Astorga to Santiago de Compostela:Camino de Santiago with author Beebe Bahrami,
October 3 - October 17, 2025

Overview

To walk on the Camino de Santiago is to set sail on a river of time. Every ancient church tower, every proud castle, every silent ruin, every rusting, ringing bell has a story to tell the passing pilgrim. These landmarks are the rugged and rounded boulders in the river, silently testifying to the hands that long ago placed them here. The river itself is the thousand-year stream of pilgrims - men, women, children even - who set out toward the far west of Spain to start a new chapter, to remember a lost loved one, to release a burden, to lift a prayer, or to savor an adventure. Pilgrims over this wide estuary of many channels have hardened under their feet a firm path in the soil that beckons the traveler of today to join the procession and be forever changed.

Map of the route

Daily Itinerary

Friday, October 3, 2025 - Gather in Astorga

Description

Very easy to reach by train or bus from Madrid or other parts of Spain, let us know if you'd like any assistance in getting here. Check-in at the group hotel, relax and enjoy the city, then gather for orientation in the late afternoon. Have your first group dinner together and then head to bed to rest and relax for tomorrow’s walk. "A capital of the Asur tribe in ancient times, the Romans named this regional capital Asturicas Augustus, using it as an outpost on the Via Traiana to guard the mountain mines to the west. Because if its prominence, both St. Paul and Santiago were said to have visited here, and its third c. bishopric is one of Spain's oldest." - Sandy Brown

distance: 0 km

ascent: 0 m

descent: 0 m

% hard surfaces: 0

difficulty rating: 0

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Saturday, October 4, 2025 - Astorga to Foncebadón

Description

"The long and gradual uphill can almost convince you that you are not climbing into the mountains. However, just before Rabanal the path heads more steeply upward, continuing up to Foncebadón and the summit just beyond." - Sandy Brown

distance: 29.9 km

ascent: 733 m

descent: 168 m

% hard surfaces: 29%

difficulty rating: 8

Sunday, October 5, 2025 - Foncebadón to Ponferrada

Description

"The walk includes some of the Camino's most beautiful mountain vistas on paths that are often very pleasant, particularly with wildflowers in season. The highlight of the day may be Cruz de Ferro, with its tradition of contemplation and spiritual release. The unstable footing on the long downhill into Molinaseca makes the day's middle half sometimes difficult, and the long, suburban walk after Molinaseca, although uninspiring, has the delightful center city of Ponferrada at its culmination." - Sandy Brown

distance: 26.8 km

ascent: 297 m

descent: 1200 m

% hard surfaces: 39%

difficulty rating: 8

Monday, October 6, 2025 - Ponferrada to Villafranca del Bierzo

Description

"The mostly flat stage can be described in three parts - the pleasant riverfront promenade out of Ponferrada; the walk among homes, gardens, villages and vineyards until Cacabelos, and then either the shorter walk along the highway until just shy of Villafranca del Bierzo or on an alternate route going through Valtuille de Arriba that sends you across vineyards." - Sandy Brown

distance: 23.6 km

ascent: 351 m

descent: 374 m

% hard surfaces: 78%

difficulty rating: 7

Tuesday, October 7, 2025 - Villafranca del Bierzo to O Cebreiro

Description

"This long uphill climb is gentle at first, but at first, but after Las Herrerías becomes quite steep. Although the walk follows the old N-VI (Madrid-A Coruna highway) and shares the narrow valley with the A-6 freeway, the most common sound is the Valcarce River as it makes its way noisily downhill to the accompaniment of songbirds." - Sandy Brown

distance: 27.5 km

ascent: 913 m

descent: 120 m

% hard surfaces: 63%

difficulty rating: 8

Wednesday, October 8, 2025 - O Cebreiro to Triacastela

Description

"In the ninth century, after the Reconquista, Count Gatón founded the town as part of his effort to repopulate the region. The three castles once guarding the narrow valley were most likely destroyed in the Norman invasions and not rebuilt." - Sandy Brown

