Our first day in Galician lands dawns, after a visit to the beautiful old town of Ribadeo.
Let’s continue on the Camino del Norte!
Today’s stage is a turning point in our journey. We leave the coast of the Cantabrian Sea and enter, among eucalyptus trees, in the rural environment of the province of Lugo.
This change in landscape also implies a change in the terrain of the route, which begins to present bigger slopes, running through a much more mountainous environment.
If you are thinking of doing the Camino de Santiago from Ribadesella, 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 Ribadeo – Lourenzá
Today’s stage is 28.4 kilometres from Ribadeo to Lourenzá. On the route it faces several steep slopes, such as the ascent to the village of A Ponte de Arante, with a slope of 260 metres that are walked over 5 kilometres, and the access sill to Lourenzá.
Regarding the firmness on the road, in rainy season it is usual for the path to be muddy.
Ribadeo (km. 0). Beginning of stage
Practical tips for this section: Between Vilela and Villamartín Grande you will not find any services, so it is advisable to leave Vilela prepared to face the almost 13 kilometres of travel that separate the two villages. Buen Camino!
We begin today’s stage by heading for the estuary. We advance parallel to it until we leave the road that descends to the port.
We follow it on the right and on the second street, Avenida Rosalía de Castro, we turn left. We cross Calle San Roque and continue along Calle Ramón González, to exit onto Calle Diputación.
We continue on this to the right and then we turn left on Calle Pintor Fierros, which continues on a paved road. We cross a road and the railway line.
After the parish of Ove, we continue to climb, slowly gaining altitude. Later, we go onto the LU-5207 road and follow it to the Chapel of Carmen, in the village of Vilela (km. 6.8).
At the exit of the urban centre, after a short climb, we arrive in front of a bar-restaurant, where we take a paved track on the right. After the climb, we continue downhill to the LU-133 road, where we turn right, to continue along a dirt track.
We go along the earthy path, which crosses a wooded area, up to the middle part of the mountains, to exit again onto the LU-133 road. We cross it and descend to the village of A Ponte de Arante (km. 11.6), where we can visit a beautiful chapel.
Ponte de Arante (km. 11,6).
Practical tips for this section: In Villamartín Pequeño you will not find services but you will find a fountain. Buen Camino!
Leaving the town, we turn right by a road in steep ascent. Later we continue along a paved track for half a kilometre, then leave it on the left.
We continue the climb along forested paths until reaching 370 metres of altitude above sea level. The long track leads to the road leading to the tiny hamlet of Villamartín Pequeño (km. 17,2).
At the end of the small urban centre, and after passing the cemetery, we turn right to continue climbing to Villamartín Grande (km. 19). Here we cross the LU-6103 road and continue head-on, on the descent, along a paved track. We exit the LU-0609 road, which we continue to Gondán (km. 21.4).
We leave Gondán deviating to the right, by a track that begins at the end of the village. At 200 metres we take a detour to the left, which we follow for 800 metres, to turn left again and return to the road.
Later, past a bar, we find a detour on the left and down a paved track we climb to the Church of San Xusto de Cabarcos (km. 23,6).
From the temple we take a long track, downhill, which leads us to Lourenzá. To enter the town centre, we cross the bridge that crosses the River Batán and continue along Calle Montero Villegas.
Lourenzá (km. 28,4). End of stage
Practical tips for this section: Lourenzá offers all kinds of services and a valuable monastic site to visit. See you tomorrow!
You cannot leave Lourenzá without visiting the architectural site of the Monastery of San Salvador, founded in the 10th century by the well-known Count Santo. In front of the pilgrim’s hostel, you can also visit the Chapel of Nossa Señora da Gracia.
Some pilgrims extend this stage to Mondoñedo, covering 36.6 kilometres. We prefer to stop in Lourenzá and enjoy the Monastery of San Salvador.
Comments Ribadeo – Lourenzá
Below are some tips for the first stage of the Camino del Norte in Galician lands.
Precautions stage Ribadeo – Lourenzá
Departure from Ribadeo is poorly signposted, follow the instructions on the itinerary and you will not have any problems. Remember to take Avenida Rosalía de Castro.
Throughout today you will travel long distances that cross places without any services. You must plan the tour taking into account this fact. In Vilela, Villamartín Grande and San Xusto you will find services.
Pilgrims who complete the route by bike and people with reduced mobility will find it difficult on the climb to A Ponte Arante and in some sections that may be muddy, if it has rained.
In case of bad weather, it is recommended to follow the route of the LU-133 road between Vilela and Ponte, to the Chapel of Nossa Señora das Virtudes.
Gastronomía etapa Ribadeo – Lourenzá
Below we recommend some dishes of Galician gastronomy that you can taste at this stage.
