El Camino de Santiago

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Leon

Arrival day, no activities planned.While the full pilgrimage route covers most of northern Spain and into France, we begin our journey in the town of Leon, covering roughly 260 km of the Spanish portion of the trail. The origins of the city of Leon go back to the year 68 AD when the Roman Legion Septima Gemina, the legion formed by the Emperor Galba with men from the Iberian settlements, was quartered here at the confluence of the rivers Bernesga and Torio to hold back the advance of the Cantabrian and Asturian highlanders. During the reign of Ordono II it became the most important city in Christian Spain. After being sacked by Almanzor it was rebuilt by Alfonso V, and was enlarged during the 11C. According to the chronicles of pilgrims who were heading for Santiago de Compostela, Leon was a city that was 'full of all happiness' and, consequently, a place of growing trade. In fact, according to the 'Pilgrims' Guidebook', the Codex Calixtinus, it marked the eighth stage on the journey to Santiago. Leon itself lies on a fertile plain surrounded by woods, orchards and meadows, and has a population of over 120,000 inhabitants. Within the two cities it encapsulates, (i.e. the old medieval part and the modern one that stretches alongside the river), there is an extraordinary historical and artistic heritage. The Roman and medieval walls in between help to highlight the beautiful contrast between the old quarter and the squares, known as the Plaza Mayor and the Plaza del Mercado, and the avenues, modern buildings, parks and gardens that lie to the west. The three most characteristic monuments that stand out for their great artistic value in Leon are the Cathedral, the Collegiate Church of San Isidoro and the Convent of San Marcos.

Day 2 Astorga to Rabanal del Camino

Estimated Travel Time: 1 hourA short bus ride brings us to the town of Astorga, where we start our trek with a gradual uphill climb. Enjoy the mountain scenery and spectacular views as we pass through quaint villages on our way to Rabanal del Camino, our stop for the night. We plan on walking about 20 km today.The town of Rabanal del Camino is made up of massive stone houses, and served as a bastion of the Ponferrada Templars to protect those travelling to the Bierzo. Rabanal also housed (in the House of the Four Corners) Phillip the Second in his pilgrimage to Santiago. During the Middle Ages, several hospitals and churches existed giving pilgrims the opportunity to recover and regroup before continuing on their travels. Before entering the town is the hermitage of Vera Cruz, followed by the hermitage of San Jose and the San Gregorio Hospital. In the high part of the town is the parochial church of Santa Maria, one of the few examples of Roman architecture that can be found in this area.

Day 3 Ponferrada

Walking steadily, we pass through the mountain villages of Foncebadon, La Cruz de Hierro, and El Acebo, before reaching our night stop of Ponferrada. A trail of ups and downs, we trek about 30 km today before arriving at our destination. Explore the town and enlighten yourself with the fascinating history of the region.Ponferrada is the last the great city (60,000 inhabitants) before arriving in Santiago. During the Roman occupation its gold mines were famous throughout the empire. In 1082, the wooden bridge on the Sil River was strengthened with iron, an abundant material, giving the name Pons Ferrata to the city. The Castle of the Templars is a magnificent testament to the importance of the city for this order of monk-soldiers. It is one of the most beautiful examples of military architecture in Spain, and has become a Mecca for lovers of the Templars and their rites of initiation. The Basilica of Our Lady of the Oak is of Renaissance gothic transition. Other valuable monuments are the Convent of the Concepcionistas and the City Council. Visit the church near Ponferrada mozárabe of Santiago de Peñalba, a jewel of the pre-Romanesque Spanish architecture. As it is a major city, Ponferrada offers everything a traveller might need.

