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Camino de Invierno | Winter Way

Winter Way | Camino de Invierno

5/5
Organized pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela
| Autoguided Tour
Camino de Invierno

Tour Description

The Winter Way, the alternative to the French Way

The Winter Way is known by this name because it was the route chosen by pilgrims in medieval times, to avoid the area of ​​O Cebreiro on the French Way. Due to snow, the route could be closed at certain times of the year.

However today, despite what its name may suggest, the Winter Way (or Camino de Invierno) is not the best route for the colder months. This is due to the difficulty of the terrain, and to the fact that it is a fairly remote route in terms of services. Of course, highly recommended for the most experienced pilgrims, who want to enjoy the wildest Galicia, full of history, nature and spectacular landscapes.

Even though the Winter Way is a traditional route of the Camino de Santiago, with centuries of history, it became very popular over the last few years.
Why do we recommend this route? Because of its unforgettable landscapes, the vines, its colorful autumn scene… Those pilgrims who choose the Winter Way, will enjoy the magnificent views of Las Médulas, in León (a UNESCO World Heritage Centre), the vineyards of Ribeira Sacra and its canyons…
And even if the route is called the Winter Way, pilgrims are welcome to walk it all the year round! You can walk the full route from Ponferrada, or just its last 100 km (from Monforte de Lemos) in order to get your Pilgrim Certificate.
Experience details

Included Services

Accommodation in a private room with private bathroom
Luggage transfer between stages
Half board: breakfast and dinner
Travel insurance
Route notes
Pilgrim's credential
24/7 phone support

Check in

Check in Ponferrada

Ponferrada – Las Médulas (27 km)

Let’s start the walk in Ponferrada, which is also an iconic stop the French Way. The path will take you to Las Médulas, a World Heritage Centre (UNESCO).

Las Médulas – O Barco de Valdeorras (27 km)

You will walk through an ancient Roman route on the way to O Barco de Valdeorras. This region is really well known because of its wine.

O Barco de Valdeorras – A Rua de Valdeorras (14 km) 

The walk to A Rúa de Valdeorras is shorter than the previous ones. You will be able to enjoy the landscape, and visit some of the old chapels and bridges along the way.

A Rua de Valdeorras – Quiroga (26 km) 

This stretch offers really nice views of the river (Sil) and its canyons. This area, known as Ribeira Sacra, is very popular because of its wine, and is vineyards in balconies.

Quiroga – Monforte de Lemos (33 km) 

Be ready for the longest walking day of the route. After walking through small rural areas, you will finally arrive in Monforte de Lemos, the Capital City of Ribeira Sacra region.

Monforte de Lemos - Chantada (30 km) 

You will leave behind oak woods, small chapels and rural areas on the way to Chantada. Pilgrims walking this stretch will also enjoy the views of the Miño River and the balconies.

Chantada - Rodeiro (26 km) 

Chantada is a really nice town, with a medieval heritage that is worth a visit. The most challenging part of the day? The ascent to Monte Faro.

Rodeiro - Lalín (22 km) 

Last walking day of the Winter Way, since the path will join together with the Via de la Plata once in Lalín.

Lalín - Silleda (15 km) 

You may see more pilgrims on the way from Lalín to Silleda than the previous days (those pilgrims walking La Via de la Plata). This a shorter walking day, you will enjoy peaceful paths and woods.

Silleda - Ponte Ulla (20 km) 

The Camino de Santiago walk will continue through small rural area and quiet paths.

Ponte Ulla - Santiago de Compostela (25 km) 

Last walking day of the Camino de Invierno and the Via de la Plata, from Ponte Ulla to Santiago de Compostela. The walk starts with an ascent towards the Pico Sacro, and will continue through small rural areas until you reach the outskirts of Santiago de Compostela. What to do once in Santiago? You can go to the Pilgrim Mass in the Cathedral, visit the Pilgrim’s Office to get your Pilgrim Certificate, and you can even continue the walk towards Finisterre (the End of the World)!

Check out

Standard category

1* and 2* hotels

These hotels offer private rooms with private bathrooms as well as other additional services that may vary depending on the type of category: restaurant service, television, room service, dry cleaning, ironing service, etc. It is common to stay in this type of hotels in the cities along the Camino.

