Stage 12 of the Portuguese Way: Caldas de Reis

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Caldas de Reis
❯Padrón

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Pontevedra ❯ Caldas de Reis

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Padrón ❯ Santiago de Compostela

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Stage 12 · Portuguese way

Information

About this stage

The stage between Caldas de Reis and Padrón has an official distance of 18.8 kilometers, an estimated duration of 4 hours and 45 minutes, and medium difficulty.

The Way leaves Caldas de Reis heading north. After a brief section via the N-550, it joins a path that begins gaining height until reaching Santa Mariña de Carracedo, situated 5.9 kilometers from the start.

From Carracedo onward, the route passes through Casalderrique and Casal de Eirigo before entering Valga municipality. The landscape becomes more rural and small nuclei, fields, and vegetation areas appear.

One of the most natural sections is found after O Pino, when the Way enters the Monte Castelo area and crosses forests traversed by the Valga River waters.

Later you reach San Miguel de Valga and, subsequently, Pontecesures, where the Way crosses the Ulla River to enter A Coruña province and arrive in Padrón.

Route map

Recommendation from The Way

Recommendation for Stage 12: Caldas de Reis – Padrón

Although the stage is less than 20 kilometers, it is classified with medium difficulty. The route begins with a progressive climb from Caldas de Reis to Carracedo.

An important part of the day passes via rural paths and forest zones, especially around Monte Castelo and the Valga River.

On rainy days it is wise to pay attention to dirt paths and wet areas near water courses.

The day is not especially long, so it is worthwhile reserving time for Padrón, one of the most important localities of Jacobean tradition.

Distance and elevation

Stage profile

The stage has approximately 18.8 kilometers with medium overall difficulty. The profile features a progressive climb in the early section, followed by easier walking. The highest elevations do not exceed 200–220 meters.

The terrain varies throughout the day. The first section combines road and climbing paths; the middle section features rural paths, forests, and water courses; the final section uses paths and small roads approaching Padrón.

Estimated walking time is about 4 hours and 45 minutes of effective walking, though with stops for visiting monuments and the town, the day easily extends to 5.5 or 6 hours.

Step-by-step route

Itinerary

Km 0

· Caldas de Reis

The stage begins in Caldas de Reis. After leaving the center behind, the Way briefly follows the N-550 and soon deviates toward a quieter route that begins gaining height.

Km 5,9

· Santa Mariña de Carracedo

The first major reference point is Santa Mariña de Carracedo. Here is found a church whose origin is related to a medieval monastery and which was transformed in different epochs.

· Casalderrique and Casal de Eirigo

From Carracedo, the Way continues through Casalderrique and Casal de Eirigo, small nuclei that serve as a transition toward Valga municipality.

· Entry into Valga

Next you enter Valga, a municipality historically crossed by travelers and pilgrims heading toward Compostela.

· O Pino and Monte Castelo

The O Pino nucleus gives way to one of the most natural sections. The Way crosses the Monte Castelo area, with forests, water courses, and old mills.

Km 12,3

· San Miguel de Valga

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

· Cimadevilla and Fontenlo River

The Way continues through Cimadevilla and then crosses the Fontenlo River, maintaining Valga’s rural landscape.

· Cedelo and Condide

Later you pass through Cedelo and continue toward Condide, already heading toward Pontecesures.

· Pontecesures

The Way enters Pontecesures and crosses the locality’s oldest part before heading toward the Ulla River.

· Bridge over the Ulla River

The Ulla River marks the boundary between Pontevedra and A Coruña provinces. Upon crossing it Padrón municipality begins.

· Entry into Padrón

The route enters Padrón via the fairgrounds and continues along the Promenade of the Espolón, beside the Sar River, until reaching the historic center.

Km 18,8

· Padrón

The stage ends beside the Church of Santiago, where the Pedrón is preserved, an old Roman altar that tradition relates to the arrival of the Apostle’s body in Galicia.

Padrón maintains a strong relationship with Jacobean tradition and counts with other places of interest such as the Little Santiago of the Hill.

During the route

What to See

Church of Santa Mariña de Carracedo

The Church of Santa Mariña de Carracedo has its origin in an old medieval monastery and preserves different elements from the reforms made throughout the centuries.

Forests of Monte Castelo

The Monte Castelo area is one of the stage’s most pleasant natural sections, with forests, water courses, and old mills.

Church of San Miguel de Valga

The Church of San Miguel de Valga was built in the eighteenth century and is one of the route’s main heritage elements while passing through the municipality.

Pontecesures and Ulla River

Pontecesures occupies a strategic point beside the Ulla River, also closely related to the Traslatio tradition.

Church of Santiago of Padrón

The Church of Santiago is one of the stage’s most important places and preserves the Pedrón within.

O Pedrón

The Pedrón is an old Roman altar situated beneath the high altar. According to tradition, it was used to moor the vessel that carried Santiago’s body.

Promenade of the Espolón

The Promenade of the Espolón is located beside the Sar River and forms part of the Way’s entry into Padrón.

Little Santiago of the Hill

The Little Santiago of the Hill is another of Padrón’s main Jacobean places and is related by tradition to the Apostle’s preaching.

Towns of the stage

Localities

District: Pontevedra

Caldas de Reis

Caldas de Reis is the starting point. From the center, the route continues northward and begins gaining height in the direction of Carracedo.

District: Pontevedra

Carracedo

Carracedo is the day’s first major reference and stands out for its church of medieval origin.

District: Pontevedra

Valga

The Way crosses a good part of Valga municipality via small rural nuclei and forest areas.

District: Pontevedra

San Miguel de Valga

San Miguel de Valga marks the end of the stage’s second major section and preserves an eighteenth-century parish church.

District: Pontevedra

Pontecesures

Pontecesures is the last Pontevedra locality before crossing the Ulla River and entering A Coruña province.

District: Pontevedra

Padrón

Padrón is the stage’s end and one of the Portuguese Way’s most important localities for its relationship with Jacobean tradition.

Route map

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Stage 11

Pontevedra ❯ Caldas de Reis

Stage 13

Padrón ❯ Santiago de Compostela

Caldas de Reis ❯Padrón

Information

Recommendation for Stage 12: Caldas de Reis – Padrón

Stage profile

Itinerary

What to See

Localities

Caldas de Reis

Carracedo

Valga

San Miguel de Valga

Pontecesures

Padrón

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Caldas de Reis
❯Padrón