French Way (Camino Francés) ‧ Stage 23
French Way
On foot
33 stages
Information
About this stage
We leave behind the capital of the Maragatería to face a new stage with two distinct parts. The first kilometres will involve a succession of typical villages of the Castilian plain, all of them framed within the area formerly known as the Country of the Maragatos or the Somoza. We will walk among ashlar buildings and vestiges of the old muleteers, those who were in charge of transporting goods across the length and breadth of the peninsula with the help of pack animals. On the other hand, in the second part of this stage, we will change the gentle undulations of the plain for the ascent to the Bierzo region, through the mountains of León.
Recommendation Pilgrim
Despite having some ascendant sections, they will not even be appreciated by most pilgrims. They will only become a little harder right before reaching Foncebadón. Cyclists nor people with reduced mobility will have any problem when walking the distance between Astorga and Foncebadón, except by loose rocks. However, cyclists can take in the last kilometers the LE-142 road at the crossroad when leaving Rabanal to the right, as the narrow path where the Way goes originally one may be a little difficult for them.
Some pilgrims choose to pass the night at Rabanal del Camino, where they can find all the services they need. Foncebadón can be a little desolate due to its current abandonment.
Distance and elevation
Stage profile
Route
Itinerary
Km 0 ‧ Astorga
From the Plaza de España we take the streets Pío Gullón, Postas, Santiago and Doctoral, ending in front of Gaudí’s Episcopal Palace. We then pass in front of the church of Santa Marta and the cathedral of Santa María; in front of the latter we take Leopoldo Panero street until the end, turn right into Puerta Obispo street, and continue straight on along San Pedro street. Further on we cross the N-VI national road and continue straight on along Calle de los Mártires, leaving Astorga.
We then pass the Ecce Homo hermitage and leave the small village of Valdeviejas on our right. After almost three kilometres we come to the A-6 motorway; we cross it at the top, following the road to Santa Colomba de Somoza (LE-142). At the entrance to Murias de Rechivaldo we turn off onto a road to the left of the road; however, we have the option of following this road to visit Castrillo de los Polvazares, a beautiful village and an excellent example of Maragata architecture, declared a Historic-Artistic Site. The detour to Castrillo adds just under a kilometre to the route, rejoining the road shortly before Santa Catalina de Somoza.
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Km 4,7 ‧ Murias de Rechivaldo
We continue along a good track that climbs gently. We cross the LE-142 road and continue straight on towards Santa Catalina de Somoza.
Km 9,2 ‧ Santa Catalina de Somoza
At the exit we follow a track that runs parallel to a local road.
Km 13,3 ‧ El Ganso
At the exit we follow a path parallel to a local road. After a little over four kilometres we take the road to Rabanal del Camino on the left. A little more than a hundred metres further on we follow a path to the right, which later comes back out onto the same road. We pass by the monumental Roble del Peregrino (Pilgrim’s Oak), a hundred-year-old oak tree. Shortly afterwards we pass by the Santo Cristo de la Vera Cruz hermitage. At the entrance to Rabanal the path follows the Calle Real, on the right.
Km 20,2 ‧ Rabanal del Camino
In winter, from Rabanal onwards, there is often snow and harsh weather conditions: intense cold, thick fog, etc. We leave the village along Calle Real and, climbing steadily upwards, we continue along tracks and paths that are always close to the road.
We cross the LE-142 road only to cross it again one kilometre later. On arrival at Foncebadón we come out onto this road again, which we follow until we take Calle Real on the left.
Km 25,8 ‧ Foncebadón
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