Gratis gids 10 verborgen natuurplekken in Europa. Meld je aan voor onze nieuwsbrief en ontvang inspirerende reistips en routes voor je volgende groene reis.
O Salnés Camino Portugués: the spiritual route from Valença
This version of the Camino Portugués combines the Portuguese Camino with the Translatio route (also known as the Ría de Arousa–Ulla River route). This route is the historical origin of all the St. James routes.
You can arrange this 9-day hiking trip on your own or through our local partner. In that case, accommodations, luggage transport, itineraries, and 24/7 support are included. See below for information on how to book the trip.
Highlights of O Salnés, the Portuguese Way
Historic Cities (Tui, Pontevedra, Santiago)
Authentic pilgrimage routes, Roman roads, stone paths
River valleys, iconic bridges, ancient monasteries & churches
Stone-and-Water Trail with Windmills and Waterfalls
Boat Tour on the Ulla
Coastal villages, local seafood specialties
Gentle agricultural and forested landscapes
Comfortable places to stay near the Camino
A thoughtful blend of adventure, culture, and sustainability
Boat segment: It is possible to travel the final stretch between Vilanova de Arousa and Pontecesures by boat, along the Ulla River—which, according to tradition, is the route taken to transport the relics of the Apostle James.
Nature & Culture: beautiful landscapes, river crossings, and 17 ancient crosses that confirm you are following the original Translatio route.
O Salnés Route, Camino Portugués
Day 1: Arrival in Valença
Check in at a 3-star hotel. You’ll receive a welcome package containing all the documents and information you need for a fully self-guided walking vacation.
Day 2: From Valença to O Porriño
Distance: 20 km
Profile: Descents and climbs through fields and forests or through industrial areas
Cross the Minho Bridge near Tui and enjoy the medieval atmosphere before continuing on to O Porriño.
Overnight stay: 2-star hotel, breakfast included.
Day 3: From O Porriño to Arcade
Distance: 22 km; 2 hills (235 m long, with a shorter but steeper final climb)
Highlights: Views of the Ría de Vigo, medieval buildings in Redondela (Casa da Torre), and the fishing village of Arcade with its beach and riverside park.
Overnight stay: 2-star hotel, breakfast included.
Day 4: From Arcade to Pontevedra
Distance: 13 km (approx. 4 hours)
Route: Start at the beach, follow the old stone paths and take the wooded detour along the Tomeza. Climb to 145 m, then descend to the town.
In Pontevedra: a historic center full of squares and outdoor cafes.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel, breakfast included.
Day 5: Start in O Salnés; Spiritual Route: From Pontevedra to Armenteira
Distance: 23 km
Route: Start about 2 km outside Pontevedra on rural trails, pass through Poio (with its monastery) and Combarro, and climb to Armenteira (12th-century monastery).
Day 6: From Armenteira to Vilanova de Arousa (Ruta da Pedra e da Auga)
Distance: 23 km
Route: The picturesque Stone and Water Route along the river, featuring windmills, small waterfalls, and little bridges. It highlights agriculture—this area leads you to the Ría. It ends on the coast at Vilanova de Arousa.
Overnight stay: 2-star hotel, breakfast included.
Day 7: From Vilanova to Teo (via Pontecesures)
Distance: 13 km
Selection options:
By boat (Translatio) across the Ulla, following the Apostolic Relics Route
Walking along the coast through fishing villages to Pontecesures
From Pontecesures, continue along (mostly unpaved) country roads to Teo (Rua de Francos).
Overnight stay: 3-star country hotel, breakfast included.
Day 8: From Teo to Santiago de Compostela
Distance: 14 km
Profile: Start with a climb from 160 to 260 m, descent on paved roads. Final stretch on city streets.
Choices along the way:
The green route is a little longer but quieter
A shorter, steeper route through a built-up area
Arrival: In Santiago, once the yellow arrows disappear, follow the posted signs toward the cathedral via the Portuguese Route.
Accommodation: 3-star hotel, breakfast included.
Day 9: Santiago de Compostela
The tour ends after breakfast. Do you have some time? If so, take a quick tour of the old town before you leave.
