León walks

León is a city steeped in history and full of monuments to discover. Without a doubt, the cathedral is the number one sight to see in León. A colossal monument that dominates the city from above and captivates simply by its presence. In addition to this monumental building, you can explore the Royal Collegiate Church of San Isidoro, Casa Botines, the Palacio de los Guzmanes, the Roman and medieval walls, and the Convent of San Marcos. And if you have time, do take a stroll through the Húmedo and Romántico districts to soak up the atmosphere around the tapas bars. I visited this city at the end of the sixty-third stage of my Camino de Santiago.

The sixty-ninth stage of the Camino de Santiago. This stage is nothing like the one before it – far from it! It is a stage that will leave an indelible memory, thanks to the beautiful, exhilarating and daunting climb to O Cebreiro, the highest ascent on the French Way within Spanish territory. In the village of O Cebreiro, you are in Galicia; this village is a little gem, thanks to its location, its views, its church, its pallozas and its legends.

Stage 68 of the Camino de Santiago. Today’s stage crosses the entire Bierzo region, a large basin surrounded by mountains and blessed with a milder microclimate. You’ll find yourself back in the countryside and among the vineyards that produce the famous wines of Bierzo. After passing through a few small villages that stretch along the route and crossing the River Cua, you’ll arrive in Villafranca del Bierzo, a Frankish town born of the pilgrimage route and rich in beautiful heritage.

The 67th stage of the Camino de Santiago. On this stage, the climb up to Alto de Cerezales offers a magnificent panoramic view of the surrounding area. Then begins a long descent along stony paths and through magnificent chestnut groves towards Ponferrada. This ancient town, built at the confluence of the River Boeza, boasts numerous religious buildings and an imposing fortified castle built by the Knights Templar in the 13th century.

Sixty-sixth stage of the Camino de Santiago. On this stage, you climb gently up the eastern slope of the León mountains through magnificent scenery. The route passes through picturesque little villages saved from abandonment. After passing through Rabanal del Camino on a path through oak forests, you begin the ascent to the Cruz de Ferro (the Iron Cross), through a landscape of almost deserted moorland, before descending to the hamlet of Manjarin to spend the night in, or next to, a quaint refuge.

The sixty-fifth stage of the Camino de Santiago. On this stage, you reach the very photogenic Orbigo Bridge before passing through several picturesque villages to arrive in Astorga, a Roman town with an imposing city wall, whose many monuments serve as a reminder of its historic past.

Sixty-fourth stage of the Camino de Santiago. On this stage, you will pass through the old part of the city of León, taking in the famous tapas bars, restaurants and iconic landmarks such as the Trajan’s Column. The walk out of León is gruelling, involving several hours’ walking along the N-120, all the way to Villadangos del Páramo.

Stage 63 of the Camino de Santiago. On this stage, you leave behind the arid high plateau of the Meseta to reach León, one of the most beautiful and culturally rich cities on the Camino de Santiago. This is a fairly short stage, leaving you plenty of time to explore the city.

Sixty-second stage of the Camino de Santiago. This stage is long, monotonous and hot! In short, another stage across the Meseta and, more specifically, the rocky Páramo plain, with endless, straight paths offering little variety that seem to go on forever.

A long stage that begins with a climb through a beech forest, then turns towards Posada de Valdeón to follow a gently sloping valley, before tackling the very difficult climbs of the Canal de Asotín, El Berón and the Canal de Congosto. Finally, you arrive at the magnificent site of Collado Jermoso, where the refuge is perched.