THE ROUTE OF FATHER SARMIENTO | THE WAY OF SAINT JAMES

[ TRASLATIO ROUTE BY LA BARCA DEL PEREGRINO ® ]

The Traslatio Route or The Mar de Arousa and Río Ulla Route – The Spiritual Variant of the Portuguese Way

“The only maritime-river Via Crucis in the world”
A set of traditional cruisers, some dating from the 60s of the last century.

A unique experience with history.

Father Sarmiento was behind this variant of the Portuguese Way of Saint James which crosses the region of O Salnés. The Galician Dominique monk returned from Madrid to go on a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in 1745, and he recorded this journey of 190 km in his work Viaje a Galicia (Journey to Galicia).

This beautiful route along the coast between the rías (coastal inlets) of Pontevedra and Arousa, which was named after him, begins in O Burgo Bridge and continues through the towns of Poio, Sanxenxo, O Grove, Meaño, Cambados, A Illa de Arousa, Vilanova de Arousa, Vilagarcía de Arousa, Catoira, Valga and Pontecesures. There, this route meets the traditional Portuguese Way until reaching the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.

Thank you very much Olga, it has been a pleasure to enjoy this wonderful route. We will see you very soon

La experiencia ha sido increíble. Muy contenta por el trato recibido

Una ruta con historia, contada en primera persona por el patrón de la embarcación. Enhorabuena.

Je suis très heureuse de t'avoir rencontré Olga, merci de nous traiter comme si nous étions à la maison. Merci

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BOATS

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TRAVEL PLACES

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ROUTES

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YEARS

THE ROUTE OF FATHER SARMIENTO | THE WAY OF SAINT JAMES

[ TRASLATIO ROUTE BY LA BARCA DEL PEREGRINO ® ]

The Traslatio Route or The Mar de Arousa and Río Ulla Route – The Spiritual Variant of the Portuguese Way

BOOK NOW - TRASLATIO

A unique experience with history.

Father Sarmiento was behind this variant of the Portuguese Way of Saint James which crosses the region of O Salnés. The Galician Dominique monk returned from Madrid to go on a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in 1745, and he recorded this journey of 190 km in his work Viaje a Galicia (Journey to Galicia).

Thank you very much Olga, it has been a pleasure to enjoy this wonderful route. We will see you very soon

La experiencia ha sido increíble. Muy contenta por el trato recibido

Una ruta con historia, contada en primera persona por el patrón de la embarcación. Enhorabuena.

Je suis très heureuse de t'avoir rencontré Olga, merci de nous traiter comme si nous étions à la maison. Merci

[ ]

BOATS

[ +]

TRAVEL PLACES

[ +]

ROUTES

[ +]

YEARS

[ LA BARCA DEL PEREGRINO ® ]

STAGE 1 / Pontevedra →Sanxenxo 22,3 km

Father Sarmiento started the journey in the town of Pontevedra, crossing the O Burgo Bridge. Following the footsteps of this prominent figure along the northern coast of the Ría de Pontevedra, pilgrims visit the monastery of San Xoán de Poio, a gem of the As Rías Baixas heritage.

The village of Combarro, renowned for its seaside houses, cruceiros (stone crosses) and hórreos by the sea, is very well preserved. In addition, it has a great number of attractive hotels and souvenir shops. Wandering around the streets of the village and enjoying a drink on any of the bar terraces available is well worth it.

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STAGE 2 - Sanxenxo→O Grove 14,3 km

A bit over two kilometres away from the town centre of Sanxenxo, after crossing Punta Bicaño, the route continues until Portonovo, a tourist town having a beach and a marina. Then, it goes along the coast, crossing some beaches and the points of Cabicastro, Sefexeira and Paxariñas until reaching the beach of Montalvo, with dunes of great natural value.

Along the route, you can enjoy the amazing views of the island A Illa de Ons. The parish of Noalla is a perfect viewpoint to admire the two islands (A Illa de Ons and Onza or Onceta). Along this part of the way there are several beaches such as Bascuas, Pragueira, Foxos, Area Gorda and A Lapa, and finally A Lanzada, the most incredible intertidal complex of dunes in As Rías Baixas, and in Galicia.

