Common overnight stop · 12 places to stay
Pilgrims on the road and friends along the way send me changes every day, and they go out the same day. The Camino de Invierno app carries all of it offline, and it's still being built — new features arrive routinely.
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The ground behind you: what the walk into Ponferrada and the Start of the Camino de Invierno crosses, and where it could have been broken.
Tomorrow from Ponferrada and the Start of the Camino de Invierno
Nothing says you have to stop here, or there. These are simply the towns within a comfortable day's walk, so you can decide tonight.
Ponferrada is the capital of El Bierzo and the starting point of the Camino de Invierno. Most pilgrims arrive here via the Camino Francés, turning south where the Francés continues west to Villafranca del Bierzo and O Cebreiro.
The Castillo de los Templarios is the main attraction — a massive Templar fortress overlooking the Río Sil that's one of the best-preserved in Spain. The castle was built by the Knights Templar in the 12th century to protect pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago. Inside, a modern museum traces the Templar order and the castle's history.
The old town below the castle has the Basílica de la Encina (housing the patron virgin of El Bierzo), a clock tower, and a pleasant Plaza Mayor with arcaded buildings. The Museo de la Radio and the Museo del Bierzo are worth a visit if you have time.
Ponferrada is also the gateway to the Bierzo wine region. Wines made from the Mencía grape — the local red variety — are among the most exciting in Spain, and they're poured at bargain prices in every bar in town.
The city has all services — accommodation at every level, restaurants, supermarkets, pharmacy, train and bus station.
Ponferrada takes its name from an iron-reinforced bridge (pons ferrata) built in the 11th century to help pilgrims cross the Río Sil. The Templars established themselves here in 1178 and built the castle that dominates the city. The order's suppression in 1312 led to the castle passing through various noble hands. El Bierzo's mining heritage stretches back to Roman times — the massive gold mining operation at nearby Las Médulas was the largest in the ancient world.
Leave Ponferrada heading south, following the Invierno waymarks. The first stretch passes through Toral de Merayo, about 3 km away. Bars and services on the Invierno often have irregular opening hours, particularly on weekends — don't rely on them being open.
13. July 2026 - 11:56
For anyone arriving at or staying in Ponferrada on a Monday be aware that the Castle and all the museums are only open Tuesdays to Sundays. The castle is well worth a visit so try to plan ahead and avoid a Monday :)
27. September 2025 - 20:27
Highly recommended place! If you wanna enjoy your first night in quiet, clean, full equipped place, this one is made for you! 70€ for the whole apartment, ideal for two people.
29. April 2025 - 17:53
28/29 April 25
After two days walking I found the distances to be inaccurate. It seems like the distances are by road. Following the arrows adds at least 3 to 5 klms per day
The locations suggesting food are also inaccurate. This might not be an issue in April but anyone doing the Invierno in summer should be mindful. The free resource is appreciated but needs a full update with the assistance of Pilgrims
16. September 2024 - 18:43
At the small square in front of the church you get a really nice tapas when you order a beer.
RSR
15. September 2024 - 17:00
A really nice place to stay.
Great history, a lot of bars, restaurants and places to sleep.
Here we started the Camino Invierno.
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.
