Camino Frances: Leon to Santiago -17 Days

A vibrant city, Leon is one of the most popular starting points along the Camino trail and for good reason! Its history is depicted through a wealth of fine architecture. Home to one of Spain’s most significant Renaissance buildings, the Convento de San Marcos dates back to the 12th century and was originally built as a hospital shelter for pilgrims travelling along the Camino. Leon also boasts Casa Botines, the work of Antoni Gaudi (the characteristics of which he used in his later work in the Sagrada Familia, Barcelona). Later in the evening, stroll the historic narrow streets, bursting with lively tapas bars and restaurants.

Meals included: None
Accommodation: El rincón del Conde or Hotel Silken Luis de León or of a similar standard in León

Walk from the urban outskirts of Leon passing through the hilltop suburb of La Virgen del Camino with its large modern Basilica. Built on the ruins of a 17 th Century church, the façade features 13 images by famous sculptor José María Subirachs. Pass through a series of small villages and end the day in Villar de Mazarife.

Walk: 23km
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Mesón Albergue Tío Pepe or of a similar standard in Mazarife

From Villar de Mazarife, continue through farmlands to the medieval town of Hospital de Orbigo crossing the 200m-long arched bridge of Paso Honroso (“Honourable Crossing”) which dates from the 12 th Century. In June each year, the town hosts a colourful festival to commemorate the medieval knight, Don Suero, who famously challenged all comers to joust with him on the Paso Honroso as a display of his affection for his true love. The Camino continues through the small hamlets before a short climb to the larger hilltop town of Astorga, your destination for today. Founded by the Romans in 14BC, the remains of some of the original Roman walls and ruins of Roman villas with beautiful mosaic floors can still be seen. You can also visit Gaudi’s impressive Episcopal Palace, the Astorga Cathedral, and if you have time, the chocolate museum which recreates the ambiance of a chocolate shop in the late 1800s.

Walk: 30km
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Gaudí Astorga or Hotel Spa Ciudad de Astorga or of a similar standard in Astorga

A gentle incline across farmland leads through the region of la Maragateria.  Alternating between open plains and trails of heather and oak trees, the small patches of forest have offered shade for many a Camino hiker over the years on the ascent to the sleepy village of Rabanal del Camino. Rabanal was once a significant town during the middle ages with many churches and a hospital founded and run by Templar monks.

Walk: 21.5km
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: La Posada Gaspar or Posada el Tesín or of a similar standard in Rabanal del Camino

Leaving Rabanal, the route climbs towards the high point of Cruz Ferro (iron cross). At just 1500m, take a moment to enjoy the far-reaching views across the Camino. There are many theories as to the origins of the cross, but it is believed to have been erected in the 11th century. Traditionally, pilgrims will leave a small rock with a message on it for loved ones who they have bought from home. From the cross, the route descends into the delightful village of Molinaseca. This is your destination today or continue to Ponferrada.

Walk: 26.5km
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Aroi Bierzo Plaza or Hotel Alda Centro Ponferrada or of a similar standard in Ponferrada

Within a couple of hours of leaving Molinaseca, you will reach Ponferrada, a former outpost of the Knights of the Templar. Do take time here to explore the magnificent castle which is said to have once housed the knights. With an abundance of cafes, this is also a great opportunity to sample the traditional Camino almond cake and café con leche. Walking onwards to Villafranca, enter the wine region of Bierzo and pass through several small villages before arriving at Villafranca del Bierzo.

Walk: 31km
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel La Puerta del Perdón or Hostal Restaurante Méndez “El Guardia” or of a similar standard in Villafranca del Bierzo

Today walk to the farming hamlet of Las Herrerias de Valcarce, the penultimate stop in Castilla Y Leon before crossing into Galicia. The familiar scallop shell markers guide you on your way across rolling farmland and deep into a lush valley, as you follow the Valcarce River. There are some steep climbs today so we would suggest leaving in good time to allow plenty of time to take the day at a steady pace. This is one of the most challenging days.

Walk: 18km
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Posada Real Paraiso del Bierzo or of a similar standard in Las Herrarias de Valcarce

Set off early so you can pace yourself on the steady climb to O Cebreiro. On arrival, take the opportunity to rest and explore the dry-stone houses complete with thatched roofs in the most charming of settings! In the town, you may even encounter musicians playing folk music with a ‘galleta galleo’ (bagpipes), which stems from the Celtic connection in the middle ages.

