French Way ‧ Stage 31 (Continuation of the Primitive Way)
French Way
On foot
33 stages
Information
About this stage
It is a stage with an uneven and irregular profile, where short but physically difficult climbs are frequent, in which sections in an exceptional state of preservation that cross wonderful villages of deep Galicia coexist with less rewarding areas such as industrial estates or sections with a much improved state of preservation. On arriving at the destination town, Arzua, pilgrims on the French Way join those coming from the Northern Way to face the last two stages that separate them from Compostela.
Recommendation Pilgrim
For people with reduced mobility it is necessary to consider the possibility of taking the LU-663 road as an alternative route, but always bearing in mind that this is a road with no verges and a high level of danger. For cyclists, this is a stage of moderate difficulty, as although there are complicated descents in rainy periods, they are easy to overcome if the descent is done carefully and with the right bicycle.
Distance and elevation
Stage profile
Route
Itinerary
Km 0 ‧ Melide
At the roundabout in the centre of Melide we turn right into the narrow San Pedro street. We leave Melide, cross the national road N-547 and, a little further on, turn right, passing by the romanic church of Santa María. Then we advance through thick forests of oak, pine and eucalyptus trees, with a succession of ups and downs. After almost three and a half kilometres, we reach the N-547 national road. Without crossing it, we follow it for 150 metres in parallel until we leave it on the left.
Local Information
Police, Medical Care, What to See, Where to Eat…
Km 5,6 ‧ Boente
We take a road to the right of the national road and continue along a dirt track. This time we cross the N-547 by a subway. Further on a steep slope takes us to the next village: Fraga Alta (Castañeda).
Km 7,9 ‧ Fraga Alta (Castañeda)
We turn left and reach the O Río resting area. We turn left again; further on we cross a bridge over the N-547 and descend into the beautiful valley of the river Iso.
Km 11,0 ‧ Ribadiso de Baixo
We continue in the same direction, going steadily uphill, cross the N-547 national road through a tunnel and take a street on the right that takes us next to the same national road: parallel to it we reach Arzúa. In the town centre, at the height of the courthouse, we take the Cima do Lugar street, parallel, on the left, to the road.