Hostels and pensions

These accommodations have the necessary services to cover the basic needs of cleanliness and rest at a more moderate price than the hotels . Officially, hostels and guesthouses are 1-star accommodations. However, this rating should not be taken into account when evaluating the level of comfort and quality of their services.

Superior category

3*, 4* and 5* Hotels

Typical in the large cities along the El Camino. They can be family hotels or international hotel chains. They are perhaps the most expensive alternative, although you can find different price levels according to the category and services they offer.

Hoteles Boutique

These are small accommodations characterized by having few rooms and providing personalized attention. They are hotel concepts with a modern style and their own character. They can be between 1* and 5*.

National Paradores of Spain

This is a public hotel chain that manages a network of almost 100 charming hotels distributed throughout the Iberian Peninsula. The establishments are located in buildings of cultural interest and great historical value, and stand out for their scenic, artistic or natural interest (including ancient palaces, monasteries, fortresses, convents, fortresses…).

Rural tourism lodgings

Rural houses, pazos, inns, rectories, castles, monasteries, farmhouses… These are historic buildings of great architectural and patrimonial value. So much so, that this characteristic sometimes gives them the status of “luxury lodging” despite the fact that they are
“luxury accommodation” despite the fact that they are often rustic constructions in which natural stone and wood predominate.

Trip cancellation insurance
Upgrade to superior room
Extra night at the beginning of the tour
Extra night at the end of the tour
Private transfer airport-starting location
Private transfer Santiago-Airport
Other private transfers
Organized visits and excursions
Pilgrim massage

Route map

Frequent questions

From Santiago de Compostela Airport

  • Car or cab: 207km with an estimated duration of 2 hours and 15 minutes.
  • Train: Take the bus (LINE 6A) from Santiago de Compostela airport to the station stop. Frequency every 15′, and an approximate duration of 45′. Another option is to take a cab to the station, with an estimated duration of 15′. At the station take a train (RENFE) to Ourense, a 40′ journey. In Ourense transfer to the train to Ponferrada, a 2h and 40 minutes journey. For schedules and more information visit: https://tussa.org/ and www.renfe.com  
  • Bus: Once in Santiago station take a bus (ALSA) to Ponferrada, a 4h and 30 minutes journey. For schedules and more information visit: https://tussa.org/ and www.alsa.es

From Madrid Airport

  • Car or cab: 400km with an estimated duration of 3 hours and 50 minutes.
  • Bus: From T4 take the bus to South station (15′ trip). There take the bus (ALSA) to Ponferrada, 5h trip. For schedules and more information visit: www.alsa.es
  • Train: From T4 take the suburban train (LÍNEA C1) towards Chamartín – Clara Campoamor (17′ trip). Once there, take a train (RENFE) to Ponferrada, a 4-hour journey. To check timetables and more information visit: www.renfe.com

From Asturias Airport

  • Car or cab: 225km with an estimated duration of 2 hours and 30 minutes.
  • Bus: At the airport take the bus (ALSA) to Oviedo, 45 minutes. At the station transfer to the bus to Ponferrada, journey time 3h and 15 minutes. For schedules and more information visit:www.alsa.es

Our costumers reviews

Camino de Invierno

TOUR SUMMARY

DISTANCE: 255 Km
STAGES: 11 Stages
DURATION: 12 Nights
DIFICULTy: 5/5
START: Ponferrada
PRICE: desde 990€

Why book with Galiwonders?

Taylor-made Camino

We will design an itinerary tailored to your needs, preferences and budget and book all services for you. You enjoy the road.

We are on the Camino

Galicia is our home. We have traveled all the routes of the Camino and we have direct contact with the service providers on the Camino.

We are also travellers

We speak several languages, have lived abroad and have years of experience organizing trips for people from all over the world.

An unforguettable experience

Hundreds of pilgrims repeat year after year the experience of traveling with us. We want you to be one of them. And that is why we will strive to make your trip unique and unforgettable.

If you have any questions or want to plan your Camino de Santiago trip, our team will assist you in a personalized way!

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