25 km | 6-9 hours | +770m / -552m
A moderately hilly stage continuing through the rolling Galician interior. The route climbs steadily out of Portomarin before crossing a series of forested ridges and green valleys. The terrain is classic Galicia: horreos (granite granaries), stone villages, eucalyptus plantations, and dairy farms.
The walking is pleasant with good shade in the forested sections. Small villages and hamlets appear regularly, offering cafes and stamps. The route passes through Gonzar, Castromaior, and Ventas de Naron, each typical of the Galician countryside.
Palas de Rei is a modest town that serves primarily as a Camino waypoint. It has adequate services including accommodation, restaurants, and shops. The town's name refers to a legendary royal palace, though nothing remains of it.
Terrain: Rolling Galician countryside, forest paths, rural lanes, village streets
Portomarin is a Galician town in Lugo. The medieval town was flooded in 1962 by the Belesar dam; the principal buildings, including the fortress-church of San Xoan, were dismantled stone by stone and rebuilt above the reservoir. Has full services.
Gonzar is a small Galician hamlet in Lugo on the climb out of Portomarin. Has albergues and a bar-restaurant. No shop, pharmacy, or ATM.
Castromaior is a small Galician hamlet in Lugo. The Castro de Castromaior, with the best preservation of any Iron Age hillfort in central Galicia, sits a short detour from the Camino. Has a small bar. No albergue, shop, pharmacy, or ATM.
Take the short detour to the Castro de Castromaior. The pre-Roman Celtic walls, foundations of circular dwellings, defensive ditches, and the street layout of the Iron Age settlement are all clearly visible.
Ventas de Naron is a small Galician hamlet in Lugo, near the site of an 820 battle between Asturian Christian forces and a Moorish raiding party. Has an albergue and a bar-restaurant. No shop, pharmacy, or ATM.
Ligonde is a small Galician hamlet in Lugo with the historic Lameiros pilgrim cemetery on the edge of the village, where medieval pilgrims who died on the route were buried. Has albergues and a bar-restaurant. No shop, pharmacy, or ATM.
Eirexe is a tiny Galician hamlet in Lugo on the Camino between Ligonde and Lestedo. Has a bar-restaurant.
Lestedo is a tiny Galician hamlet in Lugo on the Camino east of Palas de Rei. Has albergues and a bar-restaurant. No shop, pharmacy, or ATM.
Palas de Rei is a Galician town in Lugo. Its name (Pallatium Regis, Royal Palace) refers to a Visigothic palace of King Witiza here in the early 8th century. A major Camino stop in medieval times, mentioned in the Codex Calixtinus. Has full town services.
15 places to stay between Portomarín and Palas de Rei
Accommodation at the start of this stage (useful for booking the night before)
No accommodation options available
Accommodation at the end of this stage
No accommodation options available
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