The stage, step by step
Leaving Arzúa without becoming complacent
Arzúa is a good place to have breakfast and stock up. The route descends at first, climbs again and then continues to alternate small losses and gains in height. The start is pleasant, but that does not mean the rest will be completely flat.
Boavista and Salceda
The route heads towards Boavista and Salceda through woodland and with small variations in gradient. There are a few specific places to stop for a drink, but they are spaced apart: if you need to eat at a particular time, do not wait until hunger sets in.
San Miguel de Cerceda and Astrar
After San Miguel de Cerceda, the route continues towards Astrar. There is a descent, followed by another rise before Santa Irene. It is a comfortable section for keeping a steady pace, without wasting energy trying to make up time.
Santa Irene and the descent to O Pedrouzo
Santa Irene appears in the second half and allows you to pause before the final change in elevation. From there, the final descent feels long and can be hard on your feet. O Pedrouzo comes afterwards, with accommodation, food, shops and a pharmacy all concentrated in the town.
What to see on stage 32
Salceda
This is the village where the useful stops in the first half are concentrated: a couple of places to have something and little else. Between Arzúa and here you will not find anything resembling a town, so if you leave Arzúa late, Salceda is your first sensible rest point.
Santa Irene
Four houses, a municipal albergue and another one, in the middle of the woods. It is the last place where you can decide to end the day without reaching O Pedrouzo, and many people use it for precisely that reason when the albergue at the destination is full.
The eucalyptus groves of O Pino
The final section runs almost entirely among eucalyptus trees, along tracks that rise and fall without respite. They provide shade in summer and smell wonderful after rain, but the scenery can also feel monotonous: an hour and a half looking at much the same thing, with the road nearby at several points.
Where to sleep in O Pedrouzo
Arzúa has plenty of beds and you should have no trouble setting off well rested: Albergue de Peregrinos de Arzúa is the municipal albergue, and there are plenty of private options nearby, such as Albergue Ultreia and Albergue A Conda. On the route, there is only one genuine alternative for stopping: the two albergues in Santa Irene, Albergue de Peregrinos de Santa Irene and Albergue Municipal de Santa Irene, both small and with limited capacity. At the end, in O Pedrouzo, Albergue Xunta de Arca do Pino is the largest, and Albergue de Peregrinos de Arca is just a short distance away. In July and August, O Pedrouzo fills up early, as almost everyone sleeps here before entering Santiago: if you do not book, leave Arzúa early.
Where to eat and refuel
Arzúa has most of the options at the start, with Restaurante Casa Teodora a clear choice before setting off. Along the route, you will find Café-Bar Preguntoño, Taberna Nova and Casa do Hórreo. On reaching O Pedrouzo, there is more choice again, including Restaurante O Acivro, as well as supermarkets and cafés where you can prepare for the final stage.
Practical tips for this stage
Use Arzúa to restock
Even though the stage is short, leave Arzúa with water and some food. The intermediate stops are occasional and may not fit your pace.
Do not underestimate the final descent
The profile drops 147 m between km 16.8 and 19.8. After an apparently easy day, this descent can put strain on your knees and feet.
Decide where you will spend the night before setting off
You can finish in O Pedrouzo or stop in Santa Irene. Deciding in advance means you will not spend the final kilometres worrying about available beds when you are already tired.
Keep to a comfortable pace
The average walking time is 4.3 hours, so there is no need to hurry. There is plenty of time to stop in Salceda or Santa Irene and reach O Pedrouzo without pushing yourself.
Frequently asked questions about stage 32
How many kilometres are there between Arzúa and O Pedrouzo?
It is 19.3 km, with an average walking time of 4.3 hours. The route includes 213 m of ascent and 307 m of descent.
Where can I stop halfway through the stage?
The route links Boavista, Salceda, San Miguel de Cerceda, Astrar and Santa Irene. Salceda is the first place with something open, while Santa Irene is the clearest stopping point in the second half.
Is there a steep descent at the end?
Yes. The profile descends 147 m between km 16.8 and 19.8, so it is worth saving some energy and going down calmly.
Is there accommodation in Santa Irene?
Yes. You can check Albergue de Peregrinos de Santa Irene and Albergue Municipal de Santa Irene before deciding whether to continue to O Pedrouzo.
