Ponferrada has more to offer than initially meets the eye. The Templar castle is one of the best-preserved examples of its kind and offers a good glimpse into what castle life must have been like. The Basílica Nuestra Señora de la Encina is named after a Templar legend according to...
Saturday is market day.
The Fiesta de La Encina is held September 8th and celebrates the patron Saint of El Bierzo, La Virgen de La Encina (oak). It lasts a week.
We begin in Ponferrada at the Albergue de Peregrinos where you can pick up a credential and a very basic map of the camino as it passes through El Bierzo. Turn left out of the albergue gate and continue to the first cruceiro. On the sidewalk across the street is the first mojon marking the...
| Name | Beds | Price | Booking.com | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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1 |
Albergue de peregrinos San Nicolás de Flüe
Loma
Parochial |
175 | Donativo€ |
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2 |
Albergue Alea
Teleno, 33
Private |
18 | 10€ |
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3 |
Hostal Nirvana
Lago de Carucedo, 12
Hostal |
 |
Booking.com | ||
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4 |
Hotel Madrid Bierzo
La Puebla, 44
Closed |
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Booking.com | ||
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5 |
Hotel El Castillo
El Castillo, 115
Hotel |
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Booking.com | ||
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6 |
Hostal San Miguel
Juan de Lama, 14
Hostal |
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7 |
Hotel Los Templarios
Flórez Osorio, 3
Hotel |
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Booking.com | ||
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8 |
Hotel Aroi Ponferrada
Marcelo Macías, 4
Hotel |
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Booking.com | ||
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9 |
Hostal Río Selmo
Río Selmo, 22
Hostal |
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Booking.com | ||
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10 |
Albergue Guiana
Castillo, 112
Private |
90 | 12€ |
 |
Booking.com |
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Has a pharmacy, a nice stone bridge, and a very friendly bar (Cafe Bar Mariluz) located in the square which is not square. They have WIFI there and were friendly to this pilgrim. A post office and a pasteleria round out the services available here.
When leaving Toral de Merayo, keep on the road and to the at the first fork (gentle right). You will leave town on the asphalt road, turn left on another, and begin a climb off to your right shortly after that.
Ignore all markings for the PR-LE-41.
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A scenic overlook at the entrance to Santalla which offers excellent views of the Bierzo valley and the mountains beyond.
There are two sets of arrows when leaving town, and a mojon which keeps you on the camino towards Villavieja. Do not follow the arrows to "Las Barrancas"
Fountain and possible albergue with unknown opening date. Construction was underway in late 2011 but was still awaiting future grants for completion.
From here you begin a climb with great views of the nearing castle.
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With a history that dates back to the 9th. century, this castle has seen its fair share of battles and owners. So much so that it's actual origins are somewhat muddled. What history can be nailed down begins in the middle of the 11th. century when the castle was taken over by a local count. A generation later it was given to the Templars, and by the 14th. century it was to change hands several times more. It was also in the 14th. century when it became known as the Castle of Cornatel.
During the armed uprising staged by the lower class in 1467 the castle was almost entirely destroyed, only to be rebuilt again by centuries of owners.
Visits are free for pilgrims and 2€ otherwise.
Closed on Mondays otherwise:
11:00-13:30 and
16:00-20:00
Continue on the road downhill turning right at the first intersection and Left at the second (near slate factory).
A nice, quiet town along the camino. It has a small shop of the typical “lights off, but we carry everything” Spanish variety, a bar which does full meals and has a wifi signal just outside their door where some locals sit with their laptops, and a pharmacy as
...Continue out of town in the same direction you walked in and resist the temptation to take a small and well-manicured path of fitness machines on your left-hand side. Just stay on the road and walk around the bend. It is just after that bend that you take a dirt track up and to your left. A...
| Name | Booking.com | ||
|---|---|---|---|
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1 |
Casa Rural Cornatel Médulas
Plaza Ayuntamiento, 3
Casa Rural |
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Booking.com |
Located off the camino to the north by about 500m, but included here because it offers accommodation.
| Name | Booking.com | ||
|---|---|---|---|
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1 |
Hotel Rural La Peregrina
Carucedo-Las Médulas, km 0.5
Casa Rural |
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Booking.com |
This town has a tourist information center, accommodation, bars, and restaurants targeting weekenders hiking the many trails around the area. You will have to go through the town, and leave on the opposite end. If the arrows are not visible at a fork in the
...You enter Puente along a trail that descends into town. Once you get to the first road, you have two options. The first is to continue along the camino into town. Go that way if you wish to resupply or see the town. Eventually, though the trail will turn you back around and take you back uphill...
| Name | Booking.com | ||
|---|---|---|---|
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1 |
Hotel Medulio Hotel |
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Booking.com |
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2 |
Complejo Rural Agoga
Carretera Las Cuevas
Hotel |
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Booking.com |
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3 |
Cabañas Rurales Lares
General, 11
Casa Rural |
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Booking.com |
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This town has most services, including many atms and friendly locals.
The way out of town, if you spent the night in the hostal, is "behind" the hostal. Walk around the building to your Left. Follow that road and keep to the right when it splits. Follow the arrows and the signs pointing to Quereño.
An alternate route of equal distance can be made by...
| Name | Booking.com | ||
|---|---|---|---|
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1 |
Hostal Restaurante La Torre
Chao do Marco
Hostal |
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2 |
Polideportivo de Puente Domingo Flórez Polideportivo |
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3 |
Hostal La Torre II
Chao do Marco
Hostal |
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Booking.com |
