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Ponferrada, a medieval city with its imposing Templar castle, combines history, culture and nature, surrounded by mountains and vineyards perfect to explore.
This day has a much higher difficulty than the previous ones, but you will be rewarded with spectacular landscapes and panoramic views. Today you will say goodbye to the Maragatería and head for the capital of the Bierzo region, Ponferrada. The LE-142 road will accompany you throughout the stage, with the footpath running parallel to it. Some sections of the road are quite dangerous so we recommend that you ignore the signs and follow the road. The path gradually climbs up to Rabanal del Camino, where we recommend a stop to regain strength before starting the climb to one of the great landmarks of the French Way, the Cruz de Ferro. The pilgrim ritual here is to deposit a stone that we have brought from our place of origin or we have taken in the place where we started the route. After this short stop on the Camino, you will continue your route, starting a long descent of 18 kilometres to Molinaseca. Although there are cyclists who follow the pedestrian path, we recommend you to do this section by road. Some trails are narrow, stony, steep and often run along the edge of ravines… It has it all! After passing the Acebo we will continue descending steep slopes until we reach Molinaseca, where we can stop for lunch and rest. We say goodbye to Molinaseca following the road or the parallel path until we get to Ponferrada and finish the stage.