The stage, step by step
Leaving A Guarda
Leave A Guarda with enough water and food for a long day. The first kilometres follow the coast and leave the town behind; you soon enter a succession of open paths where the wind can affect you more than the gradient.
Towards Oia along the Ruta de las Cetarías
The path continues through rural and coastal areas towards Oia. In this section, Fonte do Río da Aguieira, A Casa da Henriqueta and Taperia A Camboa are useful reference points for planning a break, although services are not continuous.
Oia and the more exposed section
As you approach Oia, you can stop for something to eat or drink at Porto dos Barcos or Lugar, in Oia, and visit the Monastery of Santa María de Oia. The route then continues beside the coast, with fewer services and wide-open views of the Atlantic.
Cabo Silleiro and arrival in Baiona
The final section demands concentration. Between kilometres 24.3 and 26.3 you climb 97 m; after descending 79 m, you still face another 52 m climb up to kilometre 29.8. The final descent takes you into Baiona, where A Casa do Peixe and the destination albergues are within reach.
What to see on stage 6
Monastery of Santa María de Oia
This medieval Cistercian monastery is one of the great heritage landmarks on the coast between A Guarda and Baiona. It stands beside the sea and marks your passage through Oia.
Cabo Silleiro Lighthouse
The lighthouse has guided ships since 1866 and stands in a highly exposed cliff-top area. Always walk on the path and keep a safe distance from the edge at open viewpoints.
Monterreal Castle / Fortaleza de Boi
The coastal fortress began construction in the 12th century and was gradually completed over almost four centuries. Today it operates as a Parador and dominates the sea approach to Baiona.
Replica of the Carabela Pinta
The replica is in Baiona harbour and commemorates the arrival of the Pinta in 1493, when the town became the first European port to hear news of Columbus’s voyage.
Celtic Settlement of Monte Santa Trega
If you did not visit it on arrival in A Guarda, the Celtic settlement of Monte Santa Trega is well worth a stop. Its preserved structures and views over the estuary explain the strategic importance of this end of the coast.
Where to sleep in Baiona
In A Guarda, you can set off from Albergue de Peregrinos or O Peirao. To split the stage or have a back-up bed in the central section, there are Alojamiento Camino Portugues, Albergue da Estrela and Albergue Turístico Aguncheiro. In Baiona, you can book Hostel Baionamar - Albergue de Peregrinos or Albergue Estela do Mar. Soremna is already on the final approach. On a 32.5 km day, it is wise to have your booking sorted in advance.
Where to eat and refuel
A Guarda offers several places to set off well supplied, including Pizzería Di Marco, Petiscos e tapas, Restaurante Xantar and La reina del raxo, as well as Froiz and Alimentación Elena for shopping. Services become more irregular in the rural section: towards Oia, you can stop at A Casa da Henriqueta, Taperia A Camboa, Porto dos Barcos or Lugar. Near Baiona, you can stop at A Casa do Peixe, but it is not wise to leave all your food arrangements until the end.
Practical tips for this stage
Set off early
It is 32.5 km and the average walking time is 7.2 hours. An early start lets you walk the exposed sections in cooler conditions and reach Baiona without rushing the final climbs.
Fill your bottle in A Guarda
Fountains are scarce in the rural sections of the Ruta de las Cetarías. You can count on Fonte do Río da Aguieira around the middle of the stage, but do not set off short of water.
Save strength for the end
The 97 m climb between kilometres 24.3 and 26.3 comes after a long day. Once you have descended 79 m, there is still another 52 m climb, so do not relax when you see that the profile is mostly downhill.
Respect the cliffs
The Cabo Silleiro section is exposed to the Atlantic and can be affected by strong winds. Do not approach the edge for photographs and stay on the path at all times.
Carry something to eat
There are specific stopping points between A Guarda, Oia and Baiona, but services are not continuous. Buying food at the start means you do not have to depend on a bar being open just when you arrive.
Frequently asked questions about stage 6
Is this the hardest stage of the route?
It is the longest stage in this part of the route, at 32.5 km and 7.2 hours on average. It includes 276 m of ascent and 301 m of descent; the final climbs are likely to feel the heaviest.
Where is the most demanding climb?
Between kilometres 24.3 and 26.3 you climb 97 m at an average gradient of 4.9%. There is still another 52 m climb between kilometres 28.3 and 29.8.
Are there services between A Guarda and Baiona?
There are specific stopping points around Oia and before Baiona, such as Porto dos Barcos, Lugar, Aguncheiro and A Casa do Peixe, but services are less frequent than in the towns at either end.
What should I visit after finishing in Baiona?
Monterreal Castle, the replica of the Carabela Pinta and the Ex-collegiate Church of Santa María are the clearest choices. Baiona also commemorates the arrival of the Pinta in 1493.