Stage 10: Caldas de Reis

A etapa Caldas de Reis – Padrón é, para muitos, uma das mais belas de todo o caminho de Santiago. Nestes últimos momentos de peregrinação, é normal vermos cada vez mais pessoas pelos trajetos, mais acomodações e, principalmente, mais comércio nas estradas que nos levam até à capital galega.
Com uma pequena subida pelo trajeto, esta jornada não apresenta dificuldades de maior. Até as pessoas da região caminham nestes trajetos, como exercício para toda a família.

Quando damos por nós, estamos no meio da floresta espanhola, com antigas estradas romanas, para entrarmos no espírito dos primeiros peregrinos. Como culminar, Padrón parece uma réplica de cidade do antigo império de César Augusto, com os seus tons castanhos e arquitetura díspar da restante região. É tempo de sentar e pedir os pimentos que herdam o nome da cidade – Padrón.

Exit:

Arrival:

Where to eat

Where to sleep

Caldas de Reis - Padrón: Photos

Caldas de Reis - Padrón: Itinerary

A: Caldas de Reis

Caldas de Reis, despite being a small municipality, has plenty to visit. Between restaurants and cafés for breakfast, don't miss the church of Santa Maria. Both the interior and exterior are well worth your time.

B: The Cross

Shortly after leaving the village, you will reach O Cruceiro, one of the highlights of this stage. It is here that the Way opens up between rural houses and shadier trails. The stone cross, which gives the place its name, marks the meeting point of ancient pilgrim routes and invites you to take a peaceful break and snap a good photo.

C: The Pin

The trail climbs gently, revealing enchanting scenes of living nature: streams, water mills, and dense vegetation that creates an almost magical atmosphere. The village of O Pino appears shortly after, surrounded by fields and pine forests that reinforce the tranquility of the route.

D: Pontecesures

After passing through woods and small farms, the Way takes you to Pontecesures. The bridge over the River Ulla symbolically marks the proximity of your destination and has a strong connection to the legend of St. James: according to tradition, it was along this river that the remains of the apostle James arrived from Palestine.

E: Padrón

Padron is the last major stage before Santiago de Compostela. According to legend, it was the rock below the church of Santiago that the boat carrying the apostle hit. Painted a toasted yellow, today it is known for its iconic chapel, its streets with an architecture unlike any other town we've come across and the Padrón peppers, a delicacy available in every café.