Albergue y Centro de turismo rural El Caminante

El Caminante sits at the entrance to Santa Catalina de Somoza, a small village on the Via de la Plata and the Camino Sanabrés as they converge toward Astorga. The hostel has been welcoming pilgrims since 2004 and operates as part of a rural tourism center, meaning it serves both walkers and other travelers passing through this quiet stretch of the Maragatería region.

The accommodation is straightforward and practical. Shared dormitories sleep 10 or 12 people, with 22 beds across two dorm rooms, while 12 private rooms offer single, double, and triple options for those wanting more space. A bar and restaurant are on site, along with breakfast service, laundry facilities, and space for bicycles. Pets are welcome, and the building is accessible to people with reduced mobility.

Santa Catalina de Somoza itself is a village of traditional Maragato stone architecture, a culture known historically for its role as muleteers trading goods across Spain. The surrounding landscape is open and somewhat austere, typical of this elevated inland plateau, and the walking here gives a real sense of the quieter, less-trafficked character of the southern Camino routes before they reach the busier approaches to Astorga.