Arrive in the lively city of León, a cultural and architectural gem along the Camino. Spend the day exploring the stunning Cathedral of León, famous for its dazzling stained glass, and wandering the medieval streets of the old town. Enjoy a drink and some tapas in the bustling Barrio Húmedo, where pilgrims and locals mingle. It’s the perfect place to relax, recharge, and soak in the spirit of the Camino before continuing westward.

Depart from the historic city of León, leaving behind its Gothic spires and lively streets. As you exit the suburbs, you’ll face a route decision:

• Option 1 (Scenic/Mazarife Route – 22 km):
  Turn south toward Villar de Mazarife, following a quieter, more scenic path across open farmland and small villages like Fresno del Camino and Oncina. This route offers wide skies, rural charm, and less road walking.

• Option 2 (Traditional/Villadangos Route – 32 km total):
  Follow the more direct Camino path via Villadangos del Páramo, which involves walking beside a main road for parts of the day. This longer route eventually leads to Villavante, a small village with a welcoming pilgrim atmosphere.

Both routes are relatively flat, though the traditional route is longer and more exposed. Pilgrims typically choose based on accommodation availability and walking preferences.

Leave Villavante and follow quiet country roads to Hospital de Órbigo, where you’ll cross the long medieval bridge steeped in Camino legend. From there, continue through open farmland as the Meseta begins to give way to low hills. Arrive in Astorga, a lively town known for its Roman roots, impressive cathedral, and Gaudí-designed Episcopal Palace. The walk is mostly flat with a gentle climb into the city, along a mix of dirt trails and village lanes.

Leave the city of Astorga and begin a steady climb into the León Mountains, passing through traditional villages like Murias de Rechivaldo and Santa Catalina de Somoza. The scenery shifts noticeably as you walk between stone houses, open moorland, and pine forest, with long views stretching across the hills. Arrive in Rabanal del Camino, a peaceful mountain village where you can attend the evening pilgrim mass in the small Romanesque church. The trail rises gently all day on well-maintained gravel paths and quiet country lanes.

Climb steadily out of Rabanal into the highlands of León, passing the stone outpost of Foncebadón before reaching the spiritual high point of the Camino at Cruz de Ferro, where pilgrims leave a stone as a symbol of burdens or intentions. From there, descend sharply through the remote hamlet of Manjarín and on toward Molinaseca, a picturesque village nestled beside a river with cobbled streets and a Roman bridge. The terrain includes a tough ascent followed by a long, often rocky descent — one of the more physically demanding days, but also one of the most memorable.

Leave Molinaseca and follow the trail into Ponferrada, home to the impressive Templar Castle, before continuing through the fertile Bierzo Valley. Walk past vineyards and through villages like Camponaraya and Cacabelos, where you can stop for wine or a snack in the town square. Arrive in Villafranca del Bierzo, often called the “Little Santiago,” with its baroque churches, shaded plazas, and relaxed pilgrim atmosphere. The day is long but mostly gentle, with a mix of paved roads, vineyard paths, and rolling countryside.

Begin the day with a gentle walk through the Valcarce Valley, following shaded paths alongside the river and passing through small hamlets like Pereje and Trabadelo. The route begins to climb gradually as you approach the foothills of Galicia, with forested trails and moss-covered stone walls. End the day in Las Herrerías, a quiet village nestled beneath the mountains, where many pilgrims rest before the steep ascent to O Cebreiro. The terrain is mostly easy, with a steady incline near the end and increasing tree cover.

Today’s stage is short but steep, as you climb into the mountains of Galicia and reach the iconic hilltop village of O Cebreiro. The trail winds through chestnut forests and small hamlets like La Faba and Laguna de Castilla, with wide views opening as you ascend. O Cebreiro, with its Celtic-style pallozas and deep spiritual history, is one of the most atmospheric stops on the Camino. The ascent is sustained and challenging, but the short distance allows time to walk slowly and take in the scenery.

Depart O Cebreiro along a scenic ridgeline, with sweeping views of the Galician countryside and distant valleys. Pass through small mountain villages like Hospital da Condesa and Padornelo, before reaching Alto do Poio, the highest point in Galicia. From there, begin a steady descent through forest and farmland into Triacastela, a peaceful village with stone houses and a relaxed pace. The terrain is a mix of rocky mountain paths, forest trails, and gentle downhill sections.

Leave Triacastela and choose between two scenic routes — the more direct San Xil Valley, or the longer variant through Samos, which passes the impressive Monastery of Samos, one of the oldest in Spain. Both paths wind through forests, farmland, and quiet hamlets before arriving in Sarria, the largest town before Santiago and a popular starting point for pilgrims walking the final 100km. The terrain is varied but moderate, with gentle hills and well-maintained paths.

Stage 4 comes to an end in the bustling town of Sarria, gateway to the final 100km of the Camino. Whether you’re concluding your walk here or preparing to continue to Santiago, take time to reflect on the journey so far. With its medieval lanes, riverside charm, and strong pilgrim spirit, Sarria is a fitting place to pause. You’ll return here soon to begin Stage 5 — but for now, rest, reflect, and celebrate how far you’ve come.