Day Twenty-One on the Camino Portugués
~ San Miguel de Oia to Redondela, 28 Km (17.4 Miles), via the Senda Litoral and the Coastal Routes

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On our day twenty-one on the Camino Portugués, we walked 4.3 kilometers on our alternative Senda Litoral along the PO-325, then crossed over to complete the day on the official Coastal Route. We walked through Vigo and later via the high, flat and easy plateau trail system, called the Camiño da Traída das Augas. 

While the walk was beautiful, and much better than we anticipated, (we had heard nightmare stories about the challenges of walking through Vigo), it was a solitary walk. We saw almost no pilgrims on this day. Amazing! I had learned to lean into the silence, the solitude and the contemplative experience, at times chatting and processing with Rich, my husband. I had accepted that this was the purpose of my Camino. 

"Loneliness expresses the pain of being alone and solitude expresses the glory of being alone." ~ Paul Tillich, 20th Century Philosopher and Theologian

Map and Stats of Day Twenty-One on the Camino Portugués

Here is my Google map, created from my GPS tracks. I placed the albergues/hotels/cafés on the maps that we visited, plus other albergues and places of interest. There are lots of services that you will encounter on this day twenty-one on the Portuguese Camino as you walk through Vigo and its environs. 

Our route is first shown in red, starting in Oia at the bus stop, where we ended on our alternative Senda Litoral from day twenty, continuing in red on our same alternative for 4.3 more kilometers, then shown in blue after we joined the official coastal route. The bus stop is where we returned to do the remaining stage-and-a-half of the three combined stages. It is shortly after our start at the bus stop, where we left the Senda Litoral, continuing instead to walk along the PO-325, for the cross-over to the official route. The official, Coastal route is the most expedient way to get by Vigo, if you are just passing through and not staying here. This was our goal.

If you are planning to stay in Vigo, there are many attractions in the center of town that you may wish to go see, including the Castelo do Castro and its park, with other castros (ancient town sites) on the hill in the center of town. 

I kept the prior day's routes in place as they continue to Vigo, the orange is the Senda Litoral if you went this way. It is in Vigo where the Senda Litoral ends, never to appear again. At the docks, you can see where the route heads into the center of town and rejoins the Coastal Route.

You can also see on the map, our unofficial route, the northernmost one in red, where we rejoined the Coastal Route in the Coruxo area, shortly after we started from the bus stop on the PO-325 along the coast. 

The elevation change was relatively easy for us, but there is a significant climb of about 150 meters (550 feet) out of Vigo and onto the plateau trail system, referred to above, followed by a steep descent into Redondela.

Elevation Profile for Day Twenty-One Camino Portugués, San Miguel de Oia to RedondelaElevation Profile, Day Twenty-One Camino Portugués, San Miguel de Oia to Redondela

Photo-Rich Travelogue of Day Twenty-One on the Camino Portugués

We awoke in our friends house, to a cool, clear morning. Once again, at the "Albergue de Glyvia" we had a lovely breakfast from our "Camino Mother." She was so gracious a hostess!

She drove us from her home in Viladesuso, to the point where we had stopped the prior day in San Miguel de Oia, along the coastal road, the PO-325. (See day twenty for  more info.) We said goodbye once again to Glyvia, with heavy hearts, not knowing when we would meet up again. (As it turned out, we would spend several more days with her at the end of our Camino, which we finished ahead of schedule.)

There are options, to walk closer to the sea, rather than on the PO-325, especially after the Soccer Complex in San Miguel de Oia. There are no yellow arrows here, so you will need a map. There were no yellow arrows on the Senda Litoral on our day twenty, and there were none here on day twenty-one either on the Portuguese Way. 

However, if you do follow the seacoast on the PO-324, there are many inexpensive hotels where you can stay, check the map or click here.

We chose to stay on the PO-325 as there is a nice bike path which continues all along this long stretch, for easy and direct walking of the 4.3 kilometers we needed to cover. 

As you can see in the photo, it rained here the night before, and perhaps hailed. Note the shredded leaves on the street. 

Starting Day Twenty-One Along the PO-325 on day twenty-one of the Camino PortuguésStarting Day Twenty-One Along the PO-325 on the Portuguese Camino

Rounding the northern coastline, the Isla de Toralla comes into view from PO-325.

