Stage of the Camino
Santa Croya de Tera to Rionegro del Puente
From Santa Croya de Tera To Rionegro del Puente
Plan your CaminoOrigin
Destination
Distance
27.50 km
Duration
6.83 h
Difficulty
Hard
Ascent
70 m
Stage of the Camino
Stage Description
This 27.5 km stage enters the La Carballeda region, in a terrain of continuous undulations that demands constant effort. The landscape is dominated by extensive forests of oaks ("carballos" in Galician), which give the region its name. It's a day of great natural beauty, with long solitary stretches that invite introspection. The route passes through small villages with traditional architecture.
The 27.5 km stage linking Santa Croya de Tera with Rionegro del Puente takes the pilgrim into the region of La Carballeda, a land of oak woods and gentle hills. The profile of the day is a constant leg-breaker: no major passes, but a relentless up and down that steadily piles on the climbing.
The path crosses a landscape of great beauty, very different from the meseta of previous days. You walk along forest tracks, often in the shade of the oaks, and pass through small stone villages that keep all their rural charm, such as Santa Marta de Tera, an obligatory stop. Here stands the church of Santa Marta, a 12th-century Romanesque gem that houses one of the oldest sculpted images of Santiago Peregrino, Saint James the Pilgrim.
The route carries on through this rolling, wooded country, offering a peaceful pilgrimage experience in close contact with nature.
Arriving in Rionegro del Puente marks the end of the day. This village has deep historical ties to the Camino: here, in the 12th century, the Cofradía de los Falifos was founded, one of the oldest confraternities in Spain, devoted to the care of pilgrims. The Santuario de la Virgen de la Carballeda, with its distinctive freestanding bell tower, is the spiritual heart of the region. Rionegro is a welcoming place that offers a well-earned rest before tackling the more mountainous stages of Sanabria.
The path crosses a landscape of great beauty, very different from the meseta of previous days. You walk along forest tracks, often in the shade of the oaks, and pass through small stone villages that keep all their rural charm, such as Santa Marta de Tera, an obligatory stop. Here stands the church of Santa Marta, a 12th-century Romanesque gem that houses one of the oldest sculpted images of Santiago Peregrino, Saint James the Pilgrim.
The route carries on through this rolling, wooded country, offering a peaceful pilgrimage experience in close contact with nature.
Arriving in Rionegro del Puente marks the end of the day. This village has deep historical ties to the Camino: here, in the 12th century, the Cofradía de los Falifos was founded, one of the oldest confraternities in Spain, devoted to the care of pilgrims. The Santuario de la Virgen de la Carballeda, with its distinctive freestanding bell tower, is the spiritual heart of the region. Rionegro is a welcoming place that offers a well-earned rest before tackling the more mountainous stages of Sanabria.
Last updated: 12/08/2025
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