Winter Way

8 stages | 202 km

The Winter Way begins in Ponferrada, crossing the valley of the river Sil and the Ribeira Sacra to Santiago de Compostela.

The Winter Way emerged as the alternative route followed by pilgrims on the French Way to avoid the high mountains of O Cebreiro which, in winter, were totally impracticable due to heavy snowfall. Due to its recent signposting and officialization it is one of the most virgin routes of the Camino de Santiago. A paradise to be discovered.

Our journeys of the Winter Way of Santiago

Information of the Winter Way

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.

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