The Vía de la Plata
GRANJA DE MORERUELA TO ASTORGA
Vía de la Plata Map 33
From Granja de Moreruela you can follow the Camino Sanabrés (follows from below) a total of 366km to Santiago, or you can follow the Vía de la Plata to Astorga 93.8km and from there follow the Camino Francés the remaining 256.9km. A description of the route to Astorga continues on page 98 but this guide does not include the stretch from Astorga to Santiago.
The Camino Sanabrés turns left and due west from Granja. It follows farm tracks to reach the Puente Quintos (6.7km) over the Río Esla.
Once over the bridge, the river splits into two distinct routes to get to Faramontanos de Tábara. The right route follows the...
Accommodation in Granja de Moreruela
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1 |
Albergue de peregrinos de Granja de Moreruela Municipal
Ángel de la Vega
20 5€ |
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Casa Rural La Casa del Tío Quico Casa Rural
Dr. Damián González Galindo
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The social center of town is the Bar Borox / albergue.
Beyond Barcial de Barco a bit of care is needed to keep to the camino. If you have any doubts, speak with the owners of the bar Borox (adjacent to the albergue), they sometimes provide a map of the way.
The confusion has to do with the recent development of a disused railway...
Accommodation in Barcial de Barco
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1 |
Albergue Las Eras Private
Las Eras, 2
14 8€ Booking.com |
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Vía de la Plata Map 34
Note that it is technically possible to follow the Vía Verde all of the way to Villabrázaro, but that the arrows don’t really give you a good way to find where to depart from it and resume the camino.
From the albergue in Benavente, follow the Vía Verde a...
Accommodation in Benavente
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1 |
Albergue de peregrinos de Benavente Municipal
Ctra. de la Estación
12 4€ |
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2 |
Pensión La Trapería Pension
Agujero de San Andrés, 10
Booking.com |
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Hostal La Trucha Hostal
La Viña, 5
Booking.com |
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Hostal Avenida ⭑⭑ Hostal
El Ferial, 17
Booking.com |
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Hostal Universal ⭑⭑ Hostal
San Antón Viejo, 17
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Hotel Santiago ⭑⭑⭑ Hotel
Maragatos, 34
Booking.com |
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Hotel Villa de Benavente ⭑⭑⭑⭑ Hotel
Ctra. de la Estación
Booking.com |
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Parador de Benavente ⭑⭑⭑⭑ Parador
Plaza de la Mota
Booking.com |
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Check with the Bar Real for keys to the albergue.
The camino follows a paved country lane to Maire de Castroponce, well marked.
Accommodation in Villabrázaro
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1 |
Albergue de peregrinos de Villabrázaro Municipal
Majuelos
14 Donativo€ |
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Vía de la Plata Map 35
The way to Álija del Infantado is complicated by only one turn. The camino follows a paved road most of the way and eventually arrives at a larger paved road after crossing the Puente de la Vizana over the Río Órbigo (and into the province of León). Pilgrims who have...
Two great churches, but if you only visit one make it the Iglesia de San Esteban with its coffered Mudejar ceiling.
Follow the road to La Nora del Río (3km). Arrows at the start of town are conflicting, the smaller ones send you through town (no services) while a giant one encourages you to turn left along a trail adjacent to the river. The river choice is the best option and you will follow it for the...
Accommodation in Álija del Infantado
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1 |
Albergue de peregrinos de Alija del Infantado Municipal
Benavente
12 8€ |
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2 |
Hotel El Hotelito Hotel
Real, 124
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Cross over the river (which now looks more like a canal) to get to the bar, otherwise keep on straight through town.
The camino ahead passes near the villages of Villanueva de Jamuz (bar) (3.4km) and Santa Elena de Jamuz (3.8km) but does not actually enter them. At the far edge of Santa Elena it joins the road but only for a short distance, keep an eye open for the arrows which turn right...
Accommodation in La Bañeza
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Albergue de peregrinos Monte Urba Association
Bello Horizonte
36 4€ |
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Hospedería Vía de la Plata ⭑⭑ Pension
Juan de Mansilla, 18
Booking.com |
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Hostal Caminito ⭑ Hostal
Mediodia, 1
Booking.com |
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Hotel Los Ángeles ⭑⭑ Hotel
Obispo Alcolea, 2
Booking.com |
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Apartamentos APH Infanta Mercedes ⭑⭑⭑ Apartment
Madrid-Coruña, 125
Booking.com |
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Vía de la Plata Map 36
Accommodation in Palacios de La Valduerna
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Hotel Rural Señorío de los Bazán Hotel Rural
Vía de la Plata, 25
Booking.com |
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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 standards, doing most thing the exact opposite as we are accustomed. One of these is their cocido, which is served meat first and greens last. It is a hearty meal and one not to be tackled alone. Grab a group of pilgrims and head off to one of the restaurants serving “Cocido Maragato” for a taste. Be warned, this is not a vegetarian-friendly option....
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 equipped towns...
Accommodation in Astorga (from the Via de la Plata)
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1 |
Albergue San Javier Private
Portería, 6
95 10€ |
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Albergue Só Por Hoje Private
Rodríguez de Cela, 30
10 20*€ Booking.com |
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Albergue de Peregrinos Siervas de María Association
Plaza San Francisco, 3
165 5€ |
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Pensión García Pension
Bajada de Postigo, 3
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Hostal Delfín ⭑ Hostal
Carretera N-VI, 417
Booking.com |
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Hostal Coruña ⭑⭑ Hostal
Ponferrada, 72
Booking.com |
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Hostal La Peseta ⭑⭑ Hostal
Plaza de San Bartolomé, 3
Booking.com |
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Hotel Gaudí ⭑⭑⭑ Hotel
Ingeniero Eduardo de Castro, 6
Booking.com |
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Hotel SPA Ciudad de Astorga ⭑⭑⭑⭑ Hotel
Sitios, 7
Booking.com |
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Hotel Astur Plaza ⭑⭑⭑ Hotel
Plaza España
Booking.com |
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Hotel SPA Vía de la Plata ⭑⭑⭑⭑ Hotel
Padres Redentoristas, 5
Booking.com |
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