View of Isla de Toralla on day twenty-one of the Camino PortuguésView of Isla de Toralla

Shortly you come to an intersection with the PO-324 which takes you back northward, closer to the sea. The sign showed the way to Canido, in the photo below. We kept on the PO-325. This turned out to be a good decision for us, as we had chosen a long day and this route that we created was the most direct route. The PO-324 would have taken us back to the Senda Litoral to hug the coastline, then as noted above, you must walk along the docks in Vigo, a not-so-pleasant way to go.

Sign to Canido, Spain on day twenty-one of the Camino PortuguésSign to Canido

Along the highway we passed this nice little chapel, the Capilla Nuestra Señora De Los Liñares.

Capilla Nuestra Señora De Los Liñares on day twenty-one of the Camino PortuguésCapilla Nuestra Señora De Los Liñares

After 3.7 kilometers, for us, at a major roundabout, in the photo below, showing the direction toward the PO-552, our old coastal highway friend, we took a right turn onto the Estrada do Vao. 

Right Turn Here at Roundabout onto the Estrada do Vao on day twenty-one of the Camino PortuguésRight Turn Here at Roundabout onto the Estrada do Vao

We walked on this street for about 1/2 km until meeting up with the PO-552. 

A left turn here onto the PO-552, called the Estrada Camposancos and lo and behold the yellow arrows of the Coastal Route appeared! I was quite happy about this, as any route trying to hug the coastline from here looked difficult, longer and through the industrial shipyards of Vigo. This section, below, was industrial enough.

Join the Coastal Route Here on the PO-552 on day twenty-one of the Camino PortuguésJoin the Coastal Route Here on the PO-552

Continue on the PO-552 on day twenty-one of the Camino PortuguésContinue on the PO-552

After another 0.5 kilometers on the Estrada Camposancos (PO-552), the pilgrimage traveler has another decision to make. The traditional Coastal route turns right on a small side road, the Camino Pitasia, shown below.

The other choice is to continue on into the center of town via the PO-552. This is the more direct and shorter route, via the Avenida Citroën. If I had known exactly where we were at this juncture, most likely we would have taken the more direct route. 

However, we chose to just follow the yellow arrows and onto the Camino Pitasia. I  have no regrets as the Camino planners did well to walk us through quaint, quiet roads in the middle of the suburbs of Vigo. Plus we saw some amazing things we would have otherwise missed, as you shall see further below!

Turn Right on the Camino Pitasia on day twenty-one of the Camino PortuguésTurn Right on the Camino Pitasia

Just 300 meters on the Camino Pitasia, and then it ends, where you turn left, then an immediate right to walk under the overpass of the highway, the VG-20.. 

At the next intersection, in 300 meters, turn left then an immediate right onto a dirt road, the Camiño do Río de Gonzas to walk along a creek. 

Walk on Dirt Road, the Camiño do Río de Gonzas on day twenty-one of the Camino PortuguésWalk on Dirt Road, by a Creek, the Camiño do Río de Gonzas

We walked along the creek for about 350 meters, then left on another dirt road, the Camiño Rodeira, which turns into a paved road, to walk up a long hill and back into town. 

Here is a photo of a woman and child, walking along the incredibly rural-looking Camiño Rodeira. As it turned out, they were walking to the church shown farther below. 

Walking Along the Camiño Rodeira on day twenty-one of the Camino PortuguésWalking Along the Camiño Rodeira

It is always fascinating to me, how this road was chosen for the Camino, because the features were superb. Farther along the Camiño Rodeira, the street is lined with high walls, and in this place, crosses were embedded into the wall every so often! Fantastic!

Crosses Embedded in High Wall on day twenty-one of the Camino PortuguésCrosses Embedded in High Wall

About 1/2 kilometer on the Camiño Rodeira, we turned onto the Estrada Matamá Pazo-Comesaña, and walked by the church mentioned above, the Parroquia de San Andrés de Comesaña. On this morning the church bells were ringing! It was such a lovely sound. At this church, you are at about 6.1 kilometers from the bus stop in Oia.

