The stage, step by step
Leaving Arzúa
Arzúa is a good place for breakfast, shopping and filling your bottle. The route descends between km 0.6 and 3, then climbs again between km 3 and 4.7; at the start, you will find Fonte da Quenlla.
Boavista and Salceda
The route continues through Boavista and Salceda, with occasional stops such as Café-Bar Preguntoño and Abaceria Galega. Further on, you will find Taberna Nova and Casa Calzada, useful places to stop without carrying all your food from Arzúa.
San Miguel de Cerceda and Santa Irene
Between San Miguel de Cerceda and Santa Irene, the route continues to alternate between short climbs and descents. Café Bar Lino and Casa do Hórreo are in the central section; Santa Irene offers the Albergue de Peregrinos de Santa Irene and the Albergue Municipal de Santa Irene.
Descending towards O Pedrouzo
Save your legs for the final descent, which runs from km 16.7 to 19.7 and loses 144 m at an average gradient of 4.8%. O Pedrouzo has all the accommodation and arrival services you need, including the Albergue Xunta de Arca do Pino.
What to see on stage 35
Arzúa
Arzúa is the starting point and one of the best-equipped centres on this section. Its connection with other Jacobean routes explains the pilgrim atmosphere and makes it easy to organise the day before setting off.
Santa Irene
Santa Irene is a clear reference point before O Pedrouzo and has pilgrim accommodation. If you want to shorten the day or avoid arriving late, it is the most logical intermediate place to consider stopping.
Galician woodland
The stage crosses the last Galician woodland before Santiago. It is not a continuous mountain day, but it retains its rural character between villages and stretches of Camino.
O Pedrouzo
O Pedrouzo is the destination for the day and where almost everyone sleeps before entering Santiago. Once you arrive, you can sort out accommodation, dinner, a pharmacy and shopping for the final stage without walking more than a couple of streets.
Where to sleep in O Pedrouzo
Arzúa is one of those places where you can take your pick: the Albergue de Peregrinos de Arzúa and Albergue Municipal de Arzúa for public accommodation, plus a good range of private options, including O Albergue de Selmo, Albergue Ultreia, Albergue Cruce de Caminos and La Casona de Nené. There is nothing especially noteworthy halfway through, while near the end you can stop in Santa Irene, with the Albergue de Peregrinos de Santa Irene and the Albergue Municipal de Santa Irene. They are small and fill up quickly. In O Pedrouzo, you will find the Albergue Xunta de Arca do Pino and the Albergue de Peregrinos de Arca. You are one stage from Santiago and everyone sleeps here, so in high season either arrive early or have a place booked.
Where to eat and refuel
Arzúa lets you set off after a good breakfast and with your shopping done: cafés such as Manolo and Pedrito, and for a meal, Restaurante O Retiro, Casa Florencio or Pulpería Encontro. The good thing about this stage is that there are no long gaps: you move from one roadside stop to the next, starting with Café-Bar Preguntoño, followed by Abaceria Galega, Taberna Nova, Casa Calzada, Café Bar Lino and Casa do Hórreo. In O Pedrouzo, you can have a drink at Bar Mirás and shop for the final morning at Eroski City or the Arca supermarket.
Practical tips for this stage
Set off with water from Arzúa
Fonte da Quenlla is near the beginning of the stage, beside Arzúa. Fill your bottle before leaving and use the cafés along the route as support points, without assuming that every one of them will be open.
Save your legs for the finish
The descent between km 16.7 and 19.7 loses 144 m and has an average gradient of 4.8%. If you have pushed hard on the earlier climbs, the final kilometres can feel heavy.
Plan an intermediate stop
Boavista, Salceda, San Miguel de Cerceda and Santa Irene divide the day well. Café-Bar Preguntoño, Abaceria Galega, Taberna Nova and Casa Calzada are useful landmarks for planning a rest.
Book if you want to sleep in Santa Irene
Santa Irene is a practical alternative before O Pedrouzo, but its choice is more limited than at the start and finish. Confirm a place if you do not want to be forced to continue.
Remember that Santiago is close
This is the antepenultimate stage and the atmosphere changes: there are still villages and woodland, but the proximity of Santiago begins to make itself felt. Keep to a comfortable pace and do not turn the excitement into a race.
Frequently asked questions about stage 35
How many kilometres are there between Arzúa and O Pedrouzo?
The stage is 19.3 km long, with an average walking time of 4.3 hours. The route is undulating, with 300 m of ascent and 380 m of descent.
Where is the most demanding descent?
The most marked descent comes at the end, between km 16.7 and 19.7: it loses 144 m and has an average gradient of 4.8%. There is also an initial 86 m descent between km 0.6 and 3.
Can I sleep somewhere before O Pedrouzo?
Yes. Santa Irene has the Albergue de Peregrinos de Santa Irene and the Albergue Municipal de Santa Irene. It is the clearest alternative if you do not want to complete the stage to O Pedrouzo.
Are there places to eat during the stage?
Yes, although they are spread out. You can stop at Café-Bar Preguntoño, Abaceria Galega, Taberna Nova, Casa Calzada, Café Bar Lino or Casa do Hórreo, with more options in O Pedrouzo.
