Stage of the Camino
La Encarnación (Caravaca de la Cruz) to Moratalla
From La Encarnación To Moratalla
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Destination
Distance
26.80 km
Duration
8.93 h
Difficulty
Media
Descent
50 m
Stage of the Camino
Stage Description
This stage enters the northwest of Murcia through the valley of the Argos River, with an undulating route through almond groves, vineyards and olive groves. The approximately 27 km link the sanctuary of La Encarnación with Moratalla, a medieval village of Islamic origin perched on a hillside below its 15th century castle. Moratalla is famous for its Easter Week, its drums and its pottery tradition, and is the gateway to the inland sierras. The end of the stage requires a steep climb up to the old town, with its steep streets and whitewashed houses.
The stage that connects Morgade to Portomarín is the second half of the classic Sarria-Portomarín stage. The road continues through a terrain of continuous undulations, through a landscape of meadows, forests and small villages. The final stretch of the stage involves a pronounced descent towards the Miño River, which can be seen from above, enclosed in the Belesar dam. The entrance to Portomarín is made by crossing a long and modern bridge. The current village is a new construction town, since the old one was submerged by the waters of the dam in the 1960s. However, its most important monuments, such as the imposing church-fortress of San Nicolás, were transferred stone by stone to their new location at the top of the hill. This story of resilience and lively atmosphere make Portomarín a very special final stage.
Last updated: 15/05/2026
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