Northern Way of St. James

The Northern Way of St. James, declared a World Heritage Site in 2015, crosses into Galicia at two points: Ribadeo, after passing through La Caridad (Asturias), and, further south, the borough of Trabada, from Santiago de Abres, also on the way from La Caridad and passing through Vegadeo. In both cases, the ways meet in Mondoñedo to continue towards Abadín.

Depending on the distance pilgrims want to and can cover, and the availability of accommodation, A Mariña Lucense can normally be crossed in two or three stages, if travelling on foot.

The route is signposted with a ceramic plaque displaying a scallop shell which complements the typical yellow arrow signposting. In Galicia’s historical towns, bronze scallop shells are placed directly on the ground

Pilgrims can stay at any of the state-run hostels along the Way, situated in Ribadeo, Trabada, Lourenzá and Mondoñedo: https://www.caminodesantiago.gal/es/durante-el-camino/ red-publica-de-albergues

For information relating to COVID-19 in the Autonoumous Region of Galicia, please go to: https://coronavirus.sergas.es

VIA RIBADEO:

RIBADEO: a pretty, historical, commercial town, also reliant on the services sector, with a wide range of accommodation establishments besides the state-run hostel. The distance between Ribadeo and Santiago, along the Way, is 190.7 km.

The Way leaves Ribadeo heading for Ove and Vilela and, after leaving behind the parish of San Pedro de Arante, home to Nosa Señora das Virtudes sanctuary, with some pretty late Roman frescos, it enters the borough of Barreiros via Vilamartín Pequeno, Vilamartín Grande, Gondán and San Xusto. Some pilgrims travelling on foot choose to stop in some of these villages that offer accommodation; others continue to VILANOVA DE LOURENZÁ, with its grand San Salvador monastery and the pretty Santa María church. The town offers both state-run and private hostels, as well as a varied range of services.

The Way continues via MONDOÑEDO, a small, historical and monumental city with a fine Cathedral and a wide range of services on offer. The pilgrimage route continues from here to Abadín, in the Terra Chá, as seen in the map below.

Ribadeo - Vilanova de Lourenzá: 28 km

Vilanova de Lourenzá - Abadín: 21.8 km

Ribadeo - Gondán: 20.9 km

Gondán - Mondoñedo: 15.6 km