Via de la Plata (The Silver Route)
The Silver Rout, the longest route to Santiago de Compostela.
Starting from the vibrant city of Seville, Via de la Plata offers a unique journey crossing the Iberian Peninsula from north to south. An itinerary that runs through Andalusian lands, crossing important towns such as Castilblanco de los Arroyos or Almadén de la Plata, to fully immerse in Extremadura lands and in a typical landscape of pasture, discovering to the walkers important towns such as Zafra, Mérida, or Cáceres. Already in Castilla y León, the Vía de la Plata crosses the province of Salamanca until it reaches Zamora.
Via de la Plata Routes
Vía de la Plata Information
Via de la Plata
Although it is not one of the most popular routes of the Camino de Santiago, it is gradually gaining popularity, especially among those pilgrims who seek to escape from the overcrowding and the tourist atmosphere of other routes, or are in search of an experience that retains the essence of the first pilgrimages.
However, the entire route is perfectly signposted with yellow arrows that will make it practically impossible to get lost; it also has an infrastructure of accommodation and services more than enough for walkers who walk this route every year.
However, a crucial consideration when embarking on the Silver Route is to steer clear of the hotter months. During summer, temperatures soar, particularly in southern Spain. Many pilgrims contend with heatstroke, often leading to the premature termination of their journey. Consequently, we advise against undertaking this route, especially in July and August.
What to see and do in the Via de la Plata
- Plaza España – Seville
- The Giralda – Seville
- Seville Cathedral
- Royal Alcazar of Seville
- Theater of Mérida
- Procathedral of Santa María – Cáceres
- University of Salamanca
- Monastery of Santa María de Moreruela
- Sanabria Lake Natural Park
Thermal baths of Ourense
Monastery of Oseira
Where to start Via de la Plata?
From Seville
The magical city of the Guadalquivir is the traditional starting point of the Silver Route. If you decide to start your pilgrimage from Seville, besides being able to enjoy all the attractions of one of the most touristic cities in Spain, you will be amazed walking through Andalusian and Extremaduran lands. Through olive groves and extensive pasture landscapes that will be diluted as you approach the north of the peninsula. From this point, you will walk a total of 23 stages to join the Sanabrés Way in Granja de Moreruela or 27 stages to join the French Way in Astorga.
From Merida
Mérida is an idyllic starting point to begin the Silver Route. Called Augusta Emerita by the Romans, the city of Extremadura breathes Rome through every pore, with its amphitheater, its Roman bridge, and the famous Temple of Diana. A place that will make you travel to another time before starting your pilgrimage. From Mérida, you will travel a total of 13 stages until you join the Sanabrés Way in Granja de Moreruela, or 17 stages until you join the French Way in Astorga.
From Salamanca
The brand new university city of Salamanca is a symbiosis of history, culture, tradition, architecture, and knowledge. The southern half of the Salamanca section of this route has an important Roman legacy. You can still see parts of the Roman road, such as the Roman culverts, milestones, and bridges. From Salamanca, you can follow the Silver Route in 8 stages until you join the French Route in Astorga or 4 stages until you join the Sanabrés Route in Granja de Moreruela.
Map Silver Route
Via de la Plata: Stages to Santiago
History of Via de la Plata
We embark on a journey through ancient history, tracing the possible origins of this route. Historians suggest that its roots date back to the time of the Tartessians, who may have established a trade route known as the “Way of Tin” across the western Iberian Peninsula, named after the metal that was transported and traded along these routes.
However, the exact origins remain uncertain, as the earliest documented evidence points to the Roman era. The Vía de la Plata originated as a network of Roman cobblestone roads connecting the cities of Augusta Emerita (modern-day Mérida) and Asturica Augusta (today’s Astorga). These two cities, situated in ancient Lusitania, were vital commercial hubs linking the south and north of the Iberian Peninsula.
Following the Muslim occupation, the reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula also saw the revival of this route. Devout pilgrims of Saint James the Greater reclaimed it as a pilgrimage path to the city where the saint was laid to rest, henceforth known as the Silver Route.
Frequently asked questions about Silver Route
The Silver Route starts in Seville and has almost 1,000 kilometres to Santiago de Compostela. In terms of days and stages, it can be divided in two ways, as it depends on which Camino you end up on. This route shares the final stretch with the French Way from Astorga (León), or with the Sanabrés Way in Granja de Moreruela (Zamora):
- For the French Way, it has 38 stages, therefore, 38 days;
- For the Sanabrés Way, it has 36 stages, therefore, 36 days.
Each stage is the distance you cover in one day, from the starting point to the end of the walk, where you will spend the night. The stages can vary in distance and difficulty, and it is important to note that they can be adjusted according to your pace and physical condition. Some pilgrims choose to divide certain long or hard stages, or lengthen those that are shorter or easier to walk. It all depends on having a place to sleep.
The Silver Route starts in Seville and has almost 1000 kilometres to Santiago de Compostela. As for the stages, it can be divided in two ways, as it depends on which Camino you end up on. This route shares the final stretch with the French Way from Astorga (León), or with the Sanabrés Way in Granja de Moreruela (Zamora):
- For the French Way, it has 38 stages;
- For the Sanabrés Way, it has 36 stages.
Keep in mind that this distance may vary depending on the possible variants or complementary and alternative paths that the pilgrim decides to take during the route. Each stage would be the distance you travel in a day, from the town of beginning to the end of the walk, where you will spend the night. The stages can vary in distance and difficulty, and it is important to note that they can be adjusted according to your pace and physical condition. Some pilgrims choose to split certain long or hard stages, or to lengthen the stages to a longer distance.
The total kilometers of the Silver Route from Seville depend on how you get to Santiago de Compostela. This historic route has two possible ‘endings’:
By the French Way from Astorga (León): about 1000 kilometres;
By the French Way from Granja de Moreruela (Zamora): about 970 kilometres.
It should be borne in mind that this distance may vary depending on the possible variants or complementary and alternative paths that the pilgrim decides to take during the route.
The Silver Route, one of the historic routes of the Camino de Santiago, crosses several important rivers, streams, creeks, reservoirs and lakes along its route from Seville to Santiago de Compostela. Among the most prominent rivers crossed by pilgrims on this route are:
- Guadalquivir (Seville)
- Guadiana (Mérida)
- Tagus (Cáceres)
- Tormes (Salamanca)
- Duero (Zamora)
Continuing along the French Way:
- Esla (Zamora)
- Órbigo (León)
- Sil (León)
- Miño (Lugo)
Continuing along the Sanabrés Way:
- Miño (Ourense)
- Ulla (A Coruña)
- Sar (A Coruña)
The Silver Route was not originally created as a pilgrimage route, but as a Roman road built during the Roman Empire. Its main purpose was to connect the cities of Emerita Augusta (present-day Mérida) and Asturica Augusta (present-day Astorga), facilitating trade, military transport and communications throughout the Iberian Peninsula.
Over time, this route became a strategic route for trade, warfare and the pilgrims from southern Spain who used it to reach Santiago de Compostela.
Silver’ has nothing to do with the transport of this material. The name of this route comes from the pronunciation of the Arabic term ‘balath’, which means ‘paved road’, in relation to the Roman road.
Posts related to the Silver Route
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Portuguese Way
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Portuguese Way along the coast
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Sanabrian Way
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