Camino Francés: León to Santiago

Day 1. Arrive in León Settle in to your room, relax! Return to Top

Day 2. Rest Day León Enjoy León’s spectacular Gothic cathedral or enjoy its public market and many small shops in the central historic area (Option 1c concludes the next morning). Return to Top

Day 3. Walk 28.3km from León to Hospitál de Órbigo via bus to La Virgen. To avoid the soulless concrete suburbs of León we suggest taking the bus to La Virgen del Camino. Although the official track then follows the N-120 on a roadside path through Villadangos del Páramo, the Villar de Mazarife option is the more tranquil choice and then the path continues toward the storied bridge at quiet Hospitál de Órbigo. Return to Top

Day 4. Walk 17.4km from Hospital de Órbigo to Astorga. From Hospital de Órbigo, the Meseta’s vastness is replaced with rolling hills, scrublands, and only the occasional field of grain. The climb to Astorga is the official end of the Meseta, and the town serves as gateway to the Montes de León just beyond. Return to Top

Day 5. Walk 25.7km from Astorga to Foncebadón. The Meseta’s wide views now fade into memory and are replaced by vistas of mountains and forests. The long and gradual uphill can almost convince you that you are not climbing into the mountains. However, just before Rabanal the path heads more steeply upward, continuing up to Foncebadón and the summit just beyond. Return to Top

Day 6. Walk 19.4km from Foncebadón to Molinaseca. The walk includes some of the Camino’s most beautiful mountain vistas on paths that are often very pleasant, particularly with wildflowers in season. The highlight of the day may be Cruz de Ferro, with its tradition of contemplation and spiritual release. The unstable footing on the long downhill into Molinaseca makes the day’s middle half sometimes difficult, but Molinaseca is a delightful, medieval village and the day’s efforts are little remembered after a dinner in Molinaseca’s pedestrian lane. Return to Top

Day 7. Walk 31.1km from Molinaseca to Villafranca del Bierzo. A suburban walk after Molinaseca, leads to the delightful center city of Ponferrada with its Knights Templar castle. From there, the mostly flat stage can be described in three parts – the pleasant riverfront promenade out of Ponferrada; the walk among homes, gardens, villages and vineyards until Cacabelos, and then the not-so-pleasant walk along the highway until just shy of Villafranca del Bierzo. Wine drinkers will want to order a glass of the internationally famous Bierzo vintages. Plan a relaxing evening exploring the churches, castles, shops, restaurants and bars of lovely Villafranca. Return to Top

Day 8. Walk 20.4km from Villafranca del Bierzo to Las Herrerías. This long uphill climb is gentle at first. Although the walk follows the old N-VI (Madrid–A Coruña highway) and shares the narrow valley with the A-6 freeway viaducts, the most common sound is the Valcarce River as it makes its way noisily downhill to the accompaniment of songbirds and, well, the occasional belch of a diesel truck groaning up the valley on the freeway above.  Return to Top

Day 9. Walk 20.4km from Las Herrerías to Fonfría. After Las Herrerías the path becomes quite steep. A day of sweeping views during steady up- and downhill climbs, almost entirely on paths of dirt and gravel. The climax comes at touristy O Cebreiro, first town of Galicia and an introduction to the unique history of this northwest Spanish region. A hill still follows, with a steep climb to Alto do Poio followed by an overnight at Fonfría. Return to Top

Day 10. Walk 26.4km from Fonfría to Sarria. It’s off to Triacastela for second breakfast, then the pretty climb over a forested ridge before descending into the valley of the Sarria River on a mixture of quiet country roads, sunken paths and forest trails. Return to Top

Day 11. Walk 23.0km from Sarria to Portomarín. A mellow day among pastures, stone fences and cornfields, bookended by a tall staircase at the beginning and another at the end. The highlights are the medieval churches along the way. Return to Top

Day 12. Walk 25.3km from Portomarín to Palas de Rei. But for a few diversions onto forest paths, today’s walk takes a business-like trajectory on roadside pathways and through small dairy-centered villages.Return to Top

Day 13. Walk 29.6km from Palas de Rei to Arzúa. Although today’s route hugs the path of the N-547 highway, the Camino track touches it only near the settlements, allowing for pleasant walking on well maintained trails among pastures, cornfields and gardens. Highlight of the day is the old town of Melide, with its restaurants, bars and shops.Return to Top

Day 14. Walk 19.7km from Arzúa to O Pedrouzo. An easy day of minor climbs and descents through countryside and villages with the ever-present N-547 highway as companion and sometime daunting obstacle. Small dairy farms and tracts of eucalyptus trees cover the low, rolling hills which are dotted with ample rest stops, although there are few villages of interest. Fountains and cafes make for an easy walking day with little preparation necessary.Return to Top

Day 15. Walk 20.0km from O Pedrouzo to Santiago de Compostela. A surprisingly green and peaceful entry into urban Santiago – at least until the final 5km which wind along seemingly never-ending city streets. Two tall hills make the day a moderate workout. The view from Monte do Gozo and the final entry into Praza do Obradoiro can be a deeply emotional climax to a week, a month or season of walking toward this historic pilgrimage destination. Return to Top

Day 16. Rest Day in Santiago de Compostela Explore the Cathedral, obtain your compostela certificate or just hang out in Plaza Obradoiro and welcome other pilgrims as they arrive (Option to continue to Finisterre) Return to Top

Day 17. Depart for further adventures after your unforgettable Camino.

