The Religious Variant or Variante Espiritual is an elective 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 finished. The identify non secular comes from the truth that the route follows the final a part of the journey of the stays of the Apostle St.James.Â
I’ve finished 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 instances actually appreciated it.
![One of the stone crosses on the shore of Ulla River on the Spiritual Way](https://i0.wp.com/stingynomads.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Boat-traslatio-spiritual-variant.jpg.webp?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
The Religious Variant (Variante Espiritual) route overview
Whole distance – 74 km/46 mi; 46 km/28,5 mi strolling and 28 km/17,3 mi by boat
Variety of days – 3 days
Start line – 3 km north of Pontevedra on the Central route of the Portuguese Camino.
Ending level – Padrón
Whole ascent – 781 m
Whole 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 wood poles with metallic tops with a carved Camino shell, and arrow.
What’s the Religious Variant of the Portuguese Camino?
The Religious Variant is another route on the Portuguese Camino de Santiago. This coastal route is commonly known as La Traslatio (typically spelled as Translatio) or the Ulla River Route referring to the final stage that’s finished 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 principle route of the Camino Portugues after Pontevedra and joins it once more in Pontecesures.
![A view of Combarro and Pontevedra from a viewpoint on the Spiritual route](https://i0.wp.com/stingynomads.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Coastal-view-spiritual-camino.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
The Historical past of the Religious Route
The Religious Variant is usually known 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 line 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 generally known as the town of Santiago de Compostela. St.James is the patron saint of Spain.
![One of the many stone crosses on the Spiritual Variant of the Caminno](https://i0.wp.com/stingynomads.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Stone-cross-yellow-arrow-camino.jpg?resize=500%2C750&ssl=1)
How lengthy is the Variante Espiritual?
The Religious 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 Religious route splits from the Central Route within the forest 3 km exterior of Pontevedra. There’s a well-marked route break up; the left route throughout a small bridge is the Religious variant and the precise route by the forest is the principle route of the Camino Portuguese. All pilgrims stroll out of the town of Pontevedra following the identical route and after 3 km once you get to the break up you may change.
![The centre of Pontevedra, Spain](https://i0.wp.com/stingynomads.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Pontevedra-variante-espiritual.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
The place does it be a part of the Central Route of the Portuguese Manner?
The Religious Variant joins the Central approach 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 known as Iria Flavia previously.
The Variante Espiritual vs the Central Route
I’ve walked the Religious Variant twice and I actually prefer it. Which route to decide on is as much as you.
The Religious 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 Religious Manner. The precise strolling distance on each routes is just about the identical as a result of, on the Religious Route, you stroll solely 46 km/28,5 mi, 28 km you do by boat.
What I like in regards to the Religious route is that it doesn’t undergo any industrial areas, close to busy roads, or cities. It’s a picturesque quiet coastal approach with spectacular surroundings and several other charming small cities.Â
There are fewer pilgrims on the Religious route in comparison with the principle Camino Route. If you wish to have a quiet couple of days on the Camino it’s a superb choice.
The boat experience from Vilanova de Arousa is an expertise by itself. The surroundings is gorgeous and really peaceable. It undoubtedly enriches the Camino expertise regardless if you happen to stroll the Central or the Coastal Route of the Portuguese Camino.
Is the route well-marked?
Sure, the Religious Variant is marked like some other Camino route. You may see yellow arrows painted on sidewalks, partitions, and poles. In addition to wood poles with metallic shells and arrows. It’s simple to comply with however typically you do have to concentrate, particularly strolling by the forest.
![One of the wooden pole that indicate the Spiritual variant of the Camino Portugues](https://i0.wp.com/stingynomads.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Spiritual-variant-route-marking.jpg?resize=500%2C750&ssl=1)
Taking a ship (the Traslatio water route) on the Religious 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 without doubt one of the highlights of the Camino. You may ebook your ticket on-line or purchase it on the workplace in Vila Nova de Arousa. The corporate workplace is on the Camino route on the other aspect of a protracted pedestrian bridge (Pasarela de O Terron) that you just cross to get to the city 200 m away from the pier. You could find it on Google.maps as Ruta Translatio. The workplace is open every day from 8 am to 7 pm.
Concerning the boat experience
The boat departs from the port of Vila Nova de Arousa every day round 8 am. It’s beneficial to substantiate the departure time a day earlier than as resulting from climate circumstances it’d change.Â
The journey takes 1h30min.Â
The value is 25 euros per particular person.
In addition to the massive 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 particular person. The period of the experience is about the identical however small boats go quicker. For those who resolve to take a pace boat needless to say it’s an open boat with no roof take a jacket with you in case it will get chilly or wet.
