After yesterday’s pleasant journey, today the Terra Chá continues to give us plains where those who walk many kilometres will be able to recover their strength and those who join at Vilalba can begin their training.
We welcome the latest arrivals to the Camino de Santiago, on its northern section.
Let’s continue on the Camino del Norte!
The journey begins by crossing the channels of the Magdalena and Trimaz rivers. Then along dirt and asphalt tracks; and with the continuous presence of the national road and the A-8 motorway we advance to Baamonde.
If you are thinking of doing the Camino de Santiago from Vilalba, 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 Vilalba – Baamonde
Today’s stage, very similar to yesterday’s, takes place on flat terrain or with moderate slopes.
Today’s stage, very similar to yesterday’s, takes place on flat terrain or with moderate slopes.
Vilalba (km. 0). Beginning of stage
Practical tips for this section: Enjoy this initial stretch because it is the most beautiful part of the day. Buen Camino!
We start the day by heading to the church square, where we see the Andrade Tower on our left, to continue in front at Calle Concepción Arenal. After a left-right turn, we take a street downhill, along which we leave the town.
Shortly afterwards we cross the River Magdalena River over a bridge, passing next to the Rañego mill and we arrive at Puente Rodríguez, over which we cross the River Trimaz. Following the pilgrim route, we pass under the A-8 motorway.
By dirt roads, we cross the parishes of Seara, Gabin and As Turbelas. Again we find the A-8 motorway, which on this occasion we cross over a bridge. We take a detour to the right and enter San Xoán de Alba, next to the N-634 road.
San Xoán de Alba (km. 4,4).
Practical tips for this section: In San Xoán de Alba and Pedrouzos you will find bars where you can make a stop. Buen Camino!
Without crossing the road, we continue for approximately 100 metres to leave the asphalt along an dirt path that begins on the right. We continue walking with the highway to our right and the national road on the left and we arrive in Pedrouzos (km. 6,4).
We always continue in front and at the centre of Goiriz we cross the national road and the highway. We cross the River Labrada over the beautiful A Ponte de Saa bridge.
Soon after, the highway and the national road cut our way again. We cross the A-8 down and the national over a level crossing. On paved tracks, we pass through the hamlets of A Lamela, Contariz, Casanovas and Pígara (km. 11.8).
Pígara (km. 11,8).
Practical tips for this section: In order to avoid contact with the two huge roundabouts on the motorway, it is important not to pass the detour to the left. Buen Camino!
In the parish of Pígara, we turn right and cross the N-634 road again. We continue along an asphalt track and return to the national road, next to a petrol station.
We follow on the right towards the road layout for one kilometre, to deviate to the right by a road that runs parallel to the road.
This is where we go onto the A-6 motorway, which we cross from the bottom. We turn left, so as not to make contact with the two large roundabouts that link the highway to the N-634 road.
We go into a newly built area, in Baamonde, and continue to Avenida Terra Chá, which corresponds to the old N-634. We turn left on that avenue and enter the centre of Baamonde.
Baamonde (km. 16,6). End of stage
Practical tips for this section: Today’s stage is very short, only 16.6 kilometres. All those kilometres that we do not do today we will have to travel tomorrow, facing a stage of more than 40 kilometres.
It’s up to you whether to lengthen this stage and put some distance behind you in the morning or not. See you tomorrow!
Baamonde is a small town where you will find basic services: hostel, a grocery store and three or four bars.
In its streets, you can visit the Casa Museo de Víctor Corral, the Parish Church of Santiago, the Torre Camarasa and a peculiar millennial chestnut converted into a work of art by the sculptor Victor Corral.
Those who want can extend the stage by continuing to Carballedo, traveling 9.6 kilometres more, A Lagoa, 12.8 kilometres away, or Miraz, at 15.2. Today’s extra kilometres will allow you to balance the distance on this stage with that of tomorrow. We stop here.
Comments stage Vilalba – Baamonde
Here’s how you can get to Vilalba, if you start the Camino de Santiago from there, as well as some tips for today’s stage.
How to get to Vilalba
To arrive in Vilalba by public transport you can take some of the bus routes that connect the town with cities such as Madrid, Lugo, and Santiago, among others.