distance: 20.7 km

ascent: 306 m

descent: 925 m

% hard surfaces: 35%

difficulty rating: 8

Thursday, October 9, 2025 - Triacastela to Sarria

Description

"Ample pre-Roman ruins testify to the ancient roots of this prominent Galician town. Destroyed by Muslim invaders in the eighth c., it was soon repopulated and quickly took its place as a major stopover for Santiago pilgrims." - Sandy Brown

distance: 17.6 km

ascent: 314 m

descent: 544 m

% hard surfaces: 51%

difficulty rating: 6

Friday, October 10, 2025 - Sarria to Portomarín

Description

"A mellow day among pastures, stone fences and cornfields, bookended by a tall staircase at the beginning and one at the end. The highlights are the medieval churches along the way. Pilgrim friendships expand as more walkers join the trail." - Sandy Brown

distance: 22.9 km

ascent: 554 m

descent: 589 m

% hard surfaces: 53%

difficulty rating: 7

Saturday, October 11, 2025 - Portomarín to Palas de Rei

Description

"Although the Codex Calixtinus laments that this stretch was the site of open air brothels serving pilgrim traffic, the only negative today is the smell of an agricultural plant not long after Portomarín. But for a few diversions onto forest paths, today's walk takes a business-like trajectory on roadside pathways and through small dairy-centered villages." - Sandy Brown

distance: 25.3 km

ascent: 622 m

descent: 458 m

% hard surfaces: 31%

difficulty rating: 7

Sunday, October 12, 2025 - Palas de Rei to Melide

Description

"Although today's route hugs the path of the N-547 highway, the Camino track touches it only near the settlements, allowing for pleasant walking on well-maintained trails among pastures, cornfields and gardens. The walk includes several ridges and valleys, but none too steep or too long. Highlight of the day is the old town of Melide, with its restaurants, bars and shops." - Sandy Brown

distance: 14.9 km

ascent: 286 m

descent: 381 m

% hard surfaces: 37%

difficulty rating: 6

Monday, October 13, 2025 - Melide to Arzúa

Description

"The freight trucks that rumble and wheeze up the main street are a living testament to the village's long history as a crossroads - the Roman Via Augusta here crossed regional roads heading to Cantabria. Called 'Villanova' in the Codex Calixtinus, the name Arzúa may be linked to later resettlement. Two hospitals served pilgrims at the height of medieval pilgrimage." - Sandy Brown

distance: 14.5 km

ascent: 341 m

descent: 411 m

% hard surfaces: 55%

difficulty rating: 7

Tuesday, October 14, 2025 - Arzúa to O Pedrouzo

Description

"Small dairy farms and tracts of eucalyptus trees cover the low, rolling hills which are dotted with ample rest stops. Fountains and cafés make for an easy walking day with little preparation necessary. The result is an easy day of minor climbs and descents through countryside and villages with the ever-present N-547 highway as companion and sometime obstacle." - Sandy

distance: 19.7 km

ascent: 433 m

descent: 535 m

% hard surfaces: 26%

difficulty rating: 7

Wednesday, October 15, 2025 - O Pedrouzo to Santiago de Compostela

Description

"A surprisingly green and peaceful entry into urban Santiago - at least until the final 5km which wind along seemingly never-ending city streets. Two tall hills make the day a moderate workout. The view from Monte do Gozo and the final entry into Praza do Obradoiro can be a deeply emotional climax to a week, a month, or season of walking toward this historic pilgrimage destination. The Cathedral of Santiago does not allow backpacks inside so if you plan to attend the noon pilgrim mass leave your rucksack at your accommodation or at the pilgrim office beforehand." - Sandy Brown

distance: 19.9 km

ascent: 407 m

descent: 433 m

% hard surfaces: 68%

difficulty rating: 7

Thursday, October 16, 2025 - Explore Santiago

Description

Santiago has the religious capital of northern Spain, and it has 1000 years of stories to tell. WIth your professional guide and your host, author Beebe Bahrami, you'll get an in-depth exploration of Santiago's many wonders. In the evening, you'll share a final supper to celebrate your accomplishment.

distance: 0 km

ascent: 0 m

descent: 0 m

% hard surfaces: 0

difficulty rating: 0

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