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Highlights
Trek from León to O Cebreiro on a fourth stretch (out of five) of the Camino Frances
Explore the rich heritage of León, including the Cathedral, Gaudí's Casa Botines, and San Marcos Hospital.
Experience the transition from the flat plains of Castile to the greener terrain as you approach Galicia.
Reach the highest point of the French Way at Mount Irago, where you'll encounter the iconic Cruz de Ferro, a significant symbol for pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago.
Pass through the picturesque regions of Maragatería and Bierzo, known for their culinary specialties such as the famous stew and wines with designation of origin.
Challenge yourself with the ascent to O Cebreiro, the gateway to Galicia and one of the most beautiful stages of the journey.
This self-guided walking tour of the Camino Frances is the fourth stage of a five-stage tour that allows walkers to complete the Camino with one or two stages per year. Enjoy completing the complete route from Roncesvalles to Santiago de Compostella over several years.
This stage of the Camino Francés goes from the charming city of León to O Cebreiro. Part of the route leads you to Galicia through the mythical village of the priest Elías Valiña. He was the ideologue of the yellow arrow symbolizing the Camino of Santiago, as well as being responsible for the painting of many signs. The priest worked very actively in the revival of the Jacobean route.
The starting point of the French route from León to O Cebreiro is the city of León, which has transformed from a Roman camp to a medieval capital of the kingdom and now a historical city of the Camino de Santiago. On the first day arriving in the city, you can enjoy the rich heritage such as the Cathedral, Gaudí’s Casa Botines or the imposing San Marcos Hospital, which used to be a pilgrims’ home and has now been converted into a Parador. Leon is also well known for its rich gastronomy. In the old town, visiting the many bars of Barrio Húmedo is a must.
If you have made the previous section of the French route from Roncesvalles through the fields of Castile, from the third stage you will appreciate the change of the landscape. You will see greener areas as you approach Galicia.
In the fifth stage you’ll find the highest point of the French way, the mountain Irago (1,500m tall), and on its summit the mythical Cruz de Ferro, one of the most important elements for pilgrims who hike to Compostela.
You will cross two of the most famous regions in the province of León. That of the Maragatería, where it is essential to try the famous stew. You’ll also visit the Bierzo region, famous for its wines, with its own designation of origin.
To finish this section and touch the sky of the village of O Cebreiro, you will have to face the previous climb known as Cuesta de La Faba in a short stage, less than 12 kilometers. For many pilgrims, this stage from Vega de Valcárcel to O Cebreiro is the most beautiful on the way. Of course, it is worth visiting the village of O Cebreiro, which is of immense Jacobean tradition and great anthropological interest, as well as entering the magical Ancares.
This tour is part 4 of the 5-section complete Camino Frances:
This self-guided walking tour of the Camino Frances is the fourth stage of a five-stage tour that allows walkers to complete the Camino with one or two stages per year. Enjoy completing the complete route from Roncesvalles to Santiago de Compostella over several years.
This stage of the Camino Francés goes from the charming city of León to O Cebreiro. Part of the route leads you to Galicia through the mythical village of the priest Elías Valiña. He was the ideologue of the yellow arrow symbolizing the Camino of Santiago, as well as being responsible for the painting of many signs. The priest worked very actively in the revival of the Jacobean route.
The starting point of the French route from León to O Cebreiro is the city of León, which has transformed from a Roman camp to a medieval capital of the kingdom and now a historical city of the Camino de Santiago. On the first day arriving in the city, you can enjoy the rich heritage such as the Cathedral, Gaudí’s Casa Botines or the imposing San Marcos Hospital, which used to be a pilgrims’ home and has now been converted into a Parador. Leon is also well known for its rich gastronomy. In the old town, visiting the many bars of Barrio Húmedo is a must.
If you have made the previous section of the French route from Roncesvalles through the fields of Castile, from the third stage you will appreciate the change of the landscape. You will see greener areas as you approach Galicia.
In the fifth stage you’ll find the highest point of the French way, the mountain Irago (1,500m tall), and on its summit the mythical Cruz de Ferro, one of the most important elements for pilgrims who hike to Compostela.
You will cross two of the most famous regions in the province of León. That of the Maragatería, where it is essential to try the famous stew. You’ll also visit the Bierzo region, famous for its wines, with its own designation of origin.
To finish this section and touch the sky of the village of O Cebreiro, you will have to face the previous climb known as Cuesta de La Faba in a short stage, less than 12 kilometers. For many pilgrims, this stage from Vega de Valcárcel to O Cebreiro is the most beautiful on the way. Of course, it is worth visiting the village of O Cebreiro, which is of immense Jacobean tradition and great anthropological interest, as well as entering the magical Ancares.
