La Virgen del Camino is named for the miraculous sighting of the Virgen by a local shepherd. His vision has been translated into sculptures several times by artists. One is here in the modern looking church, and another is in the León Cathedral (in the Chapel where the daily mass is held).
The sculptures are stunning and bear a resemblance to La Piedad by Michelangelo, with the notable exception that Jesus is facing downwards.
Accommodation in La Virgen del Camino
|
1 |
Albergue D.Antonino y Dña. Cinia Municipal 40 7€ |
|
2 |
Hostal Central ⭑ Hostal |
|
|
3 |
Hostal Plaza Hostal |
 |
|
4 |
Hostal Julio César ⭑ Hostal |
|
|
5 |
Hostales Plaza y San Froilán ⭑⭑ Hostal |
 |
|
6 |
Hotel Villapaloma ⭑⭑ Hotel |
 |
When you get to the Basilica de la Virgen del Camino you will cross the busy road and continue on a small access road. In 300m you are presented with the choice between two routes. The painting of yellow arrows here is confusing, and there is zero official signage to indicate your options. Distances are indicated from La Virgen del Camino to Puente de Órbigo where they converge.
The SCENIC ROUTE - 27 KM
This variation is called the Scenic Route, and it adds < 3km to your journey. It is considerably more pleasant and there are now...
Accommodation in Villadangos del Páramo
|
1 |
Albergue de Villadangos del Páramo Municipal 54 7€ |
 |
|
2 |
Hostal Libertad ⭑⭑ Hostal |
|
3 |
Hotel Avenida III ⭑⭑⭑ Hotel |
 |
Accommodation in San Martín del Camino
|
1 |
Albergue de San Martín del Camino Municipal 68 6€ |
 |
|
2 |
Albergue La Casa Verde Private 8 10*€ |
 |
|
3 |
Albergue Santa Ana Private 96 8€ |
 |
|
4 |
Albergue Vieira Private 40 10€ |
 |
Accommodation in Oncina de la Valdoncina
|
1 |
Albergue El Pajar de Oncina Private 9 10€ |
 |
One bar, located 50m off the camino to the left and well signed in both directions.
Accommodation in Villar de Mazarife
|
1 |
Mesón Albergue Tio Pepe Private 26 10€ |
 |
|
2 |
Albergue San Antonio de Padua Private 60 10€ |
 |
|
3 |
Albergue Casa de Jesús Private 50 9€ |
 |
The camino turns right and into Villavante, though some old yellow arrows continue straight ahead (painted on the elevated irrigation canal). The reason for the detour around town is to avoid a surface crossing of the dangerous rail lines at the edge of town. The distance added is worth...
Accommodation in Villavante
|
1 |
Albergue Santa Lucía Private 22 12€ |
 |
|
2 |
Casa Rural Molino Galochas Casa Rural |
Camino de Santiago Map 18
Where there are rivers with bridges there is always history to be found. Not much exists on paper, but historians theorize about Suevi and Visigoths battling in the 5th century as well as a few other skirmishes during the 10th century. All of these have been overshadowed by the...
A medieval jousting competition is held in early June, recreating the saga of Don Suero. San Juan is celebrated on the 24th of June.
Minor Detour via Villares de Órbigo
When leaving town, the camino once again splits. The preferred (though unofficial) path is to the right, passing through nearby Villares de Órbigo and scenic countryside. Both routes now rejoin in Santibañez, though if...
Accommodation in Hospital de Orbigo
|
1 |
Albergue San Miguel Private 30 10-12€ |
 |
|
2 |
Albergue Casa de los Hidalgos Private 18 14-16€ |
 |
|
3 |
Albergue Verde Private 26 11€ |
 |
|
4 |
Albergue Parroquial Karl Leisner Parochial 90 5€ |
 |
|
5 |
Bed & Breakfast El Caminero Casa Rural |
|
|
6 |
Casa Rural Nuestra Señora de Lourdes ⭑⭑ Casa Rural |
|
7 |
Hostal Don Suero de Quiñones ⭑⭑ Hostal |
 |
|
8 |
Hotel El Paso Honroso ⭑⭑⭑ Hotel |
 |
The church here is dedicated to St. James. So too is the church in Santibañes. Both are worth a peek for their representations of Santiago.
