Travel back in time as you journey through Northern Spain walking the Camino de Santiago. Our Leon Camino is ideal for the adventurous spirit who enjoys learning about the history and culture of a place, while experiencing the best of Spain's local cuisine, staying in exclusive accommodations and finding those secret places that only local experts know about. We have carefully chosen this unique journey to allow you to be immersed in a thousand-year-old tradition that has the power to transform the spirit and leave you with a memorable experience.
We have conscientiously crafted an itinerary for the Leon Camino tour that focuses on the history of this ancient pilgrim route while also including unique experiences only available with luxury travel. You will travel through the hilltop towns of Castilla and Leon and across the ancient meadowlands of Galicia. Explore medieval monasteries, see ancient Roman artifacts and even visit a local chocolate factory. This trip allows travelers the freedom to live and become a part of a thousand-year-old story.
Starting in Leon, you will tour the best that the camino has to offer in Astorga and neighboring regions. Visit the Cruz de Ferro (Iron Cross) where traditionally pilgrims deposit a rock brought from their place of origin. Marvel at the scenery as you climb up to O Cebreiro, the starting point of the Camino in the Galicia region, as you make your way to the Samos monastery following the French camino route for 100 miles to Santiago.
- TOUR TYPE: Self-guided
- DATES AVAILABLE: Year-round
- ACTIVITY: Walking tour
- ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotels, Bed & Breakfast & Rural Houses / private hostels
- TRANSPORTATION: None
You will stay at hotels in the Leon region to ensure you get a well deserved rest. On the camino you will stay at unique B&B, rural houses and comfortable small hotels, all with private rooms and en-suite bathrooms.
This region is famous for its meats and hearty stews, that also find their way into croquettes. Be sure to try cocido maragato, a three course feast with garbanzo beans and meat to die for.
You will be walking on average 15 miles/day (max. 20) for 15 consecutive days. This hike is rated as hard as you will be walking about 190 miles in total. Pilgrims of different ages walk the Camino but it is important that you are used to walking and in good physical condition before you attempt this route.
Itinerary
Your Camino walk starts today. After a short urban walk as you leave Leon, you will be traversing pastures and cultivated fields on a fairly flat stage through the Spanish plains.
Meals: B. Overnight: Villar de Mazarife.
On this day you will make your way to Astorga, a town famous for its Cathedral and the Episcopal palace built by Gaudi, the architect of the famed Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. Mostly flat stage as well until the end where you will encounter a bit of a hilly terrain.
Meals: B. Overnight: Astorga.
You'll finally leave behind the ample flatlands of the Meseta in Spain an initiate a slow climb to the Leon Mountains until you arrive in Rabanal del Camino, a welcoming small town.
Meals: B. Overnight: Rabanal del Camino.
Your ascent becomes more pronounced as you reach the Iron Cross (Cruz de Fierro), located over 3000 ft over sea level. At the foot of the cross, there is a pile of rocks made up of all rocks that pilgrim bring with them from their hometown as a symbol of their journey. After Foncebadón, you'll cross over the Leon mountains and start your descent towards Molinaseca.
Meals: B. Overnight: Molinaseca.
After reaching Ponferrada close to your start o the stage and walking by its Templar Castle, you'll make your way to Villafranca, which lies inside a valley surrounded by mountains. There are no climbs today, mostly good dirt tracks and some asphalt roads. There is little shade on the route so take care and bring lots of water if you are traveling during summer.
Meals: B. Overnight: Villafranca del Bierzo.
After reaching Ponferrada close to your start o the stage and walking by its Templar Castle, you'll make your way to Villafranca, which lies inside a valley surrounded by mountains. There are no climbs today, mostly good dirt tracks and some asphalt roads. There is little shade on the route so take care and bring lots of water if you are traveling during summer.
Meals: B. Overnight: Herrerias de Valcarce.
Short day today to get some rest on those legs. The climb to O Cebreiro is too hard to try to tack on the previous stage, so you can take it easy today and admire the views and visit the great small town of O Cebreiro with their straw houses. O Cebreiro is where you will cross into Galicia, the region that Santiago de Compostela belongs to.
Meals: B. Overnight: O Cebreiro.
Meals: B. Overnight: Triacastela.
Meals: B. Overnight: Sarria.
Meals: B. Overnight: Portomarín.
Meals: B. Overnight: Palas de Rei.
Melide is famous for its pulpo a feira (octopus) and melindres (dessert), which we will enjoy!
Meals: B. Overnight: Melide.
Meals: B. Overnight: Arzúa.
Meals: B. Overnight: O Pedrouzo.
We will also collect our last stamp and with the completed credential, visit the Pilgrim's office to request your pilgrim certificate. Finally, we will enjoy our farewell dinner in Santiago.
Meals: B. Overnight: Santiago.
Meals: Breakfast.
- * Tour prices listed are per person, in double occupancy accommodations.
- Click the OPTIONAL tab for individual supplement pricing and other optional services to add to your tour.
