Sanabrés via Verín

At a Glance

• Start / Finish: A Gudiña → Pereiras (just before Ourense)
• Length: 109.1 km
• Elevation gain: ↗ 1,608 m / ↘ 2,234 m — net descent
• Duration: about 4–5 days
• Marking: yellow arrow and shell (Galician flag)
• Difficulty: easy to moderate
• Best time to visit: March through June, September through October
• Connection: The Camino Sanabrés near Pereiras, continuing through Ourense to Santiago

Overview

The Sanabrés via Verín is two routes in one. For pilgrims on the Camino Sanabrés, it is the southern alternative between The Little Witch and Ourense: 109.1 km through the Támega Valley, the vast plain of A Limia, and the medieval Allariz. And for anyone making the pilgrimage along the Camino Portugués Interior from Portugal, it is the short connecting stretch that takes them from I saw it brings you back to the main route to Santiago.

Its main attraction is the cultural program: the imposing castle complex of Monterrey overlooking the Támega Valley, the spa and wine town of Verín with its famous mineral springs, the history of the vanished Lagoa de Antela lake—and Allariz, one of Galicia’s most beautiful historic centers. It’s also a pleasant run: A Gudiña is at a high elevation, and the route descends a net total of over 600 meters in elevation toward the Ourense Basin.

And it’s wonderfully peaceful: About 95 percent of pilgrims on foot choose the northern route via Laza at the fork in A Gudiña. Those who take the route through Verín will find well-equipped towns, public hostels—and often have the trail all to themselves.

Other Names

Common examples include Verín variant and The Vía de la Plata via Verín — Officially, the route is the southern branch of the Camino Sanabrés, which is, in turn, the Galician continuation of the Vía de la Plata. On our map, you'll find it listed as Sanabrés via Verín.

Who It's Ideal For—and Who It's Not So Ideal For

The Verín route is ideal for you if you’re looking for more culture than solitude on the Sanabrés: A castle, a wine region, a spa town, and Allariz are scattered like pearls along the route; these towns are larger and better equipped than those on the Laza side, and there are public hostels at nearly every stage destination. Cyclists are also traditionally better off here, since the route follows more dirt roads and side streets—and anyone coming from the Camino Portugués Interior ends up right here anyway.

It’s probably not for you if you’re looking for that classic Sanabrés experience: The northern route via Laza is about 31 km shorter, wilder, and more secluded—its mountain ridges are the reason most pilgrims on foot choose it. On the Verín side, however, you’ll have to contend with more paved roads and dirt paths, as well as the flat, agricultural plain of A Limia.

Route & Landscape

A Gudiña → Verín (approx. 41 km): From the mountain village of A Gudiña, the trail winds down through As Vendas da Barreira and Fumaces into the Támega Valley—an ancient border region between Galicia and Portugal, dotted with chestnut groves and vineyards. Just before Verín, the castle greets you Monterrey From the hill, you'll reach the lively little town by the river—Chaves, Portugal, is just 15 km south.

Verín → Pereiras (approx. 68 km): Through the Albarello Valley, the trail climbs gently up to the plateau of The Limia, where Spain's largest freshwater lake was located until 1958. After Xinzo de Limia comes Allariz the highlight of the route, then the route continues through the pilgrimage site Saint Mary of the Holy Waters to Pereira, where the Laza branch rejoins the main route—Ourense is only a good half-day's journey from there.

Stages, Terrain & Difficulty

The 109.1 km can easily be covered in 4–5 stages. The terrain is easygoing: no long climbs, plenty of downhill sections, plus dirt roads, trails, and quiet side roads. Only the first stage from A Gudiña is long—many people split it into two days:

1. The Little Town → The Barrier's Sales (approx. 20 km) — downhill into the Támega border region
2. The Barrier Sales → Verín (approx. 21 km) — via Fumaces, with a view of Monterrei Castle
3. Verín → Xinzo de Limia (34.8 km) — Albarellos Valley and A Limia; can be split with a stop in Trasmiras
4. Xinzo de Limia → Allariz (20.8 km) — flat route across the old lake bed, via Sandiás
5. Allariz → Pear trees (approx. 12 km) — via Santa Mariña de Augas Santas to the junction with the Laza Route; continue to Ourense, approx. 11 km

Monterrei, Water, and Wine: The Cultural Side of Sanabrés

The landmark of this route is the castle I will keep you, one of Galicia’s most important fortifications, towering high above the Támega Valley: The 22-meter-high Torre de Don Sancho dates back to 1482; today, the complex houses a Parador. His name traveled around the world—Gaspar de Zúñiga, 5th Count of Monterrey, was the namesake for Monterrey, Mexico, and Monterey, California.

