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  4. Stage 31

Stage 31 · Camino Francés

Palas de Rei → Arzúa

67km km to Santiago
28,5 km Distance +530 m Ascent −650 m Descent 33,8 km Effort 10 h 36 Time needed · On foot

Melide and the meeting with the Norte

The longest stage in Galicia: 28.5 kilometres with 530 metres of ascent and 650 of descent in constant ups and downs, no big hills but no let-up either, medium difficulty. You leave Palas de Rei on track and path through San Xulián do Camiño, Pontecampaña and Casanova, among oak woods and streams; at Leboreiro, with its church and its cruceiro, you change province and enter A Coruña. At Furelos a medieval bridge of four arches announces Melide.

Melide, at about kilometre fifteen, is the compulsory stop: a town with everything and the capital of pulpo á feira, served in the pulperías of the main street at any hour. Do not linger too long over lunch, because half the stage is still ahead. From Melide the route continues through eucalyptus and oak woods, crosses the road several times and passes Boente and Castañeda before dropping to Ribadiso, a corner beside the river Iso with a historic hostel and meadows to lie down in.

From Ribadiso three kilometres of climbing remain, the last of the day, to Arzúa, the town of tetilla cheese. Here the Camino del Norte joins the Francés, and from here the two run together. Arzúa has everything and fills up.

Tips

Leave at dawn: it is almost thirty kilometres and it is best to reach Melide before it fills with people.

Water and something to eat for the first section; there are bars before Melide, but they are spread out.

The crossings of the main road in the second half have no traffic lights; look carefully.

If you are struggling, Melide or Ribadiso are good places to split the stage.

With the Camino del Norte arriving in Arzúa, book a bed or get there in good time.

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Profile and services

Elevation profile of the stage from Palas de Rei to Arzúa, 28.5 kilometres, with services placed at their kilometre point.

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Palas de Rei 28.5 km Arzúa

What's there today

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Tips from people who walked it

The things that do not expire: where the fountain actually is, which bar opens at six, where not to go in the rain.

None here yet. If you have just walked this stage, you know something tomorrow’s pilgrim does not.

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Emergencies

Call 112

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Say where you are I am walking the Camino Francés, on the stage from Palas de Rei to Arzúa.

Arriving in Santiago The last day is the one nobody has ever done before. Where the Pilgrim's Office is, what to bring to the desk and what happens when you get there.

The map

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What to see on this stage 12

  1. Igrexa de San Tirso de Palas de Rei Church km 0,0
  2. Igrexa de San Sebastián do Carballal Church km 2,1
  3. Igrexa de San Xiao do Camiño Church km 3,5
  4. Igrexa de Santa María do Leboreiro Church km 9,2
  5. Igrexa de San Xoán de Furelos Church km 13,0
  6. Capela de San Roque Church km 14,4
  7. Igrexa de San Pedro de Melide Church km 14,7
  8. Capela de Santo Antón Church km 14,7
  9. Capela do Carme Church km 14,9
  10. Igrexa de Santa María de Melide Church km 15,5
  11. Igrexa de Santiago de Boente Church km 20,3
  12. Igrexa de Santa Mariña da Castañeda Church km 22,7

What you will find 325