Accommodation options

The Camino famously features dormitory housing on bunk beds, where travelers are challenged to adjust to the rhythm of snoring and strange sounds in the night. Instead, all Pilgrim Paths package itineraries select private single or double rooms in pilgrim hostels or simple hotels so you get the best rest possible to prepare for the coming day’s walk.

Standard Level Accommodation

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Standard Level Plus+ Accommodation Packages

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Terms and Conditions

At registration, all Accommodation Package participants must affirm they have read and understood the Terms and Conditions listed below:

Nature of Pilgrimage and Accommodations: Pilgrim Paths organizes religious and cultural travel itineraries in the pilgrimage walking tradition. Accommodation prices are based on single and/or double occupancy and these itineraries will utilize a range of accommodation ranging from pilgrim hostels where no hotel is available to 3-star hotels in larger cities. Return to Top

Package Trek Participant Responsibilities: As a Package Trek participant you have responsibilities, including:

1. Selecting a walk appropriate to your interests and abilities and being in sufficient good health and fitness to do the walk. If you have any medical or physical conditions that are likely to affect your capability to do this walk, you must submit a letter from your medical doctor stating that you are capable of participating in this walk.
2. Preparing for your walk by reading all the information on the website and material sent to you by Pilgrim Paths, especially that relating to the daily walking stages, accommodation and transport, and
3. Respecting the laws, health regulations, customs, traditions, and culture of the areas visited. Return to Top

Passports and Visas: Participants must carry with them a valid passport with at least six months of validity and the necessary visa as required by local law. Any information from Pilgrim Paths regarding visa applications is only a guideline. The participant is responsible for all necessary visa and legal documentations, noting that European Union (Schengen) visa requirements apply and may vary depending on your country of origin. Return to Top

Price: The Package Trek price per does not include ground transportation to and from the origin and destination. Luggage transfer service is included only when specified (usually in our Standard Level Plus+ package). Price includes lodging (per person at double-occupancy or single lodging); a guidebook, and credential. The price does not include airfare, meals, recommended travel insurance, personal expenses, or anything not expressly stated on the itinerary. When a guide is provided, a tip at the end of the walk is customary. Return to Top

Payment Information: A deposit of 33% is required to secure a reservation and €500 of the deposit is non-refundable but transferable to another Pilgrim Paths itinerary. The final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. Payment can be made by e-commerce site (with additional fees), personal check or wire transfer (bank fees from the sending bank apply). Trip prices and costs are listed in Euros and translation to other currencies is to be based on Google Finance conversion rates, which fluctuate daily. Return to Top

Changes and Cancellations: 

Once the itinerary pricing has been confirmed by the participant and the deposit and final payment have been received, we ask that no further changes to the itinerary be made. If changes are requested, Pilgrim Paths must confirm the feasibility of the changes and then will charge a fee of €50 per change for each accommodation or ground transportation change needed to complete the revised itinerary. Changes will be incorporated into a revised itinerary once the change fee has been billed and paid. Return to Top

If a participant cancels 90 days or more before departure, all payments will be refunded except €500 of your deposit which is transferable to another trip with Pilgrim Paths. If the cancellation is made fewer than 90 days before departure, the following non-refundable charges are added to the $100 withheld by Pilgrim Paths:

• 25% 31-90 days before departure
• 50% 15- 30 days
• 75% 8- 14 days
• 90% 4- 7 days
• 100% 3 days or less, no-show, interruption

These mandatory charges are included in order to cover the cost to Pilgrim Paths of subcontractors who have required advance payment in order to confirm bookings. Other terms and conditions may apply at registration. Return to Top

Release and Assumption of Risk: I understand and agree that during the tour in which I will participate, under the arrangements of Pilgrim Paths, certain risks and dangers may arise, including, but not limited to, acts of God, the hazards of the forces of nature (including but not limited to animal or insect bites), dangers and risks inherent in trekking activities (including but not limited to falls or injuries), and accident or illness in remote places without access to medical facilities, transportation, or means of rapid evacuation and assistance. Pilgrim Paths shall not be responsible for any injuries, damages, or losses caused to any traveler in connection with any of the above, mechanical or construction failures or difficulties, diseases, local laws, climatic conditions, abnormal conditions or developments, or any other actions, omissions, or conditions outside the travel company’s control. Traveler assumes complete and full responsibility for, and hereby releases the agent from any duty of, and all safety or security conditions at such destinations. Return to Top

In consideration of, and as a part of the payment for, the right to participate in such treks, tours, expeditions, or other activities and as a part of the payment for, the services arranged for me by Pilgrim Paths and its agents, employees, associates, affiliated companies, or subcontractors, I do hereby expressly assume all of the above risks. Return to Top