Pilgrim walks in the Cantabrian Mountains

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

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

1st of 9 stages on the Camino del Norte from Ribadeo to Santiago de CompostelaPart 196 of my Way of St. James from Saint Petersburg to Santiago de Compostela My adjoining routes: before: Camino de la Costa after: Camino to Fisterra

On the hard path – the Camino duro – we climb today towards O Cebreiro. But the pass crossing is only ahead of us the next day.

We now walk through the land of the traditional trading people, the Maragatos, and begin the ascent into the Montes de León, the last major obstacle before Santiago de Compostela.

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.

It goes through vineyards to Villafranca del Bierzo. Here, pilgrims who could no longer manage the way over the Cebreiro received early absolution; therefore, the place is also called “Little Compostela”.

The Camino Francés starts in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port at the French foot of the Pyrenees and ends in Santiago de Compostela. It is the most frequented section of all the Camino routes, as most pilgrims ultimately come to Santiago along this route.

"Camino del Norte/Picos" is an alpine route that leaves the main route at San Vicente, passes through the "Picos de Europe," and rejoins the main route at Villaviciosa.

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