Hike the Camino Frances from Leon to Santiago de Compostela
Imagine 18-days walking the Camino Frances, starting in León and finishing in Santiago de Compostela. Explore this ancient pilgrim route, having time to contemplate the history of this journey, and the impact on you as a pilgrim. Along the way explore historical villages, savour local Spanish food and wine, and meet other pilgrims from around the world.
The Camino Francés walking tour from León to Santiago de Compostela is the second most popular route of the Camino, after the 7-day route that starts in Sarria. This route from Leon is a shorter 18-day version of the standard Camino Frances, which starts in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port or Roncesvalles.
This walking tour begins in the Castilla y León region. The first stages are on less difficult terrain, however the route gets a little more difficult as you approach Galicia. You will have to climb Mount Irago to reach Ponferrada, where you can see the mythical Cruz de Ferro. Part of this section is the well-known climb to O Cebreiro. It is a strong ascent, but for many pilgrims the most beautiful stage of the French Way.
Arrive in Galicia, hike through lush forests to Compostela and pass places with an enormous Jacobean tradition such as Sarria, Portomarín, Melide, famous for its “pulperias”, or Arzúa with its delicious cheese.
Finally you will face the last climb, before Santiago, the Monte do Gozo, where, as the name suggests, you will have the first glimpses of the cathedral towers and will enjoy the satisfaction of approaching the end of your journey, the Feet of the Apostle Santiago.
Arrive in Santiago after 18-days on your Camino to enjoy completing this monumental journey, and making memories that will last a lifetime. ¡Buen Camino!
Highlights of the Camino Frances from Leon to Santiago de Compostela
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Camino Frances from Leon to Santiago de Compostela Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival to León
León is one of the main cities of the Camino de Santiago, your starting point on this route, and the second most popular starting point from which the pilgrims start the Camino Frances, after Sarria. In León, a visit to the Cathedral, Gaudí's Casa Botines and the San Marcos Hospital is a must. Also a walk through the old town and a stop in the Barrio del Húmedo is highly recommended, to recover from the walk with some good tapas.
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in León
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Walk to Olcina de Valdoncina
Today you’ll walk a variant of the French Way through Villar de Mazarife, which take you away from the N-120 national road. It is practically a flat stage, which runs between small towns and cereal fields, characteristic of this region.
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Olcina de Valdoncina
Distance: ∼3 hrs, 11km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Continue walking to Hospital de Órbigo
Today you will start to tackle some bumps in the terrain, which will get bigger the closer you get to Galicia. The flat landscape of the plateau continues until Hospital de Órbigo, which you reach via a magnificent bridge over the river. It will be the last city in which you find only a slightly mountainous terrain.
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Hospital de Órbigo
Distance: ∼6 hrs, 24.6km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Walk to the historical city of Astorga
Leave behind the plains of the Castilian Plateau as you enter a more mountainous area. Your goal will be the small city of Astorga, full of vestiges of Roman times where the French Way meets another Camino variant - the Vía de la Plata. Astorga is also the capital of the Maragatería region.
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Astorga
Distance: ∼4 hrs, 16.5km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Walk to Foncebadón
You are now penetrating ever deeper into the Montes de León. In this phase you will find even larger hills on the walk.
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Foncebadón
Distance: ∼7 hrs, 25.8km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Gastronomy in Ponferrada
Today you leave the Maragatería region and walk into El Bierzo. This also means that you are returning to the bumps that are typical of mountain areas. The first climb takes you to a mythical place on the Camino de Santiago, the Cruz de Ferro on Mount Irago, the highest point of the French route, at 1,500 meters. From there you start a descent that leads to the city of Ponferrada, the capital of the Bierzo region. This entire region is known for its rich gastronomy with typical dishes such as botillo and especially for its wines with its own designation of origin.
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Ponferrada
Distance: ∼7 hrs, 26.8km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Walk to Villafranca del Bierzo
In the middle of the Bierzo region, this stage leads over quite comfortable hiking trails. Walk through landscapes of fields and vineyards. In Villafranca del Bierzo you can visit the Church of Santiago, known for the Puerta del Perdón, which opened in the Jacobean years, as well as the Holy Door of the Cathedral of Santiago.
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Villafranca del Bierzo
Distance: ∼6 hrs, 24,2km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Walk to Vega de Valcarce
Today is a flat stage, which will give you a rest as Day 9 is a more challenging day. The route follows the old N-VI and runs down the Valcarce river for a final stretch of almost two kilometers.
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Vega de Valcarce
Distance: ∼4 hrs, 16.3km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9 Beautiful stage to O Cebreiro
In this stage you face the mythical climb to O Cebreiro, a gateway to the French route to Galicia and the biggest climb on the Camino Frances in Spain. Many say that it is the most beautiful stage on the Camino Frances, and possibly the most exciting. The difference in altitude is almost 700 meters along the dreaded La Faba hill. Arriving at the beautiful village of O Cebreiro the hill is forgotten, as you explore which the history of immense Jacobean tradition and great anthropological interest. The entry into the magical Ancares was worth it.