I saw it It is, in fact, Galicia's "water city": Three mineral springs—Cabreiroá, Sousas, and Fontenova—are bottled here, and the DO wine region stretches all around it. I will meet you. Another famous event is the Entroido, Verín’s traditional carnival, during which the masked Cigarróns parade through the streets with whips and cowbells.

And then there's the landscape that no longer exists: Beyond Xinzo, you cross the bottom of the Antela Lagoon, which was Spain's largest freshwater lake until it was drained in 1958. The Romans built their Via Nova here—the Way of St. James follows an ancient transportation corridor.

Highlights Along the Way

• The Little Witch — the “Dilema”: this is where the Sanabrés splits into the Laza and Verín branches
• Burg Monterrei — A fortress complex with a parador high above the Támega Valley
• I saw it — A town known for its hot springs and wine, mineral springs, and the Cigarróns Carnival
• Monterrei Wine Region (DO) — Vineyards and wineries along the Támega River
• The Limia & Antela Lagoon — about the bottom of what was once Spain's largest lake
• Allariz — the Old Town on the Río Arnoia, restored to perfection
• Saint Mary of the Holy Waters — A place of pilgrimage with an ancient tradition of pilgrimage
• Ourense — right behind Pereiras: the thermal baths, Ponte Vella, and the cathedral

How Pilgrims Find Their Way onto This Path

Most come via the Camino Sanabrés Yourself: In A Gudiña, as you leave town, take the Verín turnoff. If you want to do the entire Vía de la Plata leaves from Seville, turns off onto the Sanabrés route at Granja de Moreruela, and four days later faces the same choice.

Coming from the south, this route is the natural connection: The Camino Portugués Interior From Viseu via Chaves, the route joins the main pilgrimage route in Verín—for its pilgrims, the Sanabrés route via Verín is simply the path to Santiago. Those starting directly from Verín can easily reach A Gudiña by train: The A Gudiña-Porta de Galicia AVE station is located on the Madrid–Ourense high-speed rail line.

Continue the pilgrimage?

At Pereiras, the route rejoins the Camino Sanabrés: After a little over 11 km, you’ll arrive in Ourense, the spa town on the Miño River—and from there, it’s still about 105 km via Cea and Lalín to Santiago de Compostela. It’s all part of the same route; no further decisions are needed.

Preparation & Practical Information

The best times to visit are spring and early fall: In midsummer, it gets hot on the treeless plains of A Limia, and in winter, the days are short and the highlands are harsh. Spring adorns the Albarellos Valley with blooming broom—perhaps the most beautiful time of year.

Accommodations are affordable: There are public hostels (Xunta) in A Gudiña, Verín, Trasmiras, and Xinzo de Limia, as well as guesthouses and hostales in the towns—and, as a special option, you can even spend the night in a castle at the Parador in Monterrei Castle. The easiest way to plan your stages and accommodations is directly in the Camino Ninja app, where you can add suitable lodging options to your itinerary right away.

As on all trails in Spain, you'll need a Pilgrim's Pass (Credencial), to stay overnight at the hostels and receive the Compostela at the end—starting from Ourense, the final 100 km or so will also fulfill the minimum distance requirement. It’s best to order it online in advance so that you’ll have it in time for the start of your journey.

What the journey will cost you

Plan on a daily budget of 35–55 € per person. The Xunta hostels cost €10 per night, while guesthouses and hostales range from €40 to €60. The “menú del día” and groceries are affordable in Verín, Xinzo, and Allariz; only the night at the Parador in Monterrei is in a league of its own (as of August 2026).

Getting There

After the little bell You can get there surprisingly quickly: The A Gudiña-Porta de Galicia train station is located on the Madrid–Ourense AVE line, and regional trains and buses also stop along the N-525. Those using this route as a feeder option can alternatively travel via Porto and Chaves.

Back from Ourense It's just as easy: Take the AVE to Madrid, then direct trains to Santiago and A Coruña. If you have to get off at Verín, take the bus to Ourense or A Gudiña.

• The Little Town-Gateway to Galicia: AVE/Alvia Madrid–Ourense — renfe.com
• Ourense: AVE hubs, direct trains to Santiago, Madrid, and A Coruña
• I saw it: Bus service to Ourense, A Gudiña, and Chaves (Portugal)
• Airports: Santiago (SCQ), Porto (OPO) for travelers arriving via Portugal