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Camino de Santiago

Via Augusta from Cadiz

The Via Augusta from Cadiz restores the ancient Roman road to link the oldest city in the West with Seville, connecting with the Via of the Silver.

Organize your Via Augusta from Cadiz

Origin

Cádiz

Destination

Sevilla

Distance

170 km

Days

6

Difficulty

Lowlands

Last updated: 21/05/2025

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General Description of Via Augusta from Cadiz

The Via Augusta from Cádiz is a 170 km Jacobean itinerary that follows the route of the ancient Roman road of the same name, connecting Cádiz with Seville. This section allows pilgrims from Cadiz to link up in Seville with the Silver Way, one of the major routes to Santiago.

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Connections of Via Augusta from Cadiz

Way of the Plate
963.6 km 38 High

The Silver Way (La Vía de la Plata) is the longest of the Camino de Santiago paths in Spain, with almost 1000 km. Its route, which starts in Seville, largely follows the ancient Roman road that connected Mérida to Astorga. It traverses Andalusia, Extremadura and Castile and León, offering pilgrims two options in Granja de Moreruela (Zamora): continue on to Astorga to link with the French Way or take the Sanabrés Way directly to Galicia.

It is a route of immense historical and monumental wealth. Due to its length and high temperatures in its southern section, it requires excellent planning. It offers diverse landscapes, from the extreme dehesas to the plains and mountains of Castile and León.

Stages of this variant:

Etapa 1
Stage 1: Seville to Guadahortuna
21.90 km 5.48h Baja
Etapa 2
Stage 2: Guillena to Castilblanco de los Arroyos
18.30 km 4.58h Media
Etapa 3
Stage 3: Castileja del Pinar to Almaden de la Plata
28.20 km 7.05h Media
Etapa 4
Stage 4: Mondovino to Monestier-de-Clermont
33.60 km 8.40h Alta
Etapa 5
Stage 5: Monastery at Fuente de Cantos
20.70 km 5.18h Baja
(19) more

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Stages

Stages of Via Augusta from Cadiz

Stage 1

Cádiz Puerto Real

27.00 km 9.00h Baja +40m

This stage enters the Leonesa Central Mountains. The profile is a gentle but continuous ascent following the valley of the Bernesga River. The landscape is of great beauty, with the peaks of the Canta...

Stage 2

Puerto Real Jerez de la Frontera

24.10 km 8.03h Baja +320m

This stage is a high mountain day that prepares the pilgrim for crossing the Cantabrian Mountains Range. The profile is an ascending, demanding route through an alpine landscape of great beauty. The t...

Stage 3

Jerez de la Frontera El Cuervo de Sevilla

28.10 km 9.37h Baja -1000m

This is the queen stage of the Forgotten Path, an spectacular high mountain traverse that crosses the Cantabrian Mountains through the Pajares Pass. After topping the pass, a long and vertiginous desc...

Stage 4

El Cuervo de Sevilla Las Cabezas de San Juan

29.10 km 9.70h Media -90m

The last stage of the Forgotten Way from León ends in Asturias' capital. The route enters the mining basins, on a terrain with a gentle slope. The landscape is a mix of green valleys and industrial su...

Stage 5

Las Cabezas de San Juan Utrera

32.00 km 10.67h Baja +90m

This stage enters the valley of the River Valcarce, serving as an approach to O Cebreiro. The profile is a false flat ascending profile that gains height almost imperceptibly. The path runs in a narro...

Stage 6

Utrera Alcalá de Guadaíra

18.50 km 6.17h Media +700m

This is one of the most difficult, mythical and beautiful stages of the Camino Francés. The journey involves ascending from the Valcarce valley to the top of O Cebreiro, the entrance to Galicia. The f...

Towns

Featured Towns of Via Augusta from Cadiz

Explore the key towns and cities of this route.

History

Millenary History of the Camino de Santiago: Origins and Evolution Via Augusta from Cadiz

Discover the origins and evolution of Via Augusta from Cadiz

The Via Augusta from Cadiz represents the southernmost geographical and historical starting point of all continental Jacobean routes in Europe. Starting here is to begin in the oldest city in the West, Gadir, to walk on the stones of the most important Roman road in Hispania. This section is not a path itself, but a monumental prelude to the Great Way of the Plata, connecting Cadiz Bay with Andalusian capital Sevilla.

