Stage of the Camino
Stage León to San Martín del Camino
From León To San Martín del Camino
Plan your CaminoOrigin
Destination
Distance
24.30 km
Duration
6.00 h
Difficulty
Easy
Descent
30 m
Stage of the Camino
Stage Description
Leaving León, this 24.3 km long stage enters the Leonese Páramo, one of the flattest and most exposed areas on the entire Camino Francés route. The path advances along a dirt road that runs parallel to the highway, through a monotonous agricultural landscape that invites reflection. The lack of shade is constant, so it's essential to bring sun protection and water. The stage passes by towns like Trobajo del Camino, La Virgen del Camino, with its modern basilica, and Valverde de la Virgen. The final stage ends in San Martín del Camino, a small village on the banks of the River Órbigo, offering a peaceful rest after traversing the páramo.
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.
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.
Last updated: 12/08/2025
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