León – Santiago de Compostela

Check in at your hotel in central León. Take the opportunity to visit the impressive cathedral – a prime example of Spanish Gothic architecture – the Church of San Isidoro, and last but not least: Casa de los Botines, a work by the Catalan architect Gaudí.

This first stage takes you through Hospital de Órbigo and its famous Romanesque bridge. Here, you can also start to glimpse the silhouette of the Picos de Europa peaks on the horizon. You will also pass Astorga, a fantastic small town. We highly recommend taking a break here for a walk and to admire the town’s architecture, including the beautiful cathedral and the Bishop’s Palace designed by Gaudí.

The journey then continues through the region of La Maragatería and crosses the Monts de León mountains before reaching Rabanal del Camino, a charming small village dominated by stone houses.

66 km

The day begins as you pass the famous Cruz de Ferro, the Iron Cross, a simple yet renowned pilgrim symbol located at 1,505 meters above sea level. As a pilgrim, you are expected to follow the tradition and throw a stone onto the pile as you pass.

The route then takes you downhill and straight west through the villages of Manjarín, El Acebo, Molinaseca, and Ponferrada, continuing through the El Bierzo valley along fruit trees, vineyards, and tobacco fields all the way to Villafranca del Bierzo. This beautiful small town is known as a stopover for sick pilgrims who could not continue on to Santiago.

59 km

Idag börjar dagen med att tackla vägen uppför och över gränsen till Galicien, förbi O Cebreiro, en charmig och karakteristisk by med sina stenhus med halmtak, s k ”Pallozas”. Därefter följer du leden längs en ås innan den viker av nedåt till det gröna Galicien, längs tallar och eukalyptus, fram till Samos som stoltserar med Spaniens äldsta benediktkloster.
67 km

From Samos, you pass several typical hórreos, granaries built on the same principle as our timber houses, and the landscape is stunningly beautiful. The route goes via Portomarín, a village that was affected by a flood in 1962, where you can see the remains of the old Romanesque bridge. You then continue through gently rolling terrain to Palas de Rei for an overnight stay.

60 km

Last day! You start by cycling up to Monte de Gozo, where you are rewarded with a view over all of Santiago de Compostela, a UNESCO World Heritage site. You approach your destination, passing, among others, the monastery and the Archbishop’s Palace along the way, before finally cycling into Santiago and reaching the legendary cathedral.

70 km

Breakfast and check-out, after which your trip with us concludes.