Breakfast included.
Practical Tips for O Salnés on the Camino Portugués
Start: Pontevedra
End: Pontecesures (where the Camino Portugués ends)
Duration: 8 nights, 7 days of hiking (approx. 128 km)
Individual, level: Moderate
Period: March 1 – October 31
Available for groups of 1 or more
This route is manageable for people in good, average physical condition
Request a quote for the O Salnés Camino Portugués Hiking Tour
When you request a quote, we’ll forward it to our local partner, who will confirm it directly with you if approved. We work with a highly reliable and sustainable local travel agency that provides personalized guidance. You’ll pay the same price as if you booked directly; we receive a small commission. You’ll handle the rest of the booking and payment directly with the local provider, with whom we have a good working relationship and established agreements. We’re always available to answer any questions you may have.
"*" indicates required fields
Sustainability & Local Impact
Luggage transport by local, efficient partners with CO₂ optimization
Accommodations encourage water conservation, solar energy, and recycling
The program supports the local economy in rural regions experiencing population decline through lodging, dining, and grocery shopping
Intercultural Communication Tips (Portuguese/Spanish) Promote Respectful Interactions
The hospitable locals are happy to welcome pilgrims
With a passion for travel and photography and over 30 years of experience in the travel industry, I love to share my special nature travel tips. Travel is wonderful and important, you meet new people and cultures and it opens your view of the world.
8-day hiking trip Rota Vicentina: the Fishermans trail with local specialist Self-guided, fully taken care of by a local specialist: Fishermen's Trail from Cercal to Odeceixe On day five you board a boat to cross the mouth of the Mira River. No bridge, no timetabled...
Hiking across smoking volcanoes: an organized hiking tour of the Aeolian Islands On Vulcano, you know you’ve arrived before you even set foot on shore. The sulfur already hangs over the harbor. A smell that hovers somewhere between a match and a boiled egg—and one you...
Cycling the Lake Route: 227 kilometers through Switzerland at a leisurely pace The first thing you hear isn’t traffic, but a cowbell. You’re standing in Vevey, on the shores of Lake Geneva; you’ve just dropped off your suitcase at the baggage counter, and for the next...
Peloponnese Hiking Tour
A really beautiful six-day hike from Bologna to Florence. Communication with NatureTravelLab and the local agent was excellent. The information packet was waiting for us at the hotel in Bologna, and the app with the route worked great. Luggage transport was well organized every day, and our bags were waiting for us each time we arrived at our new room! We covered more than 1,400 meters of elevation gain, but unfortunately didn’t always get the views we’d hoped for due to cloud cover and some drizzle. Most days had great hiking weather. It was wonderful to walk into Florence on foot and stay there an extra day.
We experienced the Walk of the Gods as a great adventure. Our start in Bologna didn’t go quite as planned because our app wasn’t working yet and we couldn’t find a single sign for Via degli Dei in the square. Fortunately, we were quickly able to join two young hikers from Florence who were also doing the hike. After a wonderful night’s stay at the beautiful Rio Verde agritourism farm, Day 2 went much better with the help of the hiking app. Along the way, we enjoyed stunning views, met some great fellow hikers, and sampled delicious local dishes. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t always on our side, and we had a day of heavy rain, which made the trail very slippery and required us to be careful. It’s a real treat when, on the last day, you can already see Florence in the distance and walk into this beautiful city a few hours later. Thank you so much for your quick and friendly responses to all our questions.
We enjoyed the trip. We also made some changes to our itinerary, and the email correspondence went very smoothly. We started in Mantera; the next day, our first and only hike was a really beautiful one. The taxi picked us up right on time. Unfortunately, the second day’s route was almost the same when we cycled to Ostuni. The bikes were well-maintained, including panniers and helmets (these were simply included). You could even bring your own water bottle!!! We found the route very scenic and varied. There were charming little villages where we could stop for lunch or coffee. The app worked great. All the hotels ranged from good to excellent, though we didn’t think the hotel in Leuca was worthy of 4 stars. We followed your advice for the two nights we stayed there. We found Leuca a bit underwhelming for a two-day stay. We would have preferred to stay in Gallipoli or Lecce for two days. We took this trip in April and were very lucky with the weather. It’s still a quiet time of year, but we didn’t mind that. We definitely recommend it!!!
