STAGE 24: Foncebadon to Ponferrada
Stage overview
- Distance: 27.0 km (16.7 miles)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Average time: 7-8 hours
- Gradient: Steep
- Surface types: Rocky mountain descent, forest paths, village pavements
- Waymarking status: Clear arrows; steep descent requires attention
- Alternative routes: None
About this stage
A dramatic descent from the mountains, passing Cruz de Ferro and the steep paths through El Acebo. The long downhill continues into the valley before reaching Ponferrada.
Accommodation and Services on this stage
| Town |
Campground |
Albergue/hostel |
Guesthouse/hostal |
Hotel |
Coffee shop |
Restaurant/cafe |
ATM |
Pharmacy |
Medical Services |
Veterinarian |
Supermarket/convenience store |
Outdoor equipment store |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foncebadon | ─ | ✓ | ─ | ─ | ─ | ✓ | ─ | ─ | ─ | ─ | ─ | ─ |
| 11.3 km | ||||||||||||
| El Acebo de San Miguel | ─ | ✓ | ✓ | ─ | ─ | ✓ | ─ | ─ | ─ | ─ | ─ | ─ |
| 3.3 km | ||||||||||||
| Riego de Ambros | ─ | ✓ | ✓ | ─ | ─ | ✓ | ─ | ─ | ─ | ─ | ─ | ─ |
| 4.6 km | ||||||||||||
| Molinaseca | ─ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ─ | ─ | ✓ | ─ | ✓ | ─ | ✓ | ─ |
| 4.9 km | ||||||||||||
| Campo | ─ | ─ | ─ | ─ | ─ | ✓ | ─ | ─ | ─ | ─ | ─ | ─ |
| 4.2 km | ||||||||||||
| Ponferrada | ─ | ✓ | ─ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Need help planning? See our gear guide and download the free Camino Francés albergue list PDF, and if you prefer everything organised for you, compare the main Camino Francés tour operators on our tour guide comparison page.
Stage notes
The descent to Molinaseca includes steep, uneven terrain with loose gravel; footing can be unstable in dry or wet conditions.