Pilgrims on the road and friends along the way send me changes every day, and they go out the same day. The Camino Francés 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 Lavacolla crosses, and where it could have been broken.
Tomorrow from Lavacolla
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.
| Town | km from here | Shared | Private | The walk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vilamaior | 1.3 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | |
| San Marcos | 5.0 | — No | ✓ Yes | |
| Monte del Gozo | 5.3 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | |
| Barrio San Lázaro | 7.0 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | |
| Santiago de Compostela | 10.3 | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | The walk from Lavacolla to Santiago de Compostela |
The name Lavacolla has one of the most debated etymologies on the camino, ranging from the prosaic ('field at the bottom of the hill') to the anatomically specific ('wash your scrotum'). What's widely accepted is that medieval pilgrims bathed in this river before entering Santiago.
The last hill awaits. Tradition holds that the first of your group to arrive at Monte del Gozo earns the title of King. The prize for this honor is entirely notional.
The name Lavacolla has one of the most debated origins of all the camino towns. They range from the bland “field at the bottom of the hill” to the more profane “scrub your scrotum.” What is more widely accepted is that pilgrims bathed in this river before entering the Cathedral.
If you walked down the stairs to visit either of the bars at the bottom, turn and walk up the steps towards the Iglesia de Benaval. The camino continues around to the right-hand side and down to cross the road. At the road, cross at the crosswalk and continue along the road and over the famous river (see inset below).The last hill is ahead, and if you are a stickler for doing things according to tradition you should start running now. It is said that the first of your group to arrive in Monte de Gozo is entitled to be called King. Be advised that there is no prize.
20. May 2026 - 21:46
Friendly staff, €15 pilgrim menu plus reasonably priced a la carte.
28. July 2025 - 17:34
What a wonderful place – so beautiful. For your final night before reaching Santiago, it is simply the perfect choice.
10. June 2025 - 19:17
Grocery store in lavacolla. Just had the proprietor follow me around the whole time I was in the store. Not sure if it's because I'm a pilgrim or because I'm not white
8. October 2024 - 12:43
This is absolutely not even close to the last hill. Walked 4K more and already several much steeper hills!
20. August 2024 - 13:03
I wanted to go to the famous bakery but it was closed on a Tuesday at 1pm, so disappointed 🥲
11. July 2024 - 22:11
What a beautiful albergue! Everything immaculately clean. Beds are private, each one with a light and a socket for charging. Real linen already on beds. Areas for cooking, doing laundry, and a sitting area are so well-designed and welcoming. Games and books provide activities for rainy afternoons. The newly opened restaurant next door was excellent. Plus the owner, Alsira, is such a wonderful hostess! She has created such an inviting space for those last night on the Camino. I HIGHLY recommend this as your last evening.
27. June 2024 - 18:32
Very unfriendly staff. Suggest eating elsewhere.
25. May 2024 - 17:41
I stayed here before getting a bus out to Samos. It was an easy walk from the airport. Would be a good place to stay at the end of your Way before you get to SdeC. A great pension. Lovely people and a good price.
11. April 2024 - 17:03
New Albergue opened August 2023, beautiful, real sheets, big lockers and each bunk has privacy curtains, lights and electric. Great common space and garden. Lovely owner. A pity it doesn't show yet on the app. Can book via booking.com where it's rated 9.3.
23. September 2023 - 6:50
The most wonderful new place. Bunkbeds with curtains and so tasteful decorated. Will highly recommmend this place in the middel of Lavacolla. Book it on Booking.com. Eur 20,-
16. June 2023 - 16:22
Thoroughly recommend for a comfortable nights stay before the 10km walk to Santiago. There’s a cross country short cut to get you back onto the Camino trail in the morning. Beautiful accommodation, very friendly staff and although the main host spoke good English, he was very patient with our Spanish as he could see we were learning. Beautiful chapel on site.
14. December 2021 - 20:41
The panaderia was open on national holidays, and had a nice stamp with an airplane on it. Panadería Lavacolla
+34 981 89 70 24
https://maps.app.goo.gl/dGuuQDrYnoHJXgcD7
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.
