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This signifies completion of the pilgrimage. However, you do have to walk the last 62 miles (100 kilometers) or bike the last 124 miles (200 kilometers) into Santiago de Compostela to get your Compostela pilgrim certificate. Some people choose to walk the Camino just for a week, while others might walk for months, or in short stages over years. Another common route is el Camino Portugués, the Portuguese Way, which begins in Lisbon and traverses 385 miles (almost 620 kilometers) north across Portugal to northwest Spain. Jean Pied de Port in southwestern France (near Spain) and crosses some 497 miles (800 kilometers) of northern Spain. 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.Most travelers start with one of the more popular routes, like el Camino Frances, the French Way, which begins in St. Santiago de Compostela – one of the world’s great historic cities, its ancient granite-clad old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The chapel is the site of one of the Camino’s most famous legends. O’Cebreiro – an emblematic hilltop stone village with curious pre-Roman thatch-roofed dwellings called pallozas. 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. 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.Īstorga – 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.Ĭastrillo 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.Ĭruz de Ferro – emblematic iron cross called “cruz de ferro”, emerging from and enormous mound of stones, placed by countless pilgrims at its base.

On Day 3, a short transfer up to the mountain-top village of O’Cebreiro to start walking all the way to Santiago.

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.

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!Īfter a first night in historic León, you’ll transfer in our private taxi, following the Camino to Villafranca del Bierzo for your 2nd night. This section of the Way includes the “final 100 km of the Camino”, the minimum distance required to qualify for the famous Compostela certificate. 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.