The Non secular Variant or Variante Espiritual is an non-compulsory route of the Portuguese Camino de Santiago from Pontevedra to Padron. This route is certainly one of my favorites out of 9 totally different Camino de Santiago routes that I’ve executed. The identify religious comes from the truth that the route follows the final a part of the journey of the stays of the Apostle St.James. This variant goes previous some wonderful cities on the Portuguese Manner.
I’ve executed the route twice the primary time as part of our stroll on the Portuguese Camino from Lisbon and the second time as a separate route and each occasions actually favored it.
Non secular Variant PDF file
That can assist you with planning we’ve got created a free downloadable PDF file with strolling phases and locations to remain on the Non secular Variant of the Portuguese Camino.
Obtain the PDF file of the Non secular Variant
The Non secular Variant (Variante Espiritual) route overview
Complete distance – 74 km/46 mi; 46 km/28,5 mi strolling and 28 km/17,3 mi by boat
Variety of days – 3 days
Place to begin – 3 km north of Pontevedra on the Central route of the Portuguese Camino.
Ending level – Padrón
Complete ascent – 781 m
Complete descent – 779 m
Strolling floor – 22 km/13,6 mi on asphalt/cobbled and 24 km/15 mi on footpath/gravel street
Route marking – yellow arrows painted on sidewalks, fences, and poles in addition to small picket poles with steel tops with a carved Camino shell, and arrow.
What’s the Non secular Variant of the Portuguese Camino?
The Non secular Variant is another route on the Portuguese Camino de Santiago. This coastal route is commonly referred to as La Traslatio (typically spelled as Translatio) or the Ulla River Route referring to the final stage that’s executed by boat. The route follows the final a part of the journey of the stays of the apostle Saint James (Santiago in Spanish) from Jerusalem to the Iberian Peninsula. The final stage which is a ship experience from Vilanova de Arousa to Pontecesures is a very powerful a part of the Variante Espiritual route. The 74-kilometers route splits from the Central Route of the Camino Portugues after Pontevedra and joins it once more in Pontecesures.
The Historical past of the Non secular Route
The Non secular Variant is typically referred to as the origin of the Camino de Santiago. Apostle Saint James or James the Nice was one of many first disciples of Jesus. The apostle was executed by decapitation. In keeping with the legend, the beheaded physique of St.James was transferred by the ocean in a stone boat. After reaching the banks of the Ria de Arousa the journey continued inland on the Ulla River to Iria Flavia, trendy Pontecesures. From there the stays of Apostle Santiago had been carried on land and buried within the space these days referred to as town of Santiago de Compostela. St.James is the patron saint of Spain.
How lengthy is the Variante Espiritual?
The Non secular route of the Portuguese Camino is 74 km/46 mi in complete; 46 km/28,5 mi of which you stroll and 28 km/17,3 mi you go on a ship. It takes 3 days to finish the route from Pontevedra to Padrón.
The place does the route begin?
The Non secular route splits from the Central Route within the forest 3 km outdoors Pontevedra. There’s a well-marked route cut up; the left route throughout a small bridge is the Non secular variant and the proper route by means of the forest is the primary route of the Camino Portuguese. All pilgrims stroll out of town of Pontevedra following the identical route and after 3 km once you get to the cut up you possibly can swap. You’ll be able to take this route even should you stroll solely the final 100 km on the Camino from Tui.
The place does it be part of the Central Route of the Portuguese Manner?
The Non secular Variant joins the Central means of the Camino Portuguese in Pontecesures, a city on the Camino 2 km south of Padrón from the place you stroll the ultimate stage of the Portuguese path to Santiago. Pontecesures was referred to as Iria Flavia prior to now.
The Variante Espiritual vs the Central Route
I’ve walked the Non secular Variant twice and I prefer it loads. Which route to decide on is as much as you however if you wish to have a particular expertise on the Camino the Non secular Manner is a not-to-miss route.
The Non secular Manner is a bit longer than the Central Route. From Pontevedra to Pardon on the Central Route is 40 km/24,8 mi or 2 strolling days in comparison with 74 km/46 mi or 3 strolling days from Pontevedra to Pardon on the Non secular Manner. The precise strolling distance on each routes is just about the identical as a result of, on the Non secular Route, you stroll solely 46 km/28,5 mi, 28 km you do by boat.
What I like in regards to the Non secular route is that it doesn’t undergo any industrial areas, close to busy roads, or cities. It’s a picturesque quiet coastal means with spectacular surroundings and a number of other charming small cities.
