Ponferrada is the capital of the Bierzo region, located at the crossroads of the French Way and the Invierno Camino routes to Santiago. It is here that pilgrims in winter veered south on their way to Santiago to avoid O Cebreiro, notorious for poor weather during the colder months. Your pilgrimage begins in this impressive city, with its Los Templarios Castle, home to the Knights Templars’ Library, and the Renaissance Basílica Nuestra Señora de la Encina with its 17th-century bell tower. Aside from these great sights, there is a lively historic quarter with interesting bars and restaurants. Enjoy exploring its historic centre and perhaps a glass of the great local wine.

Meals:  Nil

The buzz of pilgrims recede as you cross the Sil river via the medieval Mascaron bridge. Walk through landscapes full of vineyards and through small towns with beautiful wooden balconies, a long-standing architectural tradition, such as Toral de Merayo or Villavieja. You will ascend to Cornatel Castle, and enjoy unique views over the Bierzo valley before descending to the village of Borrenes. Walking: 22km/14mi, +550m / 1750ft

Meals:  B

A superb walk today to experience a UNESCO World Heritage listed cultural site. Departing Borrenes we recommend taking the detour to Las Médulas, an historic gold-mining site which was the most important gold mine in the Roman Empire. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, we recommend taking a short 4km/2.5mi circular route that goes through La Cuevona and La Cueva de la Encantada to explore the area. Searching for gold, the Romans developed hydraulic power techniques to tunnel into the mountainside. Abandoned after 200 years, the effect of the ancient technology is visible today, with the landscape noticeably affected exposing red clay eroded hillsides flanked by chestnut trees. It's fascinating, and taking in the view of the hills from Orellán is highly recommended. The Camino continues with a descent to Puente de Domingo Flórez. Walking: 15-19km/9-11.9mi, +350m/1150 ft

Meals:  B

Today you leave Castile and Leon and enter Galicia, following the flow of the River Sil. Starting with an ascent past an old hydroelectric facility, the way is undulating along the valley. There are impressive countryside views and you'll see the rural Galician architecture of beautiful black slate roofs. Mediterranean vegetation alternates with vineyards of the DO Valdeorras, a characteristic wine that is aged in 'Covas' (caves). The town of Sobradelo is a perfect lunch spot before continuing on a level route to O Barco and your hotel. Walking: 18km/11 mi, +144m /475 ft

Meals:  B

The trail continues along the Sil River Valley with impressive views, and wine will continue to be the star of this stage. Vilamartín de Valdeorras has a large number of underground wineries, easily identified by the chimneys that emerge from the surface. Make your way to A Rúa, where evidence of Roman civilisation can be found including Cigarrosa Bridge which crosses the Sil river. You will also discover the charming village of Os Albaredos, with beautiful stone houses then descend to the river until you reach Montefurado, from where a transfer will take you to your accommodation in A Rúa. Walking: 24km/15mi, +158m/520ft

Meals:  B

This morning (8.30am) a transfer takes you back to Montefurado to continue walking. Start the day ascending along paths with great views, including of the of the Sil River entering the Montefurado tunnel. From the Novaes Castle you will walk along the old Camino Real, on tracks left by carriages in the Middle Ages. After reaching the highest point of the stage you will find the valley of Quiroga, where vineyards and olive groves abound. Descend to the village of Quiroga for overnight. Walking: 17km/10.5mi, +450m/1476ft

Meals:  B

Continue on foot through rural scenes following a route with panoramic views. The stage is marked by intermediate ascents and descents, you will walk between windmills, forests and cliffs towards the Lemos valley. On arrival in A Pobra do Brollon, transfer to a rural hotel a short distance from the town. Walking: 21km/13mi, +450m/1476ft

Meals:  B

Transfer to continue walking from A Proba do Brollón along a mainly descending route to the city of Monforte de Lemos, gateway to the Ribeira Sacra (sacred riverside), an important wine growing region. Monforte has a number of sights including a castle, compact historic quarter and plenty of reminders of ancient times. There is the option to upgrade your accommodation to stay in the Parador, a highly recommended experience. An optional full day excursion is available: day trip, return transfers and extra night Monforte required - extra costs apply. Stay an extra night and take a tour of the Ribeira Sacra including cellar visit and wine tasting, lunch and catamaran journey on the river Sil. These options must be requested at the time of booking.

