Explore historic castles, conquer challenging climbs, and savor lush landscapes on the Camino Frances
Want to fit a walk on the Camino Frances into a 2-week holiday? Then this is the route for you, starting at Ponferrada you will spend thirteen days walking through some of the best parts of the Camino Frances. Enjoy your 13-day Camino Frances, with ample time to sample the food, taste the wine, explore villages, and reflect on the millions of pilgrims that have followed this route over the past centuries.
Along the way, you will enjoy the wonderful entrance to Galicia through O Cebreiro. You will see also see Ponferrada, capital of the Bierzo region, a wine region par excellence. In Ponferrada’s historic center you will find a castle founded by the Knights of the Order of the Temple, also closely linked to the Jacobean Route.
The Camino Francés from Ponferrada to Santiago de Compostela starts in fairly easy terrain, however as you get closer to Galicia the days become harder. You will find areas of ups and downs that will make your legs suffer a little more. Pay special attention to the mythical climb to O Cebreiro, the “Cuesta de la Faba”. This is a tough ascent, but for many pilgrims, it is also the most beautiful stage of the Camino Frances.
This walking tour concludes as you ascend the Monte do Gozo where, as its name suggests, you will have the first views of the towers of the cathedral of Santiago. Marvel at this 13-day pilgrimage, with new friends, experiences, and memories that can last a lifetime. Enjoy the satisfaction of this journey in Santiago. Buen Camino!!!
Highlights of the Camino Frances from Ponferrada to Santiago de Compostela
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Camino Frances from Ponferrada to Santiago de Compostela Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival to Ponferrada
Located in the province of León, Ponferrada is the capital of the Bierzo region. Although with traces of Roman times, the true boom of the city occurs with the pilgrimages to Santiago. In its historic quarter, the castle stands out, founded by the Templars, also closely linked to the Jacobean route. The entire region is known for its rich gastronomy, with typical dishes such as botillo and, above all, for its wines, with their own denomination of origin.
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Ponferrada
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Hike to Villafranca del Bierzo
In the middle of the Bierzo region, this stage leads over quite comfortable hiking trails through fields and vineyards. In Villafranca del Bierzo you can visit the Church of Santiago, known for the Puerta del Perdón, which opened only 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 3 Hike to Vega de Valcarce
Enjoy this relatively flat stage to catch your breath after your first walking day yesterday. 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 4 Climb to O Cebreiro
Today is a wonderful day on the Camino Frances. You will face the mythical climb to O Cebreiro, the gateway to the French route to Galicia and the biggest climb in Spain. Many say that it is the most beautiful stage on the Camino Frances. It’s also tough, with an altitude gain of almost 700 meters along the dreaded La Faba hill, but the arrival in the beautiful village of O Cebreiro of immense Jacobean tradition and great anthropological interest and the entry into the magical Ancares were worth it.
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in O Cebreiro
Distance: ∼3 hrs, 11.5km, 700m of ascent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Descend towards Triacastela
Characteristic of its ups and downs. 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. Although it is not a long stage 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 6 Walk through the San Xil Valley 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 7 Hike to Portomarín
Sarria is the most popular starting point for pilgrims because it is very close to the mythical and last 100 km. This is the minimum distance that must be covered to get the Compostela. This first stage is flat, without many climbs. You now enter deepest Galicia and 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 indicates that you are arriving.
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Portomarín
Distance: ∼4 hrs, 22.2km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Walk to Palas de Rei
Start the route towards Serra de Ligonde with a low level of difficulty, 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 9 Hike to Melide
Hike in the direction of: Campo dos Romeiros, an important meeting point for pilgrims, 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: ∼6 hrs, 14.4km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10 Continue trekking to Arzúa
Leave the province of Lugo and enter the province of A Coruña. The few kilometers ahead allow you to enjoy some of the enchanting towns along the way like Boente and Castañeda until you reach Arzua, famous for the cheese made there.
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Arzua
Distance: ∼3 hrs, 14.1km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 11 Hike to O Pedrouzo
Today is a short and quiet stage to process everything that was experienced during the trip before you arrive in Santiago tomorrow.
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in O Pedrouzo
Distance: ∼4 hrs, 19.3km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 12 Arrival to Santiago de Compostela
Today will bring excitement and strange mixed sensations. It is the last stage. 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 a distance. Finally the Plaza del Obradoiro and the well-deserved personal satisfaction of having reached this point.
Overnight Location: Bed and breakfast in Santiago
Distance: ∼4 hrs, 19.4km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 13 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 $1,525 USD*
- Sharing a double room: from $950 USD*
2025 Departures:
- Single room: from $1,595 USD*
- Sharing a double room: from $995 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 Ponferrada 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 Ponferrada to Santiago de Compostela?
Meals
12 breakfasts are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 12 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
- Guide services
- 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 Ponferrada
- 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 Ponferrada to Santiago de Compostela
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