Costa da Vela and Cabo do Home Route

Are you going to spend a few days in the Pontevedra estuary?

Then you can't miss this easy hiking route along the Costa da Vela to Cabo do Home.

The route to Cabo do Home that I wish I had taken

The walking path I have marked on the map at the end of this post is the one I would have loved to walk.

It is an easy circular route with a length of about 10 km and little slope that passes through several points of interest:

Postcard-worthy beaches.
Panoramic viewpoints towards infinity.
Headlamps with history.
And even the remains of a castreño settlement.

It would have been like this:

Trekking along the Costa da Vela and Cabo do Home step by step

Park next to the Caracola do Cabo do Home in the morning with everything you need in your backpack for the day (bathing suits and a towel included).
Head towards the Cabo do Home lighthouse by the path that follows the sea.
Reach the nearby Punta Robaleira lighthouse.
On the way to the third lighthouse at Subrido point you will probably want to stop for a swim (or a walk along the shore, depending on the temperature) at Melide beach, a beautiful white cove that you will have seen if you have already boarded the boat that takes you to the Cíes Islands.
From there, return along the opposite side of the ledge until you reach Barra beach (nudist). Fancy another swim?
Afterwards, return to Donón to cross the village and visit the Facho de Donón, the remains of an ancient castreño settlement.
And finally, return to the parking lot next to the Caracola do Cabo do Home to watch the sunset from it before returning to your accommodation.

The walk along the Costa da Vela that I did make

Why didn't I meet my goal?

Because that day dawned rainy, my favorite photographer was half sick and we had too many tasks pending on the calendar.

So we spent the day resting and working in our rural hotel.

However, when the afternoon came, we went to the viewpoint of the Caracola de Cabo do Home and walked along the Costa da Vela while the sun was setting.

We didn't make it to the lighthouse, but the views gave us the perfect excuse to return next year 😉.

What to bring

Food and water: if you are only going to watch the sunset, you don't need to bring anything (at most a little water). But if you are going to do the whole route, remember to pack everything you need (at least 1.5 liters of water per person).
Sun protection: for the sunset, sunglasses are enough. But if you want to do the whole tour, also take sunscreen and a cap.
Dress: dress in layers, add some warm clothes for when the sun goes down and pull on your hiking shoes.

Where to stay

Although near the Caracola there are accommodations with good orientation to see the sunset from your own terrace (right next to the Caracola), we chose to sleep in Cangas del Morrazo, better connected to the port to visit the Cíes Islands or Vigo.

Specifically, we spent 3 days doing "workation" (that is, working and vacationing at the same time) at Casa Rural la Garita.

It is a beautiful B&B, very comfortable and with free parking at the east end of Cangas, right where the beach ends.

From there to the parking lot of the Caracola de Cabo do Home it takes about 25 minutes by car.

The best thing about the house is that it has its own parking, few rooms (it is very quiet) and a large living room overlooking the estuary where we took the opportunity to advance some remote work.

Where to eat

If you want to have dinner there you can take advantage of the bar under the Hotel Caracola Cabo do Home.

I have to admit that we were in the mood for something other than octopus and seafood, so we ordered a couple of hamburgers... I don't recommend them.

When hungry, everything goes in, but they are not homemade at all.

However, I'm sure they have other local dishes that are better.

Would you prefer to dine in Cangas again? Then I recommend the Tapería O Pelao.

And once there, let yourself be recommended by the waiters 😉.