Walk by the Parroquia de San Andrés de Comesaña on day twenty-one of the Camino PortuguésWalk by the Parroquia de San Andrés de Comesaña

After about another 1/3 kilometer, the Camino turns right onto the Camiño Sanín. It is a full 2 km along this street, until coming to an overpass of a divided highway, the PO-010. We decided to walk up along side the highway and over it, since we had trouble finding any yellow arrows once we got there!

We even asked the locals for directions in this section, and got two different answers! Ha! Turns out they both were right. You must get across the highway, the PO-010, one way or another, either under it by staying on the Camiño Sanín, or up and over it and down the other side.

The most direct route is certainly to stay on the Camiño Sanín and walk under the overpass and straight on. My GPS tracks now reflect this path under the roadway.

Walk another ½ km on the Camiño Sanín until coming to a T-intersection, where you turn right onto the Rúa de Leonardo Alonso. We walked on this street for only about a few hundered meters, but what an experience this small stretch was! As far as I can tell, this suburb of Vigo is called Matamá.

Here is Rich, walking along the street, toward the center of town after turning onto the main street, the Rúa de Leonardo Alonso.

Right Turn on the Rúa de Leonardo Alonso on day twenty-one of the Camino PortuguésRight Turn on the Rúa de Leonardo Alonso

As we were walking through Matamá we started seeing crowds and heard a commotion up ahead. We had stumbled onto a little parade going through town. I have no idea what the celebration was about, and I didn't ask. Something celebrating the farmers of the area perhaps? Oxen and peasants with scythes. Hmmm.

Local Parade through Matamá on day twenty-one of the Camino PortuguésLocal Parade through Matamá on Day Twenty-one on the Camino Portugués

After the small parade went by, a great smelling bakery caught our eye! Or shall I say, caught our nose? We stopped in at the Panadería San Amaro in the center of town, which I marked on the map, as I would indeed recommend it!

At the counter, being pegged as pilgrims (and foreigners), the proprietress started nudging her daughter, about 12 years old, to interact with us in English! I caught the nature of her conversation. She wanted her daughter to practice her English on us, which she had learned in school!

We smiled at her, as she shyly approached the counter. We spoke English to her, asking her for a loaf of bread. She spoke back to us very well. The encounter was darling. 

We stuffed the delicious long loaf of bread into Rich's pack, after eating half of it and traveled onward. At the interesting Iglesia de San Pedro de Matamá, below, we turned left to walk down the Camiño Real.

Turn Left at Iglesia de San Pedro de Matamá on day twenty-one of the Camino PortuguésTurn Left at Iglesia de San Pedro de Matamá

Here is an interesting juxtaposition of the old hórreo, with factories in the background, walking down the Camiño Real.

Hórreo and Factories Down the Camiño Real in Vigo, Spain on day twenty-one of Portuguese WayHórreo and Factories Down the Camiño Real

After walking about 1/3 km on the Camiño Real, then straight onto the Rúa do Castro, turn left onto the Rúa do Roupeiro.

Here is another hórreo we passed along the Rúa do Roupeiro.

Hórreo Along the Rúa do Roupeiro in Vigo, Spain on day twenty-one of Portuguese WayHórreo Along the Rúa do Roupeiro

Then the Camino follows the Rúa do Roupeiro right after about 200 meters, descending the hill steeply on switchbacks, heading toward the center of Vigo.

Down the Hill on the Rúa do Roupeiro in Vigo, Spain on day twenty-one of Portuguese WayDown the Hill on the Rúa do Roupeiro

At the bottom of the hill there is a high concrete wall on your left that you follow. This wall contains the Peugeot-Citroën manufacturing buildings. After another 1/2 km on the Rúa do Roupeiro, the Camino turns left onto the Camiño de Sabarís on a narrow paved road. Continue to follow the road until it turns to dirt, and walks under ugly power lines.  

When the road bends to the right, stay straight on the dirt road, photo below.

Walking by Peugeot-Citroën Factory on Dirt Lane in Vigo, Spain on day twenty-one of Portuguese WayWalking by Peugeot-Citroën Factory on Dirt Lane

Continue straight on for about 1/2  kilometer, pass by an electrical distribution area and come out smack into town and onto the Av. do Alcalde Portanet. This is where the direct route joins the Coastal Route. We were now about 9.4 kilometers from the bus stop in San Miguel de Oia.

