Astorga → Rabanal del Camino

The Meseta is over. This stage climbs steadily from Astorga into the Montes de Leon, the mountain range separating the central plateau from the green valleys of El Bierzo. The landscape transforms dramatically: flat wheat fields give way to heather-covered hillsides, stone-walled villages, and chestnut forests. The air cools. The colours deepen.

The route passes through the Maragateria, a region with a distinct culture and architecture. Castrillo de los Polvazares, just off the path, is one of Spain's most beautiful villages, with perfectly preserved stone houses and cobbled streets. Rabanal del Camino, the traditional stage end in medieval guides, has a quietly spiritual atmosphere and the Iglesia de Santa Maria with its Templar origins.