Stage Ribadeo – Lourenzá: Camino del Norte guide in Galicia

This is the first stage of the Camino del Norte in Galicia: you cross the Ribadeo estuary from Asturias and head into a landscape of meadows, eucalyptus and small hamlets. It is a long day with the first serious climb of the Galician Camino, at A Ponte de Arante, before reaching Lourenzá, the town of the Benedictine monastery and the famous fabas.

Ponte dos Santos, Ribadeo, Camino del Norte in Galicia
Photo: Certo Xornal, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Distance

28.4 km (29.6 according to some guides)

Difficulty

Medium

Estimated time

6 – 7.5 h

Altitude

Highest point: about 370 m

Key tip for the stage: The way out of Ribadeo is poorly waymarked and the climb to A Ponte de Arante (about 260 m of ascent in around 5 km) is the effort of the day. Set off with water and food: there are few services between Vilela and Vilamartín Grande.
Water and services: Bar in Vilela (km 6.8) and a fountain in Vilamartín Pequeno. Between Vilela and Vilamartín Grande there are about 13 km with almost no services.

Route map

See the walking route step by step on Google Maps.

Open the route in Google Maps

Interactive map, elevation and weather for this stage

The stage on the map, its elevation profile and useful tools for the day. The track is approximate: always follow the yellow arrows.

The map loads only when you press the button, using OpenStreetMap data, so nothing is sent to third parties unless you ask.
29.1 kmTrack distance
5 mLowest point
363 mHighest point

Elevation profile

-50 m0 m50 m100 m150 m200 m250 m300 m350 m400 m0 km5 km10 km15 km20 km25 km

Swipe to see the full profile →

Tools for the day

  • Weather in Lourenzá
    Weather in Lourenzá (MeteoGalicia)Camino de Santiago forecast (MeteoGalicia)Weather warnings (MeteoGalicia)
  • Estimate your arrival time
  • Sunrise and sunset today

    Emergencies: 112 (SOS Galicia). Save the number before you set off.

Track based on open data from OpenStreetMap (© contributors, ODbL) and elevations from an open digital terrain model; values may differ by a few metres. Weather and warnings: MeteoGalicia (Xunta de Galicia). Always follow the yellow arrows and check the official forecast before setting off.

Watercolour illustration of a pilgrim filling a water bottle at a mossy stone fountain
Illustration

Services on this stage

Shops, pharmacies, ATMs and health centres along the route, listed by kilometre. They also appear as coloured dots on the interactive map above. Slide your finger along the elevation profile to see that point on the map.

The stage section by section

1
0 – 6,8 km

Ribadeo – Vilela

You leave from Plaza de España, cross the railway near the parish of Ove and climb gently beside Monte Santa Cruz. In Vilela there is a bar-restaurant and the chapel of the Carmen.

2
6,8 – 11,6 km

Vilela – A Ponte de Arante

A country track through Casas da Pena, Celeirós, O Vilar and San Vicente, among meadows and eucalyptus. It ends at the chapel of Nosa Señora da Ponte, where the day’s real climb begins.

3
11,6 – 17,2 km

Climb to Vilamartín Pequeno

About 260 m of ascent over around 5 km up to 370 m. If it has rained a lot, some guides recommend taking the LU-133 road for this section. There is a fountain in Vilamartín Pequeno.

4
17,2 – 21,4 km

Vilamartín Grande and Gondán

Woodland and track to Vilamartín Grande, with services and a chapel, then a descent through the Cabarcos valley with open views down to Gondán.

5
21,4 – 28,4 km

San Xusto de Cabarcos and Lourenzá

You pass San Xusto de Cabarcos (church and bar), Pedrido and O Corveiro. You cross the Ponte da Pedra, a medieval single-arch bridge, and climb Monte Calvario up to Lourenzá.

What to see

In Lourenzá the highlight is the Benedictine monastery of San Salvador, medieval in origin with a Baroque façade, along with the churches of Santa María, San Xurxo and San Tomé.

Food and drink

Lourenzá is famous for its fabas, the most typical dish of the area. You will also find lacón con grelos, Galician stew, empanada, Mondoñedo tart and marzipan.

Monastery of San Salvador de Lourenzá
Photo: Iago Casabiell González, CC BY-SA 3.0 es, via Wikimedia Commons
The Camino del Norte at Arante, Ribadeo
Photo: Agremon, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Practical tips

  • The way out of Ribadeo is confusing: follow the arrows carefully or carry a track.
  • Stock up in Vilela before the long rural stretch.
  • In mud or heavy rain, the climb to A Ponte de Arante can be done along the LU-133 road.
  • Check before setting off whether the Gondán hostel is open, as some guides list it as closed.

Frequently asked questions

How many km is the Ribadeo – Lourenzá stage?

About 28.4 km.

Is it a hard stage?

Medium difficulty: it is long and has a strong climb at A Ponte de Arante; the rest is rolling.

Where can I eat or refill water?

In Vilela (km 6.8), Vilamartín Grande, San Xusto de Cabarcos and Lourenzá. Between Vilela and Vilamartín Grande there are about 13 km with almost no services.

Is there an alternative if it rains?

Yes, for the climb to A Ponte de Arante the LU-133 road is recommended.

Where do you sleep in Lourenzá?

There is a public hostel and private accommodation in Lourenzá and Ribadeo; it is best to confirm they are open before setting off.

After the stage: rest in Arzúa

When you reach Arzúa, we would love to welcome you at Casa Buen Camino: an entire house for up to 8 people, 400 m from the centre. You get in with a code, we confirm your booking within 60 minutes and, if you book directly with us, it is 10 % cheaper.

Book in ArzúaWhere to stay in Arzúa
Next stage →Stage Lourenzá – AbadínCamino del Norte guide →All the stages and tips for the Camino del Norte.Where to eat in Arzúa →Octopus, Arzúa-Ulloa cheese and Galician cooking.