Ponferrada
❯ Villafranca del Bierzo
24,3km
STAGE DISTANCE
Stage 25 · French way
Information
The stage between Ponferrada and Villafranca del Bierzo has an approximate distance of 23.2 km, a duration close to 5 hours and 15 minutes, and quite a comfortable profile, with about 233 meters of ascent and 263 meters of descent.
The day takes place completely within El Bierzo. You will leave behind Ponferrada’s urban surroundings to advance through Columbrianos, Fuentesnuevas, and Camponaraya. Later the vineyards and agricultural paths that characterize much of this region will appear.
One of the most interesting points will be Cacabelos, a locality historically very linked to the Way of Santiago. From there you will continue toward Pieros and tackle the final kilometers to Villafranca del Bierzo, where the Church of Santiago and its well-known Door of Forgiveness will welcome you.
You will not encounter large elevation changes, although much of the route is exposed to the sun. During summer temperatures can be high, especially on the open paths between Camponaraya and Villafranca.
Route map
Recommendation from The Way
Recommendation in stage 25: Ponferrada – Villafranca del Bierzo
The stage is simple, but during departure from Ponferrada you will cross avenues and urban areas with traffic. Always follow the signage and pay special attention at crossings.
From Camponaraya you will begin walking via agricultural tracks and dirt paths among vineyards. Carrying sufficient water and sun protection is recommended, especially if you do the Way during the hottest months.
After Pieros you will find some small climbs and areas of irregular terrain. If you do the Way by bicycle, the stage does not present major difficulties, although you should drive carefully on dirt roads and during urban sections.
For people with reduced mobility, the route becomes particularly complicated after Camponaraya due to the presence of dirt roads and surfaces unsuitable for wheelchairs. Accessibility guides recommend continuing from this point via the N-VI to Villafranca, exercising extreme caution.
Stage profile
A stage of 23.2 km, with approximately 233 m of ascent and 263 m of descent. The route is gentle and does not present major physical difficulties.
The Way crosses Columbrianos, Fuentesnuevas, Camponaraya, Cacabelos, and Pieros before ending in Villafranca del Bierzo.
Itinerary
· Ponferrada
The stage begins at Ponferrada’s town hall square. From here you will take Calle Santa Beatriz de Silva and descend until crossing the Sil River.
The pedestrian itinerary continues via Paseo de la Concordia and later joins Avenida de la Libertad. Later you will cross Compostilla and cross the N-VI via an underpass to head toward Columbrianos.
The departure is quite urban, but gradually you will leave Ponferrada behind to enter a quieter landscape.
Km 4.9
· Columbrianos
Columbrianos belongs to the municipality of Ponferrada and maintains a clear relationship with the Way of Santiago.
You will cross the locality until reaching the Hermitage of San Blas and San Roque. At this point you will take Calle San Blas, which continues as Camino Real among houses and small gardens.
A cross marks proximity to Fuentesnuevas.
Km 7.3
· Fuentesnuevas
You will enter Fuentesnuevas following Camino Real. Beside the route is the Chapel of the Divine Christ, one of the religious elements related to pilgrims’ passage through the locality.
You will continue straight via Calle Real until linking with a track that leads toward Camponaraya.
Just before arriving you will meet the old N-VI again, currently Avenida Camino de Santiago.
Km 9.7
· Camponaraya
The Way crosses Camponaraya via Avenida Francisco Sobrín, passing near the town hall square.
At the exit, beside a wine cooperative, you will abandon the road to take an uphill dirt path. Shortly after you will cross the A-6 highway via an elevated passage.
Here begins one of the stage’s most pleasant sections. You will walk via agricultural tracks surrounded by vineyards, one of El Bierzo’s most characteristic landscapes.
Further on you will cross the LE-713 road and continue until entering Cacabelos via Calle Cimadevila and Calle Santa María.
Km 15.4
· Cacabelos
Cacabelos is one of this stage’s most important localities and maintains a strong Jacobean tradition. The Way itself crosses its historic center following Calle Santa María, the village’s main axis since the Middle Ages.
Here you can see the Church of Santa María, whose apse preserves remains of the earlier Romanesque temple. The primitive church was consecrated by Diego Gelmírez in 1108 and later was rebuilt and reformed.
To leave Cacabelos you will cross the Puente Mayor over the Cúa River, whose current structure belongs mainly to the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries.
Immediately after crossing the river you will pass beside the Sanctuary of the Fifth Sorrow, built mainly during the eighteenth century and situated directly on the Way.
From here you will begin a gentle climb via a path parallel to the road until reaching Pieros.
Km 17.5
· Pieros
Pieros is a small locality situated beside the Way’s route. In its surroundings is the Church of San Martín, a temple of medieval origin that was consecrated in 1086 and still preserves elements from that first construction.
From the Pieros area you will also be able to see the surroundings of Castro Ventosa, an important archaeological site situated on an elevation close to the route.