Day 4-5 Villafranca del Bierzo

Continuing on from Ponferrada, our day of trekking is mostly flat as we continue through the mountains. The scenery is fantastic here as we pass through more little villages and rolling meadows. After about 20 km we arrive at our overnight stop of Villafranca del Bierzo. Enjoy a well-deserved rest day on day 5 in this lovely little town.Villafranca del Bierzo originated as a stop for travelling merchants; by the 12th century half of the population was comprised of foreigners. As soon as you enter this lovely little town, you are met by the Santiago cathedral, a Roman temple with a magnificent doorway and façade. The Spanish pope Calixto III granted the sick and lame that passed through this door the same blessings as those pilgrims that complete the entire journey to Santiago. The main road, Agua, crosses the entire town in which you will find several palaces as well as a convent. The Convent of the Anunciada of 1606 was erected over the old Hospital of San Roque, where tradition says that San Francisco de Assisi stayed. Villafranca also has a beautiful main plaza and a French-style boulevard. There are plenty of stores and commercial amenities here.

Day 6 Viduedo/ O Cebreiro

Head out again early this morning into the mountains, following the Camino. Today is challenging as we conquer mountain passes and high trails, but the views are incredibly rewarding with peaks and valleys in all directions. We also pass the pre-Roman temple of Santa Maria la Real, which venerates the patron saint of the region and was an important stop for pilgrims across the ages. We hike about 28 km today before arriving at O Cebreiro, where we spend the night.O Cebreiro is a village of stone buildings, most likely from pre-Roman origins, and serves as the portal to the Galicia region from the province of Lugo. This is another of the mythical places along the Camino de Santiago de Compostela, surrounded by tradition and history. The scenery is beautiful here, and the town is another important stop for pilgrims on their way to Santiago. We will pass by the simple pre-Roman temple of Santa Maria la Real, in which there is a beautiful Byzantine image of Santa Maria la Real from the 12th century, the patron saint of the region. As well as the old buildings and history of the area, there is also an Ethnographic Museum in town.

Day 7-8 Sarria/ Portomarin

Another challenging day, trek along mountain trails between 800 and 1300 metres and enjoy the amazing scenery. Again pass through small villages where we can take a breather and replenish our supplies before returning to the rolling green hills. Our stop at the end of the day will be the medieval city of Sarria, another important stop along the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. We will hike about 35 km on Day 7.Sarria, a small medieval mountain city of about 12,000 inhabitants, is a major centre of services on the French Route in Galicia. The old part of the city is filled with beautiful old buildings and has a castle from the 14th century. The cathedral of Santa Marina, constructed in a modern style, has a tall steeple on its chapel tower. The old part of the city is wonderful and can be seen easily on foot before heading downtown to the newer part of the city, where the majority of the commerce and merchants are located. Sarria has all the amenities for the weary pilgrim.On Day 8, we head out again into the hills for an easier day of walking, covering about 20 km over the course of the day. We pass through many lovely towns along the way and may choose to have a picnic in places such as Barbadelo, Renta or Ferreiros. We spend the night in the riverside city of Portomarin.Portomarin sits in a beautiful setting on the shores of the Miño River and has about 2200 inhabitants. The old city is formed of two neighbourhoods, San Nicolas and San Pedro, with the new city having only been constructed in 1960. Portomarin served an important post throughout the Middle Ages, as it has a huge bridge over the river as well as a hospital. The impressive cathedral/fortress is called San Nicolas, and was constructed by the horseman-monks of the San Juan of Jerusalem Order in the 12th century. This was then taken apart stone-by-stone and reconstructed in the main plaza where it now sits. It is extremely significant in the history of this region, and stands now as an interesting example of pre-Roman architecture. The cathedral of San Pedro was also taken apart and reconstructed after being moved from the outskirts of town. The Chapel of the Virgin is another interesting architectural site as it is constructed on top of an old medieval bridge.

