About This Walk
Departing from the elegant Astorga, with its impressive cathedral and Roman walls, you will go uphill to the famous Cruz de Ferro, a huge iron cross where it’s traditional for pilgrims to carry small stones to lay on the mound. From there you will reach the Molinesca and cross the Roman bridge over the river Meruelo, where pilgrims can take a refreshing bath in summer. Take in the scenery of gorgeous mountain towns surrounded by idyllic countryside as your reach Triacastela, a region of outstanding natural beauty and continue across rural Galicia along forest tracks towards Sarria.
Highlights:
- Spend a day on the plains of the Castilian Plateau before reaching Galicia
- Take part in the pilgrim tradition of laying a stone on the mound at the famous Cruz de Ferro iron cross
- Travel through the lush green countryside of Galicia
- See the charming old houses and hanging balconies of El Acevo
- Cross the roman bridge in Meruelo and bath in the river if the weather is warm
- Enjoy flat walks from Molinaseca to Cacabelos
- Make a stop in Ponferrada to relax and explore
- Visit to the famous Puerta del Perdón (Door of Forgiveness) in Villafranca del Bierzo
- Embark on steep ascents through the Alto de San Roque and the Alto de Poio
- Enjoy traversing through forests of aok and chestnut, galician villiages and farm tracks.
- Relax in the old town of Sarria at the top of the city.
Day 1:
Astorga to Sarria
Journey through Galicia
Day 2:
Astorga to Rabanal del Camino, (20Km)
Today we’ll enjoy the last stage in the plain Castilian Plateau before approaching Ponferrada and Galicia.
Day 3:
Rabanal del Camino to Molinaseca, (25Km)
We leave the Meseta and go uphill to the famous Cruz de Ferro, a huge iron cross where it’s traditional for pilgrims to carry small stones to lay on the mound.
Then the Camino drops down to the cute village of El Acevo which has a long narrow street full of attractive old houses with overhanging balconies. We continue going downhill through Riego de Ambrós to Molinaseca. Before arriving in Molinaseca, we’ll cross the Roman bridge over the river Meruelo where pilgrims can take a refreshing bath in summer.
Day 4:
Molinaseca to Cacabelos: (24Km)
Day 5:
Cacabelos to Ambasmestas, (23km)
You will first cross the small village of Pieros to reach Villafranca del Bierzo, where you will be rewarded with a visit to the famous Puerta del Perdón (Door of Forgiveness) in the church of Saint James. The route moves onto the small village of Pereje and then Trabadelo, La Portela and Ambasmestas. Part of the route runs parallel to the road. Tomorrow will bring the ascent of O Cebreiro.
Day 6:
Ambasmestas to Cebeiro, (15Km)
The Camino runs parallel to the road and then goes through the villages of Ruitean and Las Herrerias. This is when the climb really begins, with a short but very difficult ascent. There are now only 150 kilometres to go before you reach Santiago.
Day 7:
Cebreiro to Triacastela, 26 km approx.
Today we will have two mountain passes, the Alto de San Roque and the Alto de Poio, the last high point before Santiago, at 1,337 meters. Then the camino goes gently downhill to Triacastela through small typical Galician villages like Viduedo.
Day 8:
Triacastela to Sarria, 20 km approx.
When leaving Triacastela there are two options, one goes via Samos and the other runs along many villages and farms tracks.
Both routes will go through typical Galician forests full of oaks and chestnut trees as well as many typical Galician villages and yards. On arriving in Sarria you can visit the old town located at the top of the city.
Price of €659 per person includes:
- 8 nights accommodation in private hotels / pensions
- Breakfast daily
- Daily baggage transfers
- Walking Notes
- Pilgrim Passport
- Emergency support in the event of a problem
Single Supplement: €220
We have chosen popular family run hotels / pensions along the route. Accommodation is simple and follows the character of the area.
Single Supplement: €220
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