Leon to San Martin de Yanes

Leaving behind the monumental city of León to embark on the stage towards San Martín del Camino means a return to the essence of the Meseta. This 24.3 km journey is long, flat and very exposed, so it requires good planning, especially in the summer months.

The departure from León is long and urban. At around 8 km, you arrive at La Virgen del Camino, a key point where the pilgrim must choose between two options: the historical route, which goes through more solitary terrain, or the path that follows the national highway. The majority of pilgrims opt for the second option.

This path is a long straight line that crosses the Páramo Leonés, an extensive plain dedicated to irrigation, mainly maize cultivation. The landscape is monotonous, and the almost total absence of shadows obliges you to take precautions against the sun. You pass through small villages like Valverde de la Virgen and San Miguel del Camino, which offer points of refreshment.

It's a stage for walking at a constant pace, enjoying the sense of vastness and letting your thoughts flow. The horizontal landscape is only broken by the distant line of the León Mountains, which the pilgrim will have to face in subsequent days.

The end of the stage is found in San Martín del Camino, a small agricultural town located in the fertile valley of the Órbigo River. Its tranquil atmosphere and its hostels make it an ideal place to rest and recover from the long walk through the páramo, offering a green contrast with the dry landscape traversed.