San Martín del Camino
❯ Astorga
23,6km
STAGE DISTANCE
Stage 22 · French way
Information
The stage between San Martín del Camino and Astorga has an approximate distance of 23.7 km, a duration close to 5 hours and 30 minutes, and moderate elevation gain of about 190 meters. After several practically flat days, you will begin to find somewhat more undulating terrain.
The first kilometers continue near the N-120 until reaching Puente de Órbigo and Hospital de Órbigo. From here you can choose between continuing beside the road or deviating toward Villares de Órbigo and Santibáñez de Valdeiglesias. In this stage we will follow this second option, somewhat longer but away from traffic and surrounded by more rural landscape. Both alternatives rejoin before San Justo de la Vega.
The arrival at Astorga is one of the outstanding points of the French Way. Its Roman past, the Cathedral of Santa María, and the Episcopal Palace designed by Gaudí make it worth reserving time to get to know the city after finishing the stage.
Route map
Recommendation from The Way
Recommendation in stage 22: San Martín del Camino – Astorga
Although it is not a particularly difficult stage, you will find dirt roads and some stony sections, especially after Santibáñez de Valdeiglesias. The route features small climbs and descents that break up the practically flat terrain of previous days.
In Hospital de Órbigo pay attention to the bifurcation. To follow the route described here you will have to take the option toward Villares de Órbigo. The alternative that continues beside the N-120 is shorter, but both routes end up joining in the area of the Crucero de Santo Toribio.
If you do the Way by bicycle, the elevation changes are not significant, but the irregular surface can be uncomfortable at some points. For people with reduced mobility, it is also wise to take into account these dirt and stone sections and check the route conditions in advance.
Stage profile
A stage of 23.7 km, with approximately 190 m of ascent and 188 m of descent. The general difficulty is low-moderate and the terrain begins to be more varied than in previous days.
The route passes through Puente de Órbigo, Hospital de Órbigo, Villares de Órbigo, Santibáñez de Valdeiglesias, and San Justo de la Vega before ending in Astorga.
Itinerary
· San Martín del Camino
The stage begins in San Martín del Camino. You will leave the locality to continue via the route parallel to the N-120, still over practically flat terrain.
This first section maintains the open landscape of the Leonese plateau. After about 6.8 km you will abandon immediate proximity to the road to head toward Puente de Órbigo.
Km 6.8
· Puente de Órbigo
Puente de Órbigo is located just before one of this stage’s great symbols: the Bridge of the Honorable Passage, which allows crossing the Órbigo River and entering practically immediately into Hospital de Órbigo.
The bridge is closely related to the Way’s history and to the jousts celebrated in 1434 by Suero de Quiñones and nine other knights. The episode became known as the Passo Honroso and is still remembered in the locality today.
Km 7.2
· Hospital de Órbigo
Right after crossing the bridge you will enter Hospital de Órbigo. The locality was born closely linked to the ancient establishment intended to care for pilgrims traveling this route.
You will cross its main street until reaching a bifurcation. If you continue straight you will follow the shorter route beside the N-120. We will turn toward Villares de Órbigo, an option approximately 1.2 km longer but which allows moving away from the road.
Before continuing you can approach the Church of San Juan Bautista, built in the mid-eighteenth century and historically related to the Order of the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem.
Km 9.8
· Villares de Órbigo
You will arrive at Villares de Órbigo after advancing through agricultural lands.
The locality has the Church of Santiago, built during the first half of the eighteenth century. It features a Latin cross floor plan and a bell tower attached to the temple.
At the exit you will cross a local road and continue via rural paths that climb gently before descending toward Santibáñez de Valdeiglesias.
· Santibáñez de Valdeiglesias
Santibáñez de Valdeiglesias marks the beginning of the stage’s most rural and varied section.
At the exit you will take a track that rises slightly. From here you will advance via dirt roads and stony sectors, among agricultural plots and areas with oaks, holm oaks, pines, and poplars.
The route alternates small climbs and descents until reaching the Crucero de Santo Toribio. From this point you will already be able to see Astorga in the distance and, beyond, the Mountains of León.
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· Crucero de Santo Toribio
The Crucero de Santo Toribio is one of the most recognizable points of this part of the Way.
Here the two alternatives that had separated at the exit from Hospital de Órbigo rejoin. Moreover, its elevated position offers a good panorama of Astorga before beginning the descent toward San Justo de la Vega.
Km 20.1
· San Justo de la Vega
You will enter San Justo de la Vega via Calle Real after descending from the Crucero de Santo Toribio.