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in O Cebreiro
Distance: ∼3 hrs, 11.5km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10 Descend towards Triacastela
You start towards the top of San Roque, where there is a statue of the pilgrim, which will give you encouragement for the difficult climb to O Alto do Poio, where you will be at 1337 meters. Although it is not a long stage, due to this ascent it is one of the most complicated. Then you descend towards Triacastela.
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Triacastela
Distance: ∼5 hrs, 21km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 11 Hike to Sarria
Start this short stage towards San Xil. In a quiet area you take a pleasant walk through the beautiful landscapes. Cross the San Xil Valley, one of the most beautiful in Galicia, to get to your next destination: Sarria.
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Sarria
Distance: ∼4 hrs, 18km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 12 Explore Galicia’s Portomarin
Sarria is the starting point for many pilgrims because it is very close to the mythical and last 100 km of the Camino Frances. This is the minimum distance that must be covered to get the Compostela. This first stage is flat, without many climbs. As you enter into the deepest Galicia let yourself be enchanted by the beauty of its chestnuts, oaks, rivers, meadows ... as well as charming cities such as Barbadelos or Ferreiros. The old town of Portomarin lies below the Belesar reservoir. The Miño river let’s you that you are getting close to Portomarin.
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Portomarin
Distance: ∼4 hrs, 22.2km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 13 Walk to Palas de Rei
Start the hike towards Serra de Ligonde, where you climb up to 725 meters. On this day, the green landscapes are mixed with some paved areas and start to see the famous "Cruzeiros". The villages of Castromaior, Ventas de Narón and Ligonde deserve special mention.
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Palas de Rei
Distance: 6 hrs, 24.8km, 725m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 14 Hike to Melide
Hike in the direction of Campo dos Romeiros, an important meeting point for pilgrims, and in the direction of Leboreiro, a pleasant hike in the middle of lush forests to finally cross a medieval bridge to reach the Melide river.
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Melide
Distance: ∼3 hrs, 14.4km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 15 Walk to Arzua
Leave the province of Lugo and enter the province of A Coruña. The few kilometers that await you again allow to enjoy some of the enchanting towns along the way like Boente and Castañeda until you reach Arzua, famous for its cheese.
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Arzua
Distance: 3 hrs, 14.1km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 16 Hike to O Pedrouzo
This short and quiet stage allows you to process everything that was experienced during the trip, and prepare to arrive in Santiago tomorrow.
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in O Pedrouzo
Distance: 4 hrs, 19.3km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 17 Arrival to Santiago de Compostela
Expect excitement, reflection, relief and joy today. This is last stage and it is recommended that you start hiking early to take part in the pilgrimage, which is celebrated at 12:00 p.m. First you reach Lavacolla and continue climbing Monte do Gozo, where you can catch a glimpse of the long-awaited cathedral from distance. Finally arrive at the Plaza del Obradoiro and get well deserved personal satisfaction of having reached this point.
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Santiago
Distance: 4 hrs, 19.4km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 18 Departure
¡Buen Camino! See you next time.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
This self-guided tour is always run as a private tour for your group only, where the pricing depends on your travelling dates, as well as the types of rooms that you need.
2024 Departures:
- Single room: from $2,125 USD*
- Sharing a double room: from $1,350 USD*
2025 Departures:
- Single room: from $2,275 USD*
- Sharing a double room: from $1,425 USD*
*-Pricing for this tour depends on the dates of your trip. Please click the booking button below to get the exact pricing for your trip dates. The prices listed are per person.
Book NowAccommodation on Camino Frances from Leon to Santiago de Compostela
This tour is based on bed and breakfasts. In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel where possible. Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Bed and breakfast along the route
Enjoy a comfortable stay in a simple bed and breakfast accommodations, conveniently located along the route.
What’s Included in the Camino Frances from Leon to Santiago de Compostela?
Meals
17 breakfasts are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 17 nights are included. Accommodations before the tour are not included but can be added as a supplement.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation for your luggage is included throughout the tour (max. 20 kg - 1 piece of luggage per person).
Also included
- 24-hour emergency line
- Galician cheese tasting in Santiago
- Maps for all stages
- Guided Tour in Santiago de Compostela (old town)
- Pilgrim pass
- Pilgrim scallop
Not included
- Any personal transport
- Flights
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Tips
- Gratuities for tour guides or other staff if desired
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Single occupancy upgrades
- Optional activities or excursions
- Half board supplement
- Picnic Supplement
- Private transfer to León
- Private transfer to the airport
- One day tour:
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- Santiago - Fisterra
- Santiago - Rías Baixas & Wine Tasting
- Santiago - Rías Baixas, Wine Tasting & Boat Trip
- Extra piece of luggage
Frequently Asked Questions about Camino Frances from Leon to Santiago de Compostela
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