Caminho da Geira e dos Arrieiros

At a Glance

• Start / Finish: Braga → Santiago de Compostela
• Length: 244.5 km
• Elevation gain:↗ 6,632 m / ↘ 6,566 m
• Duration: about 9–11 days (officially 10 stages)
• Marking: Yellow arrows and Geira signage, continuous since the route was officially recognized
• Other names: Roman Road, Via Nova, Geira Trail, and Muleteers' Trail
• Character: Roman Road + Muleteer Trails – the most historic route between Portugal and Galicia

Overview

Hardly any other route along the Way of St. James runs so literally through history as this one: From Braga follows the Caminho da Geira along the Your New, a Roman road dating from 79/80 AD, running right through the heart of Portugal’s only national park—the Peneda-Gerês. There are more Roman milestones on either side of the old cobblestone road than on any other road in Europe.

Once across the border, the Drivers: For centuries, muleteers traveled these paths, carrying wine and goods back and forth between Galicia and Portugal—today, their route winds through the green hills, passing through Celanova and the Terra de Montes, all the way to Saint James of Compostela. The route has been officially recognized since 2019, so you’re guaranteed to receive your Compostela—and with only a few thousand pilgrims so far, it’s one of the quietest routes to the Apostle’s Tomb.

Other Names

• Portuguese: Caminho da Geira e dos Arrieiros; “Geira” is the colloquial name for the Roman Via Nova
• Spanish: The Geira and Muleteers' Trail
• Historical: Via Nova or Via XVIII of the Antonine Itinerary

“Arrieiros” are the muleteers who, well into the 20th century, carried goods across the border—their name is part of the Galician section of the trail.

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

It’s perfect if you want to experience history firsthand: Roman cobblestones, milestones, a Roman camp by the reservoir, Visigothic and Mozarabic churches—plus the rugged landscape of Gerês with its waterfalls and hot springs. And all of this along a route that most pilgrims haven’t even discovered yet.

Not the best choice if you prefer flat, social rides: 6,600 meters of elevation gain over 245 kilometers means constant ups and downs; the old cobblestone sections are slippery when wet, and the infrastructure between the stage towns is still under development—there are hostels, but not in every town.

Route & Landscape

From the cathedral of Braga – the oldest in Portugal – the trail climbs through the Minho hills to Terras de Bouro and into the Peneda-Gerês National Park. Here he follows the Geira through the Albergaria Forest, one of the most beautiful oak forests on the Iberian Peninsula, passing milestone after milestone until reaching the old border crossing Portela do Homem.

On the Galician side, the hot springs of Wolves, the Roman camp Aquis Querquennis at the As-Conchas Reservoir and the Visigothic church Santa Comba de Bande (7th century). About the small monastic town Celanova With its Mozarabic chapel of San Miguel, the route winds through the Ribeiro Wine Region and the Terra de Montes—via Soutelo de Montes and Codeseda – until it enters Santiago from the south.

Stages, Terrain & Difficulty

245 kilometers, just over 6,600 meters of elevation gain, 9–11 days of hiking across 10 official stages—a tried-and-true itinerary (kilometers are approximate):

1. Braga → Terras de Bouro (Stage 1) – Minho Hills, First Milestones
2. Terras de Bouro → Campo do Gerês (Stage 1) – Vilarinho das Furnas Reservoir
3. Campo do Gerês → Lobios (Stage 1) – Mata da Albergaria, Portela do Homem, Rio Caldo Hot Springs
4. Wolves → Bande (Stage 1) – Aquis Querquennis and Santa Comba de Bande
5. Bande → Celanova (Stage 1) – San Salvador Monastery, San Miguel Chapel
6. Celanova → Pazos de Arenteiro (2 stages) – Arrieiros trails through the Ribeiro wine region
7. Pazos → Soutelo de Montes (Stage 1) – Terra de Montes
8. Support → Codeseda (Stage 1) – The Geira Pioneers' Camp
9. Codeseda → Santiago de Compostela (2 stages) – via A Estrada and Ponte Ulla to the finish line

On the Via Nova—Rome's Milestones and the Muleteers

The Your New (Via XVIII) was built in 79/80 CE during the reigns of Emperors Vespasian and Titus and connected Bracara Augusta with Asturica Augusta—a distance of 210 Roman miles with eleven postal stations. What makes it unique: No other road in Europe has so many preserved Milestones. In Gerês, some of them stand in groups on the original cobblestones, in the middle of the Mata da Albergaria forest. And at the As Conchas reservoir, the Roman camp emerges when the water level is low The acquisition of the Quern Inn — a complete garrison with barracks and baths.

