Arzúa
❯ O Pedrouzo
19,2km
STAGE DISTANCE
Stage 32 · French way
Information
The stage between Arzúa and O Pedrouzo has an approximate distance of 19.3 km, a duration close to 4 hours and 30 minutes, and a quite comfortable profile, with about 351 meters of ascent and 447 meters of descent. The official Galician website establishes 18.4 km, so you may find small differences depending on the exact point used to measure entry into O Pedrouzo.
It is a simple and pleasant day, especially after the long previous stage. The Way again enters among meadows, oaks, eucalyptus, and small villages, although the N-547 will be present during much of the route.
You will pass through Pregontoño, A Peroxa, A Calzada, A Calle de Ferreiros, Salceda, A Brea, Santa Irene, and A Rúa before finishing in O Pedrouzo. It is already the penultimate day of the French Way and from here only the final stage to Santiago de Compostela will remain.
Route map
Recommendation from The Way
Recommendation in stage 32: Arzúa – O Pedrouzo
You will not find great physical difficulties, but you will have to pay attention to crossings with the N-547. Some are made via underpasses, while in others you will have to cross the road directly. The Salceda crossing merits special care due to traffic proximity.
After several days in Galicia, terrain conditions will also become familiar: dirt tracks, gravel, small paths, and sections that can accumulate mud after rain. Wearing footwear with good grip will continue to be recommended.
If you do the Way by bicycle, the stage is quite comfortable due to its slight elevation, although you must reduce speed on shared paths and pay special attention each time the route approaches or crosses the road.
For people with reduced mobility, it is not advisable to consider the entire route completely accessible. The ONCE Foundation assigns it a physical difficulty of 4 out of 6 and points out some gravel sections, steep gradients, irregular terrain, and crossings that may require assistance.
Stage profile
A stage of 19.3 km, with approximately 351 m of ascent and 447 m of descent. The profile is undulating but gentle, without major climbs or prolonged descents.
The route alternates forest paths and rural tracks with sections close to the N-547. The first half leads to Salceda and, from there, the Way continues via A Brea, Santa Irene, and A Rúa before reaching O Pedrouzo.
Itinerary
· Arzúa
The stage begins leaving Arzúa via Rúa do Carmen. You will soon leave the last houses behind to continue via a dirt track in descent beside the Pilgrim Spring.
The Way passes through As Barrosas, crosses an oak grove, and crosses the Vello River. Then you will again gain height among meadows and wooded areas before crossing the Brandeso River.
It is a very representative beginning of the Galician landscape, with small rural tracks and abundant vegetation.
Km 2.1
· Pregontoño
Pregontoño is the first small highlighted village of this day.
At the exit you will cross the N-547 via an underpass and continue in gentle ascent via rural tracks to A Peroxa.
Then you will again enter a beautiful oak and chestnut forest beside the Ladrón River. The route continues toward Tabernavella and later overcomes the A-54 motorway via a bridge.
Km 5.7
· A Calzada
A Calzada is a small village already in one of the quietest sectors of the stage.
From here you will continue in slight ascent via tracks surrounded by eucalyptus. The route maintains a mainly rural character and leads toward the Ferreiros area.
Km 7.5
· A Calle de Ferreiros
A Calle belongs to the parish of San Breixo de Ferreiros, within the municipality of O Pino. From this area you will begin progressively approaching Salceda.
At the exit you will pass beside the recreational area of the Lengüello River and continue via rural paths from which you can distinguish the bell tower of the parish church of Ferreiros.
Then you will cross Boavista and end again beside the N-547 to enter Salceda.
Km 11.3
· A Salceda
Salceda marks approximately the beginning of the stage’s second half.
At the exit you will briefly abandon the proximity of the N-547 and take a path situated to its right. About 500 meters later you will have to cross the national road, one of the points where it is wise to exercise caution.
The Way continues via the small places of O Xen and A Ras. Shortly after you will again overcome the N-547, this time via an underpass, to reach A Brea.
Km 13.3
· A Brea
From A Brea you will continue via a dirt sidewalk that ascends parallel to the national road.
The route passes through A Rabiña and reaches O Empalme, also known as Alto de Santa Irene. Here you will find services and will have to cross the N-547 again to continue via a path situated to the right.
From O Empalme begins a gentle descent toward Santa Irene.
Km 15.9
· Santa Irene
Santa Irene is one of the most interesting places of this stage.