Thanks to a great tip from Nature Travel Lab, we had a wonderful week in Italy. Fattoria di Maiano, just outside Florence, was a beautiful and peaceful place. And the suggested road trips were a great guide for exploring the region. We’ll definitely check here for tips for our next vacation, too. Highly recommended!
We spent a divine week in Italy: we walked the Path of the Gods, from Bologna to Florence—about 135 km spread over 6 days of hiking. Challenging distances and climbs, amazing views, nature, and a warm welcome every time we arrived at the agriturismo or albergo/hotel. All of this was perfectly organized by the Italian company Slow Active Tours, entirely in line with Nature Travel Lab’s itinerary proposal: upon arrival in Bologna, an information packet was waiting for us, complete with a hiking map, a booklet, and passports for the stamps. And the hiking app was very practical for along the way! Our luggage was transported every day and was always waiting for us when we arrived at the next location. Communication was smooth and clear. In short, highly recommended, well worth it, and well-organized.
In September, I walked the Cammino Materano. Communicating with Madelon about the booking was a pleasure. To be honest, I was quite nervous because it was my first time doing a multi-day hike—alone and in a region I wasn’t familiar with—but I thoroughly enjoyed it. The hike to Matera was beautiful, and I was able to complete it without any trouble thanks to the clear on-site signage and the routing and advice provided by the GPS app. The rest of the organization was top-notch as well. My luggage always arrived on time at the right destination, and the hotels and B&Bs were of high quality. In addition, the organizers were easy to reach via WhatsApp if I had any questions. Highly recommended!
Slovenia was absolutely amazing. A beautiful country, friendly people, lovely hiking trails, and truly top-notch hotels. The staff at the local organization were also very easy to reach and helpful. The hiking was manageable. As Dutch people, we’re not used to high altitudes, of course, so it was pretty tough at times. But it was also a lot of fun.
We had a wonderful trip. Everything was well organized. Due to an unfortunate fall, I ended up traveling with my luggage for a day, but that was handled well, too. We really liked all the accommodations. Only the Hotel Hebe in St. Piero a Sieve was a little less impressive, but it was still okay.
Looks fantastic! I'm definitely going to book a trip with this company... they're committed to sustainability and personalized advice. Definitely worth it.
Madelon and her team are true experts. Thanks to their years of experience and passion for travel, they manage to surprise us time and time again.
Beautiful hikes, the most picturesque spots—it’s a real treat.
I highly recommend them!
Nature Travel Lab provided us with very helpful and honest assistance!
If you’re looking for travel itineraries, the most beautiful hikes, and destinations, you can find it all here. You’ll find endless inspiration for your next trip. Beautiful cities are interspersed with nature. You’ll find everything you need to know about practical matters. Plus, there are plenty of tips for sustainable travel. That way, you’ll get the most out of your trip.
45
Get inspired
Are you looking for the most beautiful hiking and biking routes? Or do you want information about traveling by train or advice for the most beautiful road trips through nature. Get inspired for your next trip in green; ideas for planning your own trip or opting for an organized trip.
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Voorkeuren
De technische opslag of toegang is noodzakelijk voor het legitieme doel voorkeuren op te slaan die niet door de abonnee of gebruiker zijn aangevraagd.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.De technische opslag of toegang die uitsluitend wordt gebruikt voor anonieme statistische doeleinden. Zonder dagvaarding, vrijwillige naleving door je Internet Dienst Provider, of aanvullende gegevens van een derde partij, kan informatie die alleen voor dit doel wordt opgeslagen of opgehaald gewoonlijk niet worden gebruikt om je te identificeren.
Marketing
De technische opslag of toegang is nodig om gebruikersprofielen op te stellen voor het verzenden van reclame, of om de gebruiker op een site of over verschillende sites te volgen voor soortgelijke marketingdoeleinden.