2021 Stage Thirty: Villafranca del Bierzo to Vega de Valcarce

Distance: 18 km / 11 miles

Lodging: Hotel Ambasmestas €32.77 / $39.00
Progress Map: Stages 1-30 in aqua.

Stage Thirty Villages
Villafranca del Bierzo, Pereje, Trabadelo, La Portela de Valcarce, Ambasmestas, Vega de Valcarce

Vega de Valcarce October 8, 2019 7:10am Having coffee and feeling sorry for myself because I was sick. David walks up and hands me a fig. Insists I eat it NOW. The kindness of the 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.