Best of the Pilgrim Route

Itinerary
14 days - 13 nights - 9 days walk.

Day 1:

Arrival in Burgos - capital of Castille with splendid Gothic Cathedral and Santiago chapel and many important buildings.

Day 2:

Visit of Burgos and transfer to Castrojeriz. This small town was built by the Romans and was an important place for pilgrims in former times - with several hospitals for pilgrims. Today it is a nice place to stay with three interesting churches and a good view of the ruins of the Alcazar on the hill above the town.

Day 3:

Walk Castrojeriz - Fromista 15 miles/24kms. Fromista - small town with Romanesque Church in centre of town (now deconsecrated) and one of the best preserved National Monuments to the Camino. The main church is the 15th Century Church of San Pedro.

Day 4:

Transfer to Leon. Free day in Leon - here it is worth spending a whole day. The three most important monuments are the 13th c cathedral in French Gothic style with marvellous stained glass windows, the Basilica of San Isidoro and the Romanesque church of San Marcos, formerly an important pilgrim hospital and now a parador.  The Casa de las Bottines by Gaudi is now a bank.

Day 5:

Transfer to Hospital de Orbigo and walk Hospital - Astorga 10 miles/16kms. Transfer to the longest Pilgrim bridge in Spain crossing the river Orbigo at Hospital de Orbigo - it is 204 metres long and has 20 arches - from where it is just over 10 miles  to Astorga. Astorga is the junction of two of the major Pilgrim routes - the Camino Frances and the Via de la Plata. In Astorga you will find the Bishop's palace built by Gaudi, the pilgrim museum and the beautiful Gothic cathedral along with several other interesting churches. Overnight in a hotel in Astorga.

Day 6:

Transfer to Rabanal del Camino and walk Rabanal - Ponferrada 18.75 miles/30kms. After about 4 miles you come to the small deserted village of  Foncebadon where the hermit Gaucelmo built a hospital, church and hospice for pilgrims in the 12th century - however the remains are all that is seen today along with several ruined houses. A mile further along the route you come to Cruz de Ferro (1504m) with fantastic views on a clear day. It is traditional to take a stone from home and add it to the pile. From here the route is all downhill as far as Ponferrada.  After another mile you will walk through another nearly abandoned village and after about 5 miles will come to the village of  El Acebo which formerly had a pilgrim hospital - today it has a long narrow street with attractive old houses with overhanging balconies and a church. Overnight Ponferrada

Day 7:

Visit of Ponferrada and transfer to Villafranca del Bierzo. Ponferrada is a large industrial town - with an old and a new town. The  small historic part of the town has a 13th century castle built by the Knights Templar, the 16th C basilica of Nuestra Senora de la Encina (Our Lady of the Evergreen Oak) and in the suburbs there is the 10th century church of Santo Tomas de Ollas. There is time to visit Ponferrada before transferring to Villafranca del Bierzo - here the Iglesia de Santiago was previously the point where pilgrims who were too weak or ill to continue to Santiago were able to obtain the same indulgences had they continued their pilgrimage. There are a number of other interesting churches in the town. Overnight Villafranca

Day 8:

Walk Villafranca - O Cebreiro 18 miles/28.8kms. The walk between Villafranca and El Cebreiro is a strenuous walk and you should set out early - there are mountains and a stiff climb but in the end it is worth the effort and at the end of the day you stay in a very atmospheric hostel opposite the Church. El Cebreiro is a tiny village with lots of pallozas (round wooden dwellings of Celtic origin). The Church contains relics and a 12th century statue of the Virgin who inclined her head after a miracle took place in the 16th Century. Overnight El Cebreiro

Day 9:

Transfer to Sarria, a modern town with old quarter and walk Sarria - Portomarin. 14.5 miles/23.2kms. The walk between Sarria and Portomarin is one of the quietest and most peaceful of the Camino. During the summer there are plenty of places for lunch and drinks along the way. Overnight in Portmarin

Day 10:

Walk Portomarin - Palas de Rei 15.5 miles/24.8kms. There are several miles of road  walking along this stretch but the roads are quiet and you pass through some small villages  - i.e. the Romanesque Church of Santa Maria in Gonzar is 5 miles into the walk.  There is a lovely Galician cemetery church in Ligonde which is about another 3 miles. Overnight in Palas de Rei

Day 11:

Walk Palas de Rei - Arzua 18 miles/28.8kms. The route takes you to Melide about 4 miles from Palas - this is a pleasant town with a former monastery Church Santci Spiritu, along with a pilgrim hospital and the Church of San Pedro and the church of  Santa Maria as you leave the town. Overnight in hotel in the small town of Arzua

Day 12:

Walk Arzua - Lavacolla 17.5 miles/28kms. The route continues to the small village of Lavacolla where traditionally pilgrims used to cleanse themselves before the final walk into Santiago de Compostela. Overnight Lavacolla

Day 13:

Walk Lavacolla - Santiago 7.5 miles/12kms. The last day's walk is short so pilgrims can arrive in the Plaza de Obradoiro and enter the Cathedral by midday when the pilgrims are blessed. Overnight hotel.

Day 14:

End of the tour after breakfast

Walk Overview:
Useful information

Book This Walk

GETTING THERE

Train and bus station in Burgos.

LUGGAGE

Your luggage is transferred from accommodation to accommodation every day.

ACCOMMODATION

Please note that accommodation is variable. In some places there is little or no choice, whilst upgrades can be offered in some places. In small hotels, very occasionally a meal will be offered in the room if the restaurant is closed or if the hotel is not busy.

NUMBER OF PEOPLE

This tour is available for groups of 2 or more.

WHEN TO GO

There are departures every day between May 1st and October 30th.

PRICE

£1599 pp sharing
Single room supplement - £230
Supplement for person walking alone £395