The stage, step by step
Baamonde and the first ramps
Leave Baamonde with food and water for a long day. The route starts with a climb between km 1.5 and 5.5, gaining 83 m; afterwards, you will find occasional services such as Witericus and Mesón Cruceiro.
Towards As Laxes
The route continues through the Galician hills and reaches its most sustained section between km 13.5 and 22. Around As Laxes, you will find O Abrigo and the Albergue de Peregrinos, useful options if you need to break up the effort.
A succession of climbs and descents
There are still several short climbs after the central ascent: between km 24 and 26.5, you gain 82 m, followed by another 63 m between km 28.3 and 30.3. Casa Roxica and Albergue are located in this part of the route.
Final descent to Sobrado
The route loses height between km 30.3 and 33.3, then descends more decisively from km 35 to 39. Near the end, you can stop at Mesón Suso and Bar Cepo; Fonte Palomo is beside the approach to Sobrado dos Monxes.
Arriving at the monastery
In Sobrado dos Monxes, you can finish the day beside the Monasterio de Sobrado dos Monxes. Accommodation includes the Albergue de Peregrinos de Sobrado and Albergue Lecer.
What to see on stage 33
Monasterio de Sobrado dos Monxes
This Cistercian monastery is the main objective of the stage and a meeting point for several Jacobean routes. Reaching it after almost forty kilometres makes entering Sobrado one of the most memorable moments of this section.
As Laxes
As Laxes is a useful intermediate reference on a day with very little room for improvisation. There you will find O Abrigo and other places to stop, or even consider spending the night if the full distance feels too much.
Galician hills towards Sobrado
The stage crosses Galician hills and retains a distinctly mountainous character. The landscape accompanies a day of spread-out elevation gain, with a central climb best tackled without rushing.
Where to sleep in Sobrado dos Monxes
Baamonde lets you set off with the Albergue de Peregrinos de Baamonde already sorted. If you decide to split the stage — and that is the sensible choice for many walkers — the available beds are between kilometres 13 and 15: Albergue A Lagoa first, followed shortly afterwards by O Abrigo in As Laxes; further on, around kilometre 25, there is Casa Roxica. At the end, Sobrado dos Monxes awaits, with the Albergue de Peregrinos de Sobrado and Albergue Lecer. These are very small villages with few places, so decide in advance where you will sleep and call before setting off.
Where to eat and refuel
In Baamonde, you can eat at The corral, Mesón o Muiño, Restaurante Galicia, Casa do Labrego and Restaurante Parrillada La Ruta. Further on, stops are more widely spaced, including Witericus, Mesón Cruceiro, O Abrigo, Mesón Suso and Bar Cepo. In Sobrado dos Monxes, Casa Cucina and Café Real are good places to restore your energy on arrival.
Practical tips for this stage
Set off very early
At 39.8 km and an average walking time of 8.8 hours, this is the most demanding stage on the Camino del Norte in terms of distance. Allow enough time so that a long stop or a slower pace does not force you to arrive after dark.
Do not rely on water at the end
Fonte Palomo is already beside Sobrado dos Monxes. Fill your bottle in Baamonde and treat the final fountain as a helpful arrival point, not as a solution for the central section.
Save your legs for the central climb
Between km 13.5 and 22, you gain 199 m. This is the section most likely to take time, even though the average gradient is only 2.3%; keep a steady pace and avoid wasting energy at the start.
Consider splitting the day
If 39.8 km is beyond your usual pace, consider spending the night around As Laxes. O Abrigo and the nearby accommodation make it possible to tackle the stage with more breathing space.
Carry enough food
There are specific places to stop, but not a continuous run of services. Buy supplies in Baamonde and use Mesón Cruceiro, O Abrigo, Mesón Suso or Bar Cepo as support points, not as your only guarantee.
Frequently asked questions about stage 33
Is this really the longest stage on the Camino del Norte?
Yes. It is 39.8 km with an average walking time of 8.8 hours, making it the longest day on the Camino del Norte. If you do not fancy doing it in one go, there are beds halfway through, around As Laxes, and splitting it over two days is far easier on your legs.
Where is the longest climb?
The main climb runs from km 13.5 to 22 and gains 199 m, with an average gradient of 2.3%. There are still further short climbs between km 24 and 30.3.
Is there somewhere to sleep halfway?
Yes. Around As Laxes, you will find O Abrigo and the Albergue de Peregrinos, along with other options such as Albergue A Lagoa. It is advisable to confirm a place before setting off.
What accommodation is there in Sobrado dos Monxes?
On arrival, you can choose between the Albergue de Peregrinos de Sobrado and Albergue Lecer. The finish is beside the Monasterio de Sobrado dos Monxes.
