Pilgrim walks in the Cantabrian Mountains

On this stage, we cross the highest point of the Camino francés and can lay down a soul burden at the Cruz de Ferro, symbolised by a stone. Then we descend to the Templar town of Ponferrada.

On the hard way – the Camino duro – we climb today towards O Cebreiro. The pass crossing, however, is not before us until the next day.

We now cross the land of the Marargatos, a people rich in tradition, and begin the ascent to the Montes de León, the last large mountain range before Santiago de Compostela.

The route leads through vineyards to Villafranca del Bierzo. Here, pilgrims who could no longer make it over the Cebreiro were given early absolution, which is why the place is also called „Little Compostela“.

Today we will overcome the last big hurdle before Santiago de Compostela. In O Cebreiro we learn about the Galician Host Miracle and see typical palozzas.

Il Cammino d’Inverno si articola in 9-12 tappe e unisce Ponferrada con Santiago de Compostela, in Spagna.

1. von 9 Etappen auf dem Camino del Norte von Ribadeo bis Santiago de CompostelaTeil 196 von meinem Jakobsweg von Sankt Petersburg bis Santiago de Compostela Meine angrenzenden Routen: vorher: Camino de la Costa nachher: Camino a Fisterra

The Spanish Way of St. James leads us in 33 stages from the French Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port over the Pyrenees to Navarre and the vineyards of Rioja. Through the Castilian cultural city of Burgos and the barren expanses of the Meseta, we reach León, the last major city before Santiago de Compostela. From there we walk over the Montes de León and through the green hills of Galicia to the tomb of St. James - the goal of every St. James pilgrim.

We follow the course of the Río Sarria, discover one of the oldest monasteries in the western world in Samos and can stroll through the old town in Sarria.

Der Camino Francés beginnt in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port am französischen Fuss der Pyrenäen  und endet in Santiago de Compostela. Er ist der frequentierteste Abschnitt aller Jakobswege, denn die meisten Pilger kommen schliesslich auf dieser Achse nach Santiago.