Finca Anduriñas
Variante Espiritual · Spiritual VariantThe Spiritual Variant
of the Portuguese Way
The detour that revives the Traslatio: monasteries, the Ruta da Pedra e da Auga and the only boat stretch of the Camino, across the Ría de Arousa.
The Camino
by sea
A Portuguese Way detour with a monastic and seafaring soul.
The Spiritual Variant branches off the Portuguese Way at Pontevedra and offers three gems: the monastery of Armenteira, the Ruta da Pedra e da Auga (a trail of watermills along the river Armenteira) and, above all, the Traslatio.
The Traslatio is a boat journey across the Ría de Arousa and up the river Ulla that recreates the sea voyage of the Apostle's body to Iria Flavia. It is the only navigable stretch of the Camino de Santiago, marked by the stone crosses of the world's only fluvial Way of the Cross.
The stops
of the route
The detour from the Portuguese Way towards the southern Ría de Pontevedra.
Seaside granaries and the monastery of Poio.
Cistercian, tied to the legend of the monk Ero.
A trail among watermills along the river Armenteira, one of the loveliest in Galicia.
The boarding point of the Traslatio.
The Camino's only sailing, with the maritime Way of the Cross on the river Ulla.
Rejoining the Portuguese Way, bound for Santiago.
Every Camino
leads to Santiago
Each route is different, but the goal is the same. Finca Anduriñas is a donation-based rest stop on the final stretch of the routes that pass through Anduriñas (Sanabrés, Via de la Plata, Winter Way and Mozarab), at Km 24.448 in A Estrada.
The Spiritual Variant in brief
What is the Spiritual Variant?
A detour of the Portuguese Way that starts at Pontevedra, passes the monastery of Armenteira and the Ruta da Pedra e da Auga, and ends with a boat crossing of the Ría de Arousa.
What is the Traslatio?
The sea-and-river crossing that recreates the voyage of the Apostle's body to Iria Flavia. It is the only boat stretch of the Camino, with a Way of the Cross of stone crosses on the river Ulla.
Is it really done by boat?
Yes. From Vilanova de Arousa you sail the estuary and the river Ulla to Pontecesures/Padrón, where the Camino continues on foot to Santiago.
Does it qualify for the Compostela?
Yes, as long as you walk the last 100 km to Santiago. The boat stretch does not count as walked kilometres, but it is part of the route.
Where does the Spiritual Variant begin?
It leaves the Portuguese Way at Pontevedra and rejoins it at Pontecesures/Padrón, near Santiago.