The last 100 kms of the Camino de Santiago from LUGO

Before you start the Primitive Way of Santiago from Lugo we recommend you to arrive with enough time at the city to visit it. The city of Lugo was founded in the year 25 b.C. by the Romans and is the oldest capital of the province of Galicia. You will be able to walk along the Roman walls that surround the old quarter, one of the best-preserved walls in Europe which is also considered a World Heritage Site. Furthermore, you can visit the Plaza Mayor and the city council, the Plaza do Campo, the Plaza de Santa María, the Plaza de Santo Domingo, the Alameda and the Cathedral. If you need we can arrange your transfer from Santiago to Lugo, from the airport or either the bus or train station. We also offer the possibility to book a guided visit through the city of Lugo so that you can know it better.

• Day 2
• Lugo
• San Román da Retorta
• 19 Km.

You will start the last 100 kilometres of the Primitive Way to Santiago from Lugo walking this first stage between Lugo and San Román da Retorta. Walking along the old quarter of Lugo you will leave behind the city through the wall entrance called “Puerta de Santiago” or “Puerta del Póstigo”. Only 3 kilometres after you will find the Paleo-Christian temple of Santalla de Bóveda, declared national monument, that preserves some of the most impressive mural paintings of the early medieval of the Iberian Peninsula. Then you will cross the quarter of San Lázaro and the Roman bridge to go into the rural villages such as Seoane, San Vicenzo do Burgo, Bacurín, Taboeiro and finally San Román da Retorta where you will conclude this stage of the Primitive Way.

• Day 3
• San Román da Retorta
• Melide
• 28 Km.

After breakfast, you will abandon the accommodation in San Román da Retorta to face this second stage of the Primitive Way ending in Melide. You will progress along dirt and paved rural roads through charming small villages strongly linked to the Camino de Santiago; Ponte Ferreira where you will cross a small medieval bridge, San Xurxo de Aguas Santas, Merlán and then Hospital das Seixas where you will walk on the last and amazing mountain of the Primitive Way of Saint James: the mountains of Serra do Careón. You will cross the limit between the provinces of Lugo and Coruña to pass through the municipality of Toques then and the small towns of Vilouriz and Villamor so that you finally start descending towards Melide where you will spend the night.
Upon your arrival at Melide, a town that is considered the geographic centre of Galicia, you will have the opportunity to enjoy its gastronomy tasting the best “pulpo a la gallega” (Galician style octopus recipe). Then you’ll have time to make some visits at the different places of interest such as the church of San Roque, the chapels Capilla del Carmen and Capilla San Antonio, the church of Sancti Spiritus, the museum of Terra de Melide and the old quarter.

• Day 4
• Melide
• Arzúa
• 15 Km.

Today you will face the stage that separates Melide from Arzúa, one of the nicest stages of the Primitive and French Way of Santiago. Despite the slopes, it is fairly bearable since the distance between the two towns is only 15 kilometres. Leaving Melide behind you will find the church of Santa María de Melide and the bridge over the river Catasol, this bridge is probably the most photographed of the Primitive and French Way. The next stop takes place in the small place of Boente belonging to the council of Arzúa, here we recommend you to seal your pilgrim passport at the church of Santiago. You will continue your route along paths through the places of Figueiroa and Castañeda until you reach Ribadiso where you will cross the Roman bridge and you will enjoy the charm of this paved village. From this point, there are only 3 kilometres left upwards until you get to your destination, Arzúa. In Arzúa you will be able to enjoy its delicacy, the Arzúa-Ulloa cheese with the designation of origin. We also recommend you to stroll around the town and enjoy the great pilgrim atmosphere as it is the place where pilgrims from the Primitive, French and Northern Way of Santiago join.

• Day 5
• Arzúa
• Pedrouzo
• 19 Km.

After breakfast, you will leave behind Arzúa walking down the cobbled street Calle del Carmen and directing toward the fountain of Los Franceses. Then you will pass through river Vello and you will arrive at As Barrosas. You will continue descending through entirely rural areas until you reach the river Brandeso, from this point you will start ascending and you will get to the parish of Preguntoño, and the shrine of San Paio dating back from 17th century. Continuing your Primitive Way to Santiago you will cross the places of Peroxa, Taberna Vella and the parish of Burres where you will say goodbye to the municipality of Arzúa and you will enter the council of O Pino, the last council before your arrival to Santiago. Hereinafter the path is a mixture of a rural environment, forest tracks and paved roads walking along with the following villages that will take you to your destination; Calle, Boavista, Salceda, O Xen, San Miguel de Cerceda, O Empalme, Santa Irene, Rúa and finally Pedrouzo where you will spend the night.

• Day 6
• Pedrouzo
• Santiago
• 20 Km.

The great day has arrived, the last stage of the Primitive Way that will take you to Santiago. Between Pedrouzo and Santiago, there are only 20 kilometres left, approximately 5 hours of Camino and important moments. You will start this stage through the streets of Pedrouzo and you will go deep into a beautiful trail with huge eucalyptus. You will walk through the rural areas of San Antón, Amenal and Cimadevila. Then you will find the sculpted monolith with the pilgrim’s staff, the pumpkin and the famous scallop shell that indicates that you are already on lands belonging to Santiago de Compostela. Afterwards, you will surround the perimeter of the airport and you will cross the places of San Paio, Lavacolla, the parochial church of San Pelayo de Sabugueira, Vilamaior, San Marcos and then a short climb will bring you to the Monte do Gozo. From this point, you can have a view of the city of Santiago. Less than 5 kilometres separate you from the goal of the Primitive Way of Santiago. You will descend until you arrive at the quarter of San Lázaro where a pilgrim sculpture will greet you to the city. After passing through the quarter of Os Concheiros you will enjoy the last steps walking along the old quarter through the street of Casas Reais, the square Plaza de Cervantes, the Calle de Azabachería and leaving aside the monastery of San Martín Pinario you will finally entering the Plaza del Obradoiro where you will end your Camino.

After breakfast, our services of the Primitive Way from Lugo to Santiago will end. If you wish you can attend the pilgrim mass celebrated every day at noon. Furthermore, if you have more days, at Galician Roots we recommend you can visit our guided trips around Galicia section, where we offer a guided visit through Santiago with a local guide and many other experiences through our land.