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Wise Pilgrim APPThe camino delivers you directly to the front door of the Monasterio de Santa Maria de Armenteira, a 12th-century Cistercian foundation set in a quiet valley. The church's Romanesque portal and the cloister are the highlights. Two bars in town — the one directly in front is the more popular. The albergue is a few hundred metres further along, following the arrows.
From Armenteira, the camino joins the Ruta da Pedra e da Auga — a popular local trail following a creek downhill to sea level, passing dozens of abandoned water mills. The right-hand side of the creek keeps you closer to the mills and the water. The walking is beautiful and the descent is gradual.
According to legend, a monk named Ero founded the monastery and one day walked into the nearby woods, where he sat listening to a bird sing. When he returned, 300 years had passed. The story of San Ero is one of Galicia's most enduring legends and is similar to the tale of Rip Van Winkle — though it predates it by several centuries.
From Armenteira the camino joins a popular (among locals) trail known as the Ruta de la Piedra y del Agua. It follows along a creek, with trails on both sides, as it descends to sea level. Along the way, it passes several dozen abandoned water mills. Note that although you can safely and easily follow both sides of the river, it is the right-hand side that keeps you closer to the mills and the water.
