La Faba
❯ Triacastela
26km
STAGE DISTANCE
Stage 27 · French way
Information
The stage between La Faba and Triacastela has an approximate distance of 25.3 km. The first part continues in ascent until entering Galicia and reaching O Cebreiro; later you will find several climbs to Alto do Poio and, from there, a long descent toward Triacastela.
It is a mountain day, but very different from yesterday’s climb. You will walk among the sierras of Os Ancares and O Courel, alternating dirt tracks, small asphalt sections, and paths close to the LU-633. During much of the route you will remain above 1,200 meters elevation.
Furthermore, this stage has an especially important moment: entry into Galicia. After Laguna de Castilla, a boundary stone marks the change between Castile and León and Galicia. From there approximately 1.2 km remain to O Cebreiro.
Route map
Recommendation from The Way
Recommendation in stage 27: La Faba – Triacastela
The main factor to take into account is the weather. Due to elevation, during cold months snow, fog, wind, and low temperatures are common, especially around O Cebreiro and the subsequent peaks.
After O Cebreiro you will find small climbs and descents, but the most intense climb is the one leading from Padornelo to Alto do Poio. It is short, barely a few hundred meters, but quite steep.
If you do the Way by bicycle, it is wise to consider the LU-633 road when there is snow or the surface is in poor condition. For people with reduced mobility, the dirt paths, steep climbs, and some road crossings make this stage require special planning.
Stage profile
The day begins still in ascent. From La Faba you will continue to Laguna de Castilla and O Cebreiro, situated at about 1,300 meters elevation. Later you will cross Liñares, Hospital da Condesa, and Padornelo before overcoming Alto do Poio.
From Fonfría the profile changes clearly. A prolonged descent begins via O Biduedo, Fillobal, and Pasantes until reaching the valley where Triacastela is located.
Itinerary
· La Faba
The stage begins in La Faba, continuing via the same mountain paths you already used during the climb from Las Herrerías.
The gradient smooths compared to the previous section and you will advance among pastures and open lands, gaining height progressively. From here there are about 2.3 km to Laguna de Castilla.
Km 2.3
· Laguna de Castilla
Laguna de Castilla is the last locality of Castile and León through which the French Way passes before entering Galicia.
At the exit you will continue at mid-slope and will still gain some height. Approximately 1.2 km later you will find the boundary stone that officially marks entry into Galicia.
From that point another kilometer remains approximately to O Cebreiro.
Km 4.7
· O Cebreiro
O Cebreiro is one of the most emblematic localities of the French Way and marks the beginning of the Galician section. It is located at about 1,300 meters elevation, among the sierras of O Courel and Os Ancares.
Here you will find the well-known pallozas, traditional constructions with oval floor plans, stone walls, and vegetated roofs. Part of these dwellings today form the Ethnographic Ensemble of O Cebreiro.
It is also worth stopping at the Sanctuary of Santa María A Real do Cebreiro, one of the Way’s most important historic temples and linked to the tradition of the Holy Miracle.
To continue toward Liñares there are two marked routes. The official route advances via a dirt path parallel to the LU-633, while the complementary route gains somewhat more height before descending again toward Liñares.
Km 7.8
· Liñares
Liñares appears after overcoming the first mountainous sector from O Cebreiro.
Its main monument is the Church of Santo Estevo de Liñares, situated directly on the Way. The temple has been restored and its foundation is traditionally attributed to the early Middle Ages.
At the exit you will take a local road and, barely a hundred meters later, will return to a dirt path.
·
· Alto de San Roque
About 800 meters from Liñares you will reach Alto de San Roque, situated at about 1,271 meters elevation.
Here you will find the well-known bronze sculpture of a pilgrim advancing against the wind, work of José María Acuña. The monument has become one of the characteristic images of this part of the Way.
From here you will begin to descend toward Hospital da Condesa.
Km 10.2
· Hospital da Condesa
Hospital da Condesa is a small locality historically related to caring for those traveling the Way.
In the center of the nucleus you will find the Church of San Xoán, one of the small traditional temples of the high Lugo mountains.
The Way continues to the right of the LU-633 and later uses for several meters the Sabugos road before returning to a dirt track.
Km 12.6
· Padornelo
Padornelo is a small village situated just before the day’s most intense climb.
Here is found the Church of San Xoán de Padornelo, situated directly on the French Way.
Barely after leaving the village will begin a short but quite steep climb.
Km 13
· Alto do Poio
After about 400 meters you will reach Alto do Poio. The final section of the climb is barely more than 200 meters, but concentrates a significant gradient.
Once overcome, the stage’s main climbs will be behind you. From here you will continue via paths close to the LU-633 until Fonfría.
Km 16.3
· Fonfría
Fonfría practically marks the beginning of the clearest descent toward Triacastela.