To continue you will have to cross the locality and cross the Tuerto River via a metal footbridge situated beside the bridge. Later you will continue via a track that leads toward the Jerga River and the railway lines.
San Justo also has the Church of the Holy Saints Just and Pastor, one of the locality’s heritage elements.
Final Section
· San Justo → Astorga
From San Justo approximately 3.6 km remain to the end of the stage.
After crossing the Tuerto River you will continue via tracks and overcome the railway lines via a pedestrian footbridge. From here begins the final climb toward Astorga.
The Way enters the historic center via the Puerta Sol area, one of the ancient entrances of the walled city.
Km 23.7
· Astorga
The stage ends in Astorga, ancient Asturica Augusta and one of the cities with the greatest heritage of the French Way.
Here the French Way and the Via de la Plata coincide, a circumstance that has reinforced for centuries its importance as a place of passage and hospitality.
After arriving it is worth visiting the Cathedral of Santa María, Gaudí’s Episcopal Palace, and the archaeological remains of the ancient Roman city. The Roman Route allows you to explore spaces such as the baths, the forum, the ancient sewer network, and the Domus of the Mosaic of the Bear and the Birds.
What to See
Bridge of the Honorable Passage
The bridge over the Órbigo River is one of the most important monuments of this stage and one of the most recognizable historic bridges of the French Way.
Its name recalls the jousts of the Passo Honroso, celebrated between July and August of 1434 and starring Suero de Quiñones and nine other knights.
Church of San Juan Bautista
It is located in Hospital de Órbigo and was built in the mid-eighteenth century.
The temple was related to the Military Order of the Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem and preserves in its interior an altarpiece of plateresque style.
Church of Santiago of Villares de Órbigo
The church of Villares was built during the first half of the eighteenth century.
It has a Latin cross floor plan and a bell tower formed by a stone base and an upper section of brick.
Crucero de Santo Toribio
The cross is located before the descent toward San Justo de la Vega and functions as an excellent natural viewpoint.
From here you will be able to see Astorga and the Mountains of León, one of the most characteristic panoramas of the stage’s end.
Cathedral of Santa María of Astorga
The Cathedral of Santa María is one of Astorga’s main monuments and is located beside the Episcopal Palace.
Your visit can be completed with the Cathedral Museum and the cloister.
Gaudí's Episcopal Palace
The Episcopal Palace was commissioned to Antoni Gaudí after the fire of the old episcopal palace in 1886.
Gaudí designed a Neo-Gothic building that combines elements of a castle, a palace, and a temple. Currently it houses the Museum of the Ways.
Roman Remains of Astorga
Astorga preserves numerous remains of the ancient Asturica Augusta.
The Roman Route allows you to explore the legion fort wall, the lesser baths, the curia, part of the sewers, the forum, and the Domus of the Mosaic of the Bear and the Birds.
Localities
San Martín del Camino
San Martín del Camino is the starting point of this stage. From here the Way maintains for the first kilometers the route close to the N-120 before heading toward the Órbigo River.
Puente de Órbigo
Puente de Órbigo is located on the near bank of the river and provides access to the historic Bridge of the Honorable Passage.
Once you cross the bridge, you will enter directly into Hospital de Órbigo.
Hospital de Órbigo
Hospital de Órbigo is one of this day’s most important localities. Its very name recalls the existence of the ancient hospital intended to care for pilgrims.
Here also is the bifurcation between the route beside the N-120 and the variant via Villares de Órbigo.
Villares de Órbigo
Villares de Órbigo is a small locality surrounded by agricultural lands and situated on the alternative that moves away from the national road.
Its main monument is the Church of Santiago, built during the eighteenth century.
Santibáñez de Valdeiglesias
Santibáñez de Valdeiglesias marks the beginning of the stage’s most rural section.
From here the Way continues via tracks and agricultural roads for almost eight kilometers until reaching San Justo de la Vega.
San Justo de la Vega
San Justo de la Vega is the last locality before Astorga.
The Way crosses the village via Calle Real and continues crossing the Tuerto River before tackling the final kilometers of the day. Among its heritage stands out the Church of the Holy Saints Just and Pastor.
Astorga
Astorga is one of the great stage endings of the French Way. Its origin is found in the ancient Roman city of Asturica Augusta, from which it still preserves numerous archaeological remains.
The Cathedral of Santa María, Gaudí’s Episcopal Palace, the walls, and Roman heritage make the city a particularly recommended place to rest and spend some hours exploring its history.
Route map
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