Meals:  B

A long and at times quite challenging walk today, or you can shorten (by 11km/6.9mi) with an optional transfer to Piñeiro - supplement applies, must be pre-booked. This area has a high concentration of Romanesque art, and a good example of this is the church of San Paio de Diomondi. The walk continues through pretty countryside, then down through the woods to Belesar, on the banks of the Miño river. It is around here that marks 100km from Santiago. The landscape is dominated by terraces that descend to the bottom of the valley. You can explore the surroundings by boat or simply enjoy the views before heading to Chantada along the Codos de Belesar, an ancient Roman road. Walking: 27 or 16km/16.9 or 10mi, +780m/2560ft

Meals:  B

Today is marked by a steep climb to Monte Faro, at 1187m it's one of the highest peaks of the group of ranges known as the Dorsal Gallega. At the summit is the Ermita Nosa Señora do Faro, a seventeenth-century hermitage built on top of the remains of older temples, and from where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the four Galician provinces (weather permitting). The last stretch of this stage is downhill, giving you fantastic views of a mountain landscape as you approach the province of Pontevedra. The town of Rodeiro / A Feira (River) is the end of today's walk. From this point a transfer will take you back to Chantada for overnight. Walking: 24km/15mi, +650m/2130ft

Meals:  B

In the morning, transfer back to Rodeiro to continue your Camino to Lalín. Walking between small rural villages, meadows and abundant native vegetation you eventually cross the Arnego River. The end of the stage leads to the ancient Condado del Deza, and the last few kilometres are a slight descent to Lalín, the capital of a region renowned for its gastronomy and where Galician stew reigns supreme. The Cocido festival in February each year is one of the quintessential gastronomic fairs in inland Galicia. Walking: 24km/15mi, +190m/625ft

Meals:  B

Today the trail leads you towards A Laxe, where the Winter route converges with the the Vía de la Plata. The trail usually becomes busier as you approach the last few days to Santiago. Follow small rural paths or "corredoiras" passing by country houses, old manor houses and medieval bridges including Ponte Taboada, built in 912. You can make a small detour along the way to see the Fervenza do Toxa, a river waterfall, one of Galicia's highest. The typical landscapes of rural, inland Galicia will take you to Bandeira and your accommodation. Walking: 23km/14mi, +225m/738ft

Meals:  B

Today you will walk continuously downhill between crops, landscapes with thick vegetation and meadows to the heart of the Ull River where it flows towards the Arousa Estuary and announces your arrival in the province of A Coruña. Once you see the striking image of the old railway viaduct, you will cross the old Ulla bridge, giving way to a marked climb along narrow paths and leafy forests. We recommend taking a short detour to the Gundián viewpoint, where you can enjoy spectacular views of the valley. Your day ends at Vedra near Ponte Ulla. Walking: 19km/11.9mi, +180m/590ft

Meals:  B

The last day of the walk is always special. Today starts with a steep ascent to a charming chapel before leading along country lanes and forest paths through increasingly populated countryside. On reaching the Sar road you will soon have your first sighting of the cathedral towers, to welcome you to the historic city of Santiago de Compostela. On arrival in Santiago there is plenty to see and do – or you can simply relax and celebrate the end of your journey. Walking: 16km/10mi, +250m/820ft

Meals:  B

Trip arrangements conclude after breakfast. If you’d like to add an extra night, please ask our office for details. It is also possible to add a day trip to Fisterra on the Atlantic coast.

Meals:  B