Monforte de Lemos to Santiago

You will be pre-booked into a traditional hotel in the heart of the town. Take the time to to stroll through this historic town and see its castle, many churches, mediaeval city walls, and the complex housing Monforte’s Nosa Señora da Antiga’s School.

Starting from Monforte de Lemos, pilgrims cross the mediaeval bridge and venture towards Campo de San Antonio, passing the historic Clarisas convent and a traditional Galician stone cross. Along the way, encounter charming hamlets and beautiful chapels, traversing forest tracks that lead to the town of Chantada.

Enroute, the picturesque village of Belesar offers stunning vistas of the River Miño, adorned with breathtaking canyons and terraced vineyards. Notably, the village features the renowned ‘Codos de Belesar’, an ancient Roman road.

Leaving Chantada, the Camino de Invierno presents one of its most challenging stretches as it ascends towards Monte Faro and its picturesque chapel. The rewarding climb offers panoramic views where, it is said, one can behold all four provinces of Galicia. Along today’s path, you will encounter numerous ‘cruceiros’ (stone crosses) and ‘petos de animas’ (monuments honouring the souls of the departed), traditionally erected at crossroads to safeguard travellers and pay homage to those who have passed.

Embark on the final stretch of the Camino de Invierno before it merges with the Via de la Plata in the charming town of Lalin. Today’s stage offers a tranquil and effortless journey, characterised by gentle terrain across serene forests and picturesque farmland nestled on low hills. It’s important to note that there are no services along the way, so be sure to pack ample snacks and water to sustain you throughout the day.

As the Camino de Invierno merges with the Via de la Plata route, your journey continues from Lalin. Today’s stage is a delightful and relatively short one, a pleasant stroll through rolling hills, serene woodlands, and charming farmlands. Along the way, you will encounter idyllic small hamlets that add a touch of rustic charm to your path. Your destination for the day is Silleda, renowned for its vibrant cattle and country fairs, including the internationally recognised Green Week (Semana Verde).

This day first starts with an easy stroll towards Bandeira, a town well-known for its empanadas (Galician pasties). As the day goes on, the Camino continues downhill through farmlands and villages. Just before descending to Ponte Ulla, the old castle is worth a visit. In Ponte Ulla, have a closer look at the Iglesia de Santa Maria de Magdalena and its very detailed Romanesque facade.

Today is special, not only because it is the last day of this section, but also because it is the finishing line of the whole Camino Mozárabe route! As you leave Ponte Ulla, we first walk up towards Pico Sacro with its Ermita de San Sebastian and wonderful scenic views. The last kilometres to Santiago reflect the rural atmosphere of Galicia and it is sometimes difficult to believe you are so close to such an attractive city. Finally you reach Santiago De Compostela and its world-famous cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

After breakfast, we bid you farewell.
If you wish to stay in the area, we recommend that you:
– Take your time and visit the magnificent historic centre of Santiago.
– Continue with us along the wild Camino Fisterra (Finisterre Way), and stay overnight at the hotel in the lighthouse!
– Or take a bus to Fisterra to visit the unspoilt sandy coves and beaches of the west coast. With very few tourists, you are guaranteed a very special experience. Buses depart from Santiago Bus Station at 9am and 10am. Buses return to Santiago at 4:45pm and 7pm. The journey takes 3 hours.