A Gudiña to Laza
The most scenic stage of the whole Galician stretch: mountainous, solitary, and with nearly a thousand meters of climbing.
Best season: Year-round; consider splitting the stage at Campobecerros or As Eiras
Map
- A Gudiña
- Laza
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 A Gudiña to Laza is 34 km along the Vía de la Plata. It's stage 30, with 1.063 m of ascent and 558 m of descent, completed in about 8h 30min. Difficulty: Hard.
34 km is the editorial distance, the one guidebooks use for planning. The IGN GPX track below the map measures 35.5 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 most scenic stage of the Galician stretch
It's a long, mountainous and sparsely traveled day, running mostly above a thousand meters of altitude. The route uses paved and dirt tracks, offering the most interesting and scenic experience of the whole Galician stretch, though the visual impact of the high-speed rail line is noticeable at some points.
Campobecerros is the only intermediate village with full services; As Eiras and Portocamba also lie along the route. Solitude and mountainous terrain characterize this stage, which allows spending the night in Campobecerros or As Eiras for those who prefer to split it.
From A Gudiña, an alternative variant departs via Verín, longer but with a gentler gradient, considered more suitable for cyclists than for walking pilgrims.
What the terrain is like, section by section
Terrain
Mountainous, running mostly above a thousand meters of altitude.
Scenery
Considered the most beautiful of the whole Galician stretch of the Vía de la Plata.
Path type
Paved and dirt tracks in a solitary setting.
Villages
Campobecerros, with full services; As Eiras and Portocamba also along the route.
Water points
Concentrated in Campobecerros; plan the rest of the route carefully.
Shade
Variable in the mountainous setting.
Traffic
Light, on a sparsely traveled and very solitary stage.
Key fact
With over 1,000 m of ascent, it's one of the most demanding stages on the whole route.
Staying in Laza
Laza offers accommodation for pilgrims after this demanding mountain day.
Accommodation in Laza
A pilgrims' albergue in the village, a good place to rest after the toughest stage of the Galician stretch.
Eating on this stage
Campobecerros and Laza have basic dining services for pilgrims.
Galician mountain cuisine
Local bars with pilgrim's menus in the villages with services.
Stops with history on this stage
The Galician mountain scenery
Considered the most scenic stretch of the whole Vía de la Plata in Galicia.
The only village with full services
A good reference point to split the stage if needed.
Take your time enjoying the mountain scenery: it's considered by many pilgrims to be the most beautiful stretch of the whole Camino Sanabrés in Galicia.
Getting there and back
If you're starting here: A Gudiña has a train station, which makes access much easier.
If you need to get back from Laza: connections are limited; it's worth planning ahead.
What to know before this stage
Set off very early
With 34 km and over 1,000 m of ascent, every hour of daylight matters.
Consider splitting the stage
Campobecerros or As Eiras are good spots to split the route into two days.
Consider the Verín variant if cycling
It's longer but with less gradient, more suitable for cyclists.
Refill well at Campobecerros
It's the only village with full services on the whole stage.
Don't ruin this stage
Underestimating the elevation gain
With over 1,000 m of climbing, it's one of the most demanding stages on the whole route.
Leaving A Gudiña late
With nearly 9 hours of walking, every hour of daylight counts.
Not planning your water
Services are concentrated in Campobecerros: plan the rest of the route.
Not considering splitting the stage
If you prefer a calmer pace, Campobecerros or As Eiras are good options.
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 kilometers from A Gudiña to Laza?
Is this stage difficult?
Can the stage be split?
What is the Verín variant?
Why is this stage special?
Browse the stages
Ideas for after you finish the Camino
A café waiting for you in Santiago
You still have many kilometres ahead, but once you finish the Camino in Santiago, Bonsai Café is a great spot for breakfast: right in the city centre, with Berraco by Bou specialty coffee and weekend brunch.
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