Santalla del Bierzo to Borrenes

What you pass through

Every place on the path in order, with the distance from Santalla del Bierzo. Most are too small to sleep in — a fountain, a chapel, a bar that may or may not be open — but they are what the day is actually made of.

1. start
   Santalla del Bierzo538 m1 to stayBar · food

   Calle Chaos takes you out of town, turning to a dirt path. After walking through fields and orchards for a couple of kilometers, a mojón directs you left across the national highway, where an ascent begins. There's a sign for the Villavieja Albergue.

   You can stay on the road and bypass the castle, going directly to Borrenes with minimal elevation gain — but walking on the shoulder of a national highway isn't recommended. The camino route through Villavieja is far preferable, with great views of the castle on the climb.

   When leaving town, there are two sets of arrows and a mojón. Follow the arrows toward Villavieja — do not follow the arrows to Las Barrancas.

2. 3.7 km
   Villavieja764 m2 to stay

   Halfway through Villavieja, there's a paved road to the right that bypasses the castle. The camino to the castle goes to the left of a large renovated house, on a gravel path through chestnut trees.

3. 3.7 km
   Castillo de Cornatel

   After visiting the castle, continue on the downhill road. Turn right at the first intersection and left at the next. You'll arrive shortly in Borrenes.

4. 7.4 km
   Borrenes557 m3 to stayBar · food

   Continue out of town — resist the temptation to take a small fitness trail on the left. Stay on the road and walk around the bend. A dirt track appears up and to your left; after a short climb, it descends again.

   The first road takes you to Carucedo (off-camino). To continue on the camino, go straight and turn left on the next road toward Las Médulas. A short distance along, the camino diverts off the road into chestnut groves. You'll rejoin the road just outside Las Médulas.