Its main heritage element is the Church of San Xoán de Fonfría. The locality also formerly had a hospital for pilgrims, where water, fire, and lodging were offered to those traveling the Way.
From here you will follow a dirt track that descends progressively toward the Oribio Valley.
Km 18.8
· O Biduedo
At O Biduedo the descent becomes somewhat steeper.
From the locality you will continue via dirt paths with good views over the surrounding valleys and mountains. The village also preserves the Chapel of O Biduedo.
Km 21.7
· Fillobal
The Way reaches Fillobal after several kilometers of descent.
At the exit you will cross a local road and continue descending toward Pasantes. The environment is already much greener and the Triacastela valley is getting closer.
Km 23.3
· Pasantes
Pasantes is the last small locality before reaching the day’s end.
After crossing it you will continue via a wooded path in descent. Shortly after you will pass through Ramil, where the route is already practically in Triacastela.
Km 25.3
· Triacastela
The stage ends in Triacastela, a locality historically very linked to the Way of Santiago and situated in a valley surrounded by mountains. It already appears as a stop on the Way in the Codex Calixtinus.
Its main monument is the Church of Santiago, of Romanesque origin and profoundly reformed during the eighteenth century. It still preserves much of its Romanesque floor plan and an apse from the same period, while the facade and tower date from 1790.
Triacastela is also an important point because in the next stage you will have to choose between two routes toward Sarria: via San Xil or via Samos.
What to See
Entry into Galicia
Between Laguna de Castilla and O Cebreiro you will find the boundary stone that marks entry into Galicia.
It is an especially symbolic point because it signals the beginning of the final kilometers of the French Way within the Galician community.
Pallozas of O Cebreiro
The pallozas are one of O Cebreiro’s most recognizable elements.
They are traditional constructions with oval floor plans, low stone walls, and vegetated roofs, adapted to the harsh climatic conditions of the mountain. Several currently form part of the visitable ethnographic ensemble.
Sanctuary of Santa María A Real do Cebreiro
It is one of the stage’s great monuments.
The church preserves a very austere structure, with three naves and thick walls, in addition to different pieces related to the tradition of the Holy Miracle of O Cebreiro.
Pilgrim Monument at Alto de San Roque
The sculpture represents a pilgrim advancing against the strong wind characteristic of these peaks.
It is located at about 1,271 meters elevation and is the work of Galician sculptor José María Acuña.
Church of Santo Estevo de Liñares
The church of Liñares is located directly on the route.
Its construction maintains the simple forms characteristic of the small mountain temples of this area and was restored during the twentieth century.
Church of San Xoán de Fonfría
The parish church of Fonfría is located very close to the Way.
The temple preserves simple architecture, with slate roof and a single-wall bell tower. The locality also had an ancient hospital for pilgrims.
Church of Santiago of Triacastela
It is the main monument of the stage ending.
It maintains much of its Romanesque structure, although it was profoundly reformed in the eighteenth century. Three castles appear on its facade, a direct reference to the name of Triacastela.
Localities
La Faba
La Faba is the starting point and the last important locality before continuing toward Laguna de Castilla and entering Galicia. From here the climb continues more moderately than in the section from Las Herrerías.
Laguna de Castilla
It is the last Leonese population of the French Way. From here about 2.4 km remain to O Cebreiro and approximately half that distance to the Galicia border.
O Cebreiro
O Cebreiro is the first great reference of the Way in Galicia. Its pallozas, the Sanctuary of Santa María A Real, and its location among Os Ancares and O Courel make it one of the most representative nuclei of the entire route.
Liñares
Liñares is a small mountain locality situated between O Cebreiro and Alto de San Roque. Its main heritage element is the Church of Santo Estevo.
Hospital da Condesa
The very name of the locality recalls its historic relationship with welcoming travelers and pilgrims. Among its houses is found the Church of San Xoán.
Padornelo
Padornelo is located just before the climb to Alto do Poio. Its small Church of San Xoán forms part of the religious heritage situated directly on the Way.
Fonfría
Fonfría practically marks the beginning of the long descent toward Triacastela. Its Church of San Xoán and the historical existence of a hospital for pilgrims reflect its Jacobean tradition.
O Biduedo
O Biduedo belongs to the municipality of Triacastela. From here the descent gains intensity and broad views over the surrounding valleys appear.
Fillobal
Fillobal is a small locality situated in the middle of descent. From here less than four kilometers remain to Triacastela.
Pasantes
Pasantes is the last small population before arrival. The Way continues from here through a wooded area toward Ramil and Triacastela.
Triacastela
Triacastela is the end of this day and one of the historic nuclei of the French Way in Galicia.
Its Church of Santiago preserves Romanesque elements and presides over a locality that continues living closely tied to the passage of pilgrims.
Route map
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