Cinco Caminos – Stage 29: Arou to Laxe (17 km) 17°C – foggy at first, then overcast and a bit windy

By Laurel

We appreciated having a shorter stage today, especially after getting tired out yesterday.  Soon after passing by the beach at Arou, our path continued to follow the coastline and went through a section of large boulders sculpted by the elements into fantastic shapes (elephants, a giant flea, etc., etc.)  We scampered around, between, and over the huge rocks, playing a game of “I Spy” the green dots (trail markers) as we went.  We managed to come out at the other end at the correct path, which took us past several ancient stone-walled field enclosures and along the tops of some short cliffs (but not scary ones).  Next, we zipped along a stretch of boardwalks over sand dunes and salt marshes, a grassy area (walking with Hannah, the young German pilgrim), and more boardwalk.  We passed through two small towns along the way, but did not stop to drink, eat, rest, or do anything else; however, we soon arrived at Laxe and ate a delicious fresh fish lunch.

Along today’s path, we met about 28 walkers (27 going the “other” way; 10 of them in one group) and in Laxe we saw another group of 21 hikers striding along.

Update from yesterday:  when we were four kms from our endpoint yesterday at Arou, we met two middle-aged men coming from that direction.  They reported that there were boulders to contend with on the beach route to Arou, so we decided to go via the road instead.  We, in turn, warned them about the rock-climbing over Monte do Veo.  Hannah told us today that she met them after they had gone past Monte do Veo and that one of the men had fallen somewhere and thought he may have broken his nose (there was blood involved).  They had a car parked by the English Cemetery, so hopefully they made it there okay.  Unfortunately, the guidebook doesn’t warn adequately about that section.

Looking back at the Arou beach on our way out of town.

Some of today’s paths.

An example of the old stone enclosures by the coast.

The sculpted boulder section.  What shapes do you see?

Looking for the green trail markers (painted dots and arrows).

Boardwalks 

In the background:  one of many beautiful unspoiled beaches along our route.