PONFERRADA TO SANTIAGO - The French Way
Visiting : Ponferrada, Camponaraya, Villafranca del Bierzo, Herrerias, O Cebreiro, Triacastela, Sarria, Portomarin, Lestedo, Melide, Arzua, Rua Santiago de Compostela
Duration : 13 Days / 12 Nights
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: Medium
For avid walkers, prior training highly recommended. Moderately uneven grade, some dirt and stone roads
(Daily departures – no minimum participant requirements)
Day 1: Ponferrada
Arrive to Ponferrada on your own. Free day in Ponferrada at leisure. Your information packet containing complete route descriptions and materials will be waiting for you at your hotel. We recommend using this day explore and get acquainted with the city and surroundings. Accommodations. VALUE PACKAGE INCLUDES DINNER TONIGHT.
Day 2: Walk Ponferrada to Villafranca del Bierzo (24 km / 14.9 mi)
Breakfast. This morning you will start your walking stage. Step by step you’ll enter fertile growing fields and vineyards until you reach the town of Cacabelos. From here it is only a short distance to the historical town of Villafranca del Bierzo. Accommodations in Villafranca.
Day 3: Walk Villafranca del Bierzo to Herrerias (20 km / 12.5 mi)
Breakfast. Today you will leave the verdant countryside and vineyards, walking along the river bank crossing beautiful valleys and charming villages of Leon such as Trabadelo or Portela. Arrive in the mid - afternoon in Herrerias for overnight accommodations. VALUE PACKAGE INCLUDES DINNER TONIGHT.
Day 4: Herrerias - O Cebreiro (9 km / 5.5 mi)
Breakfast. Today’s walk will be of some challenge - an uphill climb until you reach 1300 meters, but will be compensated with upon your arrival to the mythical town of O Cebreiro. You are now in the verdant region of Galicia. Overnight in this magical town. VALUE PACKAGE INCLUDES DINNER TONIGHT.
Day 5: Walk O Cebreiro to Triacastela (21 km / 13 mi)
Breakfast. After you leave this charming town behind, you will surpass the Alto de Poio (Poio Heights) and commence your descent through Oak and Walnut tree forests until you arrive to the Villa of Triacastela at the foothill of Mount Iribio. VALUE PACKAGE INCLUDES DINNER TONIGHT.
Day 6: Walk Triacastela to Sarria (18 km / 11.1 mi)
Breakfast. Today you’ll continue the Camino Real (Royal Road) crossing small hamlets such as Montan or A Furela. Finally you will arrive to the Villa of Sarria, one of the inevitable points of reference of the Camino de Santiago. For those of you partaking in a religious pilgrimage, the church stipulates the minimum distance of the Camino is from Sarria in order to obtain the “Compostela” certification upon completion. Overnight in Sarria. VALUE PACKAGE INCLUDES DINNER TONIGHT.
Day 7: Walk Sarria to Portomarin (23 km / 14.2 mi)
Breakfast. This stages first ascent will introduce you to a succession of hamlets linked by rural trails and “corredoiras” (growing fields) filled with incredible natural beauty. A pronounced descent will lead you along the Miño river, now you’ll be at the gates of Portomarin with its impressive church - fortress which will give you a warm welcome. Overnight in Portomarin. VALUE PACKAGE INCLUDES DINNER TONIGHT.
Day 8: Walk Portomarin to Lestedo (20 km / 12.4 mi)
Breakfast. Today we depart Portomarin, leaving behind the Miño river and ascending little by little until you reach the Sierra de Ligonde. Continue past the villages of Ventas de Naron, Ligonde and Eirexe until you arrive to the nucleus of Lestedo for overnight accommodations. VALUE PACKAGE INCLUDES DINNER TONIGHT.
Day 9: Walk Lestedo to Melide (20 km / 12.4 mi)
Breakfast. Just a bit past Lestedo you will arrive to the Villa of Palas, from there you will follow a beautiful oak tree forest landscape until you arrive in Coto; here you will cross the Furelos river before a short ascent to reach the Villa of Melide. Overnight accommodations in Melide. VALUE PACKAGE INCLUDES DINNER TONIGHT.
Day 10: Walk Melide to Arzua (15 km / 9.3 mi)
Breakfast. After departing Melide you will cross rural roads and a few asphalted roads until you reach charming Ribadiso, a good place for a stop to relax. Afterwards, continue your Camino to the town of Arzua, famous for its delicious cheeses. Overnight in Arzua. VALUE PACKAGE INCLUDES DINNER TONIGHT.
Day 11: Arzua - O Pedrouzo 21 km / 13 mi)
Breakfast. The stage between Arzúa and O Pedrouzo is of low difficulty, it advances along forest tracks, crossing forests and fields. A day in which we must take extreme precautions, as we will be forced to cross the N-547 highway several times, with heavy traffic. We will walk through flat and comfortable terrain, finding an abundance of bars, shops and places to rest, perfect for taking the stage easy. Santiago is getting closer.
Day 12: Walk O Pedrouzo to Santiago de Compostela (21 km / 13 mi)
Breakfast. Begin your final stage of the Camino behind the town of Pedrouzo, ascend past the village of Amenal and descend to Lavacolla to later ascend again to the appropriately named Monte do Gozo (Mountain of Joy). From here you will see the Towers of the Cathedral of Santiago for the first time. You will reach Santiago after a short 4 additional km. Arrive to Santiago through the charming streets of the city until finally reaching the city’s spectacular medieval center and the cathedral located on the Plaza do Obradoiro. Your Camino ends upon arrival at the Cathedral. Accommodations in Santiago. SUPERIOR CLASS INCLUDES LODGING AT THE PARADOR DOS REIS CATOLICOS.
