The Vía de la Plata through A Limia: from Viladerrei to Allariz
The branch of the Vía de la Plata crossing A Limia runs from Viladerrei to Xinzo (15.7 km) and from Xinzo to Allariz (20.5 km), via Trasmiras, Zos, Boado, Sandiás and Pegas do Cotorro, with hostels at Viladerrei, Xinzo and Sandiás.
- Viladerrei–Xinzo
- 15.7 km
- Xinzo–Allariz
- 20.5 km
- Hostels in A Limia
- Viladerrei, Xinzo and Sandiás
- Altitude of Xinzo
- 622 m
A Limia lies on the branch of the Vía de la Plata (Mozarabic Way) that, from Verín, continues towards Allariz and Ourense along the route that Xacopedia places 136 km from Santiago via Xinzo [8]. This page describes the Limia stages according to the Gronze.com trail guide. For an overview of the comarca’s routes, see Routes and trails through A Limia.
From Verín to Viladerrei
The stage leads from the wine-growing comarca of Monterrei to the broad plain of A Limia, separated by a small range of hills crossed at the Estibadas pass. The terrain is easy along the Támega and Limia valleys, although in summer care is needed with high temperatures, more typical of Extremadura or Andalusia [1]. Viladerrei has a pilgrim hostel, centrally located beside the main road [2].
From Viladerrei to Xinzo de Limia (15.7 km)
According to the guide, where the Lagoa de Antela once lay there is now a grid-pattern farming landscape that has completely changed the scenery and the paths, and pilgrims must get used to long straight stretches between potato fields; Xinzo cannot be seen until you step onto its streets [2]. The route [3]:
| Km | Place | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | Viladerrei | exit along the N-525 with a pavement and a parallel path |
| 2.1 | Trasmiras | along Rúa Corredoira, with the parish church 100 m from the path |
| 7.7 | Zos | after a long farm track alongside the A-52 motorway |
| 11.5 | Boado | hamlet with good traditional architecture and a Romanesque church; the official route makes a detour to pass through it |
| 15.7 | Xinzo de Limia | entry along Avenida de Portugal and the park and street of Rosalía de Castro; reaches the Praza Maior along Rúa de Lepanto, through the old town |
In Trasmiras there is accommodation near the route [2].
Xinzo de Limia, a pilgrim stop
Xacopedia describes Xinzo (622 m, with a population of 7,100 in that edition) with its pilgrim hostel promoted by the Xunta since 2017 and highlights the doorway of the Old Church, dated 1516, with a capital bearing a scallop shell, and a relief of Saint James as a pilgrim; it also mentions the monastery of Bo Xesús de Trandeiras, founded by Alonso de Piña in the 16th century, from which one can see what was once the Lagoa de Antela [8]. The Xinzo hostel is in the old town, about 100 m from the square, and has 15 beds in two dormitories [6].
From Xinzo de Limia to Allariz (20.5 km)
The guide describes a stage with "two faces": the last stretch across the plain follows a dangerous road to Vilariño das Poldras and then more tarmac to Sandiás, where it criticises the official route for following the N-525 instead of going through the village, near the church and the medieval tower; the second half, a transition to the Arnoia valley, runs along old paths and native woodland that the guide ranks among the most beautiful stretches of the Galician itinerary [4]. The route [5]:
| Km | Place | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | Xinzo de Limia | exit via the Praza Maior, the old church of Santa Mariña and the Pombal park, with the sculpture of the pantalla |
| 5.5 | Vilariño das Poldras | chapel of San Mateo and Pazo do Penedo, with a viewpoint over A Limia |
| 6.8 | Couso de Limia | scattered hamlet |
| 8.5 | Sandiás | seat of the concello, with a hostel |
| 13.3 | Pegas do Cotorro | hamlet reached along a lane between drystone walls and an oak and alder wood |
| 14.9 | Torneiros | dirt track from Coedo |
| 17.0 | San Salvador dos Penedos | stone buildings and a chapel |
| 20.5 | Allariz | entry through the historic centre, along Rúa do Hospital, to the Praza Maior |
The Sandiás hostel is at the entrance, right on the route, with 22 beds in three dormitories [7].
Links
Sources
- Gronze.com, «Etapa Verín–Viladerrei, Vía de la Plata». https://www.gronze.com/etapa/verin/viladerrei
- Gronze.com, «Etapa Viladerrei–Xinzo de Limia, Vía de la Plata». https://www.gronze.com/etapa/viladerrei/xinzo-limia
- Gronze.com, «Etapa Viladerrei–Xinzo de Limia: recorrido». https://www.gronze.com/etapa/viladerrei/xinzo-limia/recorrido
- Gronze.com, «Etapa Xinzo de Limia–Allariz, Vía de la Plata». https://www.gronze.com/etapa/xinzo-limia/allariz
- Gronze.com, «Etapa Xinzo de Limia–Allariz: recorrido». https://www.gronze.com/etapa/xinzo-limia/allariz/recorrido
- Gronze.com, «Albergue de peregrinos de Xinzo de Limia». https://www.gronze.com/galicia/orense/xinzo-limia/albergue-peregrinos-xinzo-limia
- Gronze.com, «Albergue de peregrinos de Sandiás». https://www.gronze.com/galicia/orense/sandias/albergue-peregrinos-sandias
- Xacopedia, «Xinzo de Limia». https://www.xacopedia.com/Xinzo_de_Limia
