Hi All, just got back from the Variante Espiritual. I decided to walk that way because I had enough of the bed race that seemed to be the case from Tui. You can get more information in the Tourist Office in Pontevedra, they will give you maps.
The route followed the traditional Camino Portugues for 2 km after the Burgos River Bridge then there was a big sign to indicate the start of this route by a bridge. The whole route is well signed, we didn't have any problem following it. On the first day it took us over a hill with lots of forest walking and I assume the view is lovely however it was raining and foggy all day long while we were walking so unfortunately we didn't see anything.
When you get to Armenteira go to the Monastery. Right in front of it there's a cafe where they will give you a key and give a ring to Antonio, the hospitalero. The albergue costs 6 euros. Be aware that there's no supermarket in Armenteira but you can buy a quick bite in the cafe or in the restaurant they are happy to make dinner if you want for a group of people. I can recommend the pulpo! The albergue has about 20 places (I think) but this route is so unknown that we were only 7 of us there. Apparently the most they had this year was 12 but usually they only get 4 or 5 pilgrims per day.
Antonio is very helpful and will call the boat for you to ask about the leaving time which depends on the tide so it's different every day.
On the next day we slept in, woke up and walked to Vilanova de Arousa. The first part of this route is called 'La ruta del agua y piedra' and this was the most beautiful bit I have walked in Spain and it's saying a lot!!! If you want there's an albergue in Vilanova as well and if the weather is good you can go to the beach in the afternoon. We took the boat after we arrived to save a day and by the evening we were in our monastery donativo albergue in Hebron. From then on it's only about 28km to Santiago.
If you have any more questions please don't hesitate to ask, I will answer as best as I can.
Buen Camino.
The route followed the traditional Camino Portugues for 2 km after the Burgos River Bridge then there was a big sign to indicate the start of this route by a bridge. The whole route is well signed, we didn't have any problem following it. On the first day it took us over a hill with lots of forest walking and I assume the view is lovely however it was raining and foggy all day long while we were walking so unfortunately we didn't see anything.
When you get to Armenteira go to the Monastery. Right in front of it there's a cafe where they will give you a key and give a ring to Antonio, the hospitalero. The albergue costs 6 euros. Be aware that there's no supermarket in Armenteira but you can buy a quick bite in the cafe or in the restaurant they are happy to make dinner if you want for a group of people. I can recommend the pulpo! The albergue has about 20 places (I think) but this route is so unknown that we were only 7 of us there. Apparently the most they had this year was 12 but usually they only get 4 or 5 pilgrims per day.
Antonio is very helpful and will call the boat for you to ask about the leaving time which depends on the tide so it's different every day.
On the next day we slept in, woke up and walked to Vilanova de Arousa. The first part of this route is called 'La ruta del agua y piedra' and this was the most beautiful bit I have walked in Spain and it's saying a lot!!! If you want there's an albergue in Vilanova as well and if the weather is good you can go to the beach in the afternoon. We took the boat after we arrived to save a day and by the evening we were in our monastery donativo albergue in Hebron. From then on it's only about 28km to Santiago.
If you have any more questions please don't hesitate to ask, I will answer as best as I can.
Buen Camino.
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