CP23 - Caldas de Reis - Padrón - 19,5 km

Camino de Santiago: Stage from Caldas de Reis to Padrón

The route of the Camino de Santiago between Caldas de Reis and Padrón is one of the most beautiful and peaceful stages of the Portuguese Camino. Along this stage, pilgrims enjoy a combination of natural landscapes, historic monuments, and the unique atmosphere of the Galician villages. Here, we present the detailed route so that you can fully experience this journey.

From Caldas de Reis to Ponte Bermaña

Upon leaving Caldas, the calle Real leads us to the historic Ponte Bermaña, an emblematic bridge of the area. A little further ahead, we find the Chapel of San Roque, dedicated to a pilgrim saint, marking the start of our journey towards the Bermaña Valley. As we progress, we enter a dense and bucolic riverside forest, creating the perfect environment for reflection and rest. Very close by is the Romanesque Church of Santa María de Bemil, an ideal place for a brief pause.

The Legendary Forest and the Cross

The journey continues through a beautiful forest, reminiscent of King Arthur’s legends, as we gently ascend to reach a cross. This point marks where we cross the N-550. Just a few meters away, we discover the extraordinary complex of Santa María de Carracedo, a historic site that we cannot miss on our pilgrimage.

The Route Near the Valga River

As we continue along the route next to the highway, we head towards Casal de Eirigo, crossing it via an elevated passage. This section leads us towards the vicinity of the O Pino football field. From there, the yellow arrows and a milestone from the Xunta de Galicia guide us through a deep forest, a place of peace and silence, where the only sound is the singing of birds. Along the way, we are accompanied by the Valga River and its ancient mills: Xan Gago, do Nabal, and Saleiros, until we reach San Miguel de Valga. In San Miguel, we can admire its Baroque church, one of the major monuments of the Camino.

From Cimadevila to the Church of San Luis de Cesures

Passing the rectory, we take the detour towards Cimadevila and continue along the Central Portuguese Camino, in the Galician lands. We pass through the villages of Fontenlo and Condide, following the road until we reach the restored Church of San Luis de Cesures. Here, a gas station marks the reunion with the N-550, one of the main routes of the Portuguese Camino. Not far from there, we find an ancient cross, a traditional type of monument that marks the route in Galicia, serving as a reference for pilgrims along their way.

Crossing the Ulla River Towards Padrón

The final part of our stage takes us to cross the Ulla River towards Padrón, a place of great historical and spiritual significance. In this section, we follow the same path taken by the remains of the Apostle Santiago in his stone boat, adding a touch of mysticism to our pilgrimage. After ascending a small hill, we reach the fountain and the Convent of Carmen, two key points to complete this stage of the Camino.