The stage, step by step
Leaving A Gudiña
The first few kilometres take you out of A Gudiña along tracks and paths. Casa da Viúva is close to the start, followed by the 105 m climb between km 0.5 and 4.5. Take it steadily, as this is a long day.
Towards the middle section
After the initial descent, the route climbs again between km 10.8 and 13, then strings together a series of short rises along the higher ground. Fonte da Venda da Teresa is around km 8.6, in this first half of the stage. It's the only water source on the route, so don't miss it if you need to fill your bottle.
A breather in the middle section
After a sharp descent between km 17.8 and 20.5 — 224 m at an average gradient of 8.1% — you reach the only settlement in the central section with somewhere open: Casa Nuñez and Taberna Penaboa are practically next door to each other, around km 21. This is the obvious stop of the day. From there, the route climbs a short rise and continues over rolling ground before the final descent.
Descending into Laza
The toughest section for your legs comes between km 25.5 and 34.5: a 527 m descent with an average gradient of 5.9%. The route takes you into Laza, where you can finish near Iglesia de San Xoán and look for food or a bed.
What to see on stage 7
Iglesia de San Xoán de Laza
This is Laza’s parish church and a simple landmark with which to round off the stage. The town is closely associated with Entroido, one of Galicia’s best-known ancient carnival traditions.
Vineyard slopes before Laza
As you lose height towards Laza, the landscape changes: wooded mountains give way to vineyard-covered slopes, within the wine-producing area of Monterrei. It's a beautiful section, but there's considerably less shade than earlier on, so a hat is welcome in summer.
Mountain surroundings of Laza
The approach to Laza retains the mountainous character of the day, after a succession of paths, tracks and changes in elevation. It's a good place to recover your strength before continuing towards Xunqueira de Ambía.
Where to sleep in Laza
In A Gudiña, you can set off well rested from Casa da Viúva, Albergue Municipal or Albergue de Peregrinos. There's nowhere to sleep between the two ends, so you'll need to complete the stage in one go. On arrival, you have Albergue de Peregrinos de Laza. With 34 km and such a long final descent, it's easy to arrive late, so secure your bed before setting out, especially in high season.
Where to eat and refuel
When leaving A Gudiña, you have Nicoya and Supermercado Maver for breakfast or supplies. In the central section, you can stop at Casa Nuñez or Taberna Penaboa. The choice becomes wider again at the end, with Restaurante Blanco Conde, La Picota, Bar Peliqueiro, Taberna do Ardillas and Descanso do Peregrino. In Laza, you can also shop at Supermercado Tandy, Supermercado DyD or Tilde.
Practical tips for this stage
Set off early
With 34 km and an average duration of 7.6 hours, setting off early makes a real difference. The stage includes 960 m of cumulative descent, and the final downhill section can feel very long when you're tired.
Make the most of the water source
Fonte da Venda da Teresa is in the first half, near km 8.6. Carry water from A Gudiña and don't expect convenient refreshment stops throughout the whole route.
Protect your legs on the descent
The steepest descent is concentrated between km 25.5 and 34.5, with an average gradient of 5.9%. Save your poles and your knees for this final section.
Secure your bed in Laza
The length and elevation changes can delay your arrival. If you plan to sleep at Albergue de Peregrinos de Laza, try to secure your place before setting out.
Frequently asked questions about stage 7
How long does the stage from A Gudiña to Laza take?
It's 34 km and takes about 7.6 hours on average. This isn't a day for a late start.
Where is the most obvious climb?
The initial climb between km 0.5 and 4.5 gains 105 m. There are other short rises afterwards, but the most sustained effort towards the end is the 527 m descent into Laza.
Is there water along the route?
Fonte da Venda da Teresa is in the first half, around km 8.6. Leave A Gudiña carrying enough water not to rely solely on this one point.
Can I split the stage in two?
It's difficult. The only intermediate settlement with services is around km 21 and has no hostel, so most people walk the full 34 km in one go. If you're unsure about your strength, it's better to start early than to rely on finding somewhere to stop en route.