When we got on the main avenue, we decided we'd had enough walking for a while and stopped at the first place we saw, the Cafetería Yesica for coffee. We are always thrilled over life's simple pleasures!

Disheveled Hubby Smiles Over His Café Con Leche and ChurrosDisheveled Hubby Smiles Over His Café Con Leche and Churros

I was surprised at this juncture, that we had seen almost no pilgrims. I commented about it to Rich at our break. I suppose it may have been that we had started in the middle of a traditional stage. But even so, there are always stragglers at every point along the Camino it seems! Neither of us had any answers. 

We carried on, and immediately after the café, after only a few meters on the main road, turned left onto a pedestrian walkway, and then after a block turned right at the next intersection, and onto the Travesía da Ponte Romano. This little street walks you by a remnant of an historic Roman bridge, the Ponte Romano. 

The Ponte Romano in Vigo, on day twenty-one of Portuguese WayThe Ponte Romano

In about 100 meters only, this side street brings you out to the main road, the Avenida de Castrelos that runs along a very large park, the Parque de Castrelos. Cross the Avenida into the park. 

Avenida de Castrelos by the Parque de Castrelos, in Vigo, Spain on day twenty-one of Portuguese WayAvenida de Castrelos by the Parque de Castrelos

Rich, in the Parque de Castrelos, Vigo, SpainRich, in the Parque de Castrelos

Walk northeast across the park, following the yellow arrows, for about 1/2 kilometer, then on the other side, join a really nice trail system, the Senda do Lagares that leads you along a canal and along the Rego Lagares River. It is shady and lovely along here. At times you have to look very carefully on the trees for the faint yellow arrows through here. 

Senda do Lagares Trail System by the Lagares River, Vigo, Spain on day twenty-one of Portuguese WaySenda do Lagares Trail System by the Lagares River

Go a bit more than a kilometer and a quarter, on an increasingly more narrow trail...

The Senda do Lagares Narrows, Vigo, Spain on day twenty-one of Portuguese WayThe Senda do Lagares Narrows

...until you come out here at this nice little foot bridge. Take the bridge to cross the river. 

Crossing the River Lagares on Footbridge on day twenty-one of Portuguese WayCrossing the River Lagares on Footbridge

Ahead, the path joins the Camiño Carreiros, following the yellow arrows, to turn left. 

Turn Left on Camiño Carreiros at End of Path, Vigo, Spain on day twenty-one of Portuguese WayTurn Left on Camiño Carreiros at End of Path

We were still seeing no pilgrims, even after walking through the center of downtown Vigo. Very interesting, indeed. Perhaps they were all on the Senda Litoral? This seemed the most plausible explanation.

After the river, the long climb of 150 meters begins, all the way to the San Roque church, so get ready! 

Walk straight on the Baixada á Salgueira and up the hill.  

Up the Hill on the Baixada á Salgueira, Vigo, Spain on day twenty-one of Portuguese WayUp the Hill on the Baixada á Salgueira

In a half a kilometer, come to a T-intersection. Follow the yellow arrow on the pole and turn right onto the Rúa do Carballo.

After 1/3 kilometer, when the road ends take a left and then an immediate next right, onto the Rúa do Loureiro. In only about 100 meters, come to the highway, the N-120 and cross over to the Rúa de San Roque. You are almost at the top of the hill!

Carefully Cross the N-120 in Vigo, Spain on day twenty-one of Portuguese WayCarefully Cross the N-120

Walk a few meters more and turn left to continue on the same street and climb a steep hill on pavement that ends in a set of stairs. Rejoin the road and pass the entrance gate to the Ermida de San Roque after 200 meters from the highway. You are now about 13.0 kilometers into this day.

The Ermida de San Roque, Vigo, Spain on day twenty-one of Portuguese WayThe Ermida de San Roque

Make the second right to stay on the Rúa de San Roque. Within a few hundred meters, you are finally at the top of the hill!

Walk 1/2 kilometer onward and turn right to stay on the Rúa de San Roque. Walk another 170 meters, and turn left onto the Av. Alcalde Gregorio Espino for only a few meters, then turn right onto the long walking street on the Rúa de Urzáiz in the shopping district of San Paulo, shown below. The shops provided a nice diversion. It is at this intersection where the Senda Litoral joins the Coastal Route.

