Stage 30: Palas de Rei – Ribadiso do Baixo Distance: 27km
Palas de Rei
From the other side of Palas de Rei walk along the road to Carballal.
Cross over the road onto a path through woodland before arriving at San Xulián do Camino with it’s 12th century Iglesia de San Xulián
San Xulián do Camino
The path continues across the Río Pambre up into the hamlet of Pontecampaña / Mato
Pontecampaña
The camino now climbs up through oak woods along a stoney track. Continue on until you come to a road at which point turn left into Casanova
Casanova
From Casanova continue on through the hamlets of Campanilla and then cross the border of the Province of Lugo and the Province of A Coruña into Cornixa.
Follow the road until it turns off onto a path which leads into Leboreiro
Leboreiro
Leboreiro’s 13th century Iglesia de Santa María has an impressive stone carved tympanum depicting the Virgin and Child.
The Casa de la Enfermería, an old pilgrim hospital donated by the Ulloa family, is opposite the church.
Cross the mediaeval bridge, which is dedicated to María Magdalena, over the Río Seco and into Disecabo.
The path now leads across a footbridge and along the outskirts of an industrial estate. Pass a fountain and rest area where the Knights & Dames of the Camino de Santiago have erected a monument.
1km later you arrive at the mediaeval Puente Velha where you cross over the Río Furelos into the village of Furelos
Furelos
Here you will find the Iglesia de San Juan which offers guided tours, there is also a bar.
From Furelos it’s a short walk along a street that runs alongside the main road. Turn right at the roundabout and then left onto the road leading into Melide
Melide
The Camino Primitivo joins up with the Camino Frances in Melide.
Melide was found in the 13th century by King Alfonso IX. The town’s Museo da Terra de Melide is worth a visit if you fancy learning a bit more about the areas history.
The Capilla de San Pedro & San Roque dates from the time the town was founded and can be found on the Avenida de Lugo. Beside this you can see the 14th century stone Cruceiro do Melide, which is said to be the oldest in Galicia.
The 14th century Iglesia de Sancti Spiritus, in the Plaza del Convento, is built from stone from the old castle and was once a former Franciscan monastery.
The 12th century Iglesia de Santa Maria de Melide can be found on the outskirts of the town and boasts a very impressive altar.
The Iglesia del Carmen can also be found on the outskirts of the town on the site of an old castle.
There are plenty of shops, bars and restaurant scattered around the narrow streets of the old town. You should also make a point of sampling some the specialty of Melide, pulpo. Pulpo, octopus, is cooked in large copper pots, in it’s own juice and sprinkled with paprika and served on wooden plates. Melide is reported to serve the best pulpo in all of Spain. Pulpería Exequiel on Avenido de Lugo is highly recommended.
After Melide the path winds its way up an down through forests, of oak, pine and eucalyptus trees. Continue on this path through Raído and A Peroxa then walk along a small stretch of road into Boente
Boente
Leave the road onto a track that leads down into a valley before rising up on to a country road into Castañeda
Castañeda
It was here that the pilgrims brought limestone from Triacastela, to the lime kilns were the stone for The Cathedral in Santiago were finished. Today nothing remains of the kilns but you will find the Iglesia de Santa María
From here continue up along a wooded hillside then down into a valley, following a quiet country road across the Río Iso into Ribadiso do Baixo
Ribadiso do Baixo
The small hamlet of Ribadiso do Baixo is in a beautiful location.
The albergue is the restored Hopistal de St Antón and is one of the oldest pilgrim hospitals still in existence.
You’ll find a bar and restaurant near to the albergue.
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