The Spiritual Variant is the alternative to the Central Way between Pontevedra and Padrón. Instead of carrying on through Caldas de Reis, you leave Pontevedra past the Monastery of Poio and Combarro, climb to the monastery of Armenteira and walk down the Ruta da Pedra e da Auga to the Ría de Arousa. The last stretch is by boat, on the Traslatio, up the river Ulla to Padrón, where you rejoin the Central Way. It is 3 stages and 48.5 km on foot.
- 48.5 kmOn foot, from Pontevedra to Padrón
- 3Stages
- 1Boat crossing
- 130.5 kmFrom Valença to Santiago
Where the Spiritual Variant fits into your Camino
You reach Pontevedra on the Central Way. There you choose: carry straight on to Padrón or take the Spiritual Variant.
From Porto or from Valença, the Central Way takes you to Pontevedra. The Coastal Way and the Senda Litoral get there too, because they join the Central Way earlier on.
In Pontevedra, you choose
You carry on through Caldas de Reis and reach Padrón in two stages, all on foot.
On the Variant · 3 stages to PadrónTake the Spiritual VariantYou pass Poio, Combarro and Armenteira, walk down the Ruta da Pedra e da Auga to Vilanova de Arousa and reach Padrón by boat, on the Traslatio.
In Padrón you rejoin the Central Way. One day left to Praza do Obradoiro.
Why choose the Spiritual Variant
If you are looking for silence, monasteries and a different ending, this is your variant. Fewer pilgrims, more nature and an arrival by boat up the river Ulla.
The Monastery of Poio, with its mosaic about the Camino, and the 12th-century Cistercian monastery of Armenteira, high on the hill.
A walk down beside the river, past boardwalks, stone bridges and more than thirty mills, to the vineyards of the Salnés.
The only sea and river stretch of the Camino de Santiago: by boat across the Ría de Arousa and up the river Ulla, past granite crosses, to Pontecesures.
From Pontevedra to Padrón, stage by stage
Two days on foot, with the climb to Armenteira on the first, and a third by boat along the Traslatio, with 2.5 km on foot to Padrón.
The 3 stages of the Spiritual Variant, from Pontevedra to Padrón
Two days on foot and one by boat. Choose a stage to see the itinerary, the map, where to sleep and where to eat.
On the Camino, you set the pace. There are no official stages. This is the split we suggest, based on the towns pilgrims choose most, on how ready they are to welcome you and on distances that make each day demanding but doable. Use it as a starting point and adapt it to your body, your time and your Camino.
Stage 1
Pontevedra to Armenteira
Poio, Combarro and the climb to Armenteira
- DemandingDifficulty
- 21 kmDistance
- ± 6 hDuration
- RuralTerrain
Stage 2
Armenteira to Vilanova de Arousa
The Ruta da Pedra e da Auga and the Salnés
- ModerateDifficulty
- 25 kmDistance
- ± 6 hDuration
- RuralTerrain
Stage 3
Vilanova de Arousa to Padrón
By boat on the Traslatio
- EasyDifficulty
- 2.5 km on footDistance
- ± 2 hDuration
- By seaTerrain
From Valença to Pontevedra on the Central Way
The Spiritual Variant starts in Pontevedra, at the end of stage 8 of the Central Way. If you set off from Valença, you walk these three stages first, 57 km through Galicia.
Finish on the Central Way to Santiago
In Padrón, the Spiritual Variant rejoins the Central Way. Stage 11 is left, 25 km to Praza do Obradoiro.
Spiritual Variant distances and difficulty
The 3 stages of the Spiritual Variant in one table, to help you plan your days.
| Stage | Route | Distance | Duration | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pontevedra to Armenteira | 21 km | ± 6 h | Demanding |
| 2 | Armenteira to Vilanova de Arousa | 25 km | ± 6 h | Moderate |
| 3 | Vilanova de Arousa to Padrón | 2.5 km on foot | ± 2 h | Easy |
| Total on foot from Pontevedra to Padrón | 48.5 km | 3 stages | ||
| From Valença to Santiago, with the Central Way | 130.5 km | 7 stages | ||
Approximate durations, including breaks. Stage 3 is almost entirely by boat: the 2.5 km are the walk from Pontecesures to Padrón. The total from Valença to Santiago adds up stages 6 to 8 of the Central Way (57 km), the Spiritual Variant on foot (48.5 km) and stage 11 of the Central Way (25 km).
Planning the Spiritual Variant
What to know before your first step.
The boat from Vilanova de Arousa to Pontecesures has to be booked in advance. Check the time the day before, because departures depend on the tides.
After Combarro, the climb to Armenteira is long and isolated. Have lunch or buy food in Combarro and bring enough water.
On the Ruta da Pedra e da Auga the trail follows the river and can get slippery when it is damp. Take it slowly on the stones and boardwalks.
The Variant has fewer pilgrims and fewer services than the Central Way, especially between Combarro and Armenteira and between Meis and Ribadumia. Plan where you will eat and sleep.
Get your credential stamped along the way. On the last 100 km you need at least two stamps a day. You collect the Compostela at the Pilgrim’s Office, in Santiago.
Still deciding? Read our complete guide to the Spiritual Variant, the Spiritual Variant with Ana and what to pack in your backpack.
Pack your backpack
Some of pilgrims’ favourite products, chosen by people who have walked the Camino. Discover them all in our online shop.
Questions about the Spiritual Variant
How many kilometres is the Spiritual Variant?
From Pontevedra to Padrón it is 48.5 km on foot, in 3 stages, plus the boat crossing on the Traslatio. From Valença to Santiago, via the Variant, it is 130.5 km on foot.
How many days does the Spiritual Variant take?
Three days from Pontevedra to Padrón: two on foot and one almost entirely by boat. From Valença to Santiago it is 7 days, with stages 6 to 8 and 11 of the Central Way.
Where does the Spiritual Variant start?
In Pontevedra, at the end of stage 8 of the Central Way. At the end of Rúa da Gándara, a marked fork shows the start of the Variant: take the trail on the left, which crosses the river Gándara.
What is the Traslatio?
It is the boat crossing from Vilanova de Arousa to Pontecesures, across the Ría de Arousa and up the river Ulla. According to tradition, this is the way the body of Saint James the Apostle reached Galicia. Along the way you pass 17 granite crosses.
Does the Spiritual Variant qualify for the Compostela?
Yes, if you start in Valença. From Pontevedra to Padrón you only walk 48.5 km, but from Valença to Santiago, via the Variant, it is 130.5 km on foot, more than the 100 km minimum. On the last 100 km you need at least two stamps a day on your credential.
Where does the Spiritual Variant join the Central Way?
In Padrón, at the end of stage 3. From there you follow stage 11 of the Central Way, 25 km to Santiago.
Spiritual Variant or Central Way?
In Pontevedra you can choose. The Central Way carries on through Caldas de Reis and reaches Padrón in 2 stages. The Spiritual Variant takes 3 days, passes monasteries and the Ruta da Pedra e da Auga and reaches Padrón by boat.
Which is the hardest stage of the Spiritual Variant?
Stage 1, from Pontevedra to Armenteira: 21 km, with a long, isolated climb after Combarro.
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