Stage 6: Valença - O Porriño

Crossing the International Bridge over the Minho River is more than just changing countries; it is crossing a symbolic threshold on the Camino. You leave Portugal behind and enter Galicia, where pilgrims from different routes meet and continue together towards Santiago.

Tui welcomes you with the serenity of its ancient streets and the grandeur of its cathedral, which marks the beginning of a new energy in your journey. From here, the Way becomes greener, quieter, more introspective. Among humid forests, small climbs, and the sound of the river, symbols such as the Cross of San Telmo appear, reminding us of the faith and history that shaped this route.

As you approach O Porriño, the atmosphere changes again: from the calm of the forest to the hustle and bustle of the town, where meeting up with other pilgrims brings rhythm and life to the end of the stage.

Tip: Many pilgrims choose the alternative route in Orbenlle to avoid the industrial area before O Porriño. It is only 2 km longer and the scenery is much more pleasant.

Exit:

Arrival:

Where to eat

Where to sleep

Valença - O Porriño: Photographs

Valença - O Porriño: Itinerary

A: Valença

When you leave the fortress and cross the International Bridge, you leave Portugal behind and enter Galicia. It is a symbolic moment on the Camino: a passage between countries, but also between stages, where the journey takes on a new rhythm and meaning.

B: Tui

Tui is not only the starting point from Spain, but also the city where the Spanish forests begin. Pay attention to the sounds. Sometimes there are local musicians playing for the pilgrims, as if it were a parade.

C: Ribadelouro

The path to Ribadelouro is one of the most pleasant stretches of this stage. Here, pilgrims enter the first large forest of the day: a cool, shaded trail accompanied by the sound of the San Simón River. Along the way, the Cross of San Telmo appears, commemorating the bishop of Tui, who died of the plague in 1276 while on a pilgrimage to Santiago.

D: Orbenlle

Shortly after Ribadelouro, the Way crosses the Roman bridge of Orbenlle, one of the most emblematic spots in the region. From there, it continues directly to the Pilgrim's Wall, already close to O Porriño. It is also at this point that there is the option of taking the detour to the alternative route, a route that adds about 2 km.

E: El Porriño

The arrival in O Porriño marks the end of a stage characterized by great diversity: peaceful forests, ancient bridges, and rural trails. The city gradually comes into view, with its bustling streets and local shops contrasting with the silence of the countryside.