The French Way - From León
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The French Way from León offers a chance to pilgrims to start their journey in the municipality of León, a town in Spain. It has ancient Roman connections and serves as a resting point for people and a great starting point. It has a lively culture of gastronomy and tapas bars.
This route offers unmatchable experiences of the Spanish countryside, quiet towns and villages where time has stood still. Whether you are resting here or starting here, it is bound to welcome you with open arms. León is a crown jewel in the Camino Frances with its rich cultural heritage with its Gothic cathedral and other architectural wonders.
3/5
Difficulty
León
Start
308 Km
Distance
14
Nights
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Favourable months to travel
Peak season
Shoulder season
Off season
Choose your package
BASIC PACKAGE
LUXURY PACKAGE
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This package includes:
Nights in hostels and rural houses with breakfast
Travel
insurance
24h assistance
Room with private bathroom
Welcome pack with digital credential
Route itinerary
Free cancellation
up to 15 days before
This package includes:
All the basic package services
+
Luxurious accommodations
Instead of hostels and rural houses
Transfer to hotel
In case accommodation deviates
slightly from your itinerary
You deserve a break, enjoy it in the best way possible.
Walk the same route but with better accommodations thanks to our selection of high standing hotels.
Read more info about our accommodations and how our team handpicked the best venues.
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Itinerary
León - Villavante
Stage 1
31 km
León marks the beginning of our journey along the French Route, one of the key cities on this path. This stage is predominantly level and tranquil. Once you leave León's outskirts, you'll traverse through serene farm lands.
Stage 2
21 km
Villavante - Astorga
Drawing nearer to the Montes de León, expect more varied terrain featuring a series of rises and falls. Astorga, well known for its connections to architect Gaudí, offers numerous attractions for visitors.
Astorga - Rabanal del Camino
Stage 3
20 km
Entering La Maragatería region through the French Route, travelers experience a blend of unique architectural styles and local culinary delights. A possible sidetrack to explore is Castrillo de los Polvazares, a village in Northern Spain noted for its traditional Maragato architecture and designated as a Historic-Artistic Site.
Passing through the ancient town of Santa Catalina de Somoza leads to Rabanal del Camino, where notable sights include La Asunción church and the Cuatro Esquinas house, reputedly where King Philip II stayed during his 16th-century pilgrimage to Santiago.
Rabanal del Camino - Ponferrada
Stage 4
32 km
The journey from Rabanal del Camino involves ascending the León mountains, reaching over 1,400 meters at Cruz de Ferro. This segment presents a challenging climb although it becomes flatter near Ponferrada. Despite steep descents post-Cruz de Ferro, travelers reach Ponferrada—a city with deep historical ties to the Pilgrims’ Route since the 11th century—boasting significant cultural and religious artefacts like the Templars’ Castle and San Andrés’s baroque church.
Ponferrada - Villafranca del Bierzo
Stage 5
23 km
Departing from Ponferrada’s cityscape, this stage transitions into the scenic Bierzo region highlighted by expansive orchards and vineyards. They lead to the medieval town of Villafranca del Bierzo.
Dominated by an ancient feudal castle, Villafranca del Bierzo's historical district is recognized as an Asset of Cultural Interest while its significant role on the Jacobean route has turned it into a key destination.
Villafranca del Bierzo - O Cebreiro
Stage 6
28 km
This stage proves more strenuous as it traverses a mountain pass with considerable incline, notably between Hospital and La Faba. It concludes at O Cebreiro in Os Ancares Lucenses—a stunning natural area declared a Biosphere Reserve—and marks Galicia's entrance on the French Route.
Highlights include tales of O Cebreiro’s miracle and panoramic views from the pilgrim woman statue at the village lookout.
O Cebreiro, Spain
O Cebreiro - Triacastela
Stage 7
21 km
The path from O Cebreiro to Triacastela is marked by fluctuations in elevation. We advise pacing yourself to fully appreciate its vistas. Triacastela itself presents archaeological interests derived from its three notable castles whence it gets its name.
Triacastela - Sarria
Stage 8
18 km
This leg offers an enjoyable trek through countryside settings, woods, and valleys until reaching Sarria—a preferred starting point for many due to being just right distance-wise for validating their pilgrimage. It is a requirement that a pilgrim walks the last 100 km in order to get a validation that they have completed the pilgrimage to the Cathedral at Santiago de Compostela. Since Sarria lies roughly 100 km away, it offers as the perfect starting point.
