O Pedrouzo
❯ Santiago de Compostela
19,3km
STAGE DISTANCE
Stage 33 · French way
Information
The stage between O Pedrouzo and Santiago de Compostela has an approximate distance of 19.4 km, a duration close to 4 hours and 30 minutes, and a quite comfortable profile, with about 318 meters of ascent and 345 meters of descent. You will not find major elevation changes, although there are some climbs in the ascent from Amenal and before reaching Monte do Gozo.
It is the final day of the French Way. The first kilometers still cross forest tracks and small villages, but the landscape progressively changes due to the presence of the airport, roads, motorways, and urban areas as you approach Santiago.
You will pass through Amenal, San Paio, Lavacolla, Vilamaior, San Marcos, and Monte do Gozo before facing the final kilometers to Obradoiro Square and the Cathedral of Santiago.
Route map
Recommendation from The Way
Recommendation in stage 33: O Pedrouzo – Santiago de Compostela
Although it is a relatively simple stage for a pilgrim accustomed to walking, it is wise not to become overconfident. You will find some steep gradients, especially after Amenal and on the climb toward Monte do Gozo, in addition to several changes between dirt and asphalt paths.
Proximity to the airport and Santiago also implies numerous crossings, roads, and urbanized areas. Always follow the Way’s markings and pay special attention in sectors near traffic routes.
If you do the Way by bicycle, the terrain does not present major technical difficulties, although you must control your speed on shared sections and when entering Santiago. In the historic center you will have to respect traffic restrictions and advance on foot when appropriate.
For people with reduced mobility, this stage does present important difficulties. The ONCE Foundation classifies it with a physical difficulty of 5 out of 6 due to gradients, potholes, surface changes, and some crossings, especially in the Amenal area.
Stage profile
A stage of 19.4 km, with approximately 318 m of ascent and 345 m of descent. The profile is undulating but moderate, with two somewhat more demanding points: the climb from Amenal toward Cimadevila and the ascent through Vilamaior toward Monte do Gozo.
From Monte do Gozo approximately 4.5–5 km remain to the Cathedral. From there the route is mainly descending and urban, passing through San Lázaro, Os Concheiros, and San Pedro before entering the historic center.
Itinerary
Km 0
· O Pedrouzo
The stage begins recovering the Way’s route from O Pedrouzo. From the N-547 you will take Rúa Concello and, at the level of the soccer field, will turn left via a dirt track.
Shortly after you will cross San Antón and continue through a wooded area. In this first section you will still find one of the last oak forests on the route, currently surrounded by eucalyptus expanses.
From there you will continue via rural tracks until reaching Amenal.
Km 3.3
· Amenal
At Amenal you will have to overcome the N-547 via an underpass. From here begins one of the stage’s main climbs, alternating dirt tracks and asphalt sections.
Later you will advance beside the A-54 and begin to skirt the northern end of Santiago airport. In this sector you will already enter the municipal term of Santiago de Compostela.
The Way continues toward Cimadevila and later descends to San Paio.
Km 7.2
· San Paio
San Paio is a small locality situated beside the airport area.
At the exit you will cross the airport access motorway via a tunnel and continue first via a wooded track and later via an asphalt road. You will pass through A Esquipa before reaching Lavacolla.
Km 9.5
· Lavacolla
Lavacolla is one of this final stage’s best-known historical places. The Jacobean tradition recalls this point as the place where pilgrims washed themselves before entering Santiago and presenting themselves before the Apostle’s tomb.
The Way crosses the church area and crosses the N-634. Then you will take a local road toward Vilamaior and will cross the Sionlla River via a bridge.
From here you will begin to gain height again.
Km 10.8
· Vilamaior
Vilamaior marks the beginning of the progressive climb toward Monte do Gozo.
You will continue via an asphalt track and will pass near the broadcasting centers of Galician Television and RTVE. Shortly after you will reach a road and will turn toward San Marcos Street.
Km 14.5
· San Marcos
San Marcos is already very close to Monte do Gozo.
The Way continues practically straight ahead and begins a gentle descent. To your left will appear the large pilgrim reception complex built in the area of the hill.
Km 15
· Monte do Gozo
Monte do Gozo is one of the French Way’s most symbolic places. From this small elevation pilgrims traditionally glimpsed for the first time the towers of the Cathedral of Santiago, hence its name.