If you are travelling from abroad, the best option is to fly into Santiago, Lugo or A Coruña and from there take a bus to Vilalba. Remember that if you don’t want to worry about transportation or accommodation bookings, you can get in contact with us and we will take care of everything.
Precautions stage Vilalba – Baamonde
The stage does not involve many difficulties as the terrain is fundamentally flat and the distance is low. However, cyclists and people with reduced mobility may find some tricky stretches, one option is to divert along the road.
Food stage Vilalba – Baamonde
Today you can enjoy typical Galician dishes. Here are some suggestions.
- San Simón Cheese
- Tripe
- Empanadas
- Bacon with Turnips Tops
- Galician Stew
Services stage Vilalba – Baamonde
Get to know the main healthcare services, cafes, ATMs and restaurants that are located on this stage of the Camino del Norte.
Map stage Vilalba – Baamonde
Check the map with the route and locations that the stage runs through.
Profile stage Vilalba – Baamonde
Find out about the profile, altitude and degree of difficulty on each section.
What to do on the stage Vilalba – Baamonde
Here’s some information related to some of today’s sights.
Castaño milenario
The old chestnut tree in Baamonde is located on the N-VI national road, in front of the Church of Santiago. The tree survived the road extension that was completed in 1971, thanks to the work of Víctor Corral.
The sculptor locked himself in a hollow that had the tree, fixed it and inside he built a peculiar altar, with the sculpture of the Virgin of the Rosary, the patron saint of the town.
This action allowed the chestnut tree to gain renown in the media, thus preventing it from being cut down.
The artist continues to care for and look after the tree, and has improved his work by sculpting small animals, hands, etc.
Baamonde
Baamonde is a town of less than 350 inhabitants, part of the municipality of Begonte. In its streets, you can visit the Casa Museo de Víctor Corral, the Parish Church of Santiago and in the vicinity of the temple, the Torre Camarasa and a millennial chestnut tree converted into a work of art by the sculptor Victor Corral.
Casa Museo de Escultura Víctor Corral
The Casa Museo De Escultura Víctor Corral de Baamonde was built at the end of the 20th century, following the architectural lines of the Galician Pazo.
Inside you can see works of the well-known sculptor made of granite, wood and bronze.
Many of Victor Corral’s works are religious in nature and you can appreciate his intense love for Galicia. The interior of the museum space is divided into two rooms.
In the first one you can see the most voluminous and religious-themed works. In the other room is exhibited a collection of miniatures, such as the sculpture of St. George made in boxwood.
Surrounding the museum is a large garden decorated with works by the author. There is also a chapel and a dovecote with stones and minerals from various countries. It is possible to take a guided tour of the ensemble led by the sculptor himself.
Practical information:
Phone to make appointments for guided tours: 982 398 041
Iglesia de Santiago de Baamonde
The Church of Santiago de Baamonde began to be built around the 9th century, but was demolished with the Irmandiña Revolt. Later, in the 13th century, it was rebuilt by order of the Bishop of Mondoñedo, Pedro Arias Vaamonde.
It is a Gothic-style temple, combining Romanesque features in the decoration of its sculptures. The church has a rectangular floor plan and is made of slabs and granite stone in the corners, spans and façade.
The building is covered with a slate shell, gabled in the nave on two sides, four in the presbytery and in the sacristy with three.
The main façade features a door with two archivolts and an oval window, which was rebuilt respecting its old design. Inside the temple, various tombs are located in the main chapel.
In its vicinity are the remains of the Amarante fortress, destroyed during the Irmaniño revolt.
Torre de Camarasa
The Camarasa Tower, together with the wall, formed the fortress of Baamonde, owned by the Countess of Amarante. It is believed to have been one of the oldest in the province.
The tower no longer exists today, believed to have been destroyed by the Irmandiña Revolt.
In the 20th century some vestiges of this could still be seen, but many of the town’s residents used their remains to build their homes. What is observed today are the remains of the wall, with a perimeter of 375 metres.
- Go to <<< Stage 29 on theCamino del Norte
- Go to >>> Stage 31 on the Camino del Norte