There are fewer pilgrims on the Non secular route in comparison with the primary Camino Route. If you wish to have a quiet couple of days on the Camino it’s a great possibility.
The boat experience from Vilanova de Arousa is an expertise by itself. The surroundings is gorgeous and really peaceable. It enriches the Camino expertise no matter whether or not you stroll the Central or the Coastal Route of the Portuguese Camino.
Is the route well-marked?
Sure, the Non secular Variant is marked like every other Camino route. You’ll be able to see yellow arrows painted on sidewalks, partitions, and poles. In addition to picket poles with steel shells and arrows. It’s straightforward to observe however typically you do have to concentrate, particularly strolling by means of the forest.
Taking a ship (the Traslatio water route) on the Non secular Variant of the Portuguese Camino
A ship experience from the port of Vila Nova de Arousa to Pontecesures is part of the route and is likely one of the highlights of the Camino. You’ll be able to e book your ticket on-line or purchase it on the ticket workplace in Vila Nova de Arousa. The corporate workplace is on the Camino route on the alternative aspect of a protracted pedestrian bridge (Pasarela de O Terron) that you simply cross to get to the city 200 m from the pier. You could find it on Google.maps as Ruta Translatio. The workplace is open day by day from 8 am to 7 pm.
In regards to the boat experience
Boats depart from the port of Vila Nova de Arousa each morning. departure occasions range relying on the tide. Normally, it’s between 7 am and eight am. In the summertime months, there is likely to be two day by day departures. You’ll be able to test the occasions on-line. It’s really helpful to substantiate the departure time a day earlier than as because of climate situations it would change.
The journey takes 1h30min.
The value is 25 euros per individual.
Apart from the large boat La Barca del Peregrino, there are small pace boats between Vila Nova de Arousa and Pontecesures. They’re operated by A Mare Turismo Nautico. A experience is costlier, 30 euros per individual. The period of the experience is about the identical however small boats go quicker. When you determine to take a pace boat understand that it’s an open boat with no roof take a jacket with you in case it will get chilly or wet.
If the large boat is full don’t fear you’ll have the ability to get a spot on a pace boat. I did the Non secular Variant finish of Could and there have been two pace boats with pilgrims on the route as our massive boat was full.
Between April and October, it’s virtually assured that the boat will go. Exterior of the season, it is dependent upon the demand. If there are pilgrims they may go in any other case they received’t. I requested on the boat about their season they usually informed me that typically they exit even in December if there are individuals. Final yr I needed to stroll the Non secular Manner finish of October and there have been no boats after the twenty first of October. If there are usually not sufficient individuals for the large boat to go you possibly can attempt to e book a small boat because it doesn’t want that many passengers.
Will I get the Compostela if I take a ship?
Many pilgrims are involved about getting their Compostela certificates in the event that they take a ship as based on the foundations you must stroll at the least the final 100 km to Santiago de Compostela on any Camino route. There’s nothing to fret about boat experience is part of the route. You’re speculated to take a ship between Vilanova de Arouse and Pontecesures. You received’t have any difficulties getting your Compostela in Santiago due to the boat. They even provide you with a stamp that confirms that you simply did the interpretation as part of your pilgrimage on the Camino.
I’ve executed the Non secular Variant twice and the primary time we didn’t take a ship and determined to stroll from Vilanova de Arouse to Pontecesures simply to test the route. It wasn’t a great expertise. The route is poorly marked we needed to stroll subsequent to railways and alongside busy roads. In complete, we walked greater than 30 km that day. The boat experience is loads higher. It’s fairly good for a change to take a seat on a ship and benefit from the surroundings after strolling for days.
Baggage switch service on the Variante Espiritual
It’s potential to make use of a baggage switch service on the Non secular route. Correos and Tui Trans supply baggage supply from door to door on the Non secular Variant of the Portuguese Camino de Santiago. The common value is 6 euros per backpack per stage.
Non secular Route GPX recordsdata
The Non secular Variant of the Portuguese Camino strolling phases
The stroll consists of three phases: the primary two are strolling phases the final stage is a ship experience + a brief stroll.
Stage 1. Pontevedra to Armenteira, 21 km/13 mi
Distance – 21 km/13 mi
Time – 4 hours (transferring time)
Ascent – 606 m
Descent – 358 m
Strolling floor – 9 km/5,5 mi footpath/gravel street, 12 km/7,4 mi asphalt/cobblestones
It was an attractive and difficult strolling day with a number of highlights. You’ll discover considerably fewer pilgrims on the Non secular variant in comparison with the Central Route of the Portuguese Camino which is a pleasant factor should you stroll it within the peak season.
