Overview
The Camino Frances is the most famous Camino route, walked by millions of pilgrims from all over the globe since the Middle Ages. More than just a pilgrimage, the Camino is a unique social and cultural experience and a truly memorable adventure.
Follow in the footsteps of medieval pilgrims, walking the fourth stage of the French Way. Starting from the elegant León, with its impressive cathedral and Roman walls, you will reach the city of Ponferrada, where the Templars settled in the 12th century to protect pilgrims on their way to Santiago. From here, you will be heading to Villafranca del Bierzo, a gorgeous mountain town surrounded by idyllic countryside. After Villafranca, a challenging ascent takes pilgrims to the mountains of O Cebreiro. O Cebreiro is a quaint mountain village of centuries-old thatched cottages in a region of outstanding natural beauty.
- Santa María de León Cathedral, also called Pulchra Leonina in León
- The small mountain village of O Cebreiro
- The Templars Castle of Ponferrada from 12th c.
Click to view map
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in León
Your journey on the fourth stage of the Camino Frances begins in the beautiful city of León with its impressive cathedral and Roman walls, the Romanesque Royal Basilica of Saint Isidoro and the neo-Gothic Casa de Botines, built by Gaudí. Treat yourself to the exquisite local cheeses and cured meats.
- Accommodation: Hotel Rincón del Conde or similar in León
Day 2: León to Villadangos | 20km
After your night in León, your Camino will continue through the beautiful Spanish countryside. The Camino from León is pretty flat and easy. You will walk along crop fields, and you will see pretty apple orchards along the way to Villadangos.
- Walking for the day: 20km, 4-5h
- Accommodation: A family-run hotel in Villadangos
Day 3: Villadangos to Astorga | 28km
From Mazarife, with the suburbs of León city long behind you, you will start a pretty hike along footpaths and dirt tracks towards one of the prettiest villages on the Camino: Hospital de Órbigo, where you will cross the famous and picturesque ‘Puente de Órbigo’ bridge, before continuing onto Astorga.
- Walking for the day: 28km, 7h
- Accommodation: Hotel Gaudí or similar in Astorga
Day 4: Astorga to Foncebadón | 26km
From the lovely city of Astorga, you will gradually make your way up towards the stunning León Mountains and the lush Bierzo region, taking paths surrounded by broom, heather and oak trees.
- Walking for the day: 26km, 6h
- Accommodation: A family-run hotel in Foncebadón
Day 5: Foncebadón to Ponferrada | 27km
Today is one of the most rewarding days ahead on the Camino as it climbs to Mount Irago. Stop at the Iron Cross on top of the mountain, one of the most special places on the French Way, where you can place a memento and visit the St James chapel before descending to the lush area of El Bierzo. On your way to Ponferrada, pass through the lovely town of Molinaseca. Once in Ponferrada, you should explore the old town, its impressive 12th century Templars Castle, and make sure you try the local specialities, such as botillo and some of Spain’s most delicious cured meats.
- Walking for the day: 27km, 7h
- Accommodation: Hotel Aroi Bierzo Plaza or similar in Ponferrada
Day 6: Ponferrada to Villafranca del Bierzo | 24km
After your night in Ponferrada, the Camino takes you across the heart of the lush region of El Bierzo, nestled in the mountains. Take the opportunity to taste the local delicious cherries if you are travelling in summer, exquisite cured meats and other regional delicacies. In Villafranca, known as ‘the little Compostela’, visit the garden of the Iglesia de Santiago, St James Church. The church has a ‘Forgiveness Gate’, Puerta del Perdón, that only opens during Holy Years.
- Walking for the day: 24km, 5h
- Accommodation: Hotel Posada Plaza Mayor or similar in Villafranca del Bierzo
Day 7: Villafranca to Vega de Valcarce| 16km
After your night in Ponferrada, the Camino takes you across the heart of the lush region of El Bierzo, nestled in the mountains. Take the opportunity to taste the local delicious cherries if you are travelling in summer, exquisite cured meats and other regional delicacies. In Villafranca, known as ‘the little Compostela’, visit the garden of the Iglesia de Santiago, St James Church. The church has a ‘Forgiveness Gate’, Puerta del Perdón, that only opens during Holy Years.
