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Walking The Spiritual Variant of The Camino Portuguese

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If you’re walking the Camino Portuguese, you might also be considering the Spiritual Variant; an alternative path that adds an extra day or two, but also lots of history and legend to your journey too.

I’ve walked the Portuguese Camino many times, but it wasn’t until 2019 that we took the Variant, and we chose to extend it by a day, to stay in one of Spain’s most beautiful fishing villages.

When we walked, there was little information online, and while things have improved, many questions still remain; especially with regard to the distance required for your Compostela.

My stage guides walk you through the traditional stages, they show you where to break the stage, explain the history and highlights and answer the most common questions about what makes this route so special.

What is the Spiritual Variant?

The Variante Espiritual is a modern addition to the Camino Portuguese, officially established in 2012. It guides pilgrims through ancient lands and is the only route that follows the final journey of Saint James, arriving by boat just outside Padron at Pontecesures; where you rejoin the traditional Camino.

Spiritual Variant Distance

Traditional Camino Distance

While the Variante Espiritual does add an extra day or two to your journey when compared to the traditional Camino Portuguese, it is a beautiful route, the history is amazing and it’s well worth the extra kilometres.

The History of the Spiritual Route

The Spiritual Variant was created to connect pilgrims with historic sites of religious and monastic significance and to follow the final journey of St James. However, this land has been inhabited for thousands of years, making it one of the most historically rich areas of Galicia.

Ancient Settlements & Prehistoric Art

Archaeological discoveries of early hominins, Neanderthals and of course, modern humans date back hundreds of thousands of years and the region around Poio and Pontevedra has been settled since at least the Neolithic period.

At A Caeira, near Poio, around 5 kilometres from the Camino, you’ll find 4,000-year-old petroglyphs from the Bronze Age depicting animals such as deer. If you’d like the detour you can visit the A Caeira Archaeological Interpretation Centre.

Medieval Monasteries & the Christian Influence

Legend tells us that St. James lived and preached in Iria Flavia (modern-day Padron). Long before the discovery of his tomb, Iria Flavia was an important Roman port and one of the most significant Christian centres in Spain.

By the medieval age, the region was home to many important monastic communities, including two that you’ll walk by :

Stage 1: Pontevedra to The Monasterio de Armenteira

Stage 2: Armenteira to Vilanova de Arousa

Stage 3 : Vilanova de Arousa to Pontecusures/Padron

Frequently Asked Questions About the Spiritual Variant

The most commonly asked question about the Spiritual Variant is about the Compostela and walking the last 100kms.  So I’ll answer this first.

1. Will I still get a Compostela if I take the boat?

Yes! The Fluvial route is officially approved by the Cathedral of Santiago. However, you must still walk at least 100 km to Santiago in addition to the boat journey.

When planning your route, remember that only your walking distance counts, not the kilometers covered by boat.  Some Credential show maps of the variant include a note which translated reads To obtain the Compostela, the Spiritual Variant must begin at a minimum from Porriño or Vigo.

Top Tip : Remember you must collect two stamps per day in your Credential.

2. What are the highlights of the Spiritual Variant?

There are many, we loved the walk along the coast into Vilanova but the highlights that stood out most include :

3. Where does the Spiritual Variant start and end?

4. Are there plenty of places to stay on the Spiritual Variant?

Yes, but accommodation is more limited than on the main Camino Portuguese, especially during the summer holiday season and we found some places closed in mid to late October too.

That being said, we always found a bed without a problem, but I’d recommend booking or at least calling ahead for a more relaxed experience.

5. Can I transfer my luggage?

Yes! Luggage transport services operate on the Variante Espiritual. Take a look at my post about Backpacks, Bags & Luggage Transfer on the Camino. We used Caminofacil but other companies also cover this route.

6. How long does it take to walk the Spiritual Variant?

The traditional route covers three days, including the boat, but I recommend allowing an extra day to fully enjoy the experience.

The Stages are :

7. How long is the Variante Espiritual?

This variant adds around an extra 37 km compared to the normal Portuguese Camino route via Pontevedra, Caldas del Reis and Padron.

8. Is the Spiritual Variant as well marked as the rest of the Camino Portuguese?

Yes! The route is well-marked with both yellow arrows and the Variant markers.  There are a few places when you have to be mindful of arrows, like the walk through the forest to Armenteira.  Having said that we never felt concerned about markers.

9. Is it Variante Espiritual or Spiritual Variant?

You can use both names as the difference is merely a translation.  If you are struggling to find information then search for both as they are both used equally.

Variante Espiritual is the Spanish term for Spiritual Variant :

In Galician (the local language of Galicia), it would also be Variante Espiritual, as the two languages are very similar.

Potential Challenges Along The Spiritual Variant

Overall, this route is well-trodden and well-marked, so there are no major challenges. However, as with any Camino, there are a few things to be aware of.

Recommended Apps, Books And Websites for the Spritual Variant

If you’re walking any stage of the Camino Portuguese, these apps, guidebooks, and websites are invaluable. Be sure to download or purchase them before leaving home:

Final Thoughts on the Variante Espiritual

When we first walked this route, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I knew that the walk from Pontevedra to Caldas de Reis, and onwards to Padron, was beautiful; I was curious how this route could improve on that. And yet it did.

The Monastery at Poio is impressive, but the Sisters of Armenteira stole my heart. Combarro is glorious, and our evening dinner by the sea was joyous. And if you wait for the sun to rise, the walk along the Ruta da Pedra e da Auga is mother nature at her finest.

I’ve walked across Spain, but no other route offers a final stage quite like the Variant, sailing along the estuary and river to Pontecesures.

If you’re walking from Porto along either the Central or Coastal route, the Spiritual Variant is a worthy addition to your itinerary.  It may not have the ancient pilgrimage history of other routes, but these lands have been home to our ancestors for thousands of years. And this region above all others bar Padron and Santiago de Compostela, has the strongest connections to the Apostle.

If you have the time, take the Variante Espiritual. Allow an extra day. Slow down. Meander through this corner of Galicia. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Are You Walking The Portuguese Coastal Camino?

I’ve walked the Camino Portuguese many times, in all its forms, and I know that I’ll walk it again. If you’re walking from Porto to Santiago, I’ve created detailed daily guides packed with route tips, accommodation recommendations, and insights to help you along the way.

Here are some posts to help you plan your journey:

If you’re planning your Camino or are already on the trail, I’d love to hear about your experiences! Join my private Camino community on Facebook, share your stories, find inspiration and connect with fellow pilgrims.