Camino de Madrid

In short: Camino de Madrid: from Madrid to Sahagún. Length: around 320 km, duration: 2 weeks. Best time: Spring and autumn.

Overview

The Camino de Madrid begins in the Spanish capital and crosses the Sierra de Guadarrama to Segovia, then continues across the plain of Castile to Sahagún. There it meets the Camino Francés.

The highlights are the pass crossing and the arrival in Segovia with its Roman aqueduct. Long, flat stages follow. Many sections are very lonely, and the albergues are simple and often municipal.

It is practical for anyone who lands in Madrid and wants to set off without a detour. The plateau is hot in summer, so go in spring or autumn.

Main stops: Madrid, Cercedilla, Segovia, Coca, Medina de Rioseco, Sahagún.

Over the Sierra de Guadarrama

The hardest day comes early: after Cercedilla you cross the Sierra de Guadarrama at the Fuenfría Pass at almost 1,800 metres. Parts of the climb follow an old Roman road. Segovia then awaits with its famous aqueduct.

The quiet plateau

After Segovia it gets very lonely and flat. There are long sections without a bar, and the villages are small. Take enough water and avoid high summer. In Sahagún you can carry on along the Camino Francés.

Planning your stages

How long you need depends on your daily distance. The table works this out for 320 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 18 days that comes to roughly 700 to 900 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.