LEON TO SANTIAGO - The French Way
Visiting :
Duration : 16 Days / 15 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: Arrive to Leon
Arrive to Leon on your own. We can arrange a high speed train from Madrid to Leon (about 3.5 hours away by train) for an additional fee - Consult Petrabax for special pricing). Free day in Leon 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 in Leon. SUPERIOR CLASS INCLUDES LODGING AT THE PARADOR DE LEON. VALUE PACKAGE INCLUDES DINNER TONIGHT.
Day 2: Transfer Leon to Hospital de Orbigo. Walk Hospital de Orbigo to Astorga (16 KM / 10 MI)
Breakfast. Morning transfer from your hotel to Hospital de Orbigo to commence the first stage of your walk to Astorga. From the town of Hospital de Orbigo you will ascend until you reach the crossroad of Santo Toribio where you will find the “Camino” marker that will lead you to Astorga. VALUE PACKAGE INCLUDES DINNER TONIGHT.
Day 3: Walk Astorga to Rabanal del Camino (20 KM / 12.5 MI)
Breakfast. You are in Maragateria, land with the taste of chocolate, shortbread and hearty “Arriero” stew. After you pass the town of Santa Catalina de Somoza you’ll climb about 300 meters uphill until you reach Rabanal del Camino. VALUE PACKAGE INCLUDES DINNER TONIGHT.
Day 4: Walk Rabanal del Camino to Molinaseca (24 KM / 15 MI)
Breakfast. Today you will leave Rabanal del Camino behind and take on one of the most challenging walks – 1500 meters uphill passing the town of Foncebadon and the mythical Cruz de Ferro (Iron Cross). This is a demanding stage that will lead you to Molinaseca passing by the beautiful village of El Acebo. VALUE PACKAGE INCLUDES DINNER TONIGHT.
Day 5: Walk Molinaseca to Villafranca del Bierzo (32 KM / 19.8 MI)
Breakfast. Step by step you’ll enter fertile growing fields and vineyards until you reach the town of Cacabelos. From here contiue to the historical town of Villafranca del Bierzo. SUPERIOR CLASS INCLUDES LODGING AT THE PARADOR DE VILLAFRANCA DEL BIERZO. VALUE PACKAGE INCLUDES DINNER TONIGHT.
Day 6: 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. VALUE PACKAGE INCLUDES DINNER TONIGHT.
Day 7: Walk Herrerias to O Cebreiro (8 KM / 5 MI)
Breakfast. Today’s walk will be somewhat rigorous – an uphill climb until you reach 1300 meters, but will be compensated greatly upon your arrival to the mythical town of O Cebreiro. You are now in the region of Galicia. Overnight in this magical town.VALUE PACKAGE INCLUDES DINNER TONIGHT.
Day 8: 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 9: Walk Triacastela to Sarria (17 KM / 10.5 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. VALUE PACKAGE INCLUDES DINNER TONIGHT.
Day 10: Walk Sarria to Portomarin (22 KM / 13.5 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. VALUE PACKAGE INCLUDES DINNER TONIGHT.
Day 11: Walk Portomarin to Lestedo (19 KM / 11.5 MI)
Breakfast. Today we depart Portomarin, leaving behind the mighty Miño river and ascending little by little until you reach the Sierra de Ligonde. The walk take you past the villages of Ventas de Naron, Ligonde and Eirexe until you arrive to the nucleus of Lestedo. VALUE PACKAGE INCLUDES DINNER TONIGHT.
Day 12: Walk Lestedo to Melide (20 KM / 12.5 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. VALUE PACKAGE INCLUDES DINNER TONIGHT.
Day 13: Walk Melide to Arzua (14 KM / 9 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. VALUE PACKAGE INCLUDES DINNER TONIGHT.
Day 14: Walk Arzua to O Pedrouzo (21 KM / 13 MI)
Breakfast. In today’s penultimate walking stage the spectacular scenery of the green foothills of Galicia will by your travel companion until you reach the town of Rua. Here you will find the Ermita de Santa Irene and have free time to explore the village, before continuing to O Pedrouzo. VALUE PACKAGE INCLUDES DINNER TONIGHT.
Day 15: Walk O Pedrouzo to Santiago de Compostela (19 km / 11.8 MI)
Breakfast. This morning you begin your final stage of the Camino behind the town of Pedrouzo, you will climb 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. SUPERIOR CLASS INCLUDES LODGING AT THE PARADOR DOS REIS CATOLICOS.
Day 16: Santiago de Compostela
Your journey ends this morning after Breakfast.
Leon
Hospital de Orbigo
Astorga
Rabanal del Camino
Rabanal del Camino, ubicado al pie del Monte Irago en la provincia de León, es un refugio para los peregrinos a lo largo del Camino de Santiago. El trayecto desde Astorga hasta Rabanal del Camino se caracteriza por su terreno desafiante, lo que lleva a muchos peregrinos a elegir Rabanal como una estratégica parada nocturna. Sin embargo, algunos aventureros optan por seguir hasta Foncebadón, con el objetivo de acortar la distancia para la caminata del día siguiente. Este pintoresco pueblo, rico en historia y espiritualidad, cuenta con la iglesia románica de Santa María y la ermita del siglo XVIII de San José. Añadiendo atractivo a Rabanal está el recién construido Monasterio de Santa Otilia de Múnich (Alemania), que ofrece una mezcla única de hospitalidad internacional a los peregrinos. Ya sea cautivado por sus hitos históricos, el impresionante entorno o los servicios brindados por el Monasterio de Santa Otilia, esta parada en el Camino promete una experiencia significativa y revitalizante.
Molinaseca
Villafranca del Bierzo
Herrerias
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
Rua
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
Silken Luis De Leon, Leon
Ciudad de Astorga, Astorga
Hostería El Refugio, Rabanal del Camino
No-Mad Green Hotel, Molinaseca
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
Hotel Lux Melide, Melide
1930 Boutique Hotel, Arzua
Hotel Amiuka, O Pedrouzo
Virxe da Cerca, Santiago de Compostela
HOTELS SUPERIOR
Parador de León, León
Ciudad de Astorga, Astorga
Hostería El Refugio, Rabanal del Camino
No-Mad Green Hotel, Molinaseca
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
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.
News
Test
Planning your next vacation just got easier. We are excited to announce a range of exclusive summer travel deals featuring discounted hotel stays, guided tours, airport transfers, and customized holiday packages across some of Europe's most popular destinations.