- Walking for the day: 16km, 4h
- Accommodation: Hostal El Recanto or similar in Vega de Valcarce
Day 8: Vega to O Cebreiro | 12km
After your night in Villafranca, visit the garden of the Iglesia de Santiago, St James Church. The church has a ‘Forgiveness Gate’, Puerta del Perdón, that only opens during Holy Years. Your route passes by the ranges of ‘Os Ancares’ and ‘Serra do Courel’, and it should be noted that this stage to O Cebreiro holds a steep climb in only a few kilometres, but the views are truly spectacular.
- Walking for the day: 12km, 3h
- Accommodation: Casa Pazos or similar in O Cebreiro
Day 9: Departure
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before heading back to the airport.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation is in simple but comfortable hotels and guesthouses, located close to the route of the Camino. All of them have private or en-suite facilities and offer a warm welcome to walkers, traditional hospitality and delicious local food. We have carefully hand-picked all places and regularly monitor their quality. We have tried to choose accommodations that offer friendly service, clean and comfortable rooms and local flavour.
Important: We aim to book you into each town listed on the itinerary. However, in case of low availability, we may book you two nights in the same town with provided transfers. Also, on some occasions, your accommodation can be located a few kilometres away from the trail, so we organise transportation to/from your accommodation.
Click to view default hotels
- Hotel Rincón del Conde (León)
- Hotel Gaudí (Astorga)
- Hotel La Posada de Gaspar (Rabanal del Camino)
- Hotel Aroi Bierzo Plaza (Ponferrada)
- Hotel Posada Plaza Mayor (Villafranca del Bierzo)
- Hostal El Recanto (Vega de Valcarce
- Casa Pazos (O Cebreiro)
*Hotels are subject to availability. In case a particular hotel is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal or higher value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included (usually a simple buffet breakfast/coffee and toast/bread/croissant) on all days. When no restaurant location is available on the route, lunches and snacks should either be bought from local shops, or packed lunch can be pre-ordered from your hotel the night before. Where no dinner is included, most places serve hearty pilgrim menus – you can get a 3-course dinner including wine and water for about GBP 10-15 pp.
Difficulty and terrain
This walk is graded moderate and includes walks of 4-7 hours, and up to 32 km a day (the longest days can be split on request); the terrain is mostly flat, rarely undulating with some occasional steeper ascents (read more about difficulty grades). You will follow a mixture of farm/dirt tracks, minor roads and footpaths. The routes are perfectly waymarked with yellow painted arrows and a yellow shell on a blue background, and the itinerary is very easy to follow. We strongly advise you to follow only marked trails and never try to shorten the path through the unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime.
When to go
This trip is available to depart from 1 March till 15 November; the best months to visit are April – June and September – October, as in the summer months it may become too hot (and crowded). The flexibility of self-guided walking holidays means that there are no fixed dates, and you can start your trip on any date during the season.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airport for this tour is Santander. The alternative airports are Santiago de Compostela and Madrid.
By train or bus
Arrival in Leon:
- Santander Airport 256km, the bus takes 3.5h, check Alsa.es
- Madrid Airport 337km, the train takes 4h (check Renfe), the bus takes 4.5h (check Alsa.es)
Departure from Sarria:
- Santiago de Compostela Airport 120km: Fastest is to take a combination of two buses: First, to Lugo bus station, then from Lugo to Santiago, see: www.empresafreire.com. There is also a direct bus between Santiago de Compostela bus station and Sarria but only departing once a day (except Saturdays and Sundays), approx. 2.5h travel time. See www.monbus.es
- A Coruña Airport 120km: There is a direct train from Sarria to A Coruña four times a day (2-2,5h). See www.renfe.com
- Madrid Airport 487km: There is a train from Sarria to Madrid Chamartin once a day, as well as three other trains per day. For details, times and tickets, see www.renfe.com
Inclusions
Included
- 8 nights in private en-suite rooms
- 8 breakfasts
- Maps
- Luggage transfers from hotel to hotel on all walking days (1 pc up to 20kg per person)
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Lunches and dinners, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Local tourist taxes & entry fees (payable on the spot)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
Options, extras and supplements
- Supplement applies to members of a group who require a single room / single use of a double room
- This holiday is available for solo travellers; a supplement will be charged as accommodation and luggage transfer costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single rooms)
- Extra nights
- Airport transfers
- Split of day 3, day 5 and/or day 7
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