Villadangos del Páramo → Astorga
28.5 km | 6-9 hours | +312m / -336m
About This Stage
A long stage that crosses the final stretch of the Meseta before reaching Astorga, where the landscape begins its dramatic transformation into mountain country. The first half is classic flat Meseta walking through Hospital de Orbigo (with its famous medieval bridge) before the terrain rises gently towards Astorga.
The Puente de Orbigo at Hospital de Orbigo is one of the longest medieval bridges in Spain and the site of a famous jousting tournament in 1434. The bridge and the town's riverside setting provide the most memorable moment of the stage. Beyond Hospital, the route climbs gradually onto higher ground approaching Astorga.
Astorga is a historic city at the crossroads of the Camino and the Via de la Plata. Its highlights include the Gothic cathedral, Gaudi's extraordinary Episcopal Palace (now the Museum of the Caminos), and the city's Roman walls. The local specialty, mantecadas (butter cakes), and cocido maragato (a reversed stew served meat-first) are unmissable. Full services available.
Terrain: Flat Meseta paths, gentle climbs approaching Astorga, suburban roads, city cobblestones
Explore the Stage
Elevation Profile
Things Along the Way
Villadangos del Paramo is a small town in Leon on the northern Camino variant, site of the 1111 Battle of Villadangos between Queen Urraca of Leon and her estranged husband Alfonso I of Aragon. Has albergues, bars, restaurants, a small shop, and bus stop.
San Martin del Camino is a Leon town on the northern Camino variant, traditional end of stage 21 for pilgrims on the Villadangos route. Has albergues, bar-restaurants, a small shop, and a bus stop. No pharmacy.
Puente de Órbigo
11.5 km from startThe longest medieval bridge in Spain, and the site of a legendary jousting tournament in 1434 where a knight challenged all comers for an entire month to prove his love.
A town famous for its extraordinarily long medieval bridge over the Rio Orbigo, where a legendary jousting tournament was held in 1434. Has albergues and basic services.
Villares de Orbigo is a small village in Leon a short walk west of Hospital de Orbigo. Has albergues, a bar-restaurant, and a small shop. No pharmacy or ATM. A quiet alternative overnight to Hospital de Orbigo.
Santibanez de Valdeiglesias is a small Leon village on the southern Camino variant, in the rolling countryside between Hospital de Orbigo and Astorga. Has an albergue and a bar. No shop, pharmacy, or ATM.
San Justo de la Vega is a Leon village on the approach to Astorga, east of the city across the river Tuerto. Has albergues, bar-restaurants, a supermarket, and a pharmacy. The Cruceiro de Santo Toribio stands on the hill above the village.
Astorga is an ancient city in Leon, founded by Augustus as Asturica Augusta. Famous for Gaudi's neo-Gothic Episcopal Palace, the Gothic cathedral, Roman walls, and Maragato cuisine. Junction of the Camino Frances and the Via de la Plata.
Tips for This Stage
Accommodation between Villadangos del Páramo and Astorga
25 places to stay between Villadangos del Páramo and Astorga
Stay in Villadangos del Páramo
Stage StartAccommodation at the start of this stage (useful for booking the night before)
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Stay in Astorga
Stage EndAccommodation at the end of this stage
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