Day 9-11 Palas de Rey/ Melide/ Arzua

Our walk continues on from Portomarin as we leave early in the morning on Day 10. Today’s walk is a mix of ups and downs and again the scenery is fantastic. We walk about 24 km to the town of Palas de Rey where we will spend another rest day on Day 11. This entire area was very important in the middle ages and has a rich history.The history of Palas de Rey is made up of a mixture of cultures and times. It is a growing town of about 5000 inhabitants and has long served as a meeting point for pilgrims who would regroup together before tackling the last leg of the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. The church of San Tirso has a beautiful romantic-era doorway and façade, and is the only vestige that remains of the towns past. However, the artistic wealth remains, in the forms of other churches of the city, as well as the castles of Pambre and Felpos. Palas de Rey has plenty to offer the pilgrim in its numerous shops and cafes.Walking through the lush green valleys of Galicia, we continue our pilgrimage westwards. Covering about 28 km today, we will again pass through many lovely villages and towns along the way, offering us ample opportunity for rest stops and time to pick up any needed supplies. We will eventually arrive at Arzua, where we spend the night.In the old part of the town of Arzua lie the ruins of the old Convent of Magdalena, constructed in the 14th century, which served as a lodging for poor pilgrims traveling towards Santiago de Compostela. Very close by is the large modern cathedral, which houses images of St. John the Apostle. This is still an essential stop for pilgrims and is a small, modern town of about 6000 inhabitants.

Day 12-14 Arzua / Santiago de Compostela

Enjoy a full day of walking through spectacular scenery towards our night stop in the remote community of Pedrouzo. Mostly upward slopes today. Day 13 - almost there! Leave early in order to reach Santiago de Compostela in time for the pilgrim's mass. Later, explore this fascinating city and sip some wine in a café to celebrate the incredible journey that you have accomplished over the past 2 weeks. Upon reaching our goal, the pilgrimage is not complete until we visit the cathedral on the magnificent Praza do Obradoiro, which houses the supposed tomb of St. James the Apostle. It is widely believed that his remains were buried here in the 1st century AD; from then onwards he became the patron saint of the Christian Crusades. It is this place that has attracted pilgrims from all over the world and is the final night stop of our tour. We include a city tour in order to fully experience and understand the cultural and historical significance of this amazing city.Coming into Santiago de Compostela by foot, one’s first glimpse of the city is its baroque, pointed towers. You’ve made it! The region’s capital city, Santiago is a large city of almost 90,0000 inhabitants that combines both the old and the new. Because of its history and the flocks of pilgrims constantly arriving Santiago, the city has acquired much religious and romantic significance over the years. Happy pilgrims that have made the journey will discover a city of flagstones darkened by humidity and the passing of time. The old city is full of narrow cobblestone streets, with beautiful architecture on all sides. The main cathedral in the Plaza Obradoiro symbolizes the culmination of the pilgrimage in its entirety. According to legend it houses the remains of St. John the Apostle.

Trip Details

Accommodation	Small family-run inns (14 nts).
Brochure Notes	Night stops may vary depending on weather conditions, daily group progress and availability.
Departure	Departs monthly (May-Oct)
DepEnd	Sun-Sun
Group Size	Max 15, Avg 10
Meals Included	No meals included.
Recommendation	Interested in extending your active holiday in Spain? Try our Catalonia Walking Adventure ESCW or Catalonia by Bike ESCB.
StartFinish	Leon to Santiago de Compostela
Testimonial	"Great holiday. The food and wine were a treat and the tour leader knew all the best places to go. I felt that I was able to re-connect with nature once again - loose all the stress of working in London." - Paul Conway travelled on The Pilgrim's Way
Transport	Walking, Local bus.

When can I go?

Start Date	Finish Date	Places Available
2009-05-10	2009-05-24	7+
2009-06-07	2009-06-21	7+
2009-06-21	2009-07-05	7+
2009-07-12	2009-07-26	7+
2009-09-06	2009-09-20	7+
2009-09-20	2009-10-04	7+
2009-10-04	2009-10-18	7+
2009-05-10	2009-05-24	7+
2009-06-07	2009-06-21	7+
2009-06-21	2009-07-05	7+
2009-07-12	2009-07-26	7+
2009-09-06	2009-09-20	7+
2009-09-20	2009-10-04	7+
2009-10-04	2009-10-18	7+

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