From Villadangos del Páramo to Astorga - Viajes Camino de Santiago

Information

Today we return to the tranquility of the countryside, leaving behind the asphalt of previous stages. This stage between Villadangos del Páramo and Astorga marks the farewell to the flat road and gives way to some leg-breaking stretches until you reach Compostela. As a reward, today we will enjoy one of the most magical cities of the French Way, admiring its majestic cathedral and the Episcopal Palace, the work of the genius Antonio Gaudí.

We leave the village of Villadangos del Páramo towards Astorga, crossing San Martín del Camino, where there are several establishments where we can have breakfast or take provisions for today’s route. We will take the N-120 for the last time, which will guide us for 8 kilometres until we reach Hospital de Órbigo and admire the Paso Honoroso Bridge.

Just at the exit of the village we will find a fork that gives us a choice. We can continue straight on along a monotonous road next to the national road or turn right towards Villares, a much more interesting route. The two routes coincide at the Crucero de Santo Toribio.

If we choose the second option, we will go to Villares de Órbigo where we will be able to find enough services to stop and stock up. A path leads us to Santibañez de Valdeiglesias, where every summer a race is held in one of the largest corn mazes in the world.

We leave Santibañez by an ascending path and arrive at the House of the Gods, where we can eat and drink something in exchange for a donation. We continue with few slopes until we reach the cross of Santo Toribio, from where we can see Astorga and the Montes de León with the summit of Teleno rising. We descend and enter San Justo de la Vega through Calle Real.

We cross San Justo de la Vega, cross the river Tuerto and pass behind a factory. After a small Roman bridge we return to the national road. At a roundabout we turn left and take a steeply ascending street that leads us to the Plaza de San Francisco. End of the stage.

To consider

This stage still continues along the N-120, but its detour through the town of Villares de Órbigo gives us a break from the asphalt we already know so well. This will add a couple of kilometers to the counter, but will make the experience much more enjoyable.