Las Herrerías ('the blacksmiths') takes its name from the iron forges that once operated along the river. It's the last village before the climb to O Cebreiro, and the atmosphere shifts here — you can feel the mountain ahead.
A couple of albergues and a bar provide final services. The English-run albergue has a good reputation. An old stone bridge crosses the river at the village entrance.
Some pilgrims start the climb to O Cebreiro from here at dawn, which puts you at the top for sunrise. Others prefer to tackle it after breakfast. Either way, the 8 km climb gains about 700 m — the steepest sustained ascent since the Pyrenees.
No services between here and O Cebreiro. The climb is steep and exposed in places. In bad weather, take the road variant rather than the mountain path.
The climb begins immediately after Las Herrerías. The path is steep, gaining altitude through chestnut forest before emerging into open mountain pasture. The gradient eases in the final stretch to La Faba.
21. August 2026 - 8:12
Don’t judge me. But I do judge that this is the best coffee, cheesecake, flan, and all of Spain.
Casa Polin at end of town
22. June 2025 - 1:47
Are we able to send our backpacks to the top of O’ Cebreiro and than walk? I know the horse is an option to ride up but I just want to off load the pack weight.
24. May 2025 - 16:36
I really enjoyed my stay. Really lovely place, good hot water. Good dinner- vegetarian. Solid breakfast. The place next door also has a pilgrims menu with chicken and a great bar with patio.
26. September 2024 - 21:00
Link to book for horse riding on here would be helpful, would love to have done it but can’t find where too!
22. June 2024 - 10:41
I needed to get a cab here from Villafranca because I was sick noella made sure the room was ready early. The patio is gorgeous for a good dinner
19. May 2024 - 16:28
Oh such luxury, wonderful room, great shower. Super staff...and a laundry service to boot.... highly recommended.
10. July 2023 - 17:41
La vida es sueño y los sueños sueños son. Aprovecha y habla con Víctor de la vida y de los caballos, mientras correr en las nubes de Galicia.
Gracias Víctor, buen camino.
7. June 2023 - 17:56
This place is comfortable enough. We had booked a private triple room. The toilets and bathroom are downstairs, which is quite inconvenient, especially at night when you have to walk through the dorm beds to use the loo!
No WiFi - you have to go to the Restuarant next door to use the WiFi.
We did not have dinner here.
They don't offer breakfast.
11. May 2023 - 14:36
Stopped for a delicious lunch and had the best homemade tarta de queso of my camino
7. March 2023 - 9:17
The horse ride service to the top opens March 15
1. August 2022 - 21:26
Horse ride to the top is 40€. Victor leaves at 9 and 4. I was debating whether to go or not so when, while we were riding, he told me work has been slow since the pandemic hit, I was happy to be helping local peoples businesses! The horses are well cared for and he stops to give them water during the climb.
Trip is about 2 hours.
13. July 2022 - 20:33
If you want to take a horse to the top you need to know they only go up twice per day. One early morning and one in the "afternoon". You need to book well in advance as they fill up quickly. We waited too long and got to make the lovely uphill walk.
13. July 2022 - 8:37
What a perfect place. Everything about this place is top notch. David and his Sister the owners are keeping this place to the highest standards.
The restaurant is serving great food with great attention. The rooms are super clean and comfortable. Very good stop before the climb to O Cebrerrio.
10. October 2021 - 18:08
If you want to do the horse option up to the top, be sure you contact the man (Victor Echevarria +638 041 823) well in advance. I reached out three days ahead, but he was already fully booked.
23. September 2021 - 11:00
We stayed at Albergue Las Herrerias, which is now named Miriam: at least that’s the name on the side of the building and what the locals told us when we asked for Albergue Las Herrerias.
We had a great stay. Clean rooms. Hot water until it ran out from the 20 something pilgrims who used it.
Best of all, we had a great vegetarian dinner and breakfast.
Loved it!
28. September 2019 - 21:00
We enjoyed a wonderful dinner at El Capricho del Josana. Delightful hosts. Vegetarian and vegan options available.
17. August 2019 - 15:45
Whilst the La Pandela accommodation was wonderful, we were very disappointed with the food. Several items on the menu weren’t available and others had items interchanged without advising you. Better off eating at the hotel next door.
16. April 2019 - 21:24
A very very nice new pension is open in Las Herrerias: La Pandela. Price:40-45 euros/double room. Or 30 euros individual. It is a wonderful. Place. And you can also eat there. The owners offer also a very generous menu.
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.
