Portomarín to Palas de Rei
Stage 10 · Camino Francés
Portomarín → Palas de Rei
About this stage
Portomarín to Palas de Rei · 25 km · up 610 m, down 450 m
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
The day, stop by stop
- 0km
Portomarín
townPortomarin 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.
View town guideRestaurantCafeGroceryWaterPharmacyATMClinic
Koala notes · Portomarín
1 noteStone by stone
Portomarin's Romanesque church was moved stone by stone from the flooded old town. When the reservoir is low, you can see the original bridge and streets underwater. The town's pleasant plaza is a good place for an evening rest.
- Enjoy the countryside
The Galician countryside on this section is beautiful. Take time to appreciate the "horreos" (a traditional raised granary), stone walls, and rural character before the increasing urbanisation of the final stages.
- 8km
Gonzar
villageGonzar is a small Galician hamlet in Lugo on the climb out of Portomarin. Has albergues and a bar-restaurant. No shop, pharmacy, or ATM.
View town guideRestaurantCafeWater
- 9.2km
Castromaior
villageCastromaior 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.
View town guideRestaurantCafeWater
- 11.6km
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.
View town guideRestaurantCafeWater - 13.2km
Ventas de Narón
villageVentas 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.
View town guideRestaurantCafeWater - 16.1km
Ligonde
villageLigonde 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.
View town guideRestaurantCafeWater
- 17.3km
Airexe (Ligonde)
villageEirexe is a tiny Galician hamlet in Lugo on the Camino between Ligonde and Lestedo. Has a bar-restaurant.
View town guideRestaurantCafe
- 20km
Lestedo
villageLestedo 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.
View town guideRestaurantCafeWater - 20.8km
- 24.8km
Palas de Rei
townPalas 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.
View town guideRestaurantCafeGroceryPharmacyATMBusClinicPost Office
Koala notes · Palas de Rei
1 noteA busy town
Book aheadA popular stopping point with lots of accommodation. Book ahead in the summer months as it can get very busy.
Places to stay along this stage
Koala Picks first, then each town in walking order. Where a place does not book online, walk in, call or message them.
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Planning the Camino Francés?
Add this stage to your day by day plan and see how it fits with the stages around it. Day 0 is the night you arrive in Portomarín. Choosing is never booking.