(S) From the centre of Melide, head west along Rúa San Pedro, that then becomes Rúa Principal taking us past the Capela do Carme and onto a country track out of the town. Cross over the N-547 using the zebra-crossing and head south-west along the CP-4603 indicated towards Santa María. Just after another zebra-crossing, turn right to head west past the church of Santa María de Melide. Follow the track with the walled meadow on the left and the church and cemetery on the right. A little way further on, the route goes past the renovated laundry washing troughs and through O Carballal and Ponte de Penas. On the other side of some woods, the route crosses the River Catasol then climbs up to meet the N-547 near Barreiro de Abaixo.
(1) A path to the side of the road (left hand side) allows us to avoid the tarmac and after about 100 m we take the path off to the left, back into the woods, sign-posted with a Camino post and shell. This track takes us down to the Rego de Valverde through a long stretch of woods. The climb up takes us through A Peroxa and meets the N-547 again at Boente de Arriba. Keep heading west along the main road as far as the church of Santiago and then turn right to head through the village, along a track that crosses anther track and ends up back at the main N-547 road. Cross straight over and take the track down to the River Boente. At a T-junction, turn right to head north then north-west to follow at a distance the N-547 coming up to a tarmacked road (bridge to the right) to keep straight on through Fonte Plata, passing the bar "No Camino".
(2) Keep heading along this side road, bearing left at the Albergue Santiago, sign-posted to O Río. Keep heading west past farm building and horses to go through O Pedrifo and O Río. At a junction, where the route bears left, there is a pleasant "Pilgrims Resting Area" with benches and tables (and shade). Continue along the main track, straight over a crossroads and bear right at a fork. Then, almost immediately turn left into the woods and over a hill to drop down again to cross the N-547 over a bridge. The country lane takes us through the hamlet of Trigás and into Rivadiso.
(3) The route takes us over the River Iso as we enter Rivadiso and past the Meson Rural. Keep heading west along the main track, out of the village and up the hill passing farm buildings until you reach a T-junction. Turn left to meet up with the main N-547 road. Cross straight over, up a narrow path to continue on a local road to reach the café and Albergue Milpés. Turn right along the local road behind the Albergue and follow the curve round to the left to meet up again with the N-574 near the warehouse of Tapicerias del Iso. Turn left and follow the main road west, along a dirt footpath on the left that avoids walking on the tarmac. There are some sparsely growing hedges that will eventually block out some of the traffic when fully grown. When you get to Pension Restaurante O Retiro, we are in Arzúa.
(4) Our route takes us along the main road through the town. There are plenty of bars, restaurants, shops and other facilities. When you see a building on the right "Xulgado", which is the local courthouse, bear left alongside the tourist information centre (and Hostal Teodora) to follow Rúa Cima do Lugar. As you pass the Chapel Magdalena, the main square in up to the right and there are a number of allergies around the area. However, our route continues westward, along Calle Carmen and across Rúa Xosé Neira Vilas (AC-905), past the Albergue Da Fonte and past the small cross on a pedestal. Keep left here, down the flagged lane and dirt track to eventually cross the river Vello (more of a stream really) before entering the woods at a sign for As Barrosas. Rúa das Barrosas becomes Rúa Río Vello when we cross over a track and takes us up to a yellow-coloured building. Bear left along the track, then right at a fork. This lane takes us down to the river Brandeso and through the hamlet of Pregontoño.
(5) Follow the signs for the Camino as you weave your way through the hamlet to reach a tunnel under the N-574 and up to a local road that joins the N-574 but we need to go right along this local road to reach A Peroxa and maybe pop into the shop A Granxa de Tato. Keep heading west to cross the Rego do Ladrón and along a track that keeps south of A Uceira to reach our destination for this stage, the Albergue Taberna Vella in As Quintas (Burres).(E) As Quintas (Burres)
