THE SILVER ROUTE: FROM SALAMANCA TO PUEBLA DE SANABRIA (225 Kms)

Salamanca – El Cubo de la Tierra del Vino

Medium-High 7h36,4 Km

The route of this stage is quite long and there are areas devoid of services. For these reasons it can be considered to divide this stage in two, spending the night in the Calzada de Valdunciel. The Way departs from Salamanca in the direction of Aldeaseca de la Armuña, to continue towards Castellanos de Villiquera. Walking between footpaths and dirt roads you will arrive at Calzada de Valdunciel, from where you will have 20 kilometres left to reach El Cubo del Vino. This last part of the stage is the most complicated, as there are no services or towns until the end, so we recommend getting well prepared before leaving.

El Cubo de la Tierra del Vino, is a small town that owes its name to its winemaking tradition and its large extensions of vineyards. Unfortunately, these areas were devastated by a plague and at present it only preserves small redoubts and a multitude of underground cellars. Here you can visit its cruise and the church of Santo Dominfo de Gurzmán.

Of course, they have a rich gastronomy based on lamb meats, pork and sausages, which you must taste accompanied by one of its rich wines of Toro or De Tierra de Vino.

El Cubo del Vino – Zamora

Medium 7h31,5 Km

In this stage you will head for Zamora, leaving the Wine Cube for the old railway line that linked Salamanca with Zamora. The first town you will pass will be Villanueva de Campeán. From here you will continue along dirt tracks until you cross the Perdigón stream and the Los Llanos industrial estate, to reach the end of the stage: Zamora.

The historic centre of Zamora was declared a Historic-Artistic Site for the great value of its buildings, especially Romanesque, such as its imposing Cathedral. This building stands out for its impressive scale dome and is the oldest cathedral in Castile and Leon. You can also visit the Castle (dating from the 11th century), the Casa del Cid, several museums, the Medieval Cities Interpretation Centre and more than twenty Romanesque churches.

In terms of gastronomy, you will have the chance to enjoy its star dishes, such as Zamorano rice or Zamorano stew.

Zamora – Montamarta

Low 3h 30′18,5 Km

Today you will leave Zamora through Puebla de Sanabria street in the direction of La Hiniesta. You will have to cross the A-11 highway (caution) to get to Roales del Pan. From here your journey will run along agricultural tracks parallel to the national road, until you reach the end of the stage in Montamarta.

In Montamarta, you can visit the Renaissance church of San Miguel Arcángel and the hermitage of Santa María del Castillo.

Montamarta – Granja de Moreruela

Low 4h 30′22,7 Km

You will leave Montamarta in the direction of Fontanillas and you will have the opportunity to make a small detour through Castrotorafe, “Zamora la Vieja”, to know the ruins of this interesting medieval city. Afterwards, from Fontanillas you will pass through Riego del Camino, before reaching the end of your stage in Granja de Moreruela.

In Granja de Moreruela, you will have the opportunity to visit the church of San Juan Bautista, built with stones from the monastery of Santa María de Moreruela. This monastery is located 3 kilometres from the village and is currently in a state of reconstruction, as it was a historically important building, as it was considered the first Cistercian monastery in Spain.

*From Granja de Moreruela, you can decide whether to continue the original route of the Via de la Plata, until joining Astorga with the French Way and continue the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela; or whether to continue the itinerary by the Sanabrés Way.

Granja de Moreruela – Tábara

Low 5h25,5 Km

This is the first stage of the link with the Sanabrés Way from the Via de la Plata. You will leave Granja de Moreruela in the direction of Ourense. Cross the Esla river over the Quintos bridge and ascend to a high point. Afterwards, in the descent you will pass by the Val de la Rosa estate until you reach Faramontanos de Tábara. From there you continue 5 more kilometres to Tábara.

In Tábara you can visit the church of Santa María, which was declared a Historic-Artistic Monument. You can also visit the statue of Leon Felipe and the palace of the Marquis of Tábara. In this small village you will be able to give a culinary homage enjoying its delicious dishes based on game meat.

Tábara – Santa Marta de Tera

Low 5h23 Km

In this stage you will have two possible options to carry out the Way. You will be able to choose whether to go through Bercianos or Villanueva de las Peras. You will depart from Tábara towards Pueblica de Valverde until you reach the Zamarrilla stream. Afterwards you will have to choose whether to walk among vineyards and chestnut trees through the itierary of Bercianos de Valverde, or to visit a stone monolith through Villanueva de las Peras. In any case, both routes will lead to Santa Croya de Tera, separated only by the river Tera de Santa Marta de Tera, the end of the stage.

In Santa Marta de Tera you will be able to know the history of the Sanabrés Way in its homonymous Museum. This is also the home of the treasure of the Sanabrés Way, a very old carving of Santiago Peregrino that rests in the Romanesque church of Santa Marta de Tera, dating from the 9th century. It was declared a National Historic-Artistic Monument in 1931 and is currently considered a Site of Cultural Interest.

Santa Marta de Tera – Mombuey

High 8h36 Km

You will leave Santa Marta de Tera in the direction of Calzadilla de Tera, where the Roman road Vía Augusta passed to Astorga. Just 2 kilometres later, you will reach Olleros de Tera and then Villar de Farfón. From here, the path climbs up to a hill, from where you will have views of Río Negro del Puente. From here you will continue to Mombuey.

In Mombuey, you can visit the parish church of the Assumption, which has a tower dating from the thirteenth century. From there you can contemplate the bust of an ox that is what has given the name to the locality. Among the typical dishes of the kitchen of Mombuey, you can enjoy sweetbreads, chorizo and other meats such as veal.

Mombuey – Puebla de Sanabria

Medium 7h32 Km

At this stage you will start your way to Puebla de Sanabria, leaving Mombuey in the direction of Valdemerilla. Later you will come across Cernadilla and then Palazuelo. From here you will continue along forest paths to Entrepeñas and Asturianos. From here there will be half a stage, which will pass between the villages of Palacios de Sanabria, Remesal, Otero de Sanabria and Triufé, until reaching Puebla de Sanabria.

Puebla de Sanabria is a beautiful village where you can discover the structure and architecture typical of the houses in this area. You should visit the Castle of the Counts of Benavente, one of the best preserved in Spain, and the church of Nuestra Señora del Azogue. If you have more than enough energy on this day, we recommend you visit the Natural Park of Lake Sanabria.

Puebla de Sanabria

In Puebla de Sanabria you will finish a road that may well be the beginning of many. This last day will dawn with a road more in your lives, but not a road of miles, but of experiences, emotions and new friendships.

We encourage you to continue the Via de la Plata along the Sanabrés route to Santiago de Compostela!

*After leaving the accommodation, end of service.