The second source of the name is the Drivers: Muleteers who, well into the 20th century, traded Ribeiro wine, fish, and goods across the border. The Galician section of the route follows their paths—through villages where pilgrims are still greeted with a handshake.

The route is new only as an official Camino: introduced in 2017, Recognized by the Church in 2019, to date, it has recorded only about 8,700 pilgrims from 50 countries (as of July 2026)—and since July 2026, the first comprehensive pilgrim’s guide has been available, compiled by the trailblazers at Associação Codeseda Viva.

Highlights Along the Way

• Braga – “Portuguese Rome,” home to the country’s oldest cathedral and Bom Jesus do Monte
• Peneda-Gerês National Park – Portugal’s only national park, waterfalls, and wild horses
• Albergaria Forest – Roman cobblestones and milestones in the oak forest
• Portela do Homem – the old border crossing between Portugal and Galicia
• Wolves / Hot River – Hot springs right along the trail
• Aquis Querquennis – Roman camp by the reservoir, visible during low water levels
• Santa Comba de Bande – 7th-century Visigothic church
• Celanova – Monastery town with the Mozarabic Chapel of San Miguel (10th century)
• Ribeiro Wine Region – the old trade routes of the Arrieiros
• Saint James of Compostela – Arrival at the cathedral, just as it was a thousand years ago

How Pilgrims Find Their Way onto This Path

Braga is well connected to the pilgrimage network—two routes lead directly there:

• Porto – Braga– the green shuttle from the Porto airport and rail hub, perfect as a warm-up before the Geira
• Torres Road– The long route from Salamanca also passes through Braga; if you like, you can switch to the Roman road here

Also from the Central Portuguese Way It's easy to make the trip: From Barcelos or Ponte de Lima, the bus will take you to Braga in just under an hour. And for those who prefer the river route to the mountain route from Braga: The Minhoto Ribeiro Trail is the Sister Trail through the Minho Valley and the Ribeiro vineyards.

Preparation & Practical Information

The best time is April through October; in Gerês, it can get hot in midsummer, and the paved sections are slippery when it rains—hiking poles are helpful. The trail is marked (with yellow arrows and Geira signs), and a GPS track provides added peace of mind.

There are hostels in the main stopover towns (including Campo do Gerês, Lobios, Celanova, and Codeseda), and guesthouses and casas rurales along the way—call ahead during the off-season. As on all routes to Santiago, you’ll need a Pilgrim's Pass (Credencial) for stamps and hostels, and finally the Compostela—it’s best to order it online in advance. The easiest way to plan your stages and accommodations is directly in the Camino Ninja app, where you can organize both at the same time.

What the journey will cost you

Northern Portugal and rural Galicia are affordable: Expect to pay 35–55 € per day (As of August 2026) – Hostels starting at around 10–15 €, guesthouses around 35–50 €, plus down-to-earth cuisine at reasonable prices.

Getting There

The starting point is Braga – from the airport Porto Reachable in just over an hour by bus or train. Those traveling on a pilgrimage can get there via the Porto – Braga-path or the Torres Road right into the city.

• Getting There: Flight to Porto, then on to CP Rail (Compare prices) or bus to Braga
• Return trip from Santiago: international airport (SCQ) and rail connection (renfe.com)
• Intermediate entry: Celanova is accessible by bus from Ourense—ideal for the purely Galician part

Path Carrier

The project is supported by organizations and communities on both sides of the border—led by the Codeseda Viva Association, which helped establish, host, and document the route. In 2019, the Church officially recognized the route; the first complete pilgrimage guide in book form has been available since July 2026. Information and history of the Roman Road are compiled in geira.pt.