- Bacon with Turnip Tops
- Galician Stew
- Empanada
- Lourenzá Beans
- Marzipan
- Ribeira Sacra Wine
Services stage Ribadeo – Lourenzá
Get to know the main healthcare services, cafes, ATMs and restaurants that are located on this stage of the Camino del Norte.
Map stage Ribadeo – Lourenzá
Check the map with the route and locations that the stage runs through.
Profile stage Ribadeo – Lourenzá
Find out about the profile, altitude and degree of difficulty on each section.
What to see and do in the Ribadeo – Lourenzá stage
Here’s some information on some points of interest in the stage.
Monasterio de San Salvador
The Monastery of San Salvador, Lourenzá, is an architectural complex declared a Historical-Artistic Monument in 1974. The complex consists of a main, classicist-style cloister, the Pozo Santo cloister, the former Abacial Chamber, currently the Town Hall headquarters, the Church of Santa Maria, the Library and the Sacred Heart Museum.
The construction dates back to 947 and was ordered by Count Don Osorio Gutiérrez, known as Count Santo. Throughout history, the monastery has been managed by various orders.
In the 12th century it went from a family monastery to welcoming the Benedictine brothers. Subsequently, from 1505, the congregation of San Benito was integrated.
In the first half of the 19th century, following the Mendizábal confiscation, the monastery was closed, dismantling its library.
At the beginning of the 20th century the community of monks reoccupied it, repairing the damaged areas during a fire that it suffered in 1878.
In 1942, the community that occupied it was dissolved and the outbuildings passed into the hands of the Bishopric of Mondoñedo. Today, it houses the headquarters of the Museum of Sacred Art.
On its architecture it is worth noting that its façade is the work of the architect Casas Novoa and that this was the pre-building test of the façade of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.
As Fadégas – Las Pisadas del Encanto
Las Pisadas del Encanto, or the petroglyphs of As Fadégas, are located in the municipality of Ribadeo. It is a set of footprints of various measures, on outdoor stones, dating back to the Neolithic period. In the immediate vicinity, the Orchard of the Anzas, from 3000 BC, is also located.
Iglesia parroquial de San Xurxo
The Parish Church of San Xurxo is a temple dating from the 18th century. Its structure has a plant in the form of a Latin cross and consists of a single nave, with two chapels at each end, and a main chapel with sacristy.
From its exterior, the rustic portico and the double-spanned chancel, located on the façade. Inside, the main altarpiece of the 19th century, in a neoclassical style also stands out.
Museo de Arte Sacro
The building of the Monastery of San Salvador, where the Museum of Sacred Art is located was built in 1964, although it has subsequently undergone several renovations.
The exhibition features a collection of sculptures and paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries, as well as gold-worked pieces, the tomb of the founder of the Monastery of San Salvador, the Holy Count, and the Chapel of Our Lady of Valvanera.
Practical information:
Times: Open daily (11:00 to 13:00 and 16:00 to 19:00).
Admission: 1.20 euros.
Lourenzá
The municipality of Vilanova de Lourenzá, in the province of Lugo, has just over 2,300 inhabitants and is closely linked to the Camino de Santiago.
In the town is an essential visit to the architectural ensemble of the Monastery of San Salvador. In front of the pilgrim’s hostel, you can also visit the Chapel of Nossa Señora da Gracia.
Capilla de Santa Cruz
The Chapel of Santa Cruz is located in the Monastery of San Salvador. Its construction was carried out, according to legend, from a stone launched by the Count Santo, building the chapel where it stopped.
The chapel has a rectangular floor plan and a wooden roof. On your door you can see the sign of peace. Inside it houses an altarpiece with a niche in which a 17th-century crucifix is kept.
Iglesia de Santa María
The Church of Santa Maria also belongs to the monastic site of San Salvador. Its construction was carried out in 1732 and is considered a test of the façade for the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.
The temple features a Latin cross plant, three naves and a dome supported by pendentives. Inside it houses two altarpieces, one of Ventura Rodríguez, neoclassical style, and another of San Xosé, Renaissance style. It also guards the cover of a knight’s tomb and the tomb of Villarroel.
The chapel of Our Lady of Valvanera and that of Our Lady of Valdeflores are both located. Both are part of the Museum of Sacred Art.
Practical information:
Hours: Open daily (11:00 to 13:00 and 16:00 to 19:00).
Capilla de Nossa Señora da Gracia
The chapel of Nossa Señora da Gracia is located in front of the pilgrim hostel of Lourenzá. The small temple was founded in the 18th century.
The chapel stands on a square floor and has a rustic portico at the entrance. The temple is covered by a dome that, inside, presents two altarpieces, in neoclassical style, and the baroque image of the patron saint of the temple.
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- Go to >>> Stage 28 on the Camino del Norte
