French Way from Ponferrada to Santiago de Compostela

This will be one of the stages that you will never forget, thanks to its beautiful, exciting and feared ascent to O Cebreiro, the biggest ascent of the French Way in Spanish territory. But let’s go by parts, at the exit of Villafranca del Bierzo, you have two possibilities: follow the course of the river Valcarce through the valley, or do the first 13 kilometers through the mountains, with a very strong ascent to Pradela, and a descent to the bottom of the valley where it joins the other alternative.

If you choose the valley option, 17 long and flat kilometres await you along the shoulder of the N-IV road, passing through the villages of Pereje, Trabadelo, La Portela, Ambasmestas and Vega de Valcarce, which have all the services you need to make short stops.

The ascent starts after the Herrerías. During the ascent you will leave the asphalt on a path on the left and continue through a thick forest until you reach La Faba. Here the landscape changes completely, low hills and open meadows. After 2.5 kilometres you will arrive at Laguna de Castilla, the last village of Castilla y León. One last effort and… Welcome to Galicia!