You’ll be able to cut up the day into two elements to make it simpler because the ascent within the second half of the day is kind of robust particularly should you do it in summer time. On the primary day, you stroll 11 km from Pontevedra to Combarro. Spend an evening in Combarro and the subsequent morning stroll 10 km from Combarro to Armenteira with a 400-meter ascent to the highest of the steep hill. Combarro is a captivating distinctive coastal city. We spent there a few days and loved it. We stayed at Casa Noelmar, an awesome place situated within the coronary heart of the historic centre.
Challenges
A number of quick ascents and respectable within the first half of the day between Pontevedra and Combarro.
A steep and lengthy ascent, 400 m within the second half of the day from Combarro to Armenteira. After conquering the hill by the tip of the day you’re fairly drained.
Highlights
Stage 1 route description
From the historic centre of Pontevedra (Church of Virxe Peregrina) observe the Camio indicators that may lead you out of the city throughout the Ponte do Burgo Bridge. for the primary 3 km, you observe the Central Route of the Portuguese Camino out of the city by means of the forest.
At 2,5 km there’s a water fountain
At 3 km on the bridge, there’s a cut up. The left route is the Non secular Manner which matches throughout the bridge in direction of the coast, and the proper route (the primary route) continues straight in direction of Caldas de Reis.
At 5,5 km you get to the small city of Cabaleiro the place you will discover a few inns and eating places.
Between 6 km and eight km, the Camino goes by means of the forest and small villages.
At 8,5 km you stroll previous the attractive monastery of Poio. You’ll be able to keep on the lodge situated in one of many complicated buildings.
9 km you get to the city of Poio the place you will discover a few bars.
On the roundabout after Poio flip left. The Camino goes away from the street in direction of the coast.
At 11 km you get to a small seashore and the city of Combarro. It’s an ideal place to cease for relaxation and lunch in the midst of the day earlier than the steep ascent. The route doesn’t undergo the historic heart it simply touches it however it’s so small that strolling round it’s going to hardly add any distance to your stroll. I’d counsel spending a while within the city it has many fascinating medieval buildings situated alongside the slim cobbled streets.
At 11,5 km after crossing the primary road in Combarro you begin the regular climb that continues for the subsequent 9 km. So be sure to have sufficient water.
At 13,5 km there’s a small kiosk the place you should buy snacks and water however it was closed once I walked by.
At 15 km (at a picket board with a route map) don’t miss a improbable lookout level in your left.
At 19 km there’s a cut up that’s not marked nicely don’t flip off the primary street (hold proper). Within the final half, there will likely be a number of splits however you simply follow the primary route until there’s a yellow arrow indicating the course.
At 20 km the ascent is over and also you begin a descent on a footpath which will get fairly steep simply earlier than you attain Armenteira.
At 21 km you’ll arrive on the Armenteira Monastery.
Locations to remain in Armenteira
Stage 2. Armenteira to Vilanova de Arousa, 23,6 km/14,6 mi
Distance – 23,6 km/14,6 mi
Time – 4h30min. (transferring time)
Ascent – 170 m
Descent – 417 m
Strolling floor – 15 km on a footpath/gravel street, 8 km on asphalt, 500 m on a quiet street
The primary a part of the day by means of the attractive forest is my favourite a part of the Non secular Variant. The Camino follows the path that known as the Route of Rock and Water (Ruta de Pedra e da Agua). Total it’s a really good strolling day by means of the forest and alongside the river for the primary 15 km. After that, you stroll by means of quiet cities and neighborhoods until you attain the coast.
Challenges
It was a comparatively straightforward stroll with no explicit difficult elements apart from the downhill stroll at the start however it wasn’t steep extra of a gradual downhill.
Highlights
A wonderful stroll by means of the lush-green forest alongside the river with small waterfalls and massive boulders
A quiet stroll by means of an attractive pure space alongside the river and between the vineyards
A stroll alongside the coast of the Atlantic Ocean on the final 3 km earlier than Vilanova de Arousa
Stage 2 route description
The primary 5 km on a footpath by means of the forest. Proper in the beginning when you get to the footpath there are two trails one goes on the proper aspect of the river and one crosses the bridge and follows the river on the left. I took the proper path. It goes nearer to the river and extra by means of the forest. The left path goes by means of extra open elements and is a bit farther from the river. Each trails merge a few kilometers later on the street the place you’ll see a Camino signal. If it rains loads the proper path would possibly get muddy and a bit slippery because it goes typically over rocks. A number of forest paths cross the route simply follow the primary path until you get to the street the place you’ll see Camino indicators once more.
