Camino de Invierno

In short: Camino de Invierno: from Ponferrada to Santiago de Compostela. Length: around 263 km, duration: about 11 days. Best time: Spring to autumn.

Overview

The Winter Way came about because the O Cebreiro pass was often snowed in during winter. Pilgrims therefore turned south at Ponferrada, with its Templar castle, and followed the valley of the Sil.

The route leads through the gold-mining landscape of Las Médulas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the wine terraces of the Ribeira Sacra. Few people walk it even today.

At around 263 kilometres, it makes a good alternative to the last part of the Camino Francés, which gets very crowded in summer.

Planning your stages

How long you need depends on your daily distance. The table works this out for 263 kilometres, with one rest day a week.

Who is this route for?

With some hiking experience this route is very manageable. Expect climbs and keep your days from getting too long.

What does the route cost?

With an albergue or simple guesthouse and one hot meal, 40 to 50 euros a day is usually enough. Over about 16 days that comes to roughly 650 to 800 euros, plus travel and gear. This is a guide figure.

You can find more routes under Pilgrimage routes in Europe, Pilgrimage in Spain, sorted by religion under Christian pilgrimage routes.