Hiking in Padrón

Known in Portugal as Caminho Português, the Portuguese Way of St. James leads the pilgrim from Lisbon through central and northern Portugal to Galicia, to the destination of all St. James pilgrims, Santiago de Compostela.

13th and final stage of the Portuguese coastal route No rain to take us to Santiago. We go smoothly km after km without much difficulty and we arrive at the large square of the cathedral where everyone meets. We will then go to get our Compostela. We will sleep at the minor seminary

  You’re approaching your goal. This final stage leads you on a steady uphill walk through small villages and rural paths, passing places rich in history. Soon after leaving Padrón, you’ll pass through Iria Flavia, the former episcopal seat where Bishop Theodomir resided at the time the tomb of the Apostle James was said to have been discovered. Later you’ll walk through O Milladoiro, now a commuter town for Santiago, but whose name likely comes from the Latin humiliatorium — a reference to pilgrimage and the moment when the towers of the Cathedral could finally be seen in the distance. From there, the Camino enters the city from the south, through the old Porta Faxeira in the medieval wall and down the Rúa do Franco, named after the pilgrims who, regardless of origin — Portuguese, Galician or otherwise — were all called “francos”. Congratulations, pilgrim! You’ve reached your goal. But the journey, in truth, never really ends.

After leaving Caldas de Reis, the Portuguese Way (inland) continues through rural areas, passing small villages and hamlets among fields, vineyards and peaceful paths. This is a comfortable stage with no major climbs — ideal for enjoying the Galician landscape before reaching Santiago. Near the end of the route, you’ll cross the Ulla River, one of Galicia’s most important rivers and the main tributary of the Ría de Arousa, the largest and most productive estuary in the region. Just across the bridge lies Padrón, a key site in Jacobean tradition: according to legend, this is where the stone boat carrying the body of the Apostle James arrived, guided by his disciples Theodore and Athanasius, returning him from Jerusalem to Gallaecia. Padrón is also rich in culture — it is the hometown of Rosalía de Castro, considered the national poet of Galician literature.

Central Portuguese Way J-11 Padrón - Santiago de Compostela Recorded on March 2, 2024 07:39:10

Portuguese Camino From Porto to Santiago, 253km through the inland. The route here shows the corrected path. With a bit of back and forth and wandering, it ended up being about 30 km more.Walked in early September 2017 and recorded on the phone.

Vilanova de Arousa - Boat on the Rio Ulla - Pontecesures - Padron - Igrexia de Santa Maria de Irina Flavia - Santuano da Escravitude - A Picaraña

Penultimate stage of the spiritual journey