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
From San Vicente de la Barquera through the Picos de Europa by Potes, Fuente Dé and Riaño to Mansilla de las Mulas on the Francés; for the Compostela the walk continues into Santiago.
Stages
A suggested split into 10 days of about 21 km (13 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 San Vicente de la Barquera to Cades 26 km · 26 km from the start
- Day 2 Cades to Cicera 15.8 km · 42 km from the start
- Day 3 Cicera to Potes 22 km · 63 km from the start
- Day 4 Potes to Espinama 25 km · 89 km from the start
- Day 5 Espinama to Portilla de la Reina 24 km · 113 km from the start
- Day 6 Portilla de la Reina to Riaño 20.0 km · 133 km from the start
- Day 7 Riaño to Crémenes 19.7 km · 152 km from the start
- Day 8 Crémenes to Cistierna 16.4 km · 169 km from the start
- Day 9 Cistierna to Gradefes 23 km · 191 km from the start
- Day 10 Gradefes to Mansilla de las Mulas 22 km · 214 km from the start
Summits on the way
- Caben de Remoña 1,818 m · 99 km from the start
Tops within 300 m of the line. Summits from OpenStreetMap.
Start and finish
Start: near San Vicente de la Barquera, Cantabria. 43.38322, -4.40077
Finish: near Mansilla de las Mulas, León. 42.50276, -5.40819
Places to stay
Rooms in the towns and villages along the way:
- San Vicente de la Barquera, Cantabria · The start Booking.com → Expedia →
- Cades, Cantabria · After day 1 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Cicera, Cantabria · After day 2 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Potes, Cantabria · After day 3 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Espinama, Cantabria · After day 4 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Portilla de la Reina, León · After day 5 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Riaño, León · After day 6 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Crémenes, León · After day 7 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Cistierna, León · After day 8 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Gradefes, León · After day 9 Booking.com → Expedia →
- Mansilla de las Mulas, León · 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.
