Stage 23. Astorga – Rabanal del Camino (20.2 km)

With its sights set on the Montes de León, the French Way enters the region of La Maragatería. The stage between Astorga and Rabanal del Camino crosses lands of muleteers and merchants, has a very singular architecture and a gastronomic speciality that will make you drop two tears, the spectacular cocido maragato.

In the first stretch of the stage we can opt for a small variant that brings us closer to the Castillo de Polvazares, a highly recommended detour that will add another kilometre to our stage.

Would you like to walk this stage with your accommodation already booked? These organised trips include it: French Way from Astorga to Santiago de Compostela, French Way from Roncesvalles to Santiago de Compostela and French Way from Leon to O Cebreiro.

A short, comfortable stage through the Maragatería. You leave lovely Astorga and, if you feel like it, detour to Castrillo de los Polvazares, a jewel of Maragato architecture declared a Historic Site. Between Santa Catalina de Somoza and El Ganso, with their old muleteer-flavoured houses, and already among oaks and pines, you reach Rabanal del Camino, end of stage in the old Codex Calixtinus.