Camino Francés · Stage 26 of 33
Stage 26: Villafranca del Bierzo to O Cebreiro
- From
- Villafranca del Bierzo
- To
- O Cebreiro
- Distance
- 27.8 km
- Climb
- ↑ 845 m
- Descent
- ↓ 58 m
- Difficulty
- Hard
A gentle valley walk followed by a steep climb into Galicia.
Practical tips
The climb to O Cebreiro gains about 660 m in 12 km, steepest between Las Herrerías and Laguna de Castilla. Snow is common up high in winter. The Pradela variant is 1.5 km longer and only for fit walkers.
Along the way
Valcarce valley
The route follows a river through chestnut woods and villages such as Las Herrerías, once home to iron forges.
More photos of Valcarce valley →
O Cebreiro
A mountain village of 'pallozas', round stone houses with thatched roofs of pre-Roman origin. Santa María la Real keeps a chalice linked to a 14th-century Eucharistic miracle.
More photos of O Cebreiro →
The yellow arrows
Elías Valiña, the parish priest of O Cebreiro, began painting yellow arrows along the route in the 1980s. They are now the Camino's best known symbol.
More photos of The yellow arrows →Where to sleep in O Cebreiro
- Albergue de peregrinos de O CebreiroPublic (Xunta)
- Albergue Casa CampeloPrivate
Planning note: distances and climbs are approximate and stages are a suggestion. Albergues listed are long-established ones; opening dates, prices and beds change, so check before you go. Accommodation links may be affiliate links.