Villafranca del Bierzo walks

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.

The 70th stage of the Camino de Santiago. This stage towards Triacastela first climbs up to the Haut de San Roque and its monumental statue of the pilgrim, then descends gently towards the small village of Triacastela. In between, a peaceful journey through wooded areas and green meadows that reconnects us with nature.

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 seventy-first stage of the Camino de Santiago. On this stage, with fewer long sections along busy roads, you’ll walk along a greener, quieter countryside route passing through many small villages.

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.

This stage runs through rural Galicia, with at least seven villages en route and plenty of places to stop for a rest (or even to stay the night if you want to split this stage into two or three mini-stages). Likewise, there are plenty of chapels, churches and fountains to visit. Our route follows the original way to Vilabade, which includes a visit to the church of Santa María, known as the "catedral de Castroverde".