After leaving Pieros you will continue for about 500 meters via the road.
Final Section
· Pieros → Villafranca del Bierzo
After Pieros there is a variant via Valtuille de Arriba that allows avoiding part of the route beside the road. The official route, however, continues for approximately 1.9 km along the roadside before deviating toward an agricultural track.
From here you will return to walking among fields and vineyards while gradually approaching Villafranca.
The first great reference of the locality will be the Church of Santiago, situated before fully entering the urban center. On one of its sides is the famous Door of Forgiveness.
Later you will border the castle area and descend via Calle Salinas until linking with the historic Calle del Agua, which forms part of the Way of Santiago itself.
Km 23.2
· Villafranca del Bierzo
The stage ends in Villafranca del Bierzo, one of the localities with the greatest Jacobean tradition in the province of León. Its historical development was closely related to the arrival of pilgrims and to the settlement of population from other parts of Europe.
One of its great symbols is the Church of Santiago, a Romanesque temple from the late twelfth century. Its Door of Forgiveness has special importance for pilgrims who, meeting established conditions, cannot continue to Santiago due to illness or accident during a Holy Year.
It is also worth exploring Calle del Agua and getting to know the Collegiate Church of Santa María, the Church of San Francisco, and the Castle of the Marquises of Villafranca.
What to See
Hermitage of San Blas and San Roque
The hermitage is located in Columbrianos and forms a direct part of the exit route toward Fuentesnuevas.
In its surroundings the Way abandons the main road to continue via Calle San Blas and Camino Real.
Church of Santa María of Cacabelos
The Church of Santa María is one of Cacabelos’s main monuments.
From the Romanesque temple consecrated in 1108, mainly the apse is preserved, as the building was almost completely rebuilt during the sixteenth century and later modified.
Puente Mayor of Cacabelos
The Puente Mayor allows the Way to cross the Cúa River.
The current bridge has six stone vaults and corresponds mainly to works carried out between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries.
Sanctuary of the Fifth Sorrow
You will find it immediately after crossing the Cúa River, at the exit from Cacabelos.
Although there was an earlier hermitage, the current building and much of its decoration belong to the eighteenth century.
Church of San Martín of Pieros
The church is located beside Pieros and was consecrated by Bishop Osmundo of Astorga in 1086.
It preserves part of the medieval walls, the north doorway, and its founding plaque, while other parts of the building were erected during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
Church of Santiago and Door of Forgiveness
The Church of Santiago welcomes the pilgrim just before entering Villafranca del Bierzo.
It is a Romanesque temple from the late twelfth century and its best-known element is the Door of Forgiveness, closely related to the locality’s Jacobean tradition.
Calle del Agua
Calle del Agua forms part of the historic route of the Way through Villafranca.
For centuries it was one of the main commercial streets and paths for pilgrims. It preserves numerous historic buildings, coats-of-arms houses, and examples of civil architecture from different periods.
Collegiate Church of Santa María
The current Collegiate Church occupies the place where a monastery previously existed, related to the Cluny order.
The current building began to be erected during the sixteenth century and combines Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque elements.
Localities
Ponferrada
Ponferrada is the starting point of this stage and the main city of El Bierzo.
The Way leaves the urban center crossing the Sil River and continues through Compostilla before heading toward Columbrianos.
Columbrianos
Columbrianos belongs to the municipality of Ponferrada and is the first independent locality the Way crosses after leaving the city.
The Hermitage of San Blas and San Roque and Camino Real are two of the main references of the route passing through the village.
Fuentesnuevas
Fuentesnuevas is located between Columbrianos and Camponaraya.
The Way crosses the locality via Calle Real and passes beside the Chapel of the Divine Christ before continuing toward Camponaraya.
Camponaraya
Camponaraya marks the transition between the stage’s more urban sections and El Bierzo’s agricultural paths.
At the exit you will begin walking via tracks surrounded by vineyards and cross the A-6 before heading toward Cacabelos.
Cacabelos
Cacabelos is one of El Bierzo’s great Jacobean localities. Its medieval growth was very related to the Way, commercial activity, and care for pilgrims.
The Church of Santa María, Puente Mayor, and the Sanctuary of the Fifth Sorrow form part of its main heritage elements.
Pieros
Pieros belongs to the municipality of Cacabelos and is the last small locality before Villafranca del Bierzo.
Its main heritage element is the Church of San Martín, of medieval origin. From this area the Way continues among roads and agricultural tracks toward Villafranca.
Villafranca del Bierzo
Villafranca del Bierzo is the end of this day’s journey and one of the main historic enclaves of the French Way in El Bierzo.
The Church of Santiago and its Door of Forgiveness, Calle del Agua, the Collegiate Church of Santa María, San Francisco, and the Castle reflect the importance the locality achieved thanks to the Way and its position before the climb toward Galicia.
Route map
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