At 5 km you’re out of the forest. It’s a must to cross a few roads earlier than you may get again on a footpath that goes alongside the river. There’s a massive restaurant on the proper simply 50 m away from the Camino.
Between 5,5 km and 13 km, you stroll principally alongside the river and vineyards. It’s a pleasant and peaceable stroll.
At 6,5 km there’s a restaurant proper on the Camino route.
At 10 km a the bridge there’s one other restaurant. The Camino route goes throughout the bridge and right down to the river on the opposite aspect of it.
At 13 km you get to the city of Ponte Arnelas the place you will discover inns and eating places.
Between 14 km and 15 km, you stroll 500 mon a street with not a lot site visitors. There are two bars on that stretch.
At 15 km simply after a flip off from the street, there’s a small chapel the place you may get a stamp.
At 16 km one other restaurant. After the primary 5 km, there will likely be loads of alternatives to cease for relaxation and meals.
At 19,5 km there’s a bar.
At 21 km you get to the coast. You could have round 2 km to Vilanova de Arousa. From there on there will likely be a restaurant/cafe each km or so.
The Camino goes alongside the coast for the final 3 km providing spectacular views.
At 23 km you get to a protracted pedestrian bridge that you simply cross to get to the city of Vilanova de Arousa.
After crossing the bridge on the left, you’ll see a glass constructing and a pier. Pilgrims’ boats to Pontecesures go away from there.
Locations to remain in Vilanova de Arousa
Stage 3. Vilanova de Arousa to Padrón. The Translatio Sea Route, 30 km/18,6 mi
Distance – 30 km/18,6 mi; 28 km/17,3 mi by boat + 2,3 km/1,4 mi strolling (from Pontecesures to Padrón)
Time – 2 hours, 1h30min. boat, half-hour strolling
Ascent – 5 m
Descent – 4 m. The strolling a part of the final part may be very flat
Strolling floor – 2,3 km on asphalt
The final day of the Variante Espiritual is a brief stage. In complete, it takes round 2 hours to get from Vilanova de Arousa to Padron. This implies you’ve gotten loads of time to proceed strolling previous Padron to get nearer to Santiago de Compostela in an effort to make the ultimate leg of the Portuguese Camino shorter.
The boat experience
The pilgrims’ boat normally leaves at 8 am. They ask you to be on the pier quarter-hour earlier than. When you purchase your ticket on-line you don’t must print it exhibiting it on the display screen of your cellphone is sufficient. The truth is, they didn’t even test the tickets simply requested for individuals’s names and located them on their record.
Our boat was full we left at 8 am on the dot. You sit contained in the boat the place you’re protected against wind and rain. If you would like you possibly can stand on the again the place there’s an open space. The Translatio route begins on the Arousa Sea and continues alongside the River Ulla which is likely one of the main rivers in Galicia. The boat makes a number of stops most of them at stone crosses. The captain tells you a little bit of historical past and factors within the course of crosses. They provide you tea and a pastry on the boat which was nice as a result of every little thing within the city was nonetheless closed once we left.
There are 17 stone crosses alongside the river banks that point out the route. I counted 10 crosses the remainder of them had been most likely too far to note. The boat journey had an virtually meditative impact on me. It undoubtedly may be described as one of many highlights of the Portuguese Camino de Santiago. Apart from historical crosses on the way in which you see different monuments e.g., Torres do Oeste (two previous watching towers).
The stroll to Padrón
After 1h30min. the boat arrives in Pontecesures the place you get off and begin strolling alongside the river financial institution after which throughout the bridge in direction of Pardón following the Camino arrows. The top of the stage is 2 km on foot. When you determine to remain in Padron there are a number of personal albergues in addition to one public. The city is understood for the standard dish referred to as Padron Peppers which go nicely with native white wine.
Padrón is 24 km from Santiago de Compostela. After the boat experience you arrive in Padrón earlier than 11 am so as an alternative of staying there you possibly can proceed strolling in direction of Santiago and cease at one of many locations on the way in which to make your final day’s stroll shorter.
Locations to remain in Padron
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The gorgeous half of Stingy Nomads, answerable for all our land adventures (climbing, climbing, strolling the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves strolling since she was a baby, she prefers to stroll 1000 km with a backpack somewhat than to do a ten 000 km street journey (truly any street journey). Alya is an enormous fan of Latin America, the Spanish language, and dancing. Each time we go away she desperately misses our canine Chile.
