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Ponferrada is the capital of the region of Bierzo, the best prelude to Galicia. Emerged under the protection of the Camino de Santiago in the eleventh century, it has become throughout history an essential site for the French Way, so the former Templar capital will be the best starting point for your Camino. In this stretch of the French Way from Ponferrada to Santiago, you will discover a lot of similarities between the Leonese region of El Bierzo and the Galician community, both in its culture and nature as well as in its language and gastronomy. You will discover medieval villages, cathedrals, Templar castles and beautiful natural landscapes such as the Bierzo Valley and O Courel.

Entering the ancient forests of chestnut and oak trees, you will make your way to Compostela. Numerous hórreos, castros, hermitages and cruceiros will guide you through the small villages that make up the deepest Galicia, where delicious delicacies are grown and worked that will become that comforting prize at the end of each stage.

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Travel Itinerary

The capital of El Bierzo is a great place for a relaxing day before starting your French Way from Ponferrada. So you know, enjoy.

You are in the land of the Templars and you will have the opportunity to visit one of the best preserved castles of this medieval order. The Templar Castle of Ponferrada is the main tourist attraction of the city and can be visited almost 100%. And if you like museums, there are four not to be missed: the Energy Museum, the Railway Museum, the Radio Museum and the Bierzo Museum. And after the cultural visits… what better than enjoying a good dinner with products from the region. The best cecina of Castilla y León is here!

The familiar yellow arrows of the Camino lead us through the ancient streets of the capital of Bierzo, up to the walls of the famous Castillo del Temple. We leave Ponferrada, after crossing the bridge over the river Sil. The current route avoids the industrial areas by turning off to the northwest towards the small towns of Columbrianos and Fuentes Navas, continuing towards Camponaraya.

Shortly after passing this last town, the reference point is the wineries of the Cooperative of El Bierzo, where you take a dirt track on the left that crosses the A-6 motorway again and after a hill the road runs through pleasant fields of vines to the capital of cherries: Cacabelos.

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!

Before leaving O Cebreiro you will be able to contemplate one of the best panoramic views of the eastern mountain of Galicia. This is undoubtedly the most beautiful stage of your trip, but also the most mountainous so we recommend you to take it easy and enjoy every step.

Once you reach the top of the Alto de San Roque we assure you that you will feel small, not only because of the magnitude of the views, but also because of the gigantic statue of a pilgrim fighting against the wind that watches over the summits. A last effort will take you to the highest point of the French Way in its Galician section, the Alto del Poio at 1,337 metres above sea level.

From here you can breathe easy, because the descent will be a pleasant walk that crosses small villages until you reach Triacastela, where a huge centenary chestnut tree will welcome you.

Today’s stage begins with a dilemma as two alternatives are presented. Choosing will not be easy, but whatever decision you make, we assure you that you will get it right.

The official route through San Xil is 18.1 km to Sarria, during which you will pass through lush forests of chestnut, oak and birch trees and small villages with hardly any services. Undoubtedly the best option if you want to enjoy a fully rural day.

A little longer is the Camino through the variant of Samos, which has 25 km to the end of the stage. As it is a secondary route, a large part of the journey is by road until you reach Samos, where you will find its spectacular monastery, one of the most important in Galicia.

Today’s journey is an easy and friendly route for pilgrims. You will cross rivers and forests and find small churches and villages, with plenty of places to stop and have a drink, and as soon as you reach the banks of the river Miño, you will find the charming village of Portomarín, resplendent with whitewashed houses and slate roofs. An end of stage that you will fall in love with and that keeps a secret under the waters of the reservoir.

On this day you will head to Palas de Rei, a stage with some unevenness in which you will combine road and mountain along 25 kilometers, with sections that are a bit heavy due to the asphalt. The most important landmark of the stage is the Castromaior site, a good example of an ancient Celtic settlement. The route continues through small villages where you will find small bars where you can get refreshments.

ALDEA DE GONZAR: In Gonzar we can find the church of Santa Maria, small, of very marked Romanesque style and well preserved.

CASTRO DE CASTROMAIOR. It is worth taking a detour from the Camino to visit the Castro de Castromairor, a site that bears witness to the Celtic past of the Galician community.

CRUCEIRO DE LAMEIROS: When you reach the village of Lameiros you will find one of the most famous crosses of the Camino de Santiago, dating from 1679.