This tour is part 4 of the 5-section complete Camino Frances:
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Camino Francés from León to O Cebreiro Tour Itinerary
Day 1 León
Make your way to León, the starting point of this fourth section of the Camino Frances. León is an important Jacobean capital where a visit to the Cathedral, Gaudí’s Casa Botines, and the San Marcos Hospital are all a must. A walk through the old town and a stop in the Barrio del Húmedo is also highly recommended.
Overnight Location: Bed and Breakfast in León
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Walk to Villadangos
This is the variant of the Historical Way of St. James. It runs parallel to the national N-120 and is a flat route that runs through the cities of San Miguel and Fresno, and among the grain fields characteristic of the area.
Overnight Location: Bed and Breakfast in Villadangos
Distance: 20.4km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Walk to Astorga
At this stage you will start to tackle some hills, which will get bigger the closer you get to Galicia. You’ll walk through Villadangos de Páramo and the Hospital de Órbigo, which you reach via a magnificent bridge over the river. Your destination will be the small town of Astorga, full of remains from the Roman period and where the French Way and the Vía de la Plata (The Silver Way) meet. It is also the capital of the Maragatería region.
Overnight Location: Bed and Breakfast in Astorga
Distance: 27.9km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Walk to Foncebadón
Your route gets hillier as you delve deeper into the Montes de León, eventually arriving in Foncebadón.
Overnight Location: Bed and Breakfast in Foncebadón
Distance: 25.8km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Walk to Ponferrada
At this point you leave the Maragatería region and hike to El Bierzo. Today is hilly, and 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 you 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: 26.8km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Walk to Villafranca del Bierzo
In the middle of the Bierzo region, today you will walk along quite comfortable hiking 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: 24.2km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Walk to Vega de Valcarce
Today is a flat stage, as well as relatively short, allowing you to rest up for tomorrow’s wonderful stage to O Cebreiro. 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: 16.3km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Vega de Valcarce to O Cebreiro
Today is 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 way, and possibly the most exciting. You’ll gain 700 meters of elevation as you ascend La Faba Hill, but the arrival in the beautiful village of O Cebreiro is worth it. You’ll find out why it’s of immense Jacobean tradition and great anthropological interest, and the entry into the magical Ancares make the hard days walk worth it.
Overnight Location: Bed and Breakfast in O Cebreiro
Distance: 11.5km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9 O Cebreiro
¡Buen Camino! See you next time.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
2024 Departures:
- Single room: from EUR881*
- Sharing a double room: from EUR557*
2025 Departures:
- Single room: from EUR899*
- Sharing a double room: from EUR585*
Accommodation on Camino Francés from León to O Cebreiro Tour
During this trip you will mostly stay in hostels and pensions. These accommodations have the necessary services to cover the basic needs of cleanliness and rest. Officially, hostels and guesthouses are 1-star accommodations. However, this rating should not be taken into account when evaluating the level of comfort and quality of their services.
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.
What’s Included in Camino Francés from León to O Cebreiro Tour?
Meals
8 breakfasts are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 8 nights are included.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation for your luggage is included throughout the tour (max. 20 kg per backpack – 1 piece of luggage per person). Airport transfers are not included, but private transfers can be arranged as an optional extra.
Also included
- 24-hour emergency line
- Maps for all stages
- Pilgrim pass
- Pilgrim scallop
Not included
- Guide services
- Insurance
- Personal expenses
- Personal transfers not specifically listed as included
Optional Extras
- Half board supplement
- Picnic Supplement
- Private transfers
- Extra piece of luggage
- Extra nights
- How hard is Camino Francés from León to O Cebreiro Tour?
- Do I need a visa to travel to Spain?
- I’ve never been on a self-guided trip! How does it work?
- Are meals included on Camino Francés from León to O Cebreiro Tour?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to León to start this tour?
- Where does Camino Francés from León to O Cebreiro Tour end?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to Spain?
- Are there any travel restrictions for Spain?
We rate the difficulty this tour as a 3 / 5. While some stages, such as the second and third days, are relatively easy with flat terrain, others involve moderate to challenging sections with increasing elevation gain. The fifth and eighth days, in particular, present medium to high difficulty due to the mountainous terrain, including significant climbs to reach Mount Irago and O Cebreiro, respectively. These stages require physical fitness and endurance to tackle the steep ascents and descents, with the eighth day being especially demanding with a climb of almost 700 meters.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
Self-guided travelling is not difficult! For many, it is a preferred type of travel, since you are in charge of your own time and pace. You are provided with all the information you’ll need to follow the route each day and often have access to phone support or other kinds of assistance. However, self-guided travelling requires good navigation skills and those who don’t feel confident in unknown places should consider booking guided tours.
8 breakfasts are included.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover hiking. Get your travel insurance.
The nearest airport to León is the León Airport (Aeropuerto de León), which mainly serves domestic flights. Alternatively, you can fly into larger airports nearby, such as Valladolid Airport or Asturias Airport, and then take a train, bus, or rental car to León.
The tour ends in O Cebreiro.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
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