(S) At the main crossroads in Negreira head down the cobbled street Carreira San Mauro (bar Galaecia on the corner) in a southwesterly direction. Go past the auditorio on the left and a chemist on the right. Go under the archway (Pazo do Coton) and on over the Barcala river. There's a well indicated alternative route off to the right that runs next to the river (through a beautiful setting, avoiding the road, and returns to the official route after 3.2 km). Our recommendation is, without a doubt, to take this alternative route along the river, with abundant shade and without danger. Both routes, after some climbs, converge shortly before entering the village of Zas.
(1) Head northwest through the village and once you've gone past the last couple of houses take the path leading off to the left, across country past Os Pousos and O Camiño Real. The route goes up the valley of the river Barcala, in the shade of thick forests of oak, chestnut and eucalyptus. After 3.3 km our route passes through O Rapote (where there is a fountain), and 1.1 km further on we pass by the access to the Alto da Pena cafeteria-hostel, which is 50 meters away. Keeping on the path we arrive, after 700 meters, at the hamlet of A Pena (Piaxé). Here is the church of Saint Mamede. From here the route heads down to the main DP-5603 road at Portocamiño.
(2) Turn right along the road, past a bus-stop on the right and round a long bend to the left. Take the turn off to the right, where there is an option at a fork inmediately at the turn off. The official route continues to the left, first along a dirt road but soon returning to the asphalt of the road, during a dangerous section with hardly any hard shoulder; on the contrary, the alternative route (which is the one recommended) goes further to the right (past a water tank) and continues to Vilaserío always along dirt roads, without increasing the distance. In Vilaserío, where there is a bar-restaurant and two private hostels, both routes converge. Cross the main road to walk down a narrow track past houses to go through the hamlet, then right on the tarmacked road to go back up to the main DP-5603 road, turning left to walk along this road for a couple of km to reach O Cornado.
(3) Turn right off the main road and up to the crossroads in the hamlet. Turn left, to go out onto a pleasant dirt track; after 1 km it ends at a local road. Follow this to the right for 350 meters, then turn left onto a forest track, flanked at first by eucalyptus. We continue along this straight track with some sharp bends and forks, typical of small-holder farming, first uphill and later downhill, over a small bridge and into the village of As Maroñas. Weave through the farmhouses to a crossroads (sign for Casa Pepa) and turn left past an Hórreo. Bear right to leave the village and follow a country track southwest for 1 km to a T-junction. Turn left (sign for Casa Pepa) and walk into the hamlet of Santa Mariña. Check out the local church and the recreational area.
