Hospital de Órbigo takes its name from the pilgrim hospitals that once operated along the river, but its fame comes from the bridge — the Puente del Paso Honroso, one of the longest medieval bridges in Spain, with 20 arches spanning roughly 204 meters across the Río Órbigo.
In 1434, a Leonese knight named Don Suero de Quiñones staged an elaborate jousting tournament on the bridge. Claiming to be a prisoner of love (he wore an iron collar around his neck every Thursday as proof of his devotion to his lady), he challenged all comers to break 300 lances. The tournament lasted a month, attracted knights from across Europe, and ended with Suero victorious — and his iron collar removed. The story may sound absurd, but it happened, and the town still celebrates it.
The bridge itself is a beautiful piece of medieval engineering, rebuilt several times but retaining its long, low profile across the broad river. Cross it in the late afternoon when the stone glows in the light.
Several albergues, bars, and restaurants line the main street. The town is a popular stopping point with a lively pilgrim atmosphere. All basic services available.
The Paso Honroso is reenacted annually during the first weekend of June, with medieval costumes, jousting, and a market. It's one of the better medieval festivals in León.
The Paso Honroso (Passage of Honor) of 1434 is the town's defining event. Don Suero de Quiñones and nine companions held the bridge for 30 days, from July 10 to August 9, jousting against 68 knights and breaking 166 lances before declaring the challenge complete. Suero was later killed in a quarrel unrelated to the tournament — an anticlimactic end to a romantic story.
From Hospital de Órbigo, the camino heads south through flat farmland toward Astorga, about 17 km ahead. The terrain is open and exposed.
15. June 2026 - 19:39
Cheap, but heavily neglected 1970's building, some windows are cracked or missing. Looks like one of the rooms caught on fire and the building was never repaired.
Straight of a horror film, no exaggeration.
I did not find roaches/bedbugs. Popular spot for gypsy weddings, so it may get loud into late in the evening.
25. May 2026 - 16:38
Have a swim while here, you won’t regret it. Albergue Verde is special and worth staying at!
4. November 2025 - 16:27
All the apps say that it is closed, but fortunately it is open the entire month of November.
28. April 2025 - 3:03
A truly genuine Albergue with hospataliers that care about your experience, from the lovely relaxing garden to the homemade herbal tea and the delicious homegrown and homemade pilgrim meal including the tastiest hummus I've ever had. There aren't sockets beside each bed, although they are provided rlsewhere and the bathroom facilities are small but clean, however I wouldn't let this stop me. I would highly recommend Verde.
18. April 2025 - 8:48
Nice breakfast! Very friendly staff.
Opens at 7.30 . Even during Semana Santa!
27. September 2024 - 20:05
Great place, not like any other. You have to see it yourself.
9. September 2024 - 15:36
We had a GREAT breakfast here! It’s a very nice place just after the bridge going into the old town. Excellent chocolate napolitana and a bagel with cream cheese and smoked salmon!! Very clean and very nice man at the counter.
14. June 2024 - 12:45
Even though it’s shorter, there’s no path for the first 3km or so - you’re either walking in grass or on a major highway, before then walking on an old road. But in the apps it seems like the scenic route is now official - well good. But maybe that’s why I felt like I was walking in an abandoned part of the Camino. So don’t make the same mistake, take the scenic route.
11. July 2023 - 9:13
Don’t skip this place. From the first moment you will feel that you are at home.
17. June 2023 - 17:14
Albergue Verde is the way to go, everyone is friendly, dogs to pet, people to talk too, and great vegetarian dinner to eat.
29. May 2023 - 21:25
Los Ángeles was one of the best dinners on the Camino so far. Regional food expertly prepared. Don’t miss it! As others said the trout soup is amazing. Mix it all up before eating like the locals do. Our waiter showed us how.
4. May 2023 - 14:50
So there is no detour anymore. All signs point in this direction.
The detour had become the official route
21. September 2022 - 15:10
Be sure to wander down toward the river north of the bridge for a relaxing spot!
30. May 2022 - 19:14
The most relaxed I have felt in an Alburgue on the Camino. The real deal with excellent care. Yoga studio, vegan, beautiful outdoor space.
14. September 2021 - 14:01
Albergue San Miguel gave me the best nights sleep on the entire Camino thus far. Great environment and great dinner recommended at Restaurant Los Angeles.
13. September 2021 - 14:43
Restaurant Los Angeles, excellent quality and value!!! So good!!!!
11. September 2020 - 17:57
If you are having breakfast in Hospital we highly recommend the bar on the left side after crossing the bridge. The bocadillo con tortilla francesa was delicious and we enjoyed it on the terrace with a lovely view of the bridge.
16. August 2020 - 9:37
Highly recommend Bar puente (in the right as you enter the town). Lovely coffee and pastries. Fabulous garden with exotic birds and gorgeous toilets. Great place to stop!
10. October 2019 - 9:10
I stayed at Albergue San Miguel October 9, 2019. The owners are kind, helpful and welcoming. The room held four people. It was quiet and clean. The bathroom was clean. The kitchen was available to those who wanted to cook a dinner. I walked to Lis Angeles, a restaurant nearby with a pilgrim menu. I ordered trout soup. It was more like a thick stew. It’s flavor was unusual. It was filling, and I am sure it was nutritious. I would stay at Albergue San Miguel again.
8. July 2019 - 21:59
I highly recommend this Albergue, vegetarian or not. Very peaceful and welcoming. If you’re there on a Saturday, good chance there will be a yoga festival going on. Dinner was eye opening for this meat eater. 10:10 in my book.
Esta entidad ha sido beneficiaria de una ayuda del Programa de incentivos a la movilidad eficiente y sostenible (MOVES III), gestionado por la Xunta de Galicia a través del Instituto Enerxético de Galicia (INEGA) en el marco del Real Decreto 266/2021, y cofinanciada por la Unión Europea — NextGenerationEU, dentro del Plan de Recuperación, Transformación y Resiliencia.