Pedestrian Way in San Paulo on day twenty-one of Portuguese WayPedestrian Way in San Paulo on Day Twenty-one on the Camino Portugués

It is at this juncture where you officially start the next traditional stage, with about 14.4 kilometers left to go to Redondela. We were halfway into our day twenty-one on the Portuguese Way. It was already 1:00 in the afternoon and we hoped to reach Redondela by 4:00 p.m. 

If Vigo is your destination for the day, there is finally a brand new municipal Albergue de Peregrinos de Vigo, down by the docks, with 93 places!  The albergue is right along the Senda Litoral.

Or, if you prefer, there are several inexpensive places you can search by clicking here. For starters and next to the albergue is the Hostal Real Vigo, the Real 4 Hostal and the Hostal la Colegiata.

Also nearby the juncture is the Kaps Hostel Vigo, the Lapplandia B&B, the Hostal Cascais and the Hostal Solpor, all steps off-Camino in this area. Check the interactive map for their exact locations and for even more inexpensive hostals I added.

If you are wishing to stay at the municipal albergue, turn left at the juncture instead of right, onto the Rúa de Urzáiz and follow the Senda Litoral backwards (westward), all the way to the docks. The albergue is soon after you reach the main avenue along the waterfront, just behind a large parking lot on a parallel road, the Rúa da Ribeira do Berbés, #5. There will be a large cross after a few steps, just in front of the albergue. It is a total of about 2.25 kilometers from the beginning of the pedestrian shopping street at the juncture of the two Caminos, to the albergue. 

Otherwise, going onward, walk along the shopping plaza for 1/2 kilometer. Then turn left on the Rúa de Toledo and walk for another 1/4 km and come to an intersection. Turn right here, below photo, to stay on the Rúa de Toledo. 

Right Turn Here on the Rúa de Toledo, Vigo, Spain on day twenty-one of Portuguese WayRight Turn Here on the Rúa de Toledo

Walk another 360 meters on the Rúa de Toledo. Turn left onto the Rúa Cantabria. Cross the N-556, here.

Crossing the N-556, Vigo, Spain on day twenty-one of Portuguese WayCrossing the N-556 on Day Twenty-one on the Camino Portugués

Continue to walk on the Rúa Cantabria for 0.9 kilometers. This is an uphill walk, and the views of the Ría de Vigo abound. 

View of the Ría de Vigo, Spain on day twenty-one of Portuguese WayView of the Ría de Vigo

Keep climbing and turn right onto the Rúa da Pouleira.

The Camino Keeps Climbing Out of Vigo, Spain on day twenty-one of Portuguese WayThe Camino Keeps Climbing Out of Vigo

After walking another 1/4 km, turn left onto the Camiño Poulo. It is here that the Senda da Auga begins, a trail system that is essentially flat for the rest of the day! Yay!

Begin the Senda da Auga on day twenty-one of the Camino PortuguésBegin the Senda da Auga

After 300 meters on the Camiño Poulo, stay straight on where the street becomes the Camino Pedrosa.

In another 100 meters or so on the Camino Pedrosa, stay high and turn right onto the Camiño da Traída das Augas.

Follow the Wavy Lines Right on the Camiño da Traída das Augas on day twenty-one of the Camino PortuguésFollow the Wavy Lines Right

The route gets decidedly more rural and the lush green of the spring forest accompanied our journey for almost 2 kilometers. 

The Senda da Auga Becomes Rural on day twenty-one of the Camino PortuguésThe Senda da Auga Becomes Rural

We would catch glimpses of the bay below, through the trees. 

Glimpses of the Bay of the Ría de Vigo on day twenty-one of the Camino PortuguésGlimpses of the Bay of the Ría de Vigo

Farther along we walked through more clusters of homes, with open views of the bay below. Quite pleasant. We could see views of the shipyards below. Vigo is a busy port. We were glad we were walking above it all on this nice, flat, view-laden path. 

Then after a short, slight descent, we joined a wider road, to continue on the Camiño da Traída das Augas.

Continue on the Camiño da Traída das Augas on day twenty-one of the Camino PortuguésContinue on the Camiño da Traída das Augas

Following the Senda da Auga and its green, wavy lines, the Camino turns left here in a few meters, to leave the wider street for this narrow one.