Sarria - Portomarín
Stage 9
22 km
This leg offers an enjoyable trek through countryside settings, woods, and valleys until reaching Sarria—a preferred starting point for many due to being just right distance-wise for validating their pilgrimage.
Portomarín - Palas de Rei
Stage 10
25 km
Characterized by tracks running alongside roads and walkable asphalt paths for pilgrims; this stage includes several attractive spots like Os Lameiros crossroads or Castromaior’s archaeological site amid quaint village settings.
Palas de Rei - Arzúa
Stage 11
29 km
Approaching Arzúa signifies nearing journey's end on the French Way. This part requires careful consideration with multiple ascends and descends across less maintained paths—it's advised to possibly halt midway for refreshment in Melide.
This zone also brings rich historic encounters such as meeting Primitive Way pilgrims at destinations like Melide or Arzúa.
Arzúa - Pedrouzo
From Arzúa to Pedrouzo challenges are minimal along forested tracks through woodland areas providing serenity albeit caution is urged especially when navigating frequent crossings over N-547 road which is prone to heavy traffic.
Pedrouzo - Santiago de Compostela
The final segment of our French Way is an easy stroll through aromatic eucalyptus forests, leading up to Monte do Gozo. From this vantage point, you can catch a glimpse of the Santiago Cathedral in the distance. Santiago de Compostela, a city designated as a World Heritage Site, houses its grand cathedral where the revered remains of St. James the Apostle are enshrined.
Congratulations!
Stage 12
Stage 13
19 km
18 km
Frequently asked questions
Q
What is the Pilgrim's Credential?
The pilgrim's credential is essentially a pass that you'll need to collect stamps on if you wish to receive the Compostela certificate. It's also required for staying in the network of hostels along the Camino de Santiago. When you book with us, we’ll take care of it!
Find more information concerning your “Compostela” here.
Q
What should you do upon arriving in Santiago de Compostela?
Upon arrival, it's common to request the Compostela certificate. To do so, you must have walked at least 100 km (62 miles) or cycled 200 km (125 miles). It's also a tradition to attend the Pilgrim's Mass at the Santiago Cathedral. Afterwards, you'll have plenty of time to explore the city.
Q
How many stages does the Camino de Santiago have?
The number of stages on the Camino de Santiago can vary depending on whether you're walking or biking. Typically, walking stages are about 20 kilometers each (12.5 miles), while biking stages are around 50 kilometers (31 miles). The terrain and the pilgrim's physical condition also affect the division of stages. While each route can be broken down differently, some common stage suggestions are: 33 for the French Way, 28 for the Portuguese Way, 12 for the Portuguese Coastal Route or 5 for the English Way.
Q
If I add extras to my Camino de Santiago trip, will I keep the same itinerary?
Adding extras to your Camino de Santiago trip might change your itinerary. Depending on your specific requests, we can adjust your itinerary to better suit your needs. We also consider weather conditions to ensure a safe and enjoyable journey. Adding extras may allow you to enjoy more days at hotels or other accommodations along the way. Contact us to tailor your trip perfectly to your preferences.
Q
Is it safe to travel alone on the Camino de Santiago?
Yes, many pilgrims choose to walk the Camino de Santiago alone and find it a deeply spiritual experience. Making friends along the way is also common. If walking solo, it’s wise to travel when other pilgrims are around to avoid isolation. During mountain stages, especially in bad weather, it's advisable to walk with others. If you prefer not to go alone, you can join an organized group.
Q
Which Camino de Santiago route is the easiest?
The Camino routes through Portugal are often considered the easiest. Both the Central Portuguese Way and the Portuguese Coastal Way are very manageable, as they feature minimal elevation changes.
Q
Can families with children, older people, and couples Do the Camino de Santiago?
Absolutely! Families with children, older individuals, and couples can all enjoy the Camino de Santiago. Each year, we see many diverse groups making the journey together. While age and group type are not barriers, they do require some thoughtful planning. For families with children, it's essential to be cautious on smaller, unpaved sections of the route. Designing your trip with these considerations in mind will ensure a safer and more enjoyable experience for everyone. Contact us for personalized tips and advice.
Q
How many kilometers do you walk per day?
Daily stages should ideally range between 20 to 25 kilometers (12.5 to 15.5 miles), though this can vary based on the difficulty of the stage and the pilgrim's physical condition. An estimated time could be between 4.5/5 hours of walking.
Tips
"Our family had an unforgettable experience with Welcome Camino! It was the perfect way to explore northern Spain and truly embrace the magic of the Camino de Santiago."
Carmen & Cristobal