Camino Invierno Relaxed Pace Tour

Arriving in Ponferrada marks the commencement of the Winter Way.

Your first walk from Borrenes eases you into the Camino Invierno through quiet countryside, vineyards, chestnut forests, and small rural villages. Leaving Ponferrada behind, the route gradually becomes more peaceful and scenic, with rolling hills and wide views that make this a lovely introduction to this quieter Camino route.

Sweeping views across the Bierzo region accompany you as you make your way toward Las Médulas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most remarkable legacies of Roman gold mining in Spain. Take time to explore this extraordinary landscape on a short 4-kilometre circular walk past La Cuevona and La Cueva de la Encantada, where the scale of Roman engineering is still evident today. From here, continue along the Camino de Invierno, descending through the countryside to Puente de Domingo Flórez, where today’s stage comes to an end.

Follow the Sil River into Galicia on a relatively gentle stage through vineyards, Mediterranean vegetation, and villages known for their traditional black slate roofs. Along the way, you’ll pass through the Valdeorras D.O. wine region, where wines are still aged in underground cellars known as covas. Take time to explore the picturesque old town and sample some of the region’s celebrated local wines.

Set out on a gentle stage this morning, following the Sil River through the heart of the Valdeorras wine region. The route passes vineyards, riverside paths, and the village of Vilamartín, where traditional hillside covas are still used as wine cellars. With little elevation gain, it’s a relaxed day on the Camino, finishing with lovely views across the Sil Valley as you approach A Rúa.

The walk from A Rúa to Quiroga is a longer and more varied stage, following quiet country roads, forest tracks, and hillside paths above the Sil Valley. Along the way, you’ll pass through small rural villages, vineyards, and wooded landscapes, with several rewarding viewpoints across the surrounding mountains. The route becomes increasingly peaceful as you approach Quiroga, a small town set among the dramatic scenery of the Ribeira Sacra region.

Your walk today takes you through a peaceful stretch of the Camino de Invierno, with forest tracks, quiet country lanes, and small Galician villages along the way. The route gradually climbs and descends through a rural landscape of wooded hills and open countryside before reaching A Pobra do Brollón. From here, a private transfer takes you to Monforte de Lemos, where you can settle in for the evening and explore this historic riverside town.

After a morning transfer back to A Pobra do Brollón, continue along the Camino de Invierno through quiet Galician countryside, following a mix of rural lanes, woodland paths, and small villages. The stage is relatively gentle as you make your way toward Monforte de Lemos, an attractive historic town on the Cabe River, known for its old quarter, monastery, and hilltop landmarks.

Today’s walk leads from the historic streets of Monforte de Lemos into the quiet landscapes of the Ribeira Sacra. The route winds through small villages, woodland and rolling farmland, with glimpses of traditional Galician architecture along the way. A gradual climb brings you into the hills before finishing in the peaceful hamlet of Vilariño.

From Vilariño to Chantada, the Camino de Invierno continues through quiet Galician countryside, weaving between small villages, farmland, woodland, and gently rolling hills. The route feels peaceful and rural, with plenty of traditional stone architecture along the way before arriving in Chantada, a lively market town known for its historic centre and strong connection to the Ribeira Sacra wine region.

Today’s route leaves Chantada behind and climbs into the peaceful Galician countryside, passing through farmland, woodland, and tiny rural settlements. As you cross the higher ground, wide views open across the surrounding hills before the trail gradually descends toward Rodeiro, a quiet town surrounded by the rolling landscapes of inland Galicia.

From Rodeiro, the Camino de Invierno continues through a wonderfully rural stretch of inland Galicia, following quiet lanes and country paths between small villages, farms, and patches of woodland. The landscape remains gently rolling and peaceful throughout the day, gradually leading you toward Lalín, a lively town known for its traditional Galician character and regional cuisine.

Today’s walk carries you through the green heart of Galicia, following quiet country lanes, woodland tracks, and rural paths between scattered villages and farmland. The route is peaceful and gently undulating, with plenty of traditional stone houses and pastoral scenery along the way before arriving in Silleda, a welcoming town set amid the rolling landscapes of the Deza region.

The route from Silleda to Ponte Ulla continues through lush Galician countryside, weaving along quiet lanes, forest paths, and rural tracks between farms and small villages. The landscape becomes increasingly wooded as you approach the Ulla River, where a final descent brings you into Ponte Ulla, a peaceful riverside village surrounded by rolling green hills.

Your final day on the Camino de Invierno leads through peaceful Galician countryside, with a mix of forest paths, country lanes, and small rural communities guiding you steadily toward Santiago. As the landscape becomes more urban, anticipation builds for the final approach into Santiago de Compostela, culminating at the magnificent cathedral and the unforgettable finish of your pilgrimage.

Check out Santiago de Compostela.