Category: Alto do Poio

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Alto do Poio to Samos

23.4 km and 5:3 (see map).

Heading off from the rather rustic albergue at Alto do Poio. The mountain top was enveloped in low cloud, but it wasn’t particularly cold.

The Camino followed the road for a short distance then cut off onto cross country tracks through small hamlets and villages.

The Camino way markers in Galicia are concrete and apart from having the stylised Camino scallop shell and a direction arrow include a metal plate stamped with the remaining distance to Santiago.

Dodgy selfie, taken after stop for coffee and to shelter from passing shower.

Onward towards Triacastela.

Lots of small hamlets/villages like this. Cattle kept in the buildings, and obviously herded through the lanes at times.

Triacastela nestled down in the valley.

Great walking on these forest paths.

Samos near; the monastery dominant.

And a closer look at the monastery. I’m staying in the parroquial there.

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Vega de Valcarce to Alto do Poio

19.5 km and 5:03 (see map).

An easy walk for the first four km through Ruitelán and Las Herrerias, then a climb of around 700 m over the next eight km to O Cebriero (1,330 m). Stunning countryside and views (especially so the higher you went) and great walking along shaded paths on the lower flanks of the mountains. O Cebreiro was an option for a stop for the night, but the weather was good so decided to carry on for another couple of hours to Alto do Poio (1,337 m).

Arriving in Ruitelán, two km into the day’s walk.

On the way out of Las Herrerias after a stop for a coffee and napolitana (a sweet pastry filled with chocolate cream).

The early stages of the track up the hill.

Walked with (L-R) Lisa and Julie (from the USA) and Steph (UK).

More forest path …

… then out into the open, above the treeline.

Looking back along the path.

And the view off to the left.

Out of the Castilla y Leòn region and into Galicia.

Along to O Cebreiro.

And O Cebreiro itself.

Following shots from walk across to Alto do Poio from O Cebreiro, via Linares, Alto de San Roque and Hospital de la Condesa.