9-STAGE HORSEBACK ROUTE
Horseback Route Astorga – Santiago
9-stage horseback route from Astorga
Reviving the ancient tradition of pilgrimage on horseback, The Pilgrim Horse brings you the ancestral path that winds through mountains and trails in search of the tomb of Saint James the Apostle.
Our Horseback Route from Astorga to Santiago de Compostela covers 247 km in 9 stages.
The pilgrimage routes were defined following the most important Roman roads of the time. The itinerary of the French Way was described in the 11th century in the Codex Calixtinus, which records that the Camino entered the Iberian Peninsula from the north through the four French routes. In 1254, King Alfonso X the Wise granted the royal charter that allowed the free movement of pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela.
In 1987 the Camino de Santiago was declared the First European Cultural Route. In 1993 it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and in 2004 it was awarded the Prince of Asturias Award for Concord as a place of pilgrimage and meeting point that has become a symbol of fraternity and a cornerstone of European consciousness.
9 stages on horseback from Astorga
Horseback Camino de Santiago from Astorga
Arrival day for our horseback pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. We will meet all participants at the agreed time and place and transfer to the accommodation for the first night. After dinner we will hold a short briefing where we will explain the itinerary and answer any questions.
French Way from Rabanal del Camino
From historic Astorga (the Roman Asturica Augusta) we are only 247 km from Santiago de Compostela, capital of Galicia. Our journey begins in the capital of the Maragatería region, where pilgrims of the French Way join those who arrived via the Vía de la Plata. Astorga is a city with more than 2,000 years of history, still a diocese, with one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Castilla y León and the Episcopal Palace designed by Gaudí.
Rabanal del Camino – Ponferrada
First stage: from Rabanal del Camino to the city of Ponferrada.
We will visit the famous Cruz de Ferro, the hermitages of San Fabián and San Sebastián, and the villages of Riego de Ambrós, Foncebadón and Molinaseca.
Overnight in Ponferrada, capital of El Bierzo region.
Ponferrada – Trabadelo
A day of great scenic beauty passing through emblematic villages.
From Ponferrada we ride to Compostilla, Columbrianos, Fuentesnuevas and Camponaraya (lunch stop), then continue to Villafranca del Bierzo and finally Trabadelo.
Trabadelo – O Cebreiro
Early climb following the Valcarce river to the mountain village of O Cebreiro (1,300 m), the official entrance to Galicia.
We pass Ambasvías, Vega de Valcarce, the impressive Castle of Sarracín, Herrerías, La Faba and Laguna de Castilla.
O Cebreiro – Samos
We ride towards the ancient Monastery of Samos, one of the oldest in the Western world.
Lunch in Triacastela, then continue to Samos.
Samos – Portomarín
First view of the river Miño, Galicia’s most famous river.
Portomarín was completely relocated in the 1960s to build the Belesar reservoir.
Portomarín – Palas de Rei
Lunch stop in Ventas de Narón, then continue to Palas de Rei.
Palas de Rei – Arzúa
Lunch in Melide (meeting point of several Camino routes).
Overnight in Arzúa, famous for its Tetilla cheese.
Arzúa – Monte do Gozo
Last full riding day through eucalyptus and pine forests to Monte do Gozo, from where we get the first glimpse of Santiago Cathedral.
Monte do Gozo – Santiago de Compostela Cathedral
Short final ride into the old town of Santiago and arrival at the Cathedral.
We stamp our pilgrim credentials and receive the Compostela certificate.
Book now: 9-stage horseback route from Astorga
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