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STAGE 2 - Sanxenxo→O Grove 14,3 km

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STAGE 3 - O Grove 18 Km

The route of Father Sarmiento goes along O Grove Peninsula, another of the main attractions in As Rías Baixas, whose popular cuisine and beaches stand out. These beaches, having dune systems, go until the place of San Vicente do Mar, and from there, the way crosses a stretch of rocky coastline, passing by the Canelas Beach. From this part of the coast of O Grove, on the west side of the peninsula, you can enjoy a fantastic view of the islands of A Illa de Ons and Sálvora. The latter is also part of the Atlantic Islands National Park.

On the way towards the place of O Porto de Meloxo you go past the north coast of O Grove, at the bottom of the ría of Arousa. In this part of the way there are many beaches. Here, hikers can admire A Illa de Arousa, the smallest island municipality in Spain, having amazing beaches and a fantastic natural area, O Carreirón.

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STAGE 4 - Illa da Toxa→Cambados 19 km

This stretch of the route surrounds the intertidal complex Umia-O Grove, an inlet listed as a Wetland of International Importance. It goes from the Umia River estuary to the town of Cambados, the birthplace of the Albariño wine, which is, according to the Galician writer Álvaro Cunqueiro, the king of all Galician wines.

The salt mines which would give the name to the region of O Salnés were located in this inlet. Here, water flows through the channel existing between the coast and A Illa da Toxa. Many birds choose this ecosystem to spend the winter or as a stopover in their migration. Grey herons, mallards and dunlins are some of the species that can be oberved in this natural space. Cambados is a land of wines and it has a splendid historic centre declared Cultural Interest Site. The major attractions of the old town are the Pazo de Fefiñáns, the arch-bridge, the keep of the tower and the San Bieito Church.

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STAGE 4 - Illa da Toxa→Cambados 19 km

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STAGE 5 / Cambados →A Illa de Arousa 17km

Without leaving Cambados, in the parish of San Mamede de Corvillón, pilgrims can visit the museum Museo Muíño de Mareas da Seca, a water mill dating from 1622 which used to work with the tidal movement.

Then, the route continues towards A Illa de Arousa, a beautiful coastal town with interesting places to visit as the fishing port O Xufre and amazing beaches. Two of these beaches, namely O Bao or Camaxe and Area da Secada, have a blue flag. To reach the island, where 11 of its 36 kilometres are beaches, you have to cross an almost two-kilometre bridge. Here, you can discover the natural park O Carreirón, listed as a Special Protection Area. The highest peak of the island is the viewpoint O Con do Forno, where you can admire amazing views of the town.

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STAGE 6 - A Illa de Arousa→Vilagarcía de Arousa 17 km

After crossing the bridge and leaving the island, you walk along the coast towards the town of Vilanova de Arousa, birthplace of the writer Ramón María del Valle-Inclán, whose house-museum is a recommended visit. After leaving the town centre, the route returns to the seaside, passing by other beaches, as As Sinas, and it continues along the coast towards Vilagarcía de Arousa, crossing Vilaxoán. This village, has a fishing port and is popular for its cuisine.

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STAGE 6 - A Illa de Arousa→Vilagarcía de Arousa 17 km

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STAGE 7 / Vilagarcía de Arousa →Pontecesures 20km

You reach the estuary of the Ulla River walking along the coast next to an area of salt marshes, and the Ría de Arousa is left behind. The route continues till the town of Catoira, where you find the Oeste Towers, used in the past to defend Santiago de Compostela against the Viking attacks. Only the remains of two of the original seven towers are standing, and they are located next to a small chapel devoted to the Apostle Saint James.

On the first Sunday of August, Catoira hosts the spectacular Viking Festival, declared of International Tourist Interest, where locals revive the Scandinavian invasions that took place one thousand years ago.

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