PALAS DE REI: Once in Palas, it is worth visiting the Church of San Tirso. Dating from 1955, it integrates a 12th century Romanesque door. Next to it is a baroque mansion and the statue of the Virgen del Socorro.

This is the longest stage of the French Route within the Galician community, so we recommend taking it easy and enjoying the surroundings, as it is also one of the most beautiful stretches of the route.

A stop in Melide, the capital of Galician octopus, is a must for every pilgrim. After regaining strength, the last few kilometres won’t take much effort. You will also find a small oasis in Ribadiso de Abaixo, where, if the weather is fine, you can take a dip.

This stage is a pleasant walk on flat and comfortable terrain, with plenty of bars and restaurants that will encourage you to take it easy. You will alternate between villages and pine and eucalyptus forests. Small towns like Salceda mark the halfway point of the stage, a perfect stop to recharge your batteries before the last kilometres of the stage.

At last the last stage of your journey is here. As we said before, the sooner you start walking today the better, because the sooner you will get to Santiago de Compostela.

Once you arrive at Monte do Gozo, you will discover that pleasant sensation when you first see the towers of the cathedral. A perfect panoramic view before savouring your last kilometres and making the triumphal entrance to the Plaza del Obradoiro.

This last day you are in charge, you can go back home or enjoy one more day in Santiago. And how beautiful is Compostela.

Did you know that all roads end in Finisterre? If you feel like walking and you have 5 more days, we encourage you to complete the 5 stages that separate Santiago from Finisterre. The most magical and spiritual route that hides real treasures such as Ponte Maceira, one of the most beautiful villages in Spain or the extraordinary sunset of the Finisterre lighthouse.

Map of the Way

French Way from Ponferrada to Santiago de Compostela map

Type of accommodation

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In hostels and pensions from Ponferrada

It is the most popular option for pilgrims seeking privacy and tranquility without involving a large outlay of money. The hostels, guesthouses and rural cottages are family-run establishments with few rooms and common areas in which to exchange experiences with other travellers. Rooms with private bathroom simple, comfortable, without great luxury, but very cozy. You will be able to choose between double, twin, triple or even quadruple rooms for those travelling as a family .
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In private hostels from Ponferrada

Hostels are the perfect option if you are travelling alone, have a low budget or want to live the Camino de Santiago experience to the fullest. The ideal accommodation to meet other pilgrims, live together and experience all the values of this magical journey. They have mixed rooms organized in bunk beds, bathrooms separated by sexes, equipped kitchens, laundry and common areas where you can relax and enjoy unforgettable evenings with your travel companions.
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In hotels and superior accommodation from Ponferrada

Are you looking for a plus in quality and want to guarantee maximum rest and comfort after each stage? We offer you the best hotels along the Camino de Santiago. Ideal facilities to relax, with a wide range of complementary services (elevator, restaurant, room service, transfers, etc.). All rooms have private bathroom and you can choose between single, double, twin, double or triple. They have gardens, terraces, large communal areas and many of them also have a swimming pool.

Detalles

Services included

11 days / 10 nights accommodation11 days / 10 nights accommodation
Luggage transfer during the stagesLuggage transfer during the stages
Complete documentationComplete documentation
Pilgrim’s CredentialPilgrim’s Credential
On-the-road emergency telephone assistanceOn-the-road emergency telephone assistance
Travel insuranceTravel insurance

Optional Services

ServicioIn hostels and pensions from PonferradaIn hotels and superior accommodation from PonferradaIn private hostels from Ponferrada
BreakfastBreakfast85€ per person95€ per personNot available
MP (Breakfast and dinner)MP (Breakfast and dinner)235€ per person260€ per personNot available
Supplement for single roomSupplement for single room245€ per single room285€ per single roomNot available
Extra night in Santiago de CompostelaExtra night in Santiago de Compostela95€ (single room) / 145€ (double room)120€ (single room) / 150€ (double room)25€ per person
Breakfast Breakfast
In hostels and pensions from Ponferrada 85€ per person
In hotels and superior accommodation from Ponferrada 95€ per person
In private hostels from Ponferrada Not available
MP (Breakfast and dinner) MP (Breakfast and dinner)
In hostels and pensions from Ponferrada 235€ per person
In hotels and superior accommodation from Ponferrada 260€ per person
In private hostels from Ponferrada Not available
Supplement for single room Supplement for single room
In hostels and pensions from Ponferrada 245€ per single room
In hotels and superior accommodation from Ponferrada 285€ per single room
In private hostels from Ponferrada Not available
Extra night in Santiago de Compostela Extra night in Santiago de Compostela
In hostels and pensions from Ponferrada 95€ (single room) / 145€ (double room)
In hotels and superior accommodation from Ponferrada 120€ (single room) / 150€ (double room)
In private hostels from Ponferrada 25€ per person