Accommodation in Villares de Órbigo
|
1 |
Albergue Villares de Órbigo Private 15 12€ |
 |
|
2 |
Albergue El Encanto Private 10 14€ |
 |
The church is often locked up, but if you ask around for the key the locals are always happy to unlock it for pilgrims.
Between here and San Justo de la Vega there are no facilities, but a small kiosk run by pilgrims operates during the busier seasons. Just before the steep descent into San Justo de la Vega is the Cruceiro de Santo Toribio overlooking Astorga in the distance....
Accommodation in Santibáñez de Valdeiglesias
|
1 |
Albergue Camino Francés Private 22 10€ |
 |
|
2 |
L'Abilleiru Albergue Rural Private 6 25€ |
 |
|
3 |
Albergue Parroquial Santibánez Valdeiglsias Parochial 20 6€ |
 |
Passing through San Justo, keep an eye out for a bar on the left-hand side called Bar Oasis. It has a corner entrance, a Foosball table, a littered floor, and the BEST tortilla in all of Spain. It is also the thickest tortilla and not to be missed if you are hungry. The owner and his wife are avid travelers and talkers.
Accommodation in San Justo de la Vega
|
1 |
Hostal Juli ⭑ Hostal 10 Donativo€ |
 |
In Astorga you may notice a sudden increase in the number of pilgrims, new faces will appear amongst the regular crowd you have grown accustomed to. They are likely Spanish, as this is a common starting point for Spaniards, or they have come from Sevilla along the Via de la Plata. A quick peek at their boots will tell the two apart.
Here you will take first notice of the Maragato culture, the ancient tribe of red-headed Iberians that served as the muleteers between the coast and the interior of Spain. They maintain several curious customs by modern...
At the junction of several Roman roads it is no wonder that Astorga is full of Roman ruins. Several dig sights are ongoing and can be toured, and nearly every structure in town has some Roman foundation. This was an important crossroad for the Romans and the gateway into El Bierzo...
Santa Marta is celebrated during the last week of August.
Market day is Tuesday.
The camino here leaves the last of the plains behind and begins, slowly at first, to climb. The ascent is slow and gradual until Rabanal, where it begins a more steep ascent to the alto and an equally quick descent into Molinaseca. On the way up it passes through several small but...
Accommodation in Astorga
|
1 |
Albergue Só Por Hoje Private 10 25€ |
 |
|
2 |
Albergue San Javier Private 95 10€ |
 |
|
3 |
Albergue de Peregrinos Siervas de María Association 165 5€ |
|
4 |
Pensión García Pension |
|
5 |
Hostal Delfín ⭑ Hostal |
 |
|
6 |
Hostal Coruña ⭑⭑ Hostal |
 |
|
7 |
Hostal La Peseta ⭑⭑ Hostal |
 |
|
8 |
Hotel Astur Plaza ⭑⭑⭑ Hotel |
 |
|
9 |
Hotel SPA Vía de la Plata ⭑⭑⭑⭑ Hotel |
 |
|
10 |
Hotel SPA Ciudad de Astorga ⭑⭑⭑⭑ Hotel |
 |
|
11 |
Hotel Gaudí ⭑⭑⭑ Hotel |
 |
Valdeviejas sits adjacent to the camino and most pilgrims never go into town. There is not much cause to do so unless you plan to stay at the municipal albergue here.
Accommodation in Valdeviejas
|
1 |
Albergue de Peregrinos Ecce Homo Municipal 10 5€ |
 |
The town is one of a dozen that is considered to be a part of the Maragatería, whose inhabitants are characterized by their red hair, their hard work ethic, and their honest reputation.
Accommodation in Murias de Rechivaldo
|
1 |
Albergue de Peregrinos Murias de Rechivaldo Municipal 18 9€ |
 |
|
2 |
Albergue las Águedas Private 40 15€ |
 |
|
3 |
Albergue Casa Flor Private 4 15€ |
 |
|
4 |
Casa Rural La Veleta ⭑⭑⭑ Casa Rural |
 |
|
5 |
Hostería Casa Flor ⭑⭑ Casa Rural |
 |