The same great content and more in your pocket, the most up-to-date guidebook to the CAMINO DE INVIERNO available.
Wise Pilgrim APPEthnographic museum looks interesting: http://museoetnografico.net/museo-etnografico/ Open Tuesday through Sunday, 10-2 and 4-7 pm.
Something is always happening in downtown Lalín (some pilgrims encountered a trotting competition, others have come across little specialized weekend markets of artisanal cheese, organic foods, etc). A life-size bronze hog stands in the main street, a tribute to the area’s culinary mainstay.
Lalín is famous for its cocido– a dish that serves up greens, potatoes, garbanzos, broth, and assorted stewed pork bits in a great steaming heap. Casa Mouriño, across the street from the Palacio Hotel is a great place to try it.
Other recommended places to eat include:
Restaurant Cabanas, Rua Pintor Laxeiro, 3 (very good reviews on line, confirmed by a 2016 pilgrim);
Restaurante San Martín II, Rua C, 3;
Bakery Bar Dulces Encantados (near main church).
Pizzería Casa do Gato, Rua Ramón Aller 5 (although the street has a different name, it is the continuation of Calle Matmático Rodriguez, one of the town’s main streets, and the street on which the Hotel el Palacio is located). This place is owned by the president of the local association of the Friends of the Camino. Very pilgrim-friendly; stamp.
Lalín has a lot of private accommodations, here are a few recommended by others.
Hotel Restaurante el Palacio. Very close to the Camino. From the church, walk down to the second cross street, Calle Matemático Rodriguez and turn right. The hotel is on that first block (number 10). It’s a 2**, very clean and comfortable. Pilgrim deal of 35 € for room, a main meal, and breakfast. Early breakfasts not a problem (I had mine at 6:30 and could have had it earlier; just check with hotel staff). Tel. 987 780 000.
Hostal As Vilas, Calle Arenal, 4. Tel. 986 780 140
Hostal Mourino. Tel. 986 780 073
Hostal Naval do Espinal. Tel. 986 787 604
Hotel Camino de Santiago. Tel. 986 794 078 (4 km out of town along the trail.)
The Camino leaves Lalín on the Pontiñas River walk. The path (with both a paved and unpaved option) is accessible at various points throughout the town. If you are unsure, just ask; everyone knows where it is. The name in Spanish is Paseo Fluvial.
To get to the river walk from the town church, walk down with the church behind you, on the street Rúa Colón. You will come to a plaza with a monolithic monument to Joaquín Loriga, an early 20th century aviator. Go past that square, continue behind the plaza, down hill, till you come to a big playground at the edge of the town. You will be able to join the river walk there, take it to your left. It’s a very nice walk.
When the mojón takes you off the river walk, you will start to ascend. Turn left at a little ermita (arrow on the adjacent shed/garage) and continue on that back road. You emerge onto the road that traverses the industrial park in front of the Hotel Torre do Deza. Continuing straight ahead, you will come to a gravel road that takes you to a tunnel under the super highway and enter A Laxe.