Photos

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Frequently Asked Questions

In this modality you will do the Camino de Santiago at your own pace and you will only have to worry about choosing the route you like the most, the type of accommodation and your departure date. If you choose this option you will travel alone or with the people that appear in your reservation, and you will have all the services included so that you only have to worry about walking and enjoying the experience.

The Camino de Santiago on your own includes the following services

  • Accommodation
  • Luggage transport
  • Dossier with information about the stages
  • Pilgrim's credential
  • On-the-road helpline
  • Travel insurance

In addition, you can customize your trip by adding the following optional services

  • Breakfast or half board
  • Private transfers to the start of the stage from Santiago de Compostela or from the airport.
  • Extra night at the beginning or end of the stage

Unlike the group trips, no bus service, guide or support vehicle is included between stages. But you will have a 24-hour hotline where you can contact us in case of any problem or unforeseen event, which we will solve quickly.

Yes, you will have total freedom to choose your departure date. However, if you want to do your Camino de Santiago in the months of December, January and February, we recommend that you check availability before making your reservation. At this time of year most accommodation is closed and many services may not be available.

In your travel documents, you will find the names of the accommodations assigned to you, as well as their contact telephone number and location.   As a general rule, all accommodation are located in the centre of the different towns along the Pilgrims' Route to Santiago de Compostela, without the need to deviate too far from the route. But sometimes, due to lack of availability, it is possible that some accommodation may be a little far from the village or even in neighbouring towns.   For all the accommodations that are at a considerable distance from the route of the Camino, we will provide you with a free taxi service that you can use to get to your accommodation and return to the Camino the next morning.   In any case, these are exceptions that we will inform you at the time of booking.

Luggage transport service by default is included in all our trips and it is not necessary to request it. You can enjoy the Camino de Santiago without the burden of carrying your luggage on your back, knowing that your suitcase will be waiting for you at your next accommodation upon your arrival.   Along with your credential, you'll also receive stickers. Cover these stickers with the requested information and stick them in a visible place on your suitcase.   Upon arrival at your accommodation, we suggest asking at the reception where you can leave your luggage. You'll need to leave your luggage at the designated spot early in the morning for our carrier to pick it up. This ensures that when you arrive at your next accommodation, your luggage will already be waiting for you.

We have a taxi service that you can hire whenever you need it. You can hire it, for example, to go from the airport to the start of your Camino, or to go from Santiago to your starting point to pick up your car once you finish the stage.   The price of the transfers will depend on the distance from your point of origin to the destination. If you have any questions about this service do not hesitate to contact us.

We provide mandatory insurance coverage with every trip to safeguard you against any potential inconveniences during the Camino de Santiago. You'll receive the insurance policy along with your travel documents.

The basic travel insurance included in our packages offers extensive coverage against unforeseen events, ensuring you'll receive guaranteed medical assistance and numerous benefits. You can review the specifics in the General Conditions of Travel Insurance.

In your travel documents, you'll find an emergency telephone number where we're accessible while you're on the road. This ensures you'll journey with peace of mind, knowin our team members will assist you with any problems, incidents, or questions you encounter along your Camino de Santiago.

To make a reservation, you can follow these steps:

  1. Through our website: Select the route you want and follow the steps indicated in the form. Provide your personal information and that of your companions, choose the type of accommodation, room distribution, meals, transfers, bike rental, etc.
  2. By email: If you prefer to make the reservation by email or need a personalized trip, you can send us an email to [email protected]. We will provide you with the necessary information to complete the reservation via email.

It is important to note that if the routes or services available on the website do not meet your specific needs, you can request a personalized quote by sending an email to [email protected].

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