Winter Way
Winter Way: From Ponferrada to Santiago de Compostela via the Sil River Valley and Ribeira Sacra.
The Winter Way was created as an alternative to the French Way to bypass the impassable mountains of O Cebreiro in winter due to heavy snow. Recently marked and officialized, it’s now one of the lesser-traveled routes of the Camino de Santiago—a hidden gem waiting to be explored.
The Winter Way Routes
Information of the Winter Way
The Winter Road
Discover the Winter Way, a hidden gem among pilgrims, uniquely traversing all four Galician provinces: Ourense, Lugo, Pontevedra, and A Coruña. But what does this route offer, you may wonder? It provides pilgrims with the ultimate escape, allowing them to immerse themselves in breathtaking natural landscapes that have remained untouched over the years.
If you seek to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, reconnect with yourself, explore extraordinary destinations, and indulge in exquisite gastronomy, then the Winter Way is the perfect pilgrimage route for you.
The Winter Road
- Templar Castle of Ponferrada
- Las Médulas
- Mount Furado
- City of Monforte de Lemos
- Ribeira Sacra
- Mount Faro
- Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
Where to start the Winter Way?
From Ponferrada
The capital of El Bierzo is the starting point of the winter route; from here you can easily reach Santiago de Compostela in just 13 days, covering a total of 260 kilometres. Undoubtedly this route has established itself as a perfect alternative to escape from the growing overcrowding of the Galician section of the French Way.
Map Winter Way
Stages of the Winter Way of Santiago Winter
History of the Winter Route
While historians may not unanimously agree on the origins of this route, the prevailing theory suggests it emerged as a variation of the French Road upon its arrival in Ponferrada.
Considering the perspective of medieval pilgrims, it seems logical to assume they sought an alternative to crossing O Cebreiro into Galicia, especially to avoid treacherous snowfall. Hence, the moniker “Camino de Invierno” (Winter Road).
This diversion allowed pilgrims to enter Galicia via the Sil River valley, offering a more hospitable terrain compared to mountain passes. In 2016, it was officially recognized as a pilgrimage route by the Xunta de Galicia.
Other routes of the Camino de Santiago
English Way
From Ferrol to Santiago de Compostela. Delve into the culture of villages of great military, naval and historical importance. 5 Etapas | 125 km
Father Sarmiento Way
From Pontevedra to Santiago de Compostela. Total 142 km - 6 stages 6 stages | 142 km
Finisterre and Muxía Way
From Santiago de Compostela to Muxía. A mystical and spiritual journey to the ends of the Earth 5 stages | 120 km
French Way
Desde Saint Jean Pied de Port hasta Santiago de Compostela. Follow in the footsteps of Charlemagne through the Pyrenees and travel 800 kilometers along the French Way. 33 stages | 768 km
Northern Way
From Santiago de Compostela to Muxía. An unforgettable experience with breathtaking scenery 34 Stages | 820 km
Portuguese Way along the coast
From Oporto to Santiago de Compostela. Total 194 km - 8 stages 8 Stages | 194 km
Portuguese Way: spiritual variant
From Pontevedra to Padrón. Total 81 km - 3 stages 3 stages | 81 km
Sanabrian Way
From Granja de Moreruela to Santiago de Compostela. Total 365 km - 13 stages 13 stages | 365 km
Way of the Lighthouses
From Malpica to Finisterre. A 200-kilometer journey along the coast and through the wildest of nature 8 stages | 195 km
