STAGE 25: Ponferrada to Villafranca del Bierzo
Stage overview
- Distance: 23.7 km (14.7 miles)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Average time: 5-6 hours
- Gradient: Rolling
- Surface types: Urban pavement, riverside tracks, vineyard paths
- Waymarking status: Consistent arrows; easy navigation
- Alternative routes: None
About this stage
A varied stage through vineyards, villages, and gentle valley terrain. The walking is comfortable with a gradual descent into Villafranca del Bierzo.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ponferrada | ─ | ✓ | ─ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 4.1 km | ||||||||||||
| Columbrianos | ─ | ✓ | ✓ | ─ | ─ | ─ | ✓ | ✓ | ─ | ─ | ─ | ─ |
| 5.0 km | ||||||||||||
| Camponaraya | ─ | ✓ | ✓ | ─ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ─ |
| 5.7 km | ||||||||||||
| Cacabelos | ─ | ✓ | ✓ | ─ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ─ |
| 2.2 km | ||||||||||||
| Pieros | ─ | ✓ | ─ | ─ | ─ | ✓ | ─ | ─ | ─ | ─ | ─ | ─ |
| 1.9 km | ||||||||||||
| Valtuille de Arriba | ─ | ✓ | ─ | ─ | ─ | ─ | ─ | ─ | ─ | ─ | ─ | ─ |
| 4.8 km | ||||||||||||
| Villafranca del Bierzo | ─ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ─ |
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
Shops and cafés in smaller villages may open later in the morning; plan food stops accordingly.