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Camino de Invierno | Winter Way

Camino de Santiago from Monforte de Lemos

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

Tour Description

Walk the last 100 km of the Winter Way or Camino de Invierno

Monforte de Lemos is a small town located in the Ribeira Sacra Valley. A stunning natural environment in the heart of Galicia and one of the main attractions for pilgrims who start the Camino de Santiago from this town.

Monforte’s history dates back to Roman times, when the region was known as Mons Fortis or Monte Fuerte. However, it was not until the 9th century, when King Alfonso II of Asturias founded the Monastery of San Vicente del Pino, that Monforte became one of the main religious centers of the region. A focus of cultural and spiritual development. This monastery offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the region and is a must for pilgrims and visitors.

The relationship between Monforte de Lemos and the Camino de Santiago dates back to the Middle Ages. Roman legions, muleteers, medieval pilgrims and later the Napoleonic troops had to find an alternative route to the Roman Road that connected the north of Spain with Galicia to avoid the difficult winter weather conditions in the area of O Cebreiro. This new route was called The Winter Camino. Although it was also known as the Camino del Sil or the Camino del Sur. The route starts in Ponferrada and crosses the regions of Bierzo and Valdeorras until it reaches Monforte.

Today it is one of the official routes of the Camino de Santiago and has lost its seasonality. This Camino offers a quieter and more peaceful experience, away from the crowds of other more popular routes and for this reason it is an increasingly common choice among the Jacobean community.

Monforte de Lemos has a rich cultural and architectural heritage. In addition to the aforementioned monastery, you can visit the Monforte Castle, belonging to the Order of the Temple, the famous order of the Knights Templar; or the Palace of the Counts of Lemos.  A magnificent example of Renaissance architecture that belonged to one of the most influential families in Spain during the 16th century.

Another highlight of doing the Winter Camino from Monforte is to discover the Ribeira Sacra. A wine region surrounded by the waters of the Sil River and a great natural and archaeological beauty. It is the area with the largest number of Romanesque religious buildings in Europe. In addition, getting to know the vineyards and the spectacular landscape of the Ribeira Sacra (in the process of being declared a World Heritage Site) is an experience you will never forget. It is a fertile land where you can taste the wines of Valdeorras and Ribeira Sacra, two of the 9 Protected Designations of Origin in Galicia. Another fact is that this way is the only Camino de Santiago whose route passes through the 4 Galician provinces: A Coruña, Lugo, Ourense and Pontevedra.

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

Arrival in Monforte de Lemos, starting point of the last 100 km of the Winter Way.

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) 

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.

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

Check out Santiago de Compostela

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.

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

Route map

Frequent questions

To obtain the Compostela you only need to walk the last 100 kilometers of an official route. In the case of the Winter Camino, this requirement is fulfilled by starting the route from Monforte de Lemos. If you decide to do it by bicycle, you will need to pedal for 200 kilometers, that is, from Ponferrada.

Yes, all our itineraries are flexible. You will be able to choose the dates you want to travel as long as we find availability in the accommodations.

If you hire this service you will not have to pedal with your backpack in the saddlebags. Every morning at 08:00 am the transport company will pick up your luggage at your accommodation and transport it to your next accommodation.

Our recommendation is to walk the journey Monforte de Lemos – Santiago de Compostela in 6 stages. However, you can adapt it to your preferences. Pilgrims in good shape can do the Camino from Monforte on foot in 5 days. While other people prefer to walk at a leisurely pace and complete the route in 7-8 days.

To make a reservation the first thing you have to do is contact the Galiwonders team. A travel consultant will help you solve all your doubts and help you choose the route and services (accommodation, transport, insurance, etc) that best suit your needs, preferences and budget. Once you have decided the itinerary of the Camino you want to do and confirm the reservation, we will reserve all the services for you.

From Vigo Airport

  • Car or cab: 139km with an estimated duration of 1 hour and 35 minutes.
  • Train: Take the bus (LINE A) from Vigo Airport to Urzaiz 13 stop. 30′ journey and frequency every 30′. Walk for 10 minutes to Vigo Guixar train station. Another option is to take a cab to the station (10 minutes). Once there, take a train (RENFE) to Monforte de Lemos (3h and 10 minutes). For schedules and more information visit: www.vitrasa.es and www.renfe.com

From Santiago de Compostela Airport

  • Car or cab: 116km with an estimated duration of 1 hour and 30 minutes.
  • Train: Take the bus (LINE 6A) from Santiago de Compostela airport to the station stop. Frequency every 15′ and with an approximate duration of 45′. Another option is to take a cab to the station, with an estimated duration of 15′. There take a train (RENFE) to Ourense, a 40′ trip. At the station transfer to the train to Monforte de Lemos, journey time 50′. To consult timetables and more information visit: https://tussa.org/ and www.renfe.com  
  • Bus: Once in Santiago station take a bus (MONBUS) to Lugo, journey time 1h and 30 minutes. At Lugo station transfer to the bus to Monforte de Lemos, journey time 1h and 15 minutes. For schedules and more information visit: https://tussa.org/ and www.monbus.es

Our costumers reviews

TOUR SUMMARY

DISTANCE: 138 Km
STAGES: 6 Stages
DURATION: 7 Nights
DIFICULTy: 3/5
START: Camino de Santiago from Monforte
PRICE: desde 495€

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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