The Way Narrows on this Street on day twenty-one of the Camino PortuguésThe Way Narrows on this Street

We stopped along this section to have a bite to eat from our packs, keeping an eye on the building storm clouds. We didn't linger, but gobbled down some snacks and threw our packs back on to get going before it rained. We put on our rain gear, just as it started to sprinkle. 

Storm Clouds Brewing on the Senda da Auga on day twenty-one of the Camino PortuguésStorm Clouds Brewing

After 2 km (as noted above) on the Camiño da Traída das Augas, the street becomes the Camiño de Valeiro. In only 200 meters, stay straight on, where the street becomes the Rúa Subida a Traída. In another 200 meters, the road becomes the Camiño da Traida. 

High Village Ahead on the Senda da Auga on day twenty-one of the Camino PortuguésHigh Village Ahead

In about 1/2 kilometer, the street turns to dirt, the painted, wavy lines disappear, but the trail system continues and walks the pilgrimage traveler back into a forested area. Almost as soon as we got on our rain gear, the sky cleared and became blue again!  

Back Into the Forest on the Senda da Auga on day twenty-one of the Camino PortuguésBack Into the Forest

After 400 meters, walk uphill, out of the forest, and back into town to join the Camiño da Traida again. It is a quiet side road through town. Everything is well-marked, with arrows, and signage to ensure that you are on the Coastal Route!

Essentially, don't climb too far up or down any hills, and you will be on the right path! The Camino Portugués on day twenty-one on the Portuguese Camino is lovely here for this very reason. Not strenuous, but entirely flat ~ the kilometers tick off fast!

We now had seen maybe three or so pilgrims along this stretch, and along our entire day twenty-one on the Camino Portugués! Amazing!

The views below are still with us, showing the possible oyster pens in the water below. If anyone can confirm that these are oyster pens, please write to us and let us know.

Oyster Pens in the Vigo River on day twenty-one of the Camino PortuguésOyster Pens in the Vigo River

In the next section, the Coastal Route alternates between pavement and dirt roads.

Sandy Coastal Route Here on day twenty-one of the Camino PortuguésSandy Coastal Route Here

In not quite another kilometer, come to this lovely waterfall on the Rego Fondón and picnic area. Do not turn off the road and onto a separate trail (the Ruta Rio Molinos Fondon), but stay straight on the direct road. This would be a lovely place, on a hot day for a rest and a picnic. We had completed about 20.5 kilometers into our day when we reached this waterfall, or just shy of 7.0 kilometers from the juncture of the two caminos.

Waterfall Picnic Area at the Rego Fondón on day twenty-one of the Camino PortuguésWaterfall Picnic Area at the Rego Fondón

Follow along the dirt road for 1.2 km and marvel at the views from the lofty heights of this amazing trail system. Join the pavement once again on the Camiño da Fenteira. Continue on for 0.8 kilometer, where you come to a Y-intersection. Go left here onto a dirt road. 

Here is a view of the famous bridge, the Puente de Rande, a marvel of modern architecture suspended across the Vigo River estuary.

Puente de Rande on the Vigo River Estuary on day twenty-one of the Camino PortuguésPuente de Rande on the Vigo River Estuary

Walk about 2.5 kilometers more, following the signs on dirt roads, for the final plateau push before Redondela. This forest road made for a lovely, solitary walk.

Solitary Forest Walk on the Senda da Auga on day twenty-one of the Camino PortuguésSolitary Forest Walk

Elle on the Final Kilometers of the Senda da Auga on day twenty-one of the Camino PortuguésElle on the Final Kilometers of the Senda da Auga

The Senda da Auga ends here, after a total of about nine wonderful kilometers, turning left onto the Camiño Condesa de Torrecedeira. We had completed 25.1 kilometers at the end of the trail system. Now we started the final, three kilometer, steep descent into Redondela. Signs for accommodation were now abundant!

The Senda da Auga Ends Here on day twenty-one of the Camino PortuguésThe Senda da Auga Ends Here

Descend steeply on the Camiño Condesa de Torrecedeira.

Steeply Downhill on the Camiño Condesa de Torrecedeira into Redondela on day twenty-one of the Camino PortuguésSteeply Downhill on the Camiño Condesa de Torrecedeira
Interesting Gate on day twenty-one of the Camino PortuguésInteresting Gate

Continue downhill on the Camiño Condesa de Torrecedeira for about 0.67 km, descending into Redondela until the bottom of the hill, where the street becomes divided.  

