Camino Torres

At a Glance

• Start / Finish: Salamanca → Braga
• Length: 421.3 km
• Elevation gain:↗ 6,646 m / ↘ 7,398 m
• Highest point:~918
• Duration: about 17–19 days on foot (estimated)
• Marking: Mostly yellow arrows, GPS tracks, and custom signage in some sections
• Other names: Camino de Torres, Caminho de Torres
• Character: A quiet, little-traveled Way of St. James through western Spain and northern Portugal

Overview

The Camino Torres is a relatively new and still little-traveled Way of St. James that revives an ancient route: In 1737, Diego de Torres Villarroel (1694–1770), a professor of mathematics at the University of Salamanca, made a pilgrimage from Salamanca to Santiago de Compostela—and did not choose the obvious Silver Route, but instead took a detour through Portugal. He chronicled his journey in a whimsical poem titled “Peregrinación al Glorioso Apóstol Santiago de Galicia.”

Nearly three centuries later, beginning in 2008, the University of Salamanca Alumni Association designed a modern trail that recreates this route as faithfully as possible; the official website went live in 2011. The entire route spans approximately 570 to 580 kilometers and consists of 23 stages leading to Santiago.

This section runs 421 kilometers from Salamanca to Braga: through the Salamanca Dehesa, via Ciudad Rodrigo and across the Portuguese border into the Beira Alta, through the river landscapes of the Douro and Támega to Braga in northern Portugal, where the Central Portuguese Way takes over the pilgrimage to Santiago.

Other Names

• German: Camino Torres, Camino de Torres
• Portuguese: Torres Trail
• English: Torres Road

The name comes from Diego de Torres Villarroel, whose pilgrimage in 1737 the modern route follows.

Who This Route Is Ideal For—and Who It's Not

This is ideal if you’re looking for a quiet, secluded route far from the main pilgrimage trails, enjoy navigating on your own, and are interested in a literary and historical journey through two countries. If you love peace and quiet, the dehesa, the Portuguese countryside, and the connection between Spain and Portugal, this is the place for you.

It’s not the best choice if you’re expecting a dense network of lodging options, consistently perfect trail markings, and the company of other pilgrims. The Camino Torres is challenging: long, isolated stages, significant elevation gain, and sections where a GPS is still useful.

Route & Landscape

From Salamanca, the route first heads west through the vast Salamanca dehesa—following old trails such as the Cañada Real de Extremadura—all the way to Ciudad Rodrigo. Passing through Aldea del Obispo, you’ll reach the Portuguese border and the fortified town of Almeida.

In Portugal, the route winds through the Beira Alta region, passing through Pinhel, Trancoso, and Sernancelhe, into the hilly and riverine landscapes of the Douro and Támega—past Lamego and Amarante—all the way to Guimarães and finally Braga.

Stages, Terrain & Difficulty

At about 421 kilometers to Braga and with significant elevation gain and loss (↗ 6,646 m / ↘ 7,398 m, highest point approximately 918 m), the route—which takes an estimated 17–19 days—is quite challenging. The terrain alternates between open plateaus, mountainous areas, and river valleys. The route follows traditional, public trails; some stages are long and pass through sparsely populated areas. Thorough preparation and carrying GPS tracks are recommended.

Markings – From GPS to the Yellow Arrow Trail

When the Camino Torres was published in 2011, it was fully georeferenced: Each of the 23 stages has GPS tracks that ensure you won’t get lost. The physical trail markings were added later. Members of the Vía de la Plata Association (ACASAN) began marking the trail with yellow arrows in 2013 and updated them in 2019; today, the arrow markings are nearly continuous, though there is still room for improvement in a few spots.

In Portugal, additional signage was installed: The city of Amarante marked its section (completed in 2020), and the “Valorização do Caminho de Torres” project, carried out by several municipal associations in northern Portugal (2018–2021), provided continuous vertical signage starting at Ponte do Abade.

• In the province of Salamanca, there are ancient, opposite Signs (arrows, stone markers, metal signs) pointing toward Salamanca instead of Portugal—stay alert here.
• Even where signage is in place, the Global Positioning System A useful addition.

Highlights Along the Way

• Salamanca – A university town known for its golden sandstone, a World Heritage Site, and the starting point of Torres Villarroel’s journey.
• Ciudad Rodrigo – a walled border town with a cathedral.
• Almeida – A star-shaped fortified town just across the Portuguese border.
• Trancoso – a small medieval walled town in the Beira Alta region.
• Lamego – A place of pilgrimage featuring the Baroque staircase leading to the Church of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios.
• Amaranth – a picturesque town on the Tâmega River.
• Guimarães – “Cradle of Portugal,” Old Town designated a World Heritage Site.
• Braga – one of Portugal's oldest cities, the final stop on this leg of the journey.

How Pilgrims Find Their Way onto This Path

The Torres begins as a branch: In Salamanca, you leave the Silver Way and heads west toward Portugal—the trail is named after the geographer Torres Villegas, who mapped it in 1852.

Braga is the major hub at the other end: This is where the Minhoto Ribeiro Trail and the The Geira and Arrieiros Trail and via Ponte de Lima, you'll reach the Central Portuguese Way.

Continue the pilgrimage?

The Camino Torres joins the Portuguese network of routes to Santiago in Braga. This is where the Caminho Português Central joins the route, crossing the border into Tui via Ponte de Lima and leading through Galicia—via Redondela, Pontevedra, Caldas de Reis, and Padrón—to Santiago de Compostela. So, anyone wishing to follow the entire historic route from Torres Villarroel should continue their journey from Braga on the Caminho Português Central.

Preparation & Practical Information

The best time to hike is from spring through fall. The Camino Torres is a quiet trail with fewer amenities than the major Caminos: Plan your accommodations (guesthouses, simple lodgings, and in Spain, sometimes albergues) in advance, and be prepared for long stretches with few services. Download the official GPS tracks and bring a pilgrim’s passport for stamps and the Compostela. Detailed stage descriptions and tracks are available on the official website caminotorres.com Ready.

What the journey will cost you

In Spain and Portugal, you can generally expect to spend about 35–55 € per day on lodging and meals. Simple accommodations, hostels, and self-catering can help keep costs down; in areas with limited options or in larger cities, it can be more expensive.

Getting There

The starting point is Salamanca; the destination for this leg is Braga.

• Train to Salamanca: via the Spanish network, including from Madrid. Spanish national railway company– Connections and tickets.
• Return trip from Braga: Braga is connected to the Portuguese rail network (toward Porto). Trains in Portugal– Connections from Braga.