapas culture. For each drink, you are offered a free snack.
What to do on the stage Ponte Ulla – Santiago de Compostela
To find out what to see and what to do on this stage, you can go to the section about What to see and what to do on stage 33 of the Camino Frances.
- Go to <<< Stage 5 on la Vía de la Plata
- Go to >>> Stage 33 on the Camino Francés
