Villadangos del Páramo to Astorga
Stage 22 · Camino Francés
Villadangos del Páramo → Astorga
About this stage
Villadangos del Páramo to Astorga · 28.5 km · up 270 m, down 280 m
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
The day, stop by stop
- 0km
Villadangos del Páramo
villageVilladangos 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.
View town guideRestaurantCafeGroceryWaterPharmacyATMTrainClinic - 4.5km
San Martín del Camino
villageSan 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.
View town guideRestaurantCafeGroceryWaterATMBusTrain
- 11.3km
Puente de Órbigo
Worth stopping forThe 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.
- 11.3km
Puente de Órbigo
Worth stopping forThe 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.
- 11.6km
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.
View town guideRestaurantCafeGroceryWaterPharmacyATMTrainClinicPost Office
- 14.4km
Villares de Órbigo
villageVillares 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.
View town guideRestaurantCafeGroceryWaterPharmacyTrainClinic
- 16.7km
Santibáñez de Valdeiglesias
villageSantibanez 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.
View town guideRestaurantCafeGroceryWaterTrain
- 24.5km
San Justo de la Vega
villageSan 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.
View town guideRestaurantCafeGroceryWaterPharmacyTrain
- 28.3km
Astorga
cityAstorga 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.
View town guideRestaurantCafeGroceryWaterPharmacyATMBusClinicPost Office
Places to stay along this stage
Koala Picks first, then each town in walking order. Where a place does not book online, walk in, call or message them.
Loading places to stay…
Planning the Camino Francés?
Add this stage to your day by day plan and see how it fits with the stages around it. Day 0 is the night you arrive in Villadangos del Páramo. Choosing is never booking.