There is a small marked variant that passes by the chapel and spring of Santa Irene, situated on the other side of the road, while the main route passes beside the pilgrim shelter.
The environment also stands out for the Carballeira de Santa Irene, a wooded area of over 3,000 m² linked to the Way.
From here you will continue descending. Approximately 1.2 km later you will cross the N-547 via an underpass and again enter among eucalyptus.
Km 17.7
· A Rúa
A Rúa is the last small village before O Pedrouzo.
You will cross it practically straight ahead via an asphalt track. After about 600 meters you will again reach the N-547.
At this point you must pay attention: the Way toward Santiago continues by crossing the road, while to finish today in O Pedrouzo you will have to detour to the left and follow the national road until entering the town.
Km 19.3
· O Pedrouzo
The stage ends in O Pedrouzo, main nucleus of the parish of Arca and capital of the municipality of O Pino. The locality counts with numerous services and has become one of the most common stage endings before arriving in Santiago.
O Pedrouzo is not located exactly on the route that continues toward Santiago: the Way passes beside the population and a small detour is necessary to enter the urban nucleus.
Among its main references is the parish Church of Santa Eulalia de Arca, integrated into an ensemble also formed by its courtyard and the old rectory.
From here a little over twenty kilometers will remain until the Cathedral of Santiago. The next will already be the final stage of the French Way.
What to See
Forests between Arzúa and Pregontoño
The first kilometers allow you to enjoy one of the stage’s most pleasant natural environments.
The Way crosses the Vello and Brandeso Rivers and advances among oak groves, meadows, and chestnut areas, before reaching Pregontoño and A Peroxa.
Church of San Breixo de Ferreiros
The parish church is located in the Ferreiros area, whose bell tower you will be able to distinguish from the Way during the section before Salceda.
Ferreiros is also one of the parishes directly crossed by the Way within the municipality of O Pino.
Chapel and Spring of Santa Irene
The chapel and spring of Santa Irene are located very close to the Way, although to visit them you will have to take the small marked variant situated on the other side of the N-547.
This ensemble is one of the best-known references of the final kilometers before O Pedrouzo.
Carballeira de Santa Irene
Beside the Santa Irene area you will find a leafy oak grove of over 3,000 m².
It is a good example of the oak landscape that still is preserved in some sectors of this part of the Way.
Church of Santa Eulalia de Arca
The Church of Santa Eulalia is located in Arca, within the municipality of O Pino and very close to the O Pedrouzo nucleus.
The temple, its courtyard, and the rectory form a heritage ensemble recognized by Galicia Tourism and linked to the Way of Santiago.
Localities
Arzúa
Arzúa is the starting point of this stage. The Way leaves the locality via Rúa do Carmen and quickly enters a landscape of rural tracks, forests, and meadows.
Pregontoño
Pregontoño is found just over two kilometers after Arzúa.
At its exit you will pass under the N-547 and continue toward A Peroxa via rural paths surrounded by vegetation.
A Calzada
A Calzada is a small village situated within the route between A Peroxa and Ferreiros.
From here the Way continues in gentle ascent among eucalyptus before reaching A Calle.
A Calle de Ferreiros
A Calle belongs to the parish of San Breixo de Ferreiros, already within the municipality of O Pino.
The Way crosses this area before passing through Boavista and reaching Salceda.
A Salceda
A Salceda is located approximately eleven kilometers from Arzúa and marks one of the stage’s main points.
From here the presence of the N-547 increases and you will have to cross it several times before reaching A Brea.
A Brea
A Brea belongs to the municipality of O Pino and appears after overcoming the N-547 via an underpass.
From here the Way ascends gently toward O Empalme and Santa Irene.
Santa Irene
Santa Irene is one of the points with the greatest interest in the second half of the day.
The chapel, spring, and its carballeira form a small ensemble linked to the passage of pilgrims, in addition to having a shelter beside the Way.
A Rúa
A Rúa is the last small village before the stage ending.
From here only about 1.6 km remain to O Pedrouzo, although you will have to make a small detour with respect to the route that continues directly toward Santiago.
O Pedrouzo
O Pedrouzo is the main nucleus of Arca and the capital of the municipality of O Pino, the last municipality that the Way crosses before entering Santiago de Compostela.
Its location, the quantity of available services, and the short distance that remains to Santiago make it one of the most used stage endings of the French Way.
Route map
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