La Gudiña

Via de la Plata

Camino Sanabrés

To end of camino
199.5
Altitude
975

O Cañizo

3.40

La Gudiña

4.50

Venda do Espiño

Services
ATM
Yes
Bar
Yes
Correos
Yes
Grocery
Yes
Medical Center
Yes
Pharmacy
Yes
Public Pool
Yes
Train
Yes

The first proper town in Galicia on the Camino Sanabres, and it feels it. After the mountain crossing and the string of tiny hamlets, La Gudina has a municipal albergue, bars, restaurants, shops, a pharmacy, and an ATM. Use them -- the next two stages offer only basic services.

The town sits at a crossroads where the N-525 passes through. There's an interpretation centre with permanent exhibitions on local food products and Galician handicrafts, which is a decent way to spend an afternoon if you're stopping here for the night.

From La Gudina the camino splits. The main route heads northwest through the mountains to Laza via Campobecerros -- this is the route described below. An alternative variant heads south through Verin and Xinzo de Limia. Both routes eventually reach Ourense. The northern route through Laza is shorter, more mountainous, and the one most pilgrims take.

Notice

Withdraw cash here. The next two stages have only basic services and no ATMs.

There is a variant of the Camino Sanabres which turns south and passes via Verin and Xinzo de Limia. Mind the arrows to keep to the route described below.

History

A Gudina has been a waypoint on the route through these mountains since Roman times, sitting at the intersection of roads connecting the Castilian meseta with the Galician coast. The town's position at the entrance to Galicia gave it strategic importance as a customs and control point.

The Road

From the albergue, pass back under the railway bridge and head back towards the N-525 but turn right onto the Rua Mayor before you get there. A few hundred metres ahead the camino splits -- the route below follows the Laza option (straight).

The way to Campobecerros begins with a climb almost entirely along a quiet paved road with excellent views all around. It passes through Venda do Espino (4.5 km), Venda da Teresa (3.2 km), Venda da Capela (2.3 km), and Venda do Bolano (3.2 km) before descending steeply into Campobecerros.

City Map
Accommodation in La Gudiña.

Comments

All Caminos App User (not verified)

If you are not sure where to go, go to Restaurante El Búfalo. I had menu de dia explained by a Dutch lady, absolutely lovely as she spoke English and I don't speak Spanish, so with her help for the first time on all my camino's I have gotten what I ordered. Food was delicious and plentiful, if I come back this way I will definitely stop by and they now have vegetarian menu de dia.

All Caminos App User (not verified)

We had a lovely stay here. The staff were so friendly and kind and the room was very comfortable with a great view! Dinner was nice too. We are vegan so can’t always find things to eat but they provided for us and even provided plant based milk st breakfast.

All Caminos App User (not verified)

All the guides I read say the Camino is on the asphalt main road, but surprisingly, there is a well signposted route parallel on the right hand side to the vehicle road. Take this alternative!

Camino de Sant… (not verified)

Taxi José Maria Luis Macia, in a Gudiña.

WhatsApp +34 60 88 88 176. Came straightaway, ie within 5 minutes of request.

Dropped us beside a choice of reasonably priced hotels.

Camino de Sant…

A great pilgrim friendly and family run hotel who went beyond the normal levels of service and support. In fact the best service since leaving Seville. Modern rooms, great food in comedor and a good bar