San Romao da Retorta - Melide

The official one is marked by the Xunta de Galicia signs and goes past Seixalbos, A Ponte Campana and Xende to the bridge at Ferreira. It is one kilometre longer than the other alternative. The other route is called Via Romana and goes through Castrelo, O Burgo and Santa Maria de Pacio. 

Both routes meet after 8 kilometres in O Carballal. If you continue walking, you will enter the municipality of Palas de Rei through San Xurxo and Augas Santas. Merlán is the last village in the province of Lugo and from there you have 70 kilometres left to reach Santiago de Compostela.

You enter the province of A Coruña through the municipality of Toques. You go past the villages of Vilouriz and Vilamor until you get to the famous town of Melide.

There you can see the oldest cruceiro in Galicia, the cruceiro de Melide, a 14th-century stone cross by the Chapel of San Roque, built with materials coming from the medieval churches of San Pedro and San Roque.

Near the square, you will find the Museo da Terra de Melide, built on the site of a 15th-century pilgrims' hospital whose façade is still extant. The Museum is of great importance for the people of Melide as it recalls the history of the town.

In Melide, you will find one of the few existing Romanesque altars, preserved in the church of Santa María de Melide, a national monument.

It is said that octopus is best enjoyed inland and Melide is the right place for that. You can also taste their famous sweets, the melindres, the rico and the almendrado.