Villafranca del Bierzo
❯ La Faba
23km
STAGE DISTANCE
Stage 26 · French way
Information
The stage between Villafranca del Bierzo and La Faba has an approximate distance of 23.1 km. During much of the day you will advance through the Valcarce Valley, with a comfortable profile until Las Herrerías. It is in the final kilometers when the true difficulty appears, with a steep climb to La Faba.
The route passes through Pereje, Trabadelo, La Portela de Valcarce, Ambasmestas, Vega de Valcarce, Ruitelán, and Las Herrerías. The Valcarce River, forests, and mountains will gain prominence as you approach the end of the stage.
La Faba is still located in Castile and León, at about 917 meters elevation. Entry into Galicia does not occur until after Laguna de Castilla, so O Cebreiro corresponds to the next stage.
Route map
Recommendation from The Way
Recommendation in stage 26: Villafranca del Bierzo – La Faba
The first part of the day is quite manageable. At the exit from Villafranca you will find a bifurcation between the historic Way and the mountain variant via Pradela. In this route we will follow the historic route, shorter and suitable for most pilgrims. The Pradela variant adds about 1.5 km and presents considerably more elevation gain.
The most demanding part begins after Las Herrerías. There you will progressively abandon asphalt to climb via corredoiras and stone paths. It is a short section, but the gradient hardens considerably until La Faba.
If you do the Way by bicycle, the most recommended approach on this climb is to continue via the signaled road for bicycles rather than using the corredoiras. For people with reduced mobility, the final section is particularly complicated due to the gradient and irregular surface.
Stage profile
A stage of 23.1 km with a profile clearly divided into two parts. Villafranca del Bierzo is at about 509 meters and La Faba reaches approximately 917 meters. Most of that climb is concentrated at the end of the day.
Until Las Herrerías you will advance mainly through the valley floor, alternating local roads, paths, and small population nuclei. The final 3.4 km are the most demanding and lead directly to La Faba.
Itinerary
· Villafranca del Bierzo
The stage begins by traveling the historic Calle del Agua until crossing the Burbia River. Right after crossing the bridge you will find the bifurcation between the historic Way and the mountain variant via Pradela.
To follow this stage you will continue straight via the historic route. Further on you will reach the N-VI, where there is a path separated from traffic by a small concrete wall. The Way advances beside the Valcarce River and under the great viaducts of the A-6.
Km 5.1
· Pereje
To enter Pereje you will have to briefly abandon the path and detour toward the locality.
Pereje preserves part of its medieval layout and was historically very related to the Way. Among its heritage elements stand out the Church of Santa María Magdalena and the memory of an ancient hospital for pilgrims.
After crossing the village you will return to the route near the N-VI to continue toward Trabadelo.
Km 9.6
· Trabadelo
You will enter Trabadelo via a detour to the right and travel its main road.
The locality has the Church of San Nicolás de Bari, one of its main heritage elements. The Way then returns to the N-VI and passes under the great viaducts of the A-6 highway before reaching La Portela.
Km 13.5
· La Portela de Valcarce
La Portela is located at one of the narrowest points of the Valcarce Valley. Its very name is related to this condition of passage between the mountains.
At the exit you will briefly return to the N-VI. After about 400 meters you will take a local road to the left to head toward Ambasmestas.
Km 14.6
· Ambasmestas
Ambasmestas is located at the confluence of the Balboa and Valcarce rivers, an origin also related to the locality’s name.
The Way continues via the same local road and passes under one of the A-6 viaducts before entering Vega de Valcarce.
Km 16.3
· Vega del Valcarce
Vega de Valcarce is the most important population in this part of the valley and a good place to pause before tackling the final climb.
Among its heritage are the Church of Santa María Magdalena and the Castle of Sarracín, situated in an elevated position over the valley and visible from the Way’s surroundings.
You will continue via a local road in gentle ascent. Shortly before Ruitelán you will rejoin the N-VI.
Km 18.4
· Ruitelán
Ruitelán is a small locality situated beside the Valcarce River.
Here are found the Church of San Juan Bautista and the Hermitage of San Froilán, two of the main heritage elements of this section.
Later you will briefly follow the N-VI until taking a local road to the left in the direction of Las Herrerías.
