Today’s stage tests the resistance of many pilgrims. After two quiet days on flat terrain, today it is time to face a long journey and moderate slopes.
Let’s continue on the Camino del Norte!
On this stage we say goodbye to Terra Chá and enter the province of A Coruña. Many scattered villages will be found along the way, many of them almost emptied by emigration to the city.
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 Baamonde – Sobrado
Today’s route is one of the longest on the Camino del Norte. For many it will be an unattainable goal and it is always a good option to split the stage into two, and stay overnight in one of the small intermediate villages.
Regarding the terrain, it should be noted that the Terra Chá gives way to moderate slopes, reaching today’s highest level of the Camino de Santiago in the northern route.
Baamonde (km. 0). Beginning of stage
Practical tips for this section: Exiting Baamonde is done by reversing the route that we did yesterday when we arrived. Buen Camino!
We start the morning heading to the centre of the town, to the main roundabout. From there we take on the right the old N-VI road, towards A Coruña.
We continue along the shoulder for three kilometres, then, on the left, we cross the railway and the River Parga, over the Puente de San Alberte.
On a detour to the right, we go up to the Chapel of San Alberte, where we also find a cross and a Renaissance fountain. From here, we continue up a path on the left, crossing an oak forest, to San Breixo de Parga (km. 6.2).
We continue straight on a dirt road, which then transforms into a paved track. In the parish of Toar, we cross the LU-2303 road and continue, in the same direction, to Carballedo, from the hamlet of Santa Leocadia (km. 9.6).
Carballedo (km. 9,6)
Practical tips for this section: On the detour to the right, after crossing the River Parga, we can continue along the road to Miraz, thus shortening some of the route. Buen Camino!
Between scattered houses, we continue to the left along an dirt path that later transforms into an asphalt track, until we reach Seixón (km. 12). From this parish, we turn right, by the LU-2101 road, to the neighbouring A Lagoa.
In A Lagoa we continue on the left by the local road LU-2107. We cross the River Parga again and, 400 metres later, we deviate by a path to the right that leads to Miraz (km. 15,2).
We continue along the local road in Seixón for 800 metres, then turn left by a dirt track, by which we gradually gain altitude.
After a long time following the track, we end up in a paved road that we follow on the left, to The Alto de Mamoa pass.
By asphalt, we descend to a detour on the left that serves as a shortcut and that leads to the LU-2119 road. By this road, we arrive at A Roxica (km. 26).
A Roxica (km. 26)
Practical tips for this section: To get to Corteporcos we can take the detour indicated in the itinerary or follow the road. Buen Camino!
We continue along the same road to neighbouring A Cabana (km. 26,6). After this village, we deviate, ascending, on a path of land that starts from the right hand hand side and that goes back into the road. We follow the road to A Marcela (km. 28).
We leave the village following this road section for half a kilometre and stray onto a path to the right that then transforms into a small path, by which we reach Corteporcos (km. 29.8).
On the ascent, we start at the LU-934 road, from Friol to Sobrado dos Monxes. We follow it to the right for half a kilometre and reach the highest altitude on the Camino del Norte, at 710 metres above sea level.
Here, we have the point at which we enter the province of A Coruña. Continuing along the road for about 4 kilometres, we arrive at O Meson (km. 35.6)
O Mesón (km. 35,6)
Practical tips for this section: In this section, official signs are scarce and can be confusing, as the old yellow arrows coexist with the markers from the Xunta and do not always point in the same direction. Buen Camino!
Before arriving at the O Meson bar and restaurant we deviate on the right. By track we continue to Esgueva and at the end of the nucleus we take a path that leads to Muradelo (km. 36,6).
We descend to the AC-934 road and follow it to Laguna de Sobrado (km. 40), crossing before the hamlet of Guitiza. We pass by a lake and leave the road on the left, to pass through Porcarizas and Carreira.
Finally, we arrive at the Monastery of Santa María de Sobrado dos Monxes, which welcomes us to the town. A few metres later we conclude the stage in the town centre in Sobrado dos Monxes (km. 41.2).
Sobrado dos Monxes (km. 41,2). End of stage
Practical tips for this section: Given the long journey on this stage, it is best to visit the Monastery of Santa Maria on arrival and rest during the afternoon. See you tomorrow!
