The Mozarabic Way from Córdoba to Mérida

This stage marks the end of the Meseta and the expected arrival at one of the major capitals on the Camino Francés: León. The route is predominantly flat but the landscape changes dramatically as you ...

This stage marks the end of the Meseta and the expected arrival at one of the major capitals on the Camino Francés: León. The route is predominantly flat but the landscape changes dramatically as you leave the rural area to enter the urban and industrial periphery of the city. Despite the last few kilometers being tedious due to asphalt and traffic, the reward is immense. The entry into the historic old town of León and the view of its majestic Gothic cathedral, "The Fair Leonesa", with its unparalleled stained glass windows, is one of the most exciting moments of the entire pilgrimage.

This is a short stage, almost an urban prologue, that takes the pilgrim out of León's monumental city. The route is mainly on asphalt, crossing the outskirts of the city. It's a transition day, ideal ...

This is a short stage, almost an urban prologue, that takes the pilgrim out of León's monumental city. The route is mainly on asphalt, crossing the outskirts of the city. It's a transition day, ideal for an initial contact or a relaxed walk after enjoying León. The destination is La Virgen del Camino, an important Marian sanctuary and key point in the Way of St James, as here the route splits off, offering a historic variant and another modern one to continue towards Astorga.

This long stage enters the Leonese Plateau, one of the flattest and most exposed areas along the entire Camino Francés route. The trail advances over a dirt path that runs parallel to the road, throug...

This long stage enters the Leonese Plateau, one of the flattest and most exposed areas along the entire Camino Francés route. The trail advances over a dirt path that runs parallel to the road, through a monotonous agricultural landscape but inviting reflection. The highlight of the day is arriving at Hospital de Órbigo and crossing its impressive medieval bridge, "Passo Honroso", the scene of legendary tournaments of chivalry. It's a flat day ending in a place loaded with history and legend.

This stage says goodbye to the Páramo plain and enters a terrain of gentle undulations that anticipates the arrival at the mountain. The path ascends a small cruise from where one can see nearby Astor...

This stage says goodbye to the Páramo plain and enters a terrain of gentle undulations that anticipates the arrival at the mountain. The path ascends a small cruise from where one can see nearby Astorga. The route traverses a transition landscape, with fields of cultivation and small forests. The arrival in Astorga, a thousand-year-old city and crossing point of the Via Plata with the Camino Francés, is a great reward, with its imposing Cathedral and Gaudí's Episcopal Palace as main monumental jewels.

Leaving Astorga, this stage marks the beginning of the ascent to the León Mountains, a drastic change in landscape and a new challenge for the pilgrim. The path enters the Maragatería region, famous f...

Leaving Astorga, this stage marks the beginning of the ascent to the León Mountains, a drastic change in landscape and a new challenge for the pilgrim. The path enters the Maragatería region, famous for its stone villages and traditional architecture. The route is a continuous but generally gentle ascent, passing through towns such as Murias de Rechivaldo and Santa Catalina de Somoza. The destination is Rabanal del Camino, an important Jacobean enclave with great hospitality tradition, ideal for resting before the big climb to the Iron Cross.

This stage is one of the most symbolic and spectacular parts of the French Way. It begins with an ascent to Iron Cross, the highest point on the route, where pilgrims leave a stone. Following this mys...

This stage is one of the most symbolic and spectacular parts of the French Way. It begins with an ascent to Iron Cross, the highest point on the route, where pilgrims leave a stone. Following this mystical moment, it descends steeply and technically demanding, testing knees. The mountain landscape gives way to El Bierzo's fertile plain. The route passes through picturesque villages such as El Acebo and Molinaseca before arriving at Ponferrada, the capital of Bierzo, dominated by its imposing Templar Castle.