The history of this route begins over three thousand years ago, around 1100 BC, when Phoenician sailors founded Gadir on an island in the Guadalquivir's mouth. Later, the Romans turned it into Gades, one of the most prosperous cities in the Empire, famous for its salted fish and dancers. To connect this Atlantic gem with Rome, Roman engineers drew the final section of their great road, the Via Augusta, which ran along the entire Mediterranean coast from the Pyrenees. The route between Gades and Hispalis (Seville) was therefore a major economic, military, and administrative route.

With the arrival of Christianity and the subsequent discovery of St. James' tomb, this perfectly built and maintained road became the natural route for pilgrims in the region. For a resident of Cadiz, Jerez or the bay area, or any traveler arriving at their important port, the Via Augusta was the only logical and safe path to start the journey northwards. The goal of this initial section was to reach the great metropolis of Sevilla, which solidified itself as the official starting point of the Way of the Plata from the Middle Ages.

The modern itinerary aims to recreate the route of the ancient road as far as possible. Part of Cadiz city, "the silver spoon," and crosses the bay, a landscape of salt pans and marshes of great ecological value. Passes through historic villages like Puerto Real, El Puerto de Santa María, and above all, Jerez de la Frontera. Jerez, already in the Middle Ages, was a city of great importance, famous for its wines, which were already exported to all Europe, and for breeding its cartujan horses. Its castle and Gothic churches were an important stopover for pilgrims.

From Jerez, the road enters the countryside, an undulating landscape of fertile lands dedicated to cereal and sunflower cultivation. Passes through localities like Lebrija and Utrera before spotting in the distance the Giralda, the campanile of Sevilla's cathedral. The arrival in Sevilla marked the end of the first stage of the journey. In the Andalusian capital, the pilgrim could rest, replenish supplies, and mentally prepare for the true challenge ahead: the over 700 kilometers of the Way of the Plata to Astorga.

The recovery of the Via Augusta from Cadiz as a formal Jacobean route is an effort by Andalusian associations to give a coherent and deeply meaningful starting point to the Way of the Plata. Offers a relatively flat and low-difficulty journey, ideal for first contact with pilgrimage. Walking this section is to start the journey to Santiago from the same historical confines of Europe, uniting the light of Cadiz with the grandeur of Sevilla as a prelude to the adventure of the Great West Road.

We answer your questions

Frequently Asked Questions about Via Augusta from Cadiz

How long is the Via Augusta from Cadiz?

The Via Augusta from Cadiz has a total length of 170 km, making this route a moderate journey. This itinerary is ideal for those who want to combine Roman history with the Camino de Santiago.

How many days are needed to complete the Via Augusta from Cadiz?

It is estimated that an average pilgrim can complete the Via Augusta from Cadiz in approximately 6 days, although this time may vary depending on the walker's speed and personal preferences.

When is the best time to do the Via Augusta from Cadiz?

The recommended period for undertaking the Via Augusta from Cadiz is during mid-season, specifically between April and June or September and October. During these months, you can enjoy pleasant weather and a lower number of pilgrims.

What is the cost of the complete tour package for the Via Augusta from Cadiz with Ourway?

The costs for the tour package along the Via Augusta from Cadiz may vary depending on travel dates and included services. At Ourway, we manage personalized reservations that include accommodation in selected hostels, luggage transfer, and route advice.

What does the reservation service with Ourway include for the Vía Augusta from Cádiz?

Our booking package for the Vía Augusta from Cádiz includes accommodation in selected hostels, luggage transfer between stages, and personalized advice on the route. Additionally, you can opt for additional services such as guided tours or medical insurance.

How would you compare the Vía Augusta from Cádiz to other Camino routes?

The Vía Augusta from Cádiz offers a unique experience by blending Roman history with Andalusian heritage. Unlike more popular routes such as the French Way or the Silver Route, this itinerary is less crowded but equally exciting, providing a deep cultural journey.

How do you choose between the Via Augusta from Cadiz and the Route of the Guadiana for pilgrimage?

The choice depends on your personal interests. The Via Augusta from Cadiz is ideal if you seek a unique blend of Roman history and Jacobean influence, while the Route of the Guadiana offers a more rural and varied environment. Also consider the dates available for each route and your level of cultural interest.

What type of pilgrim credential do I need to walk the Via Augusta from Cadiz?

To undertake the Via Augusta from Cadiz, it is advisable to have an official pilgrim's credential. This allows you to stay in hostels and receive benefits such as discounts at some sacred sites along the route.

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