In Sobrado dos Monxes you will find enough infra to recover from the long stage.
Luckily, it is a quiet town, whose main attraction is the Monastery of Santa Maria, which we can visit on arrival in the town and after freeing ourselves from the weight of the backpack.
Comments stage Baamonde – Sobrado
Here are some tips for today’s stage.
Precautions stage Baamonde – Sobrado
Except for the long distance encountered during the day, the stage does not involve any great difficulties. In some sections, cyclists will find the terrain in a worse condition, with loose stones, which will mean having to pedal more slowly.
From A Meson, signage is somewhat lacking. In deviations where no pilgrim route indication is observed, it is always appropriate to continue straight ahead.
Food stage Baamonde – Sobrado
During today’s stage you can taste some of the products or dishes that we recommend below.
- Galician Beef
- Trout, Mountain style.
- Artesan Cheese from Abeleiras
- Arzúa-Ulloa Cheese with Protection of origin
- Condensed milk
Services stage Baamonde – Sobrado
Get to know the main healthcare services, cafes, ATMs and restaurants that are located on this stage of the Camino del Norte.
Map stage Baamonde – Sobrado
Check the map with the route and locations that the stage runs through.
Profile stage Baamonde – Sobrado
Find out about the profile, altitude and degree of difficulty on each section.
What to do on the stage Baamonde – Sobrado
Below we provide you with information about the Monastery of Sobrado dos Monxes, the jewel of today’s stage.
Sobrado dos Monxes
Sobrado dos Monxes is a municipality of almost 2,000 inhabitants, in the province of A Coruña. The life of the town revolves around the Monastery of Santa Maria, which attests to the great importance that the temple had in the development of the town.
Monasterio de Santa María de Sobrado dos Monxes
The Monastery of Santa María de Sobrado dos Monxes was blessed as familiar-owned in 952 by the Counts of Presaras. Originally, the temple was named as the Monastery of San Salvador and was managed by the Benedictine Order of black friars.
The Cistercian Order was installed in it in the first half of the 12th century, by the Counts of Traba and Alfonso VII. It was thus the first Cistercian monastery in Spain and one of the most powerful in the Galician community.
The 15th century witnessed the great economic, cultural and religious boom of the monastery.
At this time numerous works were carried out in its structure. From 1834, with the Mendizabal confiscation, its decline began, being abandoned and destroyed almost completely.
The disabled monastery was occupied by the headquarters of operations until 1840. Then it was again left empty and no one wanted to take care of it, until in 1848 the Government put it up for auction.
At this time the Lodge Cloister was destroyed, to build the Rector’s House with its stones.
The explosion that was made to dynamite the cloister also affected the library, the archive, the clock that was located in one of the towers of the church, as well as other ornamental elements such as paintings, furniture, the chancel stonework, etc.
In 1954, the monastery was acquired by a new Cistercian community, which began restoration work. Today the monastery consists of the church, the chapels, the cloisters and the sacristy.
The monastery church, from the late 17th century, has a Galician Baroque appearance, although it retains Renaissance features. Its structure rises on a floor in a Latin cross style and consists of three naves.
On these rises a dome that rests on pilasters and provides illumination for the temple.
Highlights include the Chapels of Nuestra Señora del Rosario and La Magdalena. The first is the work of Monteagudo and the second is a jewel of the Cistercian Romanesque period.
Regarding the cloisters, the Lodge Cloister was built in the first half of the 17th century and is Herreran style. The large cloister is later, from the mid-18th century.
The sacristy dates from the second half of the 16th century and is in a Renaissance style. The impressive kitchen, which is a Gothic monument, also stands out.
Practical information:
Hours: Open daily (10:00 to 13:00 and 16:30 to 19:30).
Laguna de Sobrado
The Sobrado Lagoon, also known as the Lagoon of Desván, is located at the entrance of the municipality.
It is an artificial lagoon of which there are no written documents registering its date of construction, but it is believed to date back to the 16th century and was strongly linked to the life of the monks of the monastery.
The richness of its flora and fauna make it one of the most important in Galicia and is located within the Natura 2000 Network. It is located at an altitude of 510 metres and occupies an area of 10 hectares, with a depth ranging from 1.5 to 4.5 metres.
- Go to <<< Stage 30 on the Camino del Norte
