Stage 11 of the Portuguese Way: Pontevedra – Caldas de Reis

Home Camino de Santiago Camino Portugués Stage 11 of the Portuguese Way: Pontevedra – Caldas de Reis

Pontevedra
❯Caldas de Reis

‹ Stage 10

Redondela ❯ Pontevedra

Stage 12 ›

Caldas de Reis ❯ Padrón

Pilgrim traffic

Difficulty

Art / History

Nature

Urban route

Information Profile Itinerary What to see Locations

Stage 11 · Portuguese way

Information

About this stage

The stage between Pontevedra and Caldas de Reis has an official distance of 22.9 kilometers, an estimated duration of 5 hours and 45 minutes, and medium difficulty.

The departure from Pontevedra is made by crossing the Lérez River via the Ponte do Burgo. Later, the Way continues via Rúa da Santiña and borders the Xunqueira de Alba, a wide marsh space located on the city’s outskirts.

The first major reference point is Santa María de Alba. Later you pass beside the Chapel of San Caetano and cross the forests of Reirís and Lombo da Maceira before entering Barro municipality.

The central part of the stage passes through San Mauro, San Mamede da Portela, A Cancela, Valbón, and A Seca. In this area several traditional cruceiros appear and some crossings with the N-550 and railroad infrastructure occur.

Later you enter Portas municipality via the Briallos parish. The final kilometers pass through Tivo and lead to Caldas de Reis, one of the Portuguese Way’s main thermal spa towns.

Route map

Recommendation from The Way

Recommendation for Stage 11: Pontevedra – Caldas de Reis

Although the general profile does not present major elevation changes, the nearly 23 kilometers make it recommended to begin early and maintain a constant pace.

It is important to pay attention to signage in the central part, where the Way crosses the N-550 area and railroad infrastructure on different occasions.

The route alternates dirt paths, asphalt tracks, small trails, and forest sections. This variety makes the day entertaining, but appropriate footwear is advised.

In Caldas de Reis it is worthwhile reserving time to know its thermal tradition, the Fonte das Burgas, and the Ponte Bermaña.

Distance and elevation

Stage profile

The stage has approximately 22.9 kilometers with medium overall difficulty. The profile is relatively gentle without major climbs, though there are several modest rises throughout. The highest elevations do not exceed 150–170 meters.

The terrain varies considerably throughout the day. The first section features urban areas and marshland; the middle section crosses forests and rural paths with frequent road and railroad crossings; the final section uses paths approaching Caldas de Reis with some urban elements.

Estimated walking time is about 5 hours and 45 minutes of effective walking, though with stops for visiting landmarks, the day easily extends to 6.5 or 7 hours.

Step-by-step route

Itinerary

Km 0

· Pontevedra

The stage begins in Pontevedra. From the historic center you reach the Ponte do Burgo, which allows crossing the Lérez River.

After the bridge, the Way continues via Rúa da Santiña, a street closely related to the traditional passage of pilgrims.

· Xunqueira de Alba

Shortly after leaving behind the urban center you reach the Xunqueira de Alba, a wide marsh and wetland area located just minutes from the city.

Km 5,3

· Santa María de Alba

At Santa María de Alba is found the parish church, of Romanesque origin. Before it stands a cruceiro with a representation of pilgrim Santiago.

· Chapel of San Caetano

After Santa María de Alba you pass beside the Chapel of San Caetano, a seventeenth-century Baroque building.

· Forests of Reirís and Lombo da Maceira

The Way then crosses the forests of Reirís and Lombo da Maceira, one of the day’s most natural sections, before entering Barro.

· San Mauro and San Mamede da Portela

Already in Barro, the route passes through San Mauro and continues toward San Mamede da Portela, maintaining a primarily rural landscape.

· A Cancela

A Cancela marks approximately the stage’s midpoint. From here you continue toward Valbón after crossing the Areal River.

· Valbón

At Valbón several traditional cruceiros appear. One of them represents pilgrim Santiago oriented in the direction of Compostela.

· A Seca

The route continues through A Seca, still within Barro municipality. In this area you must pay special attention to crossings and signage.

· Briallos

The Way enters the Briallos parish, belonging to Portas municipality. Here a public pilgrim hostel is found.

· Tivo

Before arriving at Caldas you cross Tivo, where a fountain, wash house, and cruceiro linked to the Way’s traditional landscape are preserved.

· Entry into Caldas de Reis

The entrance passes by the Church of Santa María de Caldas, which preserves important Romanesque elements. Later you continue toward the Umia River and the town center.

· Fonte das Burgas

In the very center is found the Fonte das Burgas, one of Caldas de Reis’s symbols of thermal tradition. The use of these waters dates back to Roman times.

· Ponte Bermaña

The Way then crosses the Ponte Bermaña, an old stone bridge formed by three round arches.

Km 22,9

· Caldas de Reis

The stage ends in Caldas de Reis, beside the San Roque area. The locality is crossed by the Umia and Bermaña rivers and preserves a strong thermal tradition.

During the route

What to See

Ponte do Burgo

The Ponte do Burgo marks the departure from Pontevedra and is closely related to the city and Way’s history.

Xunqueira de Alba

The Xunqueira de Alba is one of the main natural spaces at the beginning of the stage and serves as habitat for numerous bird species.

Church of Santa María de Alba

The Church of Santa María de Alba has Romanesque origin and before it stands a cruceiro with the figure of pilgrim Santiago.

Chapel of San Caetano

The Chapel of San Caetano is a seventeenth-century Baroque building located directly on the route.

Cruceiros of Valbón

The passage through Valbón allows seeing several examples of traditional Galician cruceiros.

Church of Santa María de Caldas

The Church of Santa María preserves a Romanesque section and a late twelfth-century portal.

Fonte das Burgas

The Fonte das Burgas is the place that best represents Caldas de Reis’s thermal tradition.

Ponte Bermaña

The Ponte Bermaña forms part of the Jacobean route itself and is one of the locality’s most characteristic images.

Church of Santo Tomás

The Church of Santo Tomás was built at the end of the nineteenth century and recalls the tradition relating Thomas Becket to Caldas de Reis.

Towns of the stage

Localities

District: Pontevedra

Pontevedra

Pontevedra is the starting point. The departure crosses the historic center and crosses the Lérez River via the Ponte do Burgo.

District: Pontevedra

Santa María de Alba

Santa María de Alba is one of the first kilometers’ main references and preserves a church of Romanesque origin.

District: Pontevedra

Barro

The Way enters Barro after crossing the forests located north of Pontevedra and passes through several rural nuclei before continuing toward Portas.

District: Pontevedra

Briallos

Briallos is a parish directly crossed by the Way and counts with a public pilgrim hostel.

District: Pontevedra

Tivo

Tivo is the last small nucleus before entering Caldas and preserves traditional elements such as fountain, wash house, and cruceiro.

District: Pontevedra

Caldas de Reis

Caldas de Reis is the stage’s end and one of the Portuguese Way’s main thermal spa towns. It is crossed by the Umia and Bermaña rivers.

Route map

Ready to begin your journey?

Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll design your tailor-made French Way, with a guide or self-guided.

Stage 10

Redondela ❯ Pontevedra

Stage 12

Caldas de Reis ❯ Padrón

Pontevedra ❯Caldas de Reis

Information

Recommendation for Stage 11: Pontevedra – Caldas de Reis

Stage profile

Itinerary

What to See

Localities

Pontevedra

Santa María de Alba

Barro

Briallos

Tivo

Caldas de Reis

Request a quotation

Pontevedra
❯Caldas de Reis