Km 19.7
· Las Herrerías
You will enter Las Herrerías after crossing the Valcarce River via a small bridge of ancient origin. The village was historically related to ironworking, of which references still remain in its heritage.
You will also find the Church of San Julián, linked to the locality’s religious heritage.
From here begins the hardest part of the day.
Final Section
· Las Herrerías → La Faba
You will leave Las Herrerías via road in an increasingly steep climb. In the area of Hospital you will find the separation between the walker route and the alternative recommended for bicycles.
On foot you will take a dirt path that enters the corredoiras. After crossing a stream begins a zigzag climb through an environment of chestnut and oak trees. The surface presents considerable stone and the gradients become more intense.
It is the section requiring the most effort, but also marks the definitive change toward the mountainous landscape that will accompany the Way as it enters Galicia.
Km 23.1
· La Faba
The stage ends in La Faba, a small locality situated on the slope of Traviesa Mountain and documented at least since 1252.
Its main monument is the Church of San Andrés. The village also has services for pilgrims and constitutes a good stop before continuing the climb toward Laguna de Castilla and O Cebreiro.
From here you will still remain for a few kilometers in the province of León. Entry into Galicia will take place during the next stage.
What to See
Church of Santa María Magdalena of Pereje
The parish church of Pereje is dedicated to Santa María Magdalena and forms part of this small Jacobean locality’s historical heritage.
Pereje also had an ancient hospital intended for pilgrims, demonstrating the importance this small nucleus had within the Way.
Church of San Nicolás de Bari
The Church of San Nicolás de Bari is one of Trabadelo’s main monuments.
In its interior stands out a seventeenth-century altarpiece, while externally its bellgable attracts attention.
Church of Santa María Magdalena of Vega de Valcarce
The Church of Santa María Magdalena forms part of Vega de Valcarce’s heritage.
The building has undergone different transformations over time, incorporating elements from different periods.
Hermitage of San Froilán
The Hermitage of San Froilán is located in Ruitelán and is linked to the tradition of the saint, who is said to have lived as a hermit in this environment before becoming bishop of León.
In the same locality is also found the Church of San Juan Bautista.
Church of San Julián
The Church of San Julián is located in Las Herrerías and forms part of this Valcarce Valley locality’s historical heritage.
Las Herrerías also preserves references to its ancient past linked to ironworking.
Church of San Andrés
The Church of San Andrés is La Faba’s main monument.
The temple is located within the small nucleus that the Way crosses and practically marks the end of this day’s journey.
Localities
Villafranca del Bierzo
Villafranca del Bierzo is the starting point of this stage. The Way leaves the locality crossing the Burbia River and quickly enters the narrow Valcarce Valley.
Pereje
Pereje belongs to the municipality of Trabadelo and preserves part of its ancient medieval layout.
Its church and the memory of an ancient hospital for pilgrims reflect its historical relationship with the Way.
Trabadelo
Trabadelo is located in a widening of the Valcarce Valley.
The Way crosses directly through the population and among its main heritage elements stands out the Church of San Nicolás de Bari.
La Portela de Valcarce
La Portela is located at one of the narrowest passages of the valley.
Its position made this point a strategic location for those who historically moved between El Bierzo and Galicia.
Ambasmestas
Ambasmestas belongs to the municipality of Vega de Valcarce and is located beside the confluence of the Balboa and Valcarce rivers.
It is a small population of passage before reaching Vega de Valcarce.
Vega de Valcarce
Vega de Valcarce is the main population of the valley during this stage.
The Church of Santa María Magdalena and the Castle of Sarracín form part of its main heritage references.
Ruitelán
Ruitelán is a small locality situated beside the Valcarce River.
The Church of San Juan Bautista and the Hermitage of San Froilán are its main points of interest before continuing toward Las Herrerías.
Las Herrerías
Las Herrerías marks the beginning of this stage’s most demanding section.
The locality preserves elements related to its metallurgical tradition and heritage such as the Church of San Julián. From here begins the climb that leads to La Faba.
La Faba
La Faba belongs to the municipality of Vega de Valcarce and is located at about 917 meters elevation.
The Church of San Andrés is its main monument. Its situation on the steep climb makes the village a regular stop before continuing toward Laguna de Castilla and later crossing into Galicia.
Route map
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