If the massive boat is full don’t fear you’ll be capable of get a spot on a pace boat. I did the Religious Variant finish of Might and there have been two pace boats with pilgrims on the route as our large boat was full.  Â
Between April and October, it’s virtually assured that the boat will go. Exterior of the season, it relies on the demand. If there are pilgrims they are going to go in any other case they received’t. I requested on the boat about their season and so they advised me that typically they exit even in December if there are individuals. Final 12 months I needed to stroll the Religious Manner finish of October and there have been no boats after the twenty first of October. If there will not be sufficient individuals for the massive boat to go you may attempt to ebook a small boat because it doesn’t want that many passengers.
![One of the stone crosses along the Translatio boat route on the Spiritual Route](https://i0.wp.com/stingynomads.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Stone-cross-translatio-spiritual-way.jpg?resize=1000%2C667&ssl=1)
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 in response to the principles it’s important to stroll at the very 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 purported 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. In truth, they even provide you with a stamp that confirms that you just did the interpretation as part of your pilgrimage on the Camino.Â
I’ve finished the Religious Variant twice and the primary time we didn’t take a ship and determined to stroll from Vilanova de Arouse to Pontecesures simply to examine the route. It wasn’t a superb 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 lots higher. It’s fairly good for a change to take a seat on a ship and benefit from the surroundings after strolling for days.Â
Baggage switch service on the Variante Espiritual
It’s potential to make use of a baggage switch service on the Religious route. Correos and Tui Trans provide baggage supply from door to door on the Religious Variant of the Portuguese Camino de Santiago. The common worth is 6 euros per backpack per stage.
Religious Route GPX recordsdata
The Religious 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.Â
Stage 1. Pontevedra to Armenteira, 21 km/13 mi
Distance – 21 km/13 mi
Time – 4 hours (transferring time)Â
Ascent – 606 m
Descent – 358 m
Strolling floor – 9 km/5,5 mi footpath/gravel street, 12 km/7,4 mi asphalt/cobblestones
![A map of the Spiritual Variant of the Camino route from Pontevedra to Armenteira](https://i0.wp.com/stingynomads.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Spiritual-variant-map-stage-1.jpg.webp?resize=1200%2C557&ssl=1)
It was an attractive and difficult strolling day with a number of highlights. You’ll discover considerably fewer pilgrims on the Religious variant in comparison with the Central Route of the Portuguese Camino which is a pleasant factor if you happen to stroll it within the peak season.
You may break up the day into two components to make it simpler because the ascent within the second half of the day is kind of robust particularly if you happen to 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 an enthralling distinctive coastal city. We spent there a few days and actually loved it. We stayed at Casa Noelmar, an incredible place positioned within the coronary heart of the historic centre.
Challenges
A number of brief ascents and first rate 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 top of the day you’re fairly drained.
![The elevation profile of the Camino route from Pontevedra to Armenteira with a steep ascent](https://i0.wp.com/stingynomads.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Elevation-profile-spiritual-way-stage-1.jpg.webp?resize=1200%2C450&ssl=1)
Highlights
Stage 1 route description
From the historic centre of Pontevedra (Church of Virxe Peregrina) comply with the Camio indicators that may lead you out of the city throughout the Ponte do Burgo Bridge. for the primary 3 km, you comply with the Central Route of the Portuguese Camino out of the city by the forest.
At 2,5 km there’s a water fountain
At 3 km on the bridge, there’s a break up. The left route is the Religious Manner which works throughout the bridge in the direction of the coast, and the precise route (the principle route) continues straight in the direction of Caldas de Reis.
At 5,5 km you get to the small city of Cabaleiro the place you will discover a few motels and eating places.Â
Between 6 km and eight km, the Camino goes by the forest and small villages.Â
At 8,5 km you stroll previous the attractive monastery of Poio. You may keep on the lodge positioned in one of many advanced buildings.Â
9 km you get to the city of Poio the place you will discover a few bars.Â
On the roundabout after Poio flip left. The Camino goes away from the street in the direction of the coast.
At 11 km you get to a small seaside and the city of Combarro. It’s an ideal place to cease for relaxation and lunch in the course of the day earlier than the steep ascent. The route doesn’t undergo the historic middle it simply touches it nevertheless it’s so small that strolling round it should hardly add any distance to your stroll. I’d recommend spending a while within the city it has many attention-grabbing medieval buildings positioned alongside the slender cobbled streets.Â
![The main street of the historical centre of Combarro in Galicia](https://i0.wp.com/stingynomads.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Combarro-town-variante-espiritual.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
At 11,5 km after crossing the principle road in Combarro you begin the regular climb that continues for the subsequent 9 km. So ensure you have sufficient water.
