Ancient Trails and Paradors of Northern Spain

Pilgrim’s Way

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El Camino de Santiago—the Way of St. James—traces a thousand-year-old route to the Holy City of Santiago through some of Europe’s most beautiful scenery, from the ancient kingdom of Castile to green, mystical Galicia, a romantic hidden corner of Spain alive with legends and Celtic heritage. Our journey hikes the most spectacular sections of this long-distance footpath, following Castile’s sunny country lanes marked with the scallop shell, the symbol of St. James, and Galicia’s trails through mist-shrouded forests of giant gnarled oaks. All along the way, we relish Romanesque settings redolent with the air of pilgrimage and enjoy the comfort of historic inns and splendid paradors, including the 5-star Hostal Dos Reis Catolicos in Santiago.

Below is an Itinerary-in-Brief. To view a complete Detailed Itinerary, Download Full Itinerary or Email our Area Specialist

Itinerary-in-Brief

Days 1-2
Burgos / Léon / Astorga

We meet in the genteel town of Burgos and begin our hike above the remote village of Hontanas, where we begin to see the trail markers of el camino—signs displaying stylized yellow scallop shells, the symbol of St. James, with starrays pointing the way. We follow el camino through the Castilian landscape to the 14th century ruins of the Monasterio de San Anton and onward to the pilgrim town of Castrojeriz and then Fromista, a key pilgrim stop since the days of the Codex Calixtinus. We visit Fromista’s perfect Romanesque church and overnight in ancient Carrión de los Condes. After exploring the engaging medieval city of Léon, we continue to the walled city of Astorga, where we hike to the hamelt of Castrillo de Los Polvazares and further to our hotel, a charming inn located in an old stone village on the pilgrim path.

Days 3-5
Villafranca del Bierzo / O’Ceibreiro / Portomarin

Today we enter rural Galicia and the cultural transition is dramatic—now we begin to hear the ancient Galician tongue, Gallego. The province of Galicia has a Celtic heritage similar to that of Brittany in France and Cornwall in England. We hike to the mystical village of O’Ceibreiro, whose tiny church has a chalice linked in legend with the Holy Grail, and traverse some of the most beautiful stretches of the entire pilgrim trail, with jewel-green fields, ancient stone walls, and farmers tending their small herds. One overnight is in a handsome 17th century manor house set in splendid countryside.

Days 6-8
Santiago de Compostela

We continue through gorgeous Galician scenery, hiking through hamlets and farms flanked by ancient grain silos built of granite. Our first sight of Santiago is from an overlook above town. We then enter and explore this beautiful medieval city of golden granite. In the extraordinary twin-towered limestone Cathedral of Santiago, we have a chance to attend the noon pilgrim mass and see the enormous traditional incense burner, the botafumeiro, swung from the ceiling over the assembled crowd. Overnight in a sumptuous parador. Depart on Day 8.

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Departures & Leaders

1 June 13 - 20, 2008, Beatriz Gutierrez
2 September 5 - 12, 2008, Beatriz Gutierrez

Route Map

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