The stage, step by step
Leaving Tui with the whole day ahead
Tui is a good place to have breakfast and shop before setting off: you’ll find Froiz, Avenida, Oscar Romero, El chiringuito de Germán and several places to eat, including O Novo Cabalo Furado and Arrayal 39. The route then continues towards Os Eidos, where you’ll find Chimay and Albergue Casa Alternativo y Bar.
Towards O Porriño
The first half is long, so try not to use too much energy in the opening kilometres. As you approach O Porriño, you’ll find O Louriña, Que che apetece and the bar San Campio de Pontellas. The town has Albergue de Peregrinos do Porriño, as well as supermarkets including Super Porriño, Froiz, Lidl, Alcampo and Mercadona.
The climb to Mos
Between km 20.8 and 26 comes the clearest climb of the stage: 164 m at an average gradient of 3.1%. Mos is the natural stopping point, with Albergue de Peregrinos de Mos and farmacia María Elena Villar López. It’s worth taking a proper break here before starting the descent.
The final descent to Redondela
From km 26 onwards, the route loses 213 m to the finish. There are bars such as Bar-Casa Viega and Bar Baqueiro, but don’t count on a continuous line of services. In Redondela, Albergue de Peregrinos Casa da Torre and the bar Disco Tasca await.
What to see on stage 21
Catedral de Tui
Catedral de Santa María retains the cathedral-fortress character that defines Tui. It is a fitting starting point for a day that leaves the border behind and heads further into Galicia.
O Porriño and its industrial estate
The approach to O Porriño is the least pleasant section of the Portuguese Way in Galicia: the official route crosses the das Gándaras industrial estate, with warehouses, lorries and a hard shoulder for several kilometres. There is a signed alternative along the Louro river, slightly longer but free of traffic, and most walkers are glad they took it.
Redondela and its viaducts
You can recognise Redondela from a distance by the two 19th-century iron viaducts passing above the town. This is where the Central Way joins the Coastal Way, so from tomorrow onwards you’ll be walking with considerably more people.
Where to sleep in Redondela
Tui has plenty of accommodation for a good night’s rest, including Jacob's Hostel Tui, Albergue Santo Domingo, Villa San Clemente and Albergue Pallanes. Along the way, you can break the stage at Albergue Casa Alternativo y Bar or Albergue El Cristo. O Porriño offers Albergue de Peregrinos do Porriño, while Mos has Albergue de Peregrinos de Mos. In Redondela, the municipal option is Albergue de Peregrinos Casa da Torre.
Where to eat and refuel
Tui is the best place to have breakfast and stock up: O Novo Cabalo Furado, Santa Columba and Taperia Alboio are near the start. As far as O Porriño, places to stop become more spread out, including O Louriña, Que che apetece and San Campio de Pontellas. In O Porriño, you can shop at Super Porriño, Froiz, Eroski, Lidl, Alcampo or Mercadona. After Mos there are specific bars such as Bar-Casa Viega and Bar Baqueiro, but the final section is not ideal for improvising.
Practical tips for this stage
Set off early
At 31.9 km and an average walking time of 7.1 hours, this is not a stage for a late start. Leave Tui after breakfast and allow time for breaks in O Porriño and Mos.
Replenish your water in O Porriño
The named fountains are concentrated around O Porriño: Fonte do Campo da Feira, Fonte da Praza de San Sebastián, Fonte dos Tres Canos, Fonte dos Aloques and Fonte das Angustias. Use this town to fill your bottle.
Save energy for Mos
The climb between km 20.8 and 26 comes after an already long day. Don’t tackle it assuming the finish is close: there is still a 213 m descent to Redondela.
Don’t rely on a bar at the end
Between Mos and Redondela, stopping points are more limited. If you leave O Porriño without enough food, carry something for the final section.
Frequently asked questions about stage 21
Is it a difficult stage because of the distance?
Yes. It is 31.9 km long, with an average walking time of 7.1 hours. The elevation is not extreme, but the combination of distance, the climb between km 20.8 and 26, and the final descent requires careful pacing.
Where is the best place for the main break?
O Porriño is the most complete stopping point for food, shopping and water. Mos is also suitable for a rest and has Albergue de Peregrinos de Mos, but you reach it after the hardest section.
Is there accommodation along the way?
Yes. In addition to the options in Tui, there is Albergue de Peregrinos do Porriño, Albergue El Cristo and Albergue de Peregrinos de Mos. Redondela has Albergue de Peregrinos Casa da Torre.
When does the hardest climb begin?
The most sustained section begins at km 20.8 and ends at km 26. It gains 164 m at an average gradient of 3.1%, before the descent towards Redondela begins.