At 13,5 km there’s a small kiosk the place you should purchase snacks and water nevertheless it was closed once I walked by.
At 15 km (at a wood board with a route map) don’t miss a incredible lookout level in your left.Â
​At 19 km there’s a break up that’s not marked properly don’t flip off the principle street (preserve proper). Within the final half, there shall be a number of splits however you simply persist with the principle route except 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.Â
At 21 km you’ll arrive on the Armenteira Monastery.Â
![The Romanesque church of the Monastery of Armenteira](https://i0.wp.com/stingynomads.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Monastery-armenteira-spiritual-variant.jpg?resize=500%2C750&ssl=1)
Locations to remain in Armenteira
Stage 2. Armenteira to Vilanova de Arousa, 23,6 km/13,6 mi
Distance – 23,6 km/14,6 mi
Time – 4h30min. (transferring time)Â
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
![A route map of the second stage of the spiritual camino route](https://i0.wp.com/stingynomads.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Variante-espiritual-map-stage-2.jpg.webp?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
The primary a part of the day by the attractive forest is my favourite a part of the Religious Variant. The Camino follows the path that is known as the Route of Rock and Water (Ruta de Pedra e da Agua). General it’s a really good strolling day by the forest and alongside the river for the primary 15 km. After that, you stroll by quiet cities and neighborhoods until you attain the coast.
Challenges
It was a comparatively simple stroll with no explicit difficult components in addition to the downhill stroll at first nevertheless it wasn’t steep extra of a gradual downhill.
![The elevation profile of the second day of the Spiritual route from Armenteira to Vilanova de Arousa](https://i0.wp.com/stingynomads.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Elevation-profile-variante-espiritual-stage-2.jpg?resize=1200%2C507&ssl=1)
Highlights
A lovely stroll by the lush-green forest alongside the river with small waterfalls and large boulders
A quiet stroll by 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 descriptionÂ
The primary 5 km on a footpath by the forest. Proper at first when you get to the footpath there are two trails one goes on the precise aspect of the river and one crosses the bridge and follows the river on the left. I took the precise path. It goes nearer to the river and extra by the forest. The left path goes by extra open components 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 lots the precise path would possibly get muddy and a bit slippery because it goes typically over rocks. There are a number of forest paths that cross the route simply persist with the principle path until you get to the street the place you’ll see Camino indicators once more.
![A small waterfall in the forest near Armenteira, Galicia, Spain](https://i0.wp.com/stingynomads.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Forest-spiritual-variant-camino-portuguese.jpg.webp?resize=1000%2C667&ssl=1)
At 5 km you’re out of the forest. You need to cross a few roads earlier than you will get again on a footpath that goes alongside the river. There’s a large restaurant on the precise 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 motels 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 will get a stamp.
At 16 km one other restaurant. After the primary 5 km, there shall 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 will have round 3 km to Vilanova de Arousa. From there on there shall 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 just 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.Â
![A bridge leading to the town of Vila Nova de Arousa in Galicia](https://i0.wp.com/stingynomads.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Vilanova-de-arousa-spain.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
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
![A route map of the Camino from Pontecesures to Padron](https://i0.wp.com/stingynomads.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Map-walk-pontecesures-to-padron.jpg.webp?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
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 with a purpose to make the ultimate leg of the Portuguese Camino shorter.
The boat experience
The pilgrims’ boat often leaves at 8 am. They ask you to be on the pier quarter-hour earlier than. For those who purchase your ticket on-line you don’t must print it exhibiting it on the display screen of your telephone is sufficient. In truth, they didn’t even examine the tickets simply requested for individuals’s names and located them on their checklist.
Our boat was full we left at 8 am on the dot. You sit contained in the boat the place you’re shielded from wind and rain. If you need you may 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 without doubt 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 all the things within the city was nonetheless closed after 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 in all probability 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. In addition to historic crosses on the best way you see different monuments e.g., Torres do Oeste (two outdated watching towers).
![The pilgrims' boat at the port of Vilanova de Arousa](https://i0.wp.com/stingynomads.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Pilgrims-boat-spiritual-camino.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
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 the direction of Pardón following the Camino arrows. The tip of the stage is 2 km on foot. For those who resolve to remain in Padron there are a number of non-public albergues in addition to one public. The city is understood for the normal dish known as Padron Peppers which go properly 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 may proceed strolling in the direction of Santiago and cease at one of many locations on the best way 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 (mountaineering, climbing, strolling the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves strolling since she was a toddler, she prefers to stroll 1000 km with a backpack fairly than to do a ten 000 km street journey (really 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.