2021 Stage Twenty-seven: Rabanal del Camino to El Acebo

Distance: 16 km / 10 miles

Lodging: La Trucha del Arco Iris €45.00 / $54.00
Progress Map: Stages 1-27 in aqua.

Stage Twenty-seven Villages
Rabanal del Camino, Foncebadón, (Cruz de Ferro), Manjarín, El Acebo

Santa Colomba de Somoza October 4, 2019 9:36am My 72nd birthday.

Watch for:
Warning! Leaving Rabanal – Be sure to fill your water & take provisions to fuel the climb.
Foncebadón – View: Upon arrival, turn around to see the mountains you just climbed. Continue to climb toward Monte Irago and Cruz de Ferro, the Camino’s highest point.

Cruz de Ferro – History – The highest altitude on the Camino (1,505 meters/4,938 feet). Stands on an ancient ritual site that dates back as far as 2,500 years. Considered the most ancient monument of the Camino. May have been a crossroads veneration site for Iron Age Celts and then the Romans, each leaving a rock on this high point for their own gods. Today, leaving a stone here is a significant rite of passage (Beebe) Warning! Be prepared for cold, rain, and wind.

Cruz de Ferro – 6.9km past Rabanal
Manjarín – Modern day Templar knight: A vacant hamlet except for the efforts of Tomás Martinez de Paz, who since 1993 has restored parts in service to pilgrims and the Camino. He picked this location to assist on a remote stretch with little support (Beebe).
Leaving Manjarín – At the highest point of Monte Irago’s pass, midway between Manjarín and El Acebo, you’ll stand on the right (south) edge of Alto Altar Mayor (1,515 meters/4,970 ft) for a full view of El Acebo and Ponferrada. Steep descent to El Acebo.
El Acebo – Olive tree: An ancient olive tree is planted near the church wall in the church square. First olive tree for this part of the Camino.