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A Self-Guided Trip. 10 Days, 9 Nights, with 7 days walking.
This popular itinerary covers the last 155 km / 96 miles of the Camino Frances, starting the pilgrimage from the town of O’Cebreiro – 1st town on the Way in Galicia, taking 7 days of walking to reach Santiago de Compostela. This section of the Way includes the “final 100 km of the Camino”, the minimum distance required to qualify for the famous Compostela certificate. What makes our trip so special is that it also allows you to experience some of the completely different culture and environment of Castilla y León and the transition towards Galicia, normally only available to those who start walking much further away!
After a first night in historic León, you’ll transfer in our private taxi, following the Camino to Villafranca del Bierzo for your 2nd night. En-route there will be stops at the main highlights, such as Astorga, Castrillo de los Polvazares, Cruz de Ferro and Ponferrada, as well as options to walk some short but attractive sections of the historic route. On Day 3, a short transfer up to the mountain-top village of O’Cebreiro to start walking all the way to Santiago.
10 Days, 9 Nights
León
Several daily connections from Madrid and Barcelona by air, rail or bus
Santiago de Compostela
Several daily connections to Madrid, Barcelona and certain European cities by air, as well as rail connections to Madrid and other cities
C – Although the terrain is very easy, we classify this as “Moderate”, due to length of walks with constant short ups and downs, averaging just over 22 km / 13.8 mi daily. For most people this would be about 5 to 6 hours.
In León and Santiago we use quality 3* or 4* hotels in great locations in the pedestrian-only zones of the old cities. In rural areas, we use the best available, mostly 2* to 3* or equivalent, small family-run hotels and inns. All properties have en-suite bathrooms and are personally chosen for their comfort, character, location and overall quality, with a preference for stylishly restored historic buildings. Good food is also a must!
Any day from March 1 to October 31
2
Contact us to request a price for your custom or private group!
9 nights accommodation
9 breakfasts, 4 dinners with local wine and bottled water. Other nights to explore on your own.
Custom-written, detailed daily route instructions, hotel contact information, local maps of León, Villafranca del Bierzo, Sarria and Santiago
All luggage transfer between O’Cebreiro and Santiago.
Private taxi transfers on Days 2 and 3.
Local English-speaking Iberian Adventures contact
An extra night in León is recommended if you have time, especially if you’ve just arrived from overseas, to get over jet-lag etc. León is a wonderful historic city with plenty to see and great eating options ranging from a myriad of tapas bars to excellent restaurants offering fine cuisine.
At least 1 extra night in Santiago is highly recommended – in fact it is compulsory in our view! On needs time to properly experience this magical city, pulsating with a special energy that is unique on the planet! There is plenty to see and endless eating options ranging from tapas to superb restaurants offering the finest cuisine and opportunities to savour Galicia’s excellent regional wines and so forth.
Approx. 200 euros per group of up to 4 – available only if staying at least 1 extra day and night in Santiago. Includes transport, hiking notes & map and lunch reservations in Finisterre town, at a great restaurant overlooking the port. This is a great morning hike following “pagan” pilgrimage trails to the lighthouse at the tip of the cape and is a wonderful way to end your time on the Camino!
You can book this service when reserving & paying for your trip or we can arrange it for you and you pay the guides directly in cash. Approximate rates are:
León: 140 euros per group
Santiago: 150 euros per group
With a flexible departure time, the route follows the Camino de Santiago and includes scheduled stops at several sites of interest, as well as allowing you the option to walk up to 3 short but attractive sections of the Camino.
Total driving time: 2 hours + stops & optional walks
Stops during transfer: Astorga – the city’s illustrious patrimony include numerous Roman ruins, a Gothic cathedral and Catalán architect Antonio Gaudí’s Neo-Gothic Bishop’s Palace; Castrillo de los Povazares is one of Spain’s best preserved medieval villages. Cruz de Ferro is an emblematic iron cross atop Mt. Irago(1504m), with an enormous mound of stones, placed by pilgrims at its base; Ponferrada’s castle is one of Spain’s finest, built by the order of the Knights Templar.
Walks on the Camino en-route: these will be described in your daily route notes.
Total driving time: 25 minutes
León – one of Spain’s great historic cities, home to some of Europe’s greatest masterpieces of Gothic art and a wonderful pilgrim’s atmosphere, its old quarter is perfect for strolling and enjoying tapas and the excellent local wine.
Astorga – crossroads of the Via de la Plata and Camino de Santiago, the city’s illustrious patrimony include numerous Roman ruins, a Gothic cathedral and Catalán architect Antonio Gaudí’s Neo-Gothic Bishop’s Palace.
Castrillo de los Polvazares – one of Spain’s most beautiful and well-preserved medieval villages, it is the symbol of the area in western León province known as La Maragatería.
Cruz de Ferro – emblematic iron cross called “cruz de ferro”, emerging from and enormous mound of stones, placed by countless pilgrims at its base.
Villafranca del Bierzo – considered the “gateway to Galicia”, the last major town before the Way begins the arduous ascent to cross the Leon-Galicia border, it has a wealth of historic buildings, including several churches, a castle, a monastery, a convent and plenty of noble homes.
O’Cebreiro – an emblematic hilltop stone village with curious pre-Roman thatch-roofed dwellings called pallozas. The chapel is the site of one of the Camino’s most famous legends.
Santiago de Compostela – one of the world’s great historic cities, its ancient granite-clad old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Home to Galicia’s regional government, one of Europe’s oldest universities and the magnificent cathedral that has drawn millions over the centuries like a magnet, it virtually buzzes with a unique energy and is a fascinating place to explore.
NOTE: If you aren’t in a hurry we definitely recommend you stay at least 2 nights in Santiago to fully enjoy and experience this magical city. Then…if there’s time and you want to see more of the area or another part of Spain, consider hiring a car and driving from Santiago along the coast to Bilbao, across the country to Madrid or Barcelona, Andalusia, etc. We can help you to plan your itinerary. Ask us!
