Hiking on the Portuguese Way from Tui to Santiago

This second stage of the Portuguese Way begins in O Porriño and quickly takes you to Mos , a village with a rich heritage. You cross its historic center, marked by the Church of Santa Eulalia and the manor house of the Marquises of Mos , before beginning the climb to the summit of Enxertade . This short but intense ascent rewards you with the discovery of the Roman milestone of Vilar de Infesta , a remnant of the ancient Via XIX that connected Braga to Astorga.

The path then descends towards Redondela , famous for its railway viaducts that soar above the town's rooftops. The atmosphere is perfect for a stopover, especially if your visit coincides with the Corpus Christi festival . You'll then witness a unique event: the Coca Festival , a medieval tradition featuring a Galician mythological creature, half-serpent, half-dragon, which brings the streets to life with popular traditions. A fascinating immersion into local folklore .

This second stage of the Portuguese Way begins in O Porriño and quickly takes you to Mos , a village with a rich heritage. You cross its historic center, marked by the Church of Santa Eulalia and the manor house of the Marquises of Mos , before beginning the climb to the summit of Enxertade . This short but intense ascent rewards you with the discovery of the Roman milestone of Vilar de Infesta , a remnant of the ancient Via XIX that connected Braga to Astorga.

The path then descends towards Redondela , famous for its railway viaducts that soar above the town's rooftops. The atmosphere is perfect for a stopover, especially if your visit coincides with the Corpus Christi festival . You'll then witness a unique event: the Coca Festival , a medieval tradition featuring a Galician mythological creature, half-serpent, half-dragon, which brings the streets to life with popular traditions. A fascinating immersion into local folklore .

On this fifth day of the Portuguese Way from Tui , you leave Pontevedra by crossing the medieval Burgo bridge , where the Lérez River becomes an estuary. This stage will delight nature lovers , with a peaceful route dotted with typical villages and superb views of the Rías Baixas .

Along the way, you can stop for lunch at the Barosa River Natural Park , known for its mills and waterfalls, or enjoy a relaxing soak in the thermal waters of Caldas de Reis . For a gourmet touch, a Rías Baixas DO wine tasting can also be arranged upon request.

The stage ends in Caldas de Reis , a charming spa town nestled on the banks of the Umia , perfect for recharging your batteries before the rest of the pilgrimage.

After leaving Caldas de Reis , the Portuguese Way winds through a peaceful countryside , dotted with authentic villages and agricultural landscapes typical of Galicia. As you approach the finish, you cross the majestic Ulla River , which feeds the Ría de Arousa , the largest and most productive estuary in the region.

On the other side of the bridge, you enter Padrón , a place steeped in foundational myths . It is here, according to tradition, that the body of the Apostle James landed, brought back from the Holy Land by his disciples. A city of memory and culture, Padrón also pays homage to Rosalía de Castro , a major figure in Galician literature, whose birthplace can still be visited today.

After leaving Caldas de Reis , the Portuguese Way winds through a peaceful countryside , dotted with authentic villages and agricultural landscapes typical of Galicia. As you approach the finish, you cross the majestic Ulla River , which feeds the Ría de Arousa , the largest and most productive estuary in the region.

On the other side of the bridge, you enter Padrón , a place steeped in foundational myths . It is here, according to tradition, that the body of the Apostle James landed, brought back from the Holy Land by his disciples. A city of memory and culture, Padrón also pays homage to Rosalía de Castro , a major figure in Galician literature, whose birthplace can still be visited today.

The final stage of your pilgrimage from Tui , this day guides you through rolling countryside towards the holy city of Santiago de Compostela . You cross Iria Flavia , the former seat of the Bishopric of Teodomiro at the time of the discovery of the apostle's tomb , then continue towards O Milladoiro , whose name evokes the symbolic moment when pilgrims first caught sight of the cathedral towers .

As you approach your destination, you enter the city through the Porta Faxeira , a remnant of the old walls, before walking up the Rúa do Franco , an iconic thoroughfare whose name evokes the pilgrims of yesteryear , known as "Francos" regardless of their starting point. A few more steps, and you find yourself before the majestic Cathedral of Santiago , an emotionally charged endpoint. Congratulations , you have arrived. The journey doesn't end here ; it continues in the memories, encounters, and transformative experience of this walk.