Walk: 9km
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Casa Carolo or Hotel O Cebreiro or of a similar standard in O Cebreiro

Having completed a couple of days of climbing, you can enjoy a gently undulatting trail to Triacastela. Peppered with hamlets and villages, there are plenty of opportunities today to take a break, find some shade and rest your feet. Although destroyed by the Normans in the 10th century, Tricastela was named after the 3 castles surrounding the settlement. Nowadays this is the last stop before joining the final 100km of the Camino at Sarria the following night.

Walk: 22km
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Complexo Xacobeo Albergue & Pensión or Pension Casa Simón or of a similar standard in Triacastela

Today you can choose from two routes. Either take the shorter direct route to Sarria or take the more challenging alternative trail via the town of Samos and its remarkable Benedictine Monastery which has long been a significant stop on the Camino Frances. On arrival in Sarria, follow the Way through the historic centre which features the 13th Century Gothic church of San Salvador. Sarria is where the vast majority of pilgrims begin their Camino. From here it is just over 100km to Santiago de Compostela.

Walk: 25km
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Alfonso IX or Duerming Villa de Sarria or of a similar standard in Sarria

Begin the day by walking through a woodland of ancient oak, birch and chestnut forests. Marked by the famous scallop shell waymarks of this world-renowned route, stroll alongside fellow pilgrims as the trail undulates across grazing pastures and farm tracks, passing through tiny hamlets where you see many traditional barns. Descend into Portomarin via the bridge across the Mino Reservoir, the former site of Portomarin town. In the 1960s Portomarin was moved brick by brick to higher ground, including the imposing structures of the San Nicolas and San Pedro churches.

Walk: 23km
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Pousada de Portomarin or Vistalegre Hotel or of a similar standard in Portomarin

The day begins with a steady climb through pine forests, corn fields and across meadows. Today’s high point is Sierra Ligonde (720m). Here you can make a small detour to the 14th-century Romanesque church of El Salvador at Vilar de Donas, a national monument to the Knights of Santiago. The last gentle climb of the day passes through age-old villages before descending into the town of Palas de Rei (Palace of the Kings), where you will spend the night.

Walk: 26km
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Casa Benilde or Pensión Restaurante Casa Camiño or of a similar standard in Palas de Rei

A long but manageable day which follows secluded trails through woodlands and into a region dotted with medieval castles, churches and ancient settlements. After leaving Palas de Rei you will soon reach the classic Camino village of San Xulian with its tiny 12th-century church. The trail continues to climb, crossing Porto de Boi and through the villages of Campanilla and Leboreiro, where you can visit a 13th-century Romanesque church. Before arriving in Arzua you pass the ancient town of Melide, famous for the classic Galician dish of “pulpo a galega” (octopus).

Walk: 29km
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Casa Teodora or Hotel Arzúa or of a similar standard in Arzua

The penultimate day of walking weaves its way towards Santiago across farmland and woodland. The trail heads through several villages, including Cortobe and Fondevila which have seemingly stood still in time since the middle ages. A gentle ascent leads up to the 18th-century hilltop chapel of Santa Irene (named after a Christian martyr). The last few km of today’s route follow a shaded trail through eucalyptus woods before arriving in the lively town of Rua your destination for today.

Walk: 17km
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel O’Pino or Pensión Residencial Platas or of a similar standard in Rua or O Pedrouzo

Today, the Camino leads you into the heart of Santiago de Compostela to the majestic cathedral in Plaza de Obradoiro. Leaving Rua, rural trails give way to an urban environment as fellow walkers begin to converge for the last leg of this historic route. As you pass through Lavacolla, before crossing the stream, tradition would usually see pilgrims bathe and purify themselves in preparation for their arrival to Santiago. The final stretch to Santiago heads into the magnificent historic centre where you can present your pilgrim passport and receive your ‘Compostela’ certificate. With 2 nights in Santiago, you can relax and recharge your legs this afternoon, before exploring this UNESCO listed city tomorrow.

Walk: 23km
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Lux Santiago or Hotel Costa Vella or of a similar standard in Santiago de Compostela

A day to rest and enjoy the spectacular atmosphere of this world-famous city. You can return to Plaza de Obradoiro and the Cathedral built in honour of Saint James and depending on the day, you may even be able to attend mass. For some, the journey continues onto Finisterre, which in Roman times was thought to be the end of the world. After another 4 days of walking, many pilgrims continued to the coast to bathe after their long journeys. Nowadays, the additional days of walking add a closing chapter to your Camino experience. If you wish to add Finisterre to your experience, this can easily be done for you. Just let us know at the time of booking.

Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Same as previous night in Santiago de Compostela

Depending on your onward travel plans, you can spend the morning soaking up the atmosphere of the plaza before heading off on your journey home.

Meals Included: Breakfast