Tui to O Porriño
The flattest stage so far: forest, the Louro river, and an alternative route that skips the industrial estate.
Best season: Year-round
Map
- Tui
- O Porriño
FEAACS track published by IGN. Follow current trail signs.
Source: IGN/CNIG · FEAACS · CC BY 4.0 · Accessed:
Gaps in the source file are preserved; no connections have been added.
The Camino Bonsai Café team · Last editorial update:
From Tui to O Porriño is 16.5 km along the Portuguese Way. It's stage 6, with 159 m of ascent and 146 m of descent, completed in about 4h30. Difficulty: Easy.
16.5 km is the editorial distance, the one guidebooks use for planning. The IGN GPX track below the map measures 18.1 km: it can differ because of route variants, the exact start and end points, and the access paths into villages, which it leaves out. Neither figure is the road distance between the two towns.
The first full stage inside Galicia
Right out of Tui, the Way heads into forest and rural tracks to Ribadelouro, known for its five stone cruceiros (wayside crosses), then crosses the Louro river over the medieval bridge at Orbenlle, the first parish already within the municipality of O Porriño.
From Orbenlle there are two options: follow the traditional route through O Porriño's industrial estate, or take the As Gándaras alternative, opened in 2013, which follows the Louro river through a much more pleasant natural setting for about 500 m extra. O Porriño greets pilgrims with its striking Art Nouveau town hall, designed by architect Antonio Palacios.
What the terrain is like, kilometre by kilometre
Terrain
One of the flattest stages on the whole Portuguese Way, with barely noticeable elevation changes.
Scenery
Forest and rural land right out of Tui; riverside scenery along the Louro on the As Gándaras variant.
Path surface
Mostly dirt tracks and trail, with a bit of asphalt near the built-up areas.
Villages
Ribadelouro and Orbenlle before reaching O Porriño.
Water stops
Regular services in Ribadelouro and on the way into O Porriño; no long stretches without fountains.
Shade
Good through the forest sections and along the As Gándaras river variant.
Traffic
Low, except a short crossing at Ribadelouro; the As Gándaras variant avoids nearly all the industrial traffic.
Key tip
Take the As Gándaras variant if you'd rather have nature than industrial estate — about 500 m longer, but worth it.
Accommodation in O Porriño for pilgrims
O Porriño is a popular overnight stop with solid pilgrim infrastructure.
Albergue de Peregrinos de O Porriño
Public albergue run by the Xunta de Galicia, one of three in the O Porriño, Mos and Redondela area.
Hotels in the centre
O Porriño has several mid-range hotel options, a good backup if the albergue is full.
Refuel in O Porriño
Plenty of bars and restaurants in the centre, well used to serving pilgrim menus.
Bars along the way
The usual last stop before crossing into O Porriño via Orbenlle.
Pilgrim menu
The town centre has a wide choice of bars and restaurants used to feeding pilgrims.
Historic stops on this stage
The five stone cruceiros
A distinctive set of wayside crosses that gives this stop on the Way its name.
Medieval bridge over the Louro
A historic crossing of the Louro river, already within the first parish of O Porriño.
Art Nouveau town hall
Designed by architect Antonio Palacios, one of the most striking civic buildings on the whole Portuguese Way.
None of these stops require booking ahead — visit them freely as the Way passes.
Getting there and back
Starting here: Tui has a train station on the Vigo-Porto line and good bus connections.
Heading back from O Porriño: the town has a train station (Vigo-Ourense line) and bus connections to Vigo and the rest of Galicia.
Good to know before this stage
Consider the As Gándaras variant
About 500 m longer than the traditional route, but you trade an industrial estate for a much nicer riverside setting.
Use the flat terrain to rest your feet
It's one of the gentlest stages on the Portuguese Way after several days of climbing.
Book ahead in high season
O Porriño draws pilgrims arriving from several different starting points, so albergues fill up fast in summer.
Don't miss O Porriño's town hall
Its Art Nouveau facade is an unexpected architectural surprise for a town this size.
Don't get this stage wrong
Taking the industrial route without knowing there's an alternative
The As Gándaras variant skips the industrial estate and follows the Louro river; check before leaving Orbenlle.
Underestimating the stage because it's flat
The 16.5 km still add up if you're carrying fatigue from previous stages.
Skipping the Ribadelouro cruceiros
It's a distinctive set of wayside crosses that deserves at least a quick look.
Arriving late in O Porriño during high season
With three public albergues in the area (O Porriño, Mos and Redondela), it's worth deciding your overnight plan early.
What to pack, travel insurance and getting around
One single guide with the recommended gear, useful services (insurance, eSIM) and transport options for the whole Camino.
Work out how much it will cost you
Set the days, route and type of trip, and we give you an estimate of the total cost with a full breakdown.
Everything you want to know before this stage
How many kilometres from Tui to O Porriño?
What is the As Gándaras variant?
Is this a demanding stage?
What are the Ribadelouro cruceiros?
What's worth seeing in O Porriño?
Where can I sleep in O Porriño?
Browse the stages
Things to do in Santiago de Compostela
Walking tour of the old town
Small-group walking tour of Santiago’s old town with a local guide.
Cathedral and Pórtico da Gloria
Guided visit to the Cathedral with access to the museum and the restored Pórtico da Gloria.
Queimada show and tasting
The traditional Galician flambéed drink, explained in a show designed for pilgrims.
Fisterra, Muxía and the Costa da Morte
The three unmissable stops of the "end of the world" in a full-day trip from Santiago.
Our top recommendation
Bonsai Café
You still have stages ahead, but once you reach Santiago you will have earned a good breakfast. Bonsai Café is right in the city centre, with weekend brunch, Berraco by Bou specialty coffee and the best cocktails to toast your arrival.
Map
- Bonsai Café
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