In northern Spain, after Roncesvalles and Sarria, Ponferrada is one of the most common starting points for those walking the Camino de Santiago.
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TAmong the advantages of starting your Camino in Ponferrada is having the possibility to choose between two routes, the French Way and the Winter Way. Moreover, being 200 kilometres away from Santiago makes it the perfect start for those who undertake this pilgrimage by bicycle.
At Pilgrim, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about this city so you can decide to begin your adventure here and follow the route that best suites you.
Why from Ponferrada
Ponferrada is a medieval city linked to Santiago de Compostela since the earliest days of the Camino. Its 200 km distance makes it an ideal starting point for both walkers and cyclists, as it is the minimum distance required to obtain the Compostela by bike.
This city of over 66,000 inhabitants also benefits from excellent connections via the A-6 motorway between A Coruña and Madrid, as well as its bus and train stations. The nearest airport is León, about two hours away.
Furthermore, depending on the time of year or your preferences, you have two main options: the busy French Way or the alternative Winter Way, which links with the Sanabrés route at Lalín before reaching Santiago.
Below we provide more details on the stages for each route.
French Way
If it is your first time on the Camino de Santiago,you are probably considering the French Wayit is the best-known route with the most hostels and services.
You can be sure that on the French Way you will never be alone, as it is the busiest route, especially from Sarria and between mid-Spring and the end of Summer.In fact, if you are planning to embarkon this adventure In August it can get very crowded, so you may want to consider an alternative or book your accommodations in advance to guarantee your bed each night.
Walking Stages
On foot, you will encounter manageable daily stages suitable for all levels of fitness, and you will walk alongside feloow pilgrims throughout the entire journey.
| STAGE | START | END | DISTANCE | DIFFICULTY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Ponferrada | Villafranca | 24.2 km | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Stage 2 | Villafranca | O Cebreiro | 27.8 km | ★★★☆☆ |
| Stage 3 | O Cebreiro | Triacastela | 20.8 km | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Stage 4 | Triacastela | Sarria | 18.4 km | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Stage 5 | Sarria | Portomarín | 22.2 km | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Stage 6 | Portomarín | Palas de Rei | 24.8 km | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Stage 7 | Palas de Rei | Arzúa | 28.5 km | ★★★☆☆ |
| Stage 8 | Arzúa | Pedrouzo | 19.3 km | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Stage 9 | Pedrouzo | Santiago | 19.4 km | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Bicycle Stages
The French Way is also well-suited for cycling. If you prefer to ride, here are the bike stages from Ponferrada:
| STAGE | START | END | DISTANCE | DIFFICULTY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Ponferrada | O Cebreiro | 55 km | ★★★☆☆ |
| Stage 2 | O Cebreiro | Portomarín | 62 km | ★★★☆☆ |
| Stage 3 | Portomarín | Arzúa | 54 km | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Stage 4 | Arzúa | Santiago | 39 km | ★★☆☆☆ |
Winter and Sanabrés way
The Winter Way is a perfect alternative if you’ve already done the French Way or want a less crowded route, especially in summer. It is about 55 km longer than the French Way (263 km total), but 10 days are enough to complete it.
Its name comes from the detour pilgrims used to take in order avoid the heavy snow around O Cebreiro. Nowadays it is recommended all year round due to its scenic beauty, so if you are looking for something different, it is an ideal choice.
Walking Stages
Ten days suffice to cover the 10 walking stages from Ponferrada all the way to Santiago:
| STAGE | START | END | DISTANCE | DIFFICULTY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Ponferrada | Las Médulas | 27.2 km | ★★★☆☆ |
| Stage 2 | Las Médulas | El Barco de Valdeorras | 26.4 km | ★★★☆☆ |
| Stage 3 | El Barco de Valdeorras | A Rúa de Valdeorras | 14.2 km | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Stage 4 | A Rúa de Valdeorras | Quiroga | 26.3 km | ★★★☆☆ |
| Stage 5 | Quiroga | Monforte de Lemos | 35.4 km | ★★★★☆ |
| Stage 6 | Monforte de Lemos | Chantada | 29.7 km | ★★★☆☆ |
| Stage 7 | Chantada | Rodeiro | 25.8 km | ★★★☆☆ |
| Stage 8 | Rodeiro | A Laxe | 27.2 km | ★★★☆☆ |
| Stage 9 | A Laxe | Outeiro | 34.1 km | ★★★★☆ |
| Stage 10 | Outeiro | Santiago | 16.7 km | ★★☆☆☆ |
Where to sleep in Ponferrada
Given its significance in the Camino, Ponferrada offers a wide range of accommodation, from pilgrim hostels to hotels.
During certain times of the year, accommodation may get booked up quickly, so in order to guarantee your stay in Ponferrada, and the next ones along the Camino, you can contact us and we will make all the arrangements for you.
What to eat in Ponferrada
IThe most typical thing to do in Ponferrada is to wander across the old town and have some tapas. Furthermore, you may try some of the best dishes of the Bierzo region before setting off towards Santiago.
This area is famous for its cured meats, especially cecina and chorizo, but also botillo and stuffed pastries.:
Where to obtein your pilgrim credential
You may contact the Amigos del Camino de Santiago en el Bierzo association. However, at Pilgrim we give it to you if you book your experience with us.
Places of interest in Ponferrada
As a medieval and Templar city, Ponferrada has many attractions worth visiting.
Templar Castle of Ponferrada
Undoubtedly, the Templar Castle is the main attraction, located between the rivers Sil and Boeza, on a hill from where you can enjoy some fantastic views of the town. Depending on when you visit Ponferrada, you may visit its walled area, of 8,000 m². Its restoration allows visitors to appreciate its majesty, and cultural activities are occasionally held in its rooms.
The castle’s restoration allows visitors to appreciate its majesty, and cultural events are often held in its halls.
Basilica of La Encina
Our Lady of La Encina, also known as ‘La Morenica’, is the patron saint of the Bierzo region. This basilica was built in her honour after, according to legend, a carving of the Virgin Mary from the Holy Land was found in an oak tree. The highlight of the interior of this basilica is the wooden altarpiece.
Royal Prison (Bierzo Museum)
The Royal Prison, located on Calle del Reloj, is no longer a prison but now houses the Bierzo Museum. This means that, in addition to enjoying the architecture of this building, you can now learn about the history of the city of Ponferrada and the Bierzo region since the Palaeolithic era.
From Santiago to the End of the World
Once you make it to Santiago and hug the Apostle, literally, you may not want your adventure to finish.
If this is your case, we have the perfect solution: a one-day trip to Fisterra that will take you to what Romans considered the end of the world, as well as other places such as the Ézaro waterfall, the only river in Europe that flows directly into the sea via a waterfall.
More and more pilgrims choose to continue their trip to this place, so if you are thinking about it, leave us your contact details and we will call you free.
Buen camino!
