The line is OpenStreetMap's mapping of the route (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), via Waymarked Trails, with heights from a 30 m terrain model. Check the current official route before a long trip: diversions and permitted paths change. See the source.
The trail
The 'forgotten way' from Bilbao along the southern side of the Cantabrian mountains to the Francés in El Bierzo; for the Compostela the walk continues into Santiago.
Stages
A suggested split into 22 days of about 22 km (14 mi). Each day ends at the town or village on the way nearest to an equal share of the distance, or at a hotel or hostel where there is none. These are not the official stages: check where you can stay before you book.
- Day 1 Alonsotegi to Zalla 19.7 km · 19.7 km from the start
- Day 2 Zalla to Villasana de Mena 27 km · 47 km from the start
- Day 3 Villasana de Mena to Espinosa de los Monteros 25 km · 72 km from the start
- Day 4 Espinosa de los Monteros to Santelices 23 km · 96 km from the start
- Day 5 Santelices to Arija 24 km · 120 km from the start
- Day 6 Arija to Olea 31 km · 152 km from the start
- Day 7 Olea to Aguilar de Campoo 24 km · 176 km from the start
- Day 8 Aguilar de Campoo to Cervera de Pisuerga 29 km · 204 km from the start
- Day 9 Cervera de Pisuerga to Tarilonte de la Peña 18.0 km · 222 km from the start
- Day 10 Tarilonte de la Peña to Guardo 17.0 km · 239 km from the start
- Day 11 Guardo to Puente Almuhey 18.3 km · 258 km from the start
- Day 12 Puente Almuhey to Cistierna 21 km · 279 km from the start
- Day 13 Cistierna to Boñar 27 km · 306 km from the start
- Day 14 Boñar to Robles de la Valcueva 19.1 km · 325 km from the start
- Day 15 Robles de la Valcueva to La Robla 13.3 km · 339 km from the start
- Day 16 La Robla to La Magdalena 16.2 km · 355 km from the start
- Day 17 La Magdalena to Riello 17.4 km · 372 km from the start
- Day 18 Riello to Fasgar 28 km · 401 km from the start
- Day 19 Fasgar to Igüeña 18.6 km · 419 km from the start
- Day 20 Igüeña to Labaniego 18.2 km · 438 km from the start
- Day 21 Labaniego to Congosto 17.1 km · 455 km from the start
- Day 22 Congosto to Cacabelos 27 km · 482 km from the start
Start and finish
Start: near Alonsotegi, Biscay. 43.25559, -2.97388
Finish: near Cacabelos, El Bierzo. 42.59961, -6.71657
Places to stay
Rooms in the towns and villages along the way:
- Alonsotegi, Biscay · The start Booking.com → Expedia →
- Zalla, Biscay · After day 1 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Villasana de Mena, Burgos · After day 2 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Espinosa de los Monteros, Burgos · After day 3 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Santelices, Burgos · After day 4 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Arija, Burgos · After day 5 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Olea, Cantabria · After day 6 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Aguilar de Campoo, Castile and León · After day 7 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Cervera de Pisuerga, Castile and León · After day 8 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Tarilonte de la Peña, Castile and León · After day 9 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Guardo, Castile and León · After day 10 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Puente Almuhey, León · After day 11 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Cistierna, León · After day 12 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Boñar, León · After day 13 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Robles de la Valcueva, León · After day 14 Booking.com → Expedia →
- La Robla, León · After day 15 Booking.com → Expedia →
- La Magdalena, León · After day 16 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Riello, León · After day 17 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Fasgar, León · After day 18 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Igüeña, El Bierzo · After day 19 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Labaniego, El Bierzo · After day 20 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Congosto, El Bierzo · After day 21 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Cacabelos, El Bierzo · The finish Booking.com → Expedia →
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Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line comes from the source named under the map and the heights from a terrain model, so treat the figures as a guide. Check for diversions before you go, take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.
