Kunig's Way
Historic Route following the itinerary of German monk Hermann Künig from León, crossing the Leon Mountains and Os Ancares to join the Primitive Path.
Organize your Kunig's WayGeneral Description of Kunig's Way
The itinerary characterizes itself by crossing the Mountains of León through La Cepeda and El Bierzo, and a tough entry into Galicia via Os Ancares, following a route that finally converges with the Primitivo Way in San Román da Retorta. It is an ideal option for pilgrims seeking a more solitary experience and a deep connection with history, following the steps of one of the first guides of the pilgrimage.
Elevation Profile of Kunig's Way
Visualize the ups and downs of the route.
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Stages of Kunig's Way
Etapa 1: León to San Martín del Camino
Description:
This short and pleasant stage connects the Portuguese Coastal Way with the Central Portuguese Way. The route is a gentle descent that moves away from Vigo's bay. Arrival in Redondela, the town of viad...
Origen: León
Destino: San Martín del Camino
Etapa 2: San Martín del Camino to Benavides de Órbigo
Description:
The first stage of the English Way is an urban and peri-urban walk along the Ria de Ferrol. It's a flat and pleasant journey, allowing for a peaceful departure from the departmental city. The path goe...
Origen: San Martín del Camino
Destino: Benavides de Órbigo
Etapa 3: Benavides de Órbigo to Villamejil
Description:
This stage enters the Eume Woods, one of Europe's best-conserved Atlantic woodlands. The route is a continuous rise and fall through a landscape of great beauty. It is an exhausting but rewarding jour...
Origen: Benavides de Órbigo
Destino: Villamejil
Etapa 4: Villamejil to Brañuelas
Description:
This stage continues into the interior of A Coruña province, on a route that combines mountain trails with flatter zones. It is a beautiful day that crosses the Mariñas region. The arrival in Betanzos...
Origen: Villamejil
Destino: Brañuelas
Etapa 5: Brañuelas to Bembibre
Description:
After the hardships of the previous stage, the path descends gently into the valley of the River Tambre. The journey is an enjoyable stroll through rural Galicia. It's a day to enjoy the tranquility o...
Etapa 6: Bembibre to Ponferrada
Description:
The last stage. Emotion is the protagonist of this journey. The path crosses the last villages before arriving in Santiago. The entrance to the city through the industrial polygon of Tambre is the onl...
Origen: Bembibre
Destino: Ponferrada
Featured Towns of Kunig's Way
Explore the key towns and cities of this route.
León
Old capital of the Kingdom, Leon is a gem on the French Way. It shines with its Gothic Cathedral, Saint Isidore's Basilica and lively Wet Quarter, perfect for tapas.
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San Martín del Camino
Charming Leonesese town on the final stretch to Astorga. San Martín del Camino, in the fertile valley of the River Orbigo, is a tranquil and well-equipped stop for pilgrims.
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Ponferrada
Capital of El Bierzo and the Templar city of excellence on the French Way. Its imposing Templar Castle is a must-visit stop for all pilgrims before Galicia.
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Villafranca del Bierzo
Known as the "Little Compostela," this village on the French Way allows pilgrims with illnesses to gain the Jubilee in its church of St. James, a historic privilege.
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Lugo
Ancient bimillennial city and gem of the Primitivo Way. Its Roman Wall, World Heritage Site, embraces a vibrant historic quarter, offering the pilgrim history, culture and Galician cuisine.
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San Román da Retorta
Small Lucene village on the Primitive Way. San Román da Retorta is a place with history, located over an ancient Roman road, offering a haven of peace on the route.
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Melide
Geographical heart of the Way in Galicia and capital of the octopus. In Melide, the French Way and the Primitive Way converge, creating a vibrant meeting point for pilgrims from all over the world.
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O Pedrouzo
Known as the Ark or Amenal, O Pedrouzo is the gateway to Santiago de Compostela. The last great stop on the Camino Francés, where the excitement and nerves of arrival are palpable in the air.
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Santiago de Compostela
The Final and Spiritual Heart of the Way of St. James. Its majestic Cathedral and Plaza del Obradoiro welcome pilgrims from all over the world in a full of emotion finale.
More InformationMillenary History of the Camino de Santiago: Origins and Evolution Kunig's Way
Discover the origins and evolution of Kunig's Way
Hermann Künig was a key figure in spreading pilgrimage in the German world. After completing his own arduous journey to Compostela, he decided to publish his experience in a practical guide. In an era when Gutenberg's press was revolutionizing the world, his book became a success, offering his countrymen detailed advice on stages, distances (in German leagues), important cities, dangers, and devotions along the way. He described the entire route from central Germany, but it is his proposal of itinerary within Spain that gives it unique identity.
The peculiarity of the Via Kunig becomes apparent when arriving at León city. At this point, most pilgrims on the Camino Francés continued westward by the main road to Astorga. However, Künig recommended an alternative route in his guide, a variant that deviated from the main path. This route, starting from León and heading west through La Cepeda comarcas and El Bierzo, avoided major centers of the traditional route. The reason for this deviation is unclear: it might have been to avoid tolls, to evade dangerous sections, or more probably to visit specific sanctuaries or hospitals preferred by German pilgrims or that he himself found more welcoming.
The most significant and defining departure from the Via Kunig is its way of entering Galicia. Instead of following the traditional route through Villafranca del Bierzo and ascending the iconic O Cebreiro port, Künig proposes a much harder, solitary, and northern passage: crossing the Sierra de los Ancares mountain range. This chain of mountains, now declared a Biosphere Reserve, was one of the most isolated and wild areas of the peninsula. The passage through the Ancares meant a formidable physical and logistical challenge but offered the pilgrim a more direct entry into Galicia towards Lugo city.
Once overcoming the formidable barrier of the Ancares, Künig's itinerary descends into Galician interior and seeks connection with the Camino Primitivo in San Román da Retorta surroundings. From there, the Via Kunig peregrinator joins those coming from Oviedo to continue together towards Melide, where they finally converge with the main route of the Camino Francés for the final stages leading to Santiago.
The modern revival of the Via Kunig has been a laborious task of historical and geographical research to translate the indications of a 15th-century monk into a GPS trail for the pilgrim of the 21st century. Walking this route is an experience unique, a journey through time that allows one to understand that the Camino was never a single line or immutable path but a network of options and personal decisions guided by faith, prudence, and those who came before us.