The stage, step by step
Caminha and the departure towards the landing stage
Leave Caminha after having breakfast and taking care of any shopping. The first section still allows for a relaxed walk through the town’s surroundings, but the path soon begins to gain height before approaching the river crossing.
The short but intense climb
Between kilometres 0.8 and 3.5 you climb 146 m, at an average gradient of 5.3%. This is the stage’s main effort and you feel it because it comes almost immediately; use a short stride and do not turn the day into a race.
Descending towards the Minho
After the summit comes a highly concentrated descent: 102 m in just 0.8 km, at an average gradient of 12.1%. Descend carefully, particularly if the ground is wet, and leave enough time to reach the landing stage without rushing.
Ferry and arrival in A Guarda
The ferry crosses the Minho to Pasaxe, in Camposancos. Once in Galicia, A Guarda is a short walk away and offers Albergue de Peregrinos, as well as restaurants, supermarkets and pharmacies for preparing the next day.
What to see on stage 5
Minho river
The river forms the natural border between Portugal and Spain. Crossing by ferry lets you see the estuary from the water and makes this very short distance feel like a clearly perceptible change of country.
Caminha–A Guarda ferry
This is the traditional way to complete this transition on the Portuguese Coastal Way. Timetables can be irregular in the low season, so it is worth organising the stage around the ferry departure.
Celtic Settlement of Monte Santa Trega
The site preserves the remains of a Celtic settlement on the mountain slopes. Alongside its archaeological interest, it offers one of the finest views over A Guarda and the Minho estuary.
Where to sleep in A Guarda
In Caminha you can sleep at Albergue Bom Caminha, Albergue de Peregrinos - Caminha, Arca Nova, Caminha hostel & suite or Albergue Santiago de Caminha. After the crossing, A Guarda offers the municipal Albergue de Peregrinos; O Peirao is on the approach to the town. For such a short stage, booking in A Guarda makes sense and leaves the afternoon free for resting.
Where to eat and refuel
Caminha has plenty of options before setting off: choose between Foz do Minho, Solar do Pescado, Restaurante Cova da Onça or Adega do Chico, and have a coffee at Café Central or Sandes e Baguetes. After the ferry, A Guarda offers Froiz, Familia and La Marina Autoservicio for supplies, as well as restaurants and bars such as Tres Sentidos and Piano bar Benedictus.
Practical tips for this stage
Check the ferry before setting off
The stage depends on crossing the Minho, and timetables can be irregular in the low season. Keep your identity document handy and avoid reaching the landing stage at the last minute.
Take the descent seriously
The average gradient reaches 12.1% between kilometres 3.5 and 4.3. It is a short but demanding descent for your knees and ankles; use trekking poles if you have them.
Carry enough water
The route passes Fonte da Ribeira and Fonte do As de Copas, but set off with a full bottle and do not rely on a fountain as your only option.
Use the afternoon to recover
With 6.9 km and an average walking time of 1.5 hours, you will have time to visit A Guarda or Monte Santa Trega. It is a good day for washing clothes, resting and preparing for the stage to Baiona.
Frequently asked questions about stage 5
Why is such a short stage relatively demanding?
The distance is 6.9 km, but it includes a 146 m climb at an average gradient of 5.3%, followed by a 102 m descent at 12.1%.
How do you cross the Minho?
The traditional route uses the ferry between Caminha and A Guarda. The crossing takes approximately 23 minutes and ends at Pasaxe, in Camposancos.
Where exactly does the stage finish?
The destination is A Guarda, after arriving at Pasaxe in Galicia and completing the final section from the landing stage.
Is there accommodation in A Guarda?
Yes. A Guarda has the municipal Albergue de Peregrinos and the private O Peirao, as well as hotels and guesthouses in the town.