October 10: Distance: 16.5 Km / 10.3 miles
Stage Six Villages
Villafranca del Bierzo, Pereje 5.3, Trabadelo 4.4, La Portela de Valcarce 4.3, Ambasmestas 0.9, Vega de Valcarce 1.6
The Kindness of Villagers
Watch For:
Leaving Villafranca de Bierzo – Alternate Route!
Primary highway route, 23.7km. Shorter & more popular. Entirely paved & on the shoulder f a highway next to a crash barrier all the way to Trabadelo.
Alternate high route “Camino Duro” 25.3km. 1.6km longer and climbs much more in elevation. Stunning views and earthen paths. Rejoins route in 10.7km
Trabadelo – Ancient Chestnut Forest: 1km/0.6mi before Trabadelo, The Camino passes between old chestnut trees lining both sides of the path, their branches crisscrossing overhead. (Beebe).
Vega de Valcarce – Castle: Castillo de Sarracin – You can visit. It’s a steep climb. Allow about 30 min climb each way. Detailed directions are in Beebe, p.330.
Vega de Valcarce – Iglesia de la Magdalena in the village center, on the right, 16th century. Stamp pad for passport.
** Last town with an ATM or a pharmacy until Triacastela.
Lodging Info:
Pension Fernandez €36.00 / $39.00
Plaza del Avuntamiento 3, 24520; 657 097 954
Check-in: 2:00 – 8:00 / Check-out: until 11:00
Public Transportation Along this Stage:
Ambasmestas: Bus / Vega de Valcarce: Bus
Return to 2025 Camino Stages List
Onward to Stage Seven: Vega de Valcarce to O Cebreiro – 15.7 Km