Turn left onto the Aldea Cruceiro street and past a school on your right. Walk about 1/3 km on the Aldea Cruceiro and turn left onto the Estrada Subida Cedeira. Walk 200 meters on the Estrada Subida Cedeira and turn right onto the narrow Camiño das Cardosas. This is a lovely little street on the outskirts of town.

The narrow Camiño das Cardosas into Redondela on day twenty-one of the Camino PortuguésThe Narrow Camiño das Cardosas into Redondela

Walk 0.6 km total on the Camiño das Cardosas and as the road steepens and looks like it is going nowhere, suddenly it comes out at the railroad tracks, turns and walks under the tracks and brings you the Estrada Vigo, the N-550, smack in the town of Redondela.

If Redondela is your destination for the day, there are many, many hotels and albergues from which to choose, here where the Central Route joins the Coastal Route. Click here to book a hotel! 

There is one municipal albergue, shown below, the Albergue Casa Da Torre De Redondela and many, many private albergues.

Continue on by turning right on the N-550. There are narrow sidewalks here to keep the pilgrimage traveler safe. Walk 300 meters south on the N-550 to the first roundabout. The first private albergue, A Rotunda, is on the corner.

Take the first left onto the Avenida de Vigo. In a few meters, bend to the left (north), cross the bridge and see the red "Welcome to Redondela" sign at the Praza Ponteareas.  

Red "Welcome to Redondela" Sign on day twenty-one of the Camino PortuguésRed "Welcome to Redondela" Sign

Stay to the left and join the Rúa Pai Crespo to walk into the heart of town. Shortly encounter the next private Albergue Santiago de Vilavella and the Albergue A Conserveira.

In 200 meters, at this juncture with the Rúa José Regojo, below, there is a funky overhead bridge-type architectural feature.

Turn Right at this Intersection in Redondela, Spain on day twenty-one of the Camino PortuguésTurn Right at this Intersection

Look to your right and you will see waymarks on the tower or "torre," leading you to a lovely side street for pedestrians only, called the Rúa Pai Crespo.

Find Quiet Walking Street, the Rúa Pai Crespo Redondela, Spain on day twenty-one of the Camino PortuguésFind Quiet Walking Street, the Rúa Pai Crespo

Walk about 200 meters or so on this walking street, and come out onto a busy street. There is a roundabout to your left, and across the street is a plaza with the Albergue Casa Da Torre De Redondela.

The Municipal Albergue of Redondela on day twenty-one of the Camino PortuguésThe Municipal Albergue of Redondela

Carefully cross the street to this municipal albergue. It was full when we arrived. All the pilgrims we didn't see on our day twenty-one on the Camino Portugués had beaten us here!! Ha ha!

We walked on by, around the right side of the plaza and up the stairs to the Rúa Isidoro Queimaliños, where there are more private albergues, the A Casa de Herba...

The Camino Continues by A Casa de Herba Private Albergue, Redondela, Spain on day twenty-one of the Camino PortuguésThe Camino Continues by A Casa de Herba Private Albergue

...and just beyond it, the Albergue Rosa D'Abreu where we stayed after walking another 170 meters. The Camino walks directly by these three albergues, within minutes of one another. Farther along, all nearby is the private Albergue Alfonso XII and the parochial, Albergue Santiago de Redondela (+34 627 74 88 02), and finally, on the north side of town is the Albergue Avoa Regina. 

The Albergue, Rosa D'Abreu, Redondela, Spain on day twenty-one of the Camino PortuguésThe Albergue, Rosa D'Abreu

We arrived after 4:00 p.m. and settled on the Rosa D'Abreu, a privada, in order to get lower bunks. I would not recommend the Albergue Rosa D'Abreu. There was no hot water available for our showers. When our roommate, Irina from Latvia, complained, Rosa said, "Oh, I have to change the gas." But our showers were cold. I think she just turned the gas on and off at will to save a Euro. 

