From Astorga, we go to Castrillo de los Polvazares, a beautiful village, where Concha Espina placed her novel "La Esfinge Maragata". We go on through El Ganso until Rabanal del Camino, where we can visit Saint Maria´s Church (XII th.C.).

The road goes up to get to Foncebadon, the last maragato village. On top we meet the "Cruz de Ferro" (The Iron Cross). According to the tradition, the pilgrims pick up a stone, turn their backs to the cross, throw the stone over their shoulder and make a wish, which apparently comes true.

After leaving behind the ruins of Manjarin, we get to the Acebo, a beautiful example of popular architecture with its typical open corridors to the main street. On leaving the village, on the left, the road branches off and goes down towards Compludo. Here, a visit to its medieval smithy is needed. It´s National Monument sinde 1968. And on the path to Santiago again, we go down to Molinaseca, the village in the Bierzo which best preserves its Jacobean environment.

Seven kilometres forwards, we get into the capital of the Bierzo, Ponferrada, where we can visit the Basilica of the Virgin of the Holm Oak, declared Patron Saint of the Bierzo region.

Very near it is the Templar Castle, a Templar fortress of the XII th.C.

We go on the way through Cacabelos, famous because of its wines. It´s worth turning aside the way and visiting the Carracedo Monastery.

We finish the route in Villafranca del Bierzo, where its Santiago´s Romanic Church makes stand out, with its "Forgiveness Door" in which pilgrims who were handicapped to get to Santiago could get the Jubilee. You can visit the Convents of La Anunciada, La Concepcion Divina Pastora; and we can go for a walk along the "Water Street" as well, marked out by big houses and palaces.