I started walking the Francés Way on February 2. It is the most popular of the different ways of Saint James Way; walking the last 115 km (70 miles) is one of the most popular routes to gain your passport and be able to experience to be a pilgrim.
The first day I walked from Sarria to Portomarin though beautiful countryside and meeting many people. I ended the day Staying in Portomarin a city that was rebuilt when the reservoir was bound to cover it. The church was relocated block by block.
The second Day I walked from Portomarin to Palas del Rei; along the way I met a wonderful family from Canada. It was the second day of around 24km (15 miles). Outside of Palas de Rei there is a Castle.
Melide
From Melide to Arzúa
Horrios for storing grain
Arzúa to O’Pedrouzo
O’Pedrouzo to Santiago de Compostela ! What a fun Journey !
Monforte with the Monastery a town about 1 1/2 East of Santiago
Doade – near Monforte, has a Huge canyon of terraced vineyards and at the bottom Is the river Sil ⤴️ More around Santiago ⤵️ A great park and University too!
Levadas are canals taking water from the Northern wet side of the island to the dryer Southern side. Hiking trails go along side the Levadas and with the subtropical temps in Madeira it makes for ideal hikes!
Calla lilies were growing all over. Madeira is called the hiking island by Germans but is also known for flowers too.
Each Hiking trail had its own microclimate and types of plants.
Some Levadas had lots of stairs, rushing water down the Levada, lots of waterfalls and ferns.
Waterfall
Sometimes getting to the Levada was a bit tricky with watching out for cows in the road.
This island has more tunnels than I’ve ever seen!
This Levada had unique tunnels
This guy was right on the trail.
Eyeing my bread
This Levada trail (above) had over 10 tunnels and you needed a flashlight to go through them. The tunnel pictured is over 1 kilometer long. There’s not much room between the rock wall and the Levada Either 😬 and yes, that is the light at the end of the tunnel. 😃