Triacastela

Triacastela is named for three castles that once stood here, of which no trace remains. It is the first proper village after the dramatic descent from O Cebreiro, and arriving here feels like coming down from the clouds into a warm and welcoming valley.

The village has good pilgrim infrastructure and marks a choice of routes: the direct route through San Xil, or the longer route via Samos, home to one of the largest and most impressive Benedictine monasteries in Spain. The Samos route adds about 5km but is highly recommended for those with the energy.

Triacastela has a pleasant, unhurried character. The walking from O Cebreiro is all downhill through beautiful Galician oak and chestnut forest, and arriving here in the afternoon with the descent done, a beer in hand, and the Galician green around you is one of those Camino moments that stays in the memory.