There was no heat all night either and it was a chilly night! I should have been suspicious when Rosa knocked on our door that afternoon, offering more blankets! Even though I was warm enough in bed with the extra blankets, it was frigid when I got out of bed in the morning. Rich and I jokingly said the place should be called the "Rosa O'Fria" instead of the Rosa D'Abreu! 

We did like the small rooms. This was clearly a 3-story house converted into an albergue. We had only 3 beds in our room, one single and one bunk. Irina slept in the top bunk. It had only one small bathroom for the entire house that you had to wait in line to use. Plus the bathroom had no lock. Argh!

You can purchase her continental breakfast for 4 E each, but we found it wasn't worth it. It consisted of coffee and bread only, with a few small pieces of tortilla.

Mostly it was her whole atmosphere of squeezing the Euro until it hurt! Plus Rosa was a bit snide with us, but oh-so-much-more friendly and flirty with the group of Spanish cyclists that arrived later. I secretly wondered if she charged foreigners more. Not a very friendly place, in my humble opinion. 

There are many, many hotels as well, here in Redondela. Click here to see your choices! So many options for the pilgrimage traveler!

That evening, after our routine of cleaning up and washing our clothes, we stumbled down to the main square. I was not in the mood to explore much ~ very unlike me, so I have no pictures of the town. In fact, I felt rather closed that evening. Not sure if Rosa put me in this mood or not. Maybe the cold shower did it, or maybe I just didn't want to leave the coast!

That afternoon in our room, when Irina started talking about this man she fell in love with on the Camino, a 40-something lady acting like a teenager, I just smiled, while my mind remained totally blank! I just could not be present to her experience, no matter how hard I tried! 

On our trip through town, we did find an amazing, friendly hamburger joint where they made the biggest hamburgers I have ever seen in my life! It was by the city hall in the park, called the Los Leones Hamburger Place. Check my Google map above if you are interested. 

I was so happy with my good 'ole hamburguesa and apparently Rich was too, because he ordered a second one after he ate the first! The bartender just laughed at him as he said he was very, very hungry! We had essentially not eaten a real meal on our 30k day, but only a few snacks. We also quaffed down a few beers to make ourselves feel better. At least I did! And yes, it did make me feel better. 

Reflections on Day Twenty-One, Camino Portugués

While we had been advised by some that Vigo is ugly to walk through, we actually found it to be quite nice and much better than expected. We saw many things that pleased the eye and the Senda do Lagares along the river in the middle of town was an unexpected surprise. We especially enjoyed the high plateau walk of the Senda da Auga as well. 

We thoroughly enjoyed our day twenty-one on the Camino Portugués. It was indeed, a solitary walk together. I never felt alone. 

I felt invaded upon when we joined the throngs of people and pilgrims in Redondela. My solitude had come to an abrupt end at the beginning of our Central Route.

I was sad to be leaving the warm, sunny coast for the high, cooler uplands of Galicia. Now, the heart of Galicia was in front of me. It was going to be an uphill climb from here to Santiago de Compostela, literally and figuratively. 

And this also I shall include in my pilgrimage. Once again, I would adapt. And this is my Camino... 

Salutation

May your own day twenty-one on the Camino Portugués be filled with lovely moments of the glory of solitude, if you so desire. Or may it be filled with true companionship of other pilgrimage travelers. Whatever yours brings, may you have as lovely a day as we! Ultreia!



Downloadable Camino Portugués eBooks in PDF Format ~ Get Your Copy Today!  Don't carry a hard copy guide book to increase your pack weight. Use our digital guides on your next Camino instead. 


And the Journey Continues:

~ Lisbon to Porto

~ Porto to Santiago Via the Coastal Route and/or the Sendal Litoral

~ Porto to Santiago Via the Central Route



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Need suggestions on what to pack for your next pilgrimage? Click Here or on the photo below!




Carbon Trekking Poles

Carbon fiber construction ( not aluminum) in a trekking pole makes them ultra lightweight. We like the Z-Pole style from Black Diamond so we can hide  our poles in our pack from potential thieves before getting to our albergue! There are many to choose from! ( See more of our gear recommendations! )




Gregory BackPack - My Favorite Brand

An ultralight backpack should serve you well for years, like my Gregory has - six Caminos in all! My 28L Women's pack gets a 5-star on Amazon (Ones for Guys too)!




Microfiber Towel Set

Do not forget your quick-dry microfiber towel! 




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