Stage Poladura de la Tercia to Pajares

The stage that links Poladura of the Third with Pajares is the heart of the Way of St. James, the traverse of the Cantabrian Mountains. It's a high mountain journey, short in distance but very demanding in terms of elevation and conditions. The path starts from Poladura and begins the ascent to the Puerto de Pajares, a historic climb that has been the main route of communication between Asturias and the Meseta for centuries. The route runs through an alpine landscape of breathtaking beauty, with high mountain meadows, views of the summits, and a sense of vastness. It is essential to tackle this stage with good weather, as fog and snow can make it very dangerous. The climb is hard and sustained. The summit of the port, at almost 1,400 meters in altitude, marks the border between León and Asturias. From there on, the descent begins towards the Asturian side. The arrival in the small village of Pajares, the first town of Asturias, is the end of the stage. It's a place with a marked mountain atmosphere that offers the pilgrim the refuge and rest needed after having overcome the great challenge of the Cantabrian Mountains.