Day 13: Santiago de Compostela
Your journey ends this morning after Breakfast.
Ponferrada
Villafranca del Bierzo
Las Herrerias
Conocido también como Las Herrerías de Valcarce, este encantador pueblo es un punto clave a lo largo del Camino de Santiago. Ubicado en la verde llanura del río Valcarce, al oeste de Vega de Valcarce, que da nombre al municipio, Las Herrerías cuenta con una rica historia y una conexión con el Camino. Compuesto por tres barrios distintos: Las Herrerías, Hospital y el barrio de San Julián, un poco más alejado, este pueblo histórico tiene sus raíces en el siglo XV, con evidencia de actividad siderúrgica desde entonces. Sin embargo, documentos históricos de los siglos XII y XIII mencionan el barrio de Hospital, citando la existencia de un hospital inglés, influyendo así en su nombre. Este detalle también se menciona en una bula papal del siglo XII. Como dato curioso, es digno de mencionar que en 1858, Las Herrerías tenía la categoría de lugar, mientras que Hospital era considerado un pueblo. Explora las capas de historia y riqueza cultural mientras recorres los paisajes pintorescos de Las Herrerías a lo largo de tu viaje por el Camino.
O Cebreiro
Triacastela
Triacastela, a quaint village in the province of Lugo, holds a fascinating historical charm. Some historians debate the origin of the town's name, speculating whether it refers to three castles, clearly depicted in the tower of the parish church, or to three forts, of which archaeological remains still grace the surrounding area. The heart of Triacastela boasts a church that originated as a Romanesque structure and was later rebuilt in the 18th century. Within its walls, the carved image of the three castles, from which Triacastela draws its name, is carefully preserved, offering a tangible connection to the town's rich history. Allow me to guide you through the layers of history in Triacastela, creating an itinerary that unveils the cultural tapestry and the scenic wonders of this captivating Camino destination.
Sarria
Portomarin
Lestedo
Lestedo es un pequeño pueblo a las afueras de la localidad de Palacio de Rei en la provincia de Lugo. Se cree que el nombre Palas de Rei proviene de Pallatium regis, (palacio real) por haber sido residencia del rey visigodo Witiza a principios del siglo VIII. El concejo de Palas de Rei tiene un notable patrimonio y fue uno de los lugares de residencia preferidos de la nobleza gallega. Destaca por su Castillo de Pambre.
Melide
Arzua
O Pedrouzo
O Pedrouzo es un encantador pueblo situado en la provincia de A Coruña. Si bien O Pedrouzo en sí es relativamente pequeño, tiene una importancia significativa para los viajeros que exploran el Camino de Santiago, particularmente el Camino Francés, que es una de las rutas de peregrinación más populares de Europa.
SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
Dicen que Santiago es el pueblo más grande del mundo y, al mismo tiempo, la ciudad más pequeña del planeta. Esta capital gallega combina las comodidades de las pequeñas localidades y las ventajas de las grandes ciudades sofisticadas. Se puede recorrer de una punta a otra en un tranquilo paseo y goza de las comodidades de las grandes capitales. Rincones solitarios y tranquilos y calles bulliciosas de bares de vinos comparten el mismo escenario. El centro histórico, declarado patrimonio de la humanidad por la UNESCO, es la joya de la corona. Construida piedra a piedra alrededor de su majestuosa catedral. El descubrimiento de la tumba del apóstol en el siglo IX transformó este lugar sagrado para siempre.
HOTELS COMFORT
Aroi Bierzo Plaza, Ponferrada
Hostal La Puerta del Perdon, Villafranca del Bierzo
Posada Real Paraiso del Bierzo, Las Herrerías
Hotel O Cebreiro, O Cebreiro
IBERIK Triacastela Hotel, Triacastela
Carris Alfonso IX, Sarria
Hotel Pazo de Berbetoros, Portomarin
Casa Rectoral De Lestedo, Lestedo
Hotel Lux Melide, Melide
1930 Boutique Hotel, Arzua
Hotel Amiuka, O Pedrouzo
Virxe da Cerca, Santiago de Compostela
HOTELS SUPERIOR
Aroi Bierzo Plaza, Ponferrada
Parador de Villafranca del Bierzo, Villafranca del Bierzo
Posada Real Paraiso del Bierzo, Las Herrerías
Hotel O Cebreiro, O Cebreiro
IBERIK Triacastela Hotel, Triacastela
Carris Alfonso IX, Sarria
Hotel Pazo de Berbetoros, Portomarin
Casa Rectoral De Lestedo, Lestedo
Hotel Lux Melide, Melide
Hotel Amiuka, O Pedrouzo
Parador de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago Compostela
- Your choice of accommodations in COMFORT CATEGORY: best available hotels, guest houses or rural tourism manor houses with private bath; or in SUPERIOR CATEGORY: Same as Comfort Category except in the city of Santiago where accommodations will be at the deluxe Parador Reis Catolicos or in a hotel of similar category.
- Breakfast daily
- Luggage transportation from city to city while you walk (1 piece, maximum 44 Lbs per person)
- Protection and medical insurance while on tour
- Complete route descriptions and materials
- Includes your "Pilgrim Passport"
- Local 24 hour telephone assistance while on tour
Petrabax
Petrabax is also a leader in Spanish language escorted tours of Europe, Middle East and the Orient.
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