STAGE 09 Laza - Xunqueira de Ambia

Today's stage climbs from Laza, at an altitude of 480 metres, to the highest point at the wooden cross at 970 metres, before descending again to Xunqueira de Ambia, at 560 metres. It is advisable to start the stage well rested and with renewed energy. With abundant trees, the first town we pass through is Soutelo Verde, a small village where corn cobs hang from the balconies. Between farmland and small orchards, we arrive at Tamicelas, where we can visit the chapel of La Asunción. A steep climb that looks more like a firebreak, with beautiful views of the valley, makes us feel the weight of our backpacks.

At the end of the steep slope, we find Alberguería, a pretty village with rustic houses and a beautiful judicial rollo, which has become part of a fence. Here, we can add our signature to those of hundreds of pilgrims on one of the scallop shells decorating the walls and ceiling of the only bar in the village. When we reach a wooden cross, we begin a gentle descent, taking in the immense Limia plain as far as Vilar de Barrio, which welcomes us with a fine collection of typical Galician granaries. In this town, we will find all kinds of services for walkers. Walking along long, straight paths with our sights set on Bobadela, where the plain ends, we will begin a path that climbs and descends, among lush ferns, to Xunqueira de Ambia, a town with a hostel. Its name evokes the appearance of the Virgin of the Assumption in a reed bed, and a visit to the monastery of Santa María la Real is a must, with its beautiful cloister, interesting garden of medicinal plants and stone cross outside.