The hill is located at about 368–380 meters elevation and preserves the well-known sculptures of two pilgrims looking toward Santiago. From here only about five kilometers remain until the end.
Final Section
· Monte do Gozo → Santiago
From Monte do Gozo you will begin the definitive descent toward Santiago. The Way successively crosses important transport infrastructures and enters the city via Rúa de San Lázaro.
You will continue via O Valiño and As Fontiñas until reaching Os Concheiros, a neighborhood whose name recalls the ancient merchants linked to the scallop shells that pilgrims carried. From there you will continue via Rúa de San Pedro until the gates of the historic center.
The Way continues via Casas Reais, passes through Cervantes Square, and takes Rúa da Acibechería. A few meters away is the Monastery of San Martiño Pinario, one of Santiago’s great monumental ensembles.
You will only need to circle the Cathedral’s area and finally enter Obradoiro Square.
Km 19.4
· Santiago de Compostela
The stage and the French Way end before the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, in Obradoiro Square. The current Romanesque cathedral began to be constructed in 1075 and its Baroque western facade presides over the square today.
After completing the Way you can go to the Pilgrim Reception Office, currently located at Rúa Carretas, 33, where the Compostela is issued to those who meet the requirements. The office currently indicates general hours of 9:00 to 19:00 and uses a QR code ticket system to manage waiting.
What to See
Lavacolla
Lavacolla forms part of the final historical rituals linked to arrival in Santiago.
According to tradition, pilgrims took advantage of the river in this place to wash themselves before entering the city and visiting the Apostle’s tomb.
Monte do Gozo
Monte do Gozo represents one of the stage’s most anticipated moments.
From this elevation pilgrims traditionally glimpsed for the first time the towers of the Cathedral of Santiago. The sculptures of pilgrims looking toward Compostela still recall today that moment of arrival.
Rúa dos Concheiros
Rúa dos Concheiros forms part of the historic entry of the French Way into Santiago.
Its name is related to the craftsmen and merchants who worked and sold the characteristic scallop shells used as a symbol of the pilgrimage.
Monastery of San Martiño Pinario
The Monastery of San Martiño Pinario is located beside the Cathedral, in the Square of the Immaculate.
It was founded by a Benedictine community settled beside the place where the remains attributed to the Apostle had been discovered and became the most important Benedictine monastery in Galicia.
Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
The Cathedral is the historic destination of the Way of Santiago.
Its Romanesque construction began in 1075, although the current building gathers elements from different periods. The great Baroque facade of Obradoiro, flanked by its two towers, is the image that receives the pilgrim upon finishing the Way.
Obradoiro Square
Obradoiro Square is Santiago’s monumental center and the place where pilgrimage traditionally concludes.
In addition to the Cathedral, the square is surrounded by historic buildings such as the Pazo de Raxoi, the Hostal dos Reis Católicos, and the Colexio de San Xerome.
Towns of the stage
Localities
O Pedrouzo
O Pedrouzo is the starting point of this final stage and the main nucleus of the parish of Arca, within the municipality of O Pino. From here you will recover the Jacobean route to continue toward San Antón and Amenal.
Amenal
Amenal is a small locality situated very close to Santiago airport.
From here begins a climb toward Cimadevila and the Way progressively enters the more urbanized environment that surrounds the Galician capital.
San Paio
San Paio already belongs to the municipality of Santiago de Compostela.
The Way crosses this small locality before passing under the airport access motorway and continuing toward Lavacolla.
Lavacolla
Lavacolla is one of the best-known localities for arrival in Santiago due to its Jacobean tradition.
It was historically linked to the ritual of pilgrim washing before reaching the city. From here approximately ten kilometers remain to Santiago.
Vilamaior
Vilamaior appears after crossing the Sionlla River.
From this area the Way again gains height and continues toward San Marcos and Monte do Gozo.
San Marcos
San Marcos is the last small locality before reaching Monte do Gozo.
From here the pilgrim already enters the final approach section to Santiago de Compostela.
Santiago de Compostela
Santiago de Compostela is the end of the French Way and the historic goal of pilgrimage to the Apostle’s tomb.
The route enters via San Lázaro, Os Concheiros, and San Pedro before reaching the historic center, crossing Casas Reais and Acibechería, and ending before the Cathedral in Obradoiro Square.
Route map
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