Distance: 25.4 km
Difficulty: ●○○○○
Accommodation: Sanxenxo

The Route of Padre Sarmiento begins leaving Pontevedra, by the same place that the pilgrims of the Portuguese Way leave: by the bridge of O Burgo. You will soon leave this route and the coastline of the estuary itself will guide you.

Throughout this stage we recommend that you spend some time at two stops. The first is the imposing monastery of San Xoán de Poio. You can visit its cloisters and one of the largest granaries in Galicia, which speaks of the wealth of this Benedictine monastery. The second is in Combarro, a symbol of the perfect union between the sea and granite. Walk through its narrow historic streets among fishermen's houses, hórreos and cruceiros. From there the route continues along a coastline full of coves, inlets and elevated corners with great views as you make your way to the end of the stage in Sanxenxo. Leave early: you don't want to miss anything.

Distance: 25.9 km
Difficulty: ●○○○○
AccommodationO Grove

The second stage begins leaving Sanxenxo behind and walking along the outermost part of the Pontevedra estuary, until you leave it for good and face the open ocean. Passing Portonovo, the route becomes less urban and, although the whole area is very humanised, nature gains presence.

Before reaching your destination in O Grove, we recommend you stop at the hermitage of A Lanzada, a place full of magical elements and ancestral reminiscences. In addition to the hermitage, almost the only remains of an ancient defensive fortress built against the Vikings, you can see a partially excavated Celtic settlement, and discover the ancestral fertility ritual of the nine waves.

After this stop, the route continues along the long, open sea beach of A Lanzada until you reach the peninsula of O Grove. You will end up in the town that gives it its name. And here's a hint: if there is a "seafood capital" in Galicia, this is it. Don't miss it! And don't miss the chance to take a short trip to the island of A Toxa either: the hermitage of the shells will look like something out of a fairytale.

Distance: 22.5 km
Difficulty: ●○○○○
Accommodation: Cambados

The third stage of this Route of Father Sarmiento will consist of bordering the southernmost part of the Ría de Arousa, walking among marshes and vineyards. It is not by chance. You are approaching Cambados, the centre of the Albariño culture, probably the wine most associated with Galicia. On your arrival in Cambados, the fishing quarter of Santo Tomé awaits you, which still treasures the remains of one of the defensive towers against the Vikings. From there, the route becomes urban and will take you to Fefiñáns, the historic quarter at the end of which you will find the imposing pazo of the same name.

Don't forget to drink an Albariño to our health!

Distance: 25.3 km
Difficulty: ●●○○○
Accommodation: Vilanova de Arousa

Fourth stage of this route of Padre Sarmiento, which starts where you left off the previous day, surrounded by vineyards. Leaving Cambados and its unique tide mill behind (which used to be very common on the coast) you will soon come across the 2 km bridge that connects the mainland with the island of Arousa. You will have to take the bridge's walkway to reach the only island municipality in Galicia, where you can enjoy an idyllic place marked by fishing tradition and surrounded by the most beautiful beaches. The fishing port of O Xufre, the Punta Cabalo lighthouse, the Os Cons route (large granite rocks sculpted by the wind and waves) and the Con do Forno viewpoint are just some of the attractions this island has to offer. And if you feel like extending your stay on the island and are not in a hurry to reach the end of the stage, we recommend you venture into the Punta Carreirón nature reserve, at the southern tip of the island.

At the end, you will have to return over the bridge to cover the last 7 km of the day, which will take you to the neighbouring Vilanova de Arousa, where this Ruta del Padre Sarmiento joins up with the Ruta del Padre Sarmiento. Spiritual variant of the Portuguese Way.

Distance28 km by boat + 25 km by land
Difficulty: ●●○○○
AccommodationSantiago de Compostela

The sixth day is to cover the longest distance of this entire route: some 15 nautical miles (28 km) that you will cover by boat, plus the 24 km by land that will take you to Compostela. The day begins at the Vilanova maritime station, where you will take the boat for the Traslatio route, recalling the route that the stone boat of St. James made to bring his remains to Galicia from the port of Haifa in Palestine. During the maritime-river route you will see the mussel, oyster and scallop cultivation rafts, the great natural wealth of the northern end of the Arousa estuary, the remains of the West Towers and 12 of the 17 centenary crosses that mark this river route towards Pontecesures.

From there, you will have to resume the Camino on foot, advancing first to Padrón, from where you should not leave without visiting the pedrón where legend has it that the disciples of Santiago tied up their boat to continue inland on foot. From Padrón, where the main route of the Portuguese Way converges, you will notice a considerable increase in the number of walkers: they are pilgrims on their way to Santiago, just like you.

At the end of the day you will find yourself at the gates of Santiago de Compostela, entering the city through the Porta Faxeira, just as Fray Martín Sarmiento did in 1745. Congratulations: you have reached your goal.

There's nothing better to end the Padre Sarmiento Route than a stroll through the old city. Compostela Cathedral and the squares that surround it are a must, but once you have visited them, let your intuition guide you through its cobbled streets and don't miss the University -one of the oldest in Europe- and the Mercado de Abastos, full of life and incredible products.