Your progress on the Camino Francés
Stage 25 of 33 · Ponferrada → Villafranca del Bierzo · ~5 h 43 min walking
595 km / 143 h 4 min done · 182 km / 45 h 27 min to go
- 1↑ 1390 m~7 h 52 minChallenging
- 2↑ 220 m~5 h 15 minModerate
- 3↑ 80 m~4 h 48 minEasy
- 4↑ 420 m~6 h 2 minModerate
- 5↑ 300 m~5 h 23 minModerate
- 6↑ 230 m~5 h 3 minModerate
- 7↑ 220 m~6 h 35 minModerate
- 8↑ 150 m~6 h 42 minModerate
- 9↑ 220 m~5 h 2 minEasy
- 10↑ 130 m~5 h 20 minEasy
- 11↑ 470 m~7 hModerate
- 12↑ 150 m~5 h 8 minEasy
- 13↑ 120 m~4 h 52 minEasy
- 14↑ 220 m~4 h 49 minModerate
- 15↑ 290 m~6 h 2 minModerate
- 16↑ 30 m~4 h 16 minEasy
- 17↑ 130 m~6 h 13 minModerate
- 18↑ 90 m~5 h 16 minEasy
- 19↑ 60 m~5 h 53 minEasy
- 20↑ 90 m~4 h 9 minEasy
- 21↑ 60 m~4 h 59 minEasy
- 22↑ 150 m~7 h 8 minModerate
- 23↑ 470 m~5 h 27 minModerate
- 24↑ 600 m~8 h 7 minChallenging
- 25↑ 230 m~5 h 43 minModerate
- 26↑ 950 m~7 h 48 minChallenging
- 27↑ 250 m~5 h 5 minModerate
- 28↑ 380 m~4 h 38 minModerate
- 29↑ 270 m~5 h 20 minModerate
- 30↑ 380 m~6 h 11 minModerate
- 31↑ 300 m~6 h 57 minModerate
- 32↑ 240 m~4 h 37 minEasy
- 33↑ 240 m~4 h 51 minModerate
Walking times assume a steady ~4.5 km/h pace plus 10 min per 100 m of ascent. They cover moving time only — add breaks, photo stops and coffee.
Highlights
- Cacabelos — heart of Bierzo wine country
- Vineyards of Mencía grapes
- Romanesque Iglesia de Santiago — the 'Puerta del Perdón'
Elevation
230 m of cumulative climb. A detailed elevation profile chart will appear here once the CMS is wired up.
Reading list for this stage
The best posts, sights, food, and tips we have for Ponferrada → Villafranca del Bierzo.
Best posts
Churches & sights
Iglesia de Santiago — Puerta del Perdón
Villafranca del Bierzo ↗Convento de San José
Villafranca del Bierzo ↗
Restaurants
La Fonda — botillo del Bierzo
Ponferrada ↗Mesón Casa Ramón
Ponferrada ↗La Pedrera
Villafranca del Bierzo ↗Mesón Don Nacho
Villafranca del Bierzo ↗
Related reading
Blog posts about this stage
Articles that mention Ponferrada, Villafranca del Bierzo, or one of this stage's highlights — pulled from across the site.
Food
Best Restaurants in León for Pilgrims
Where to find the best cecina, morcilla, and free tapas in the Barrio Húmedo and beyond.
8 min read
Culture
Top 10 Churches to See on the Camino Francés
From the Romanesque jewel of Eunate to the Gothic glass of León, the Francés is a moving cathedral of stone.
9 min read
Practical
Complete Guide to the Camino Francés (Stages, Towns, Tips)
Everything you need to plan the most popular Camino: 33 stages from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago, with town stops, distances, and honest tips.
18 min read
Practical
Camino Portugués vs Camino Francés: Which One Should You Choose?
A side-by-side comparison of the two most popular Caminos — distance, scenery, crowds, food, and which one suits which kind of pilgrim.
10 min read
Practical
Best Time of Year to Walk the Camino de Santiago
Month-by-month breakdown of weather, crowds, albergue availability, and what to expect when on the Francés, Portugués, and Norte.
8 min read
Practical
How Long Does It Take to Walk the Camino? (Route Breakdown)
Realistic timelines for every major Camino route, with daily distance averages and tips for fitting it into a working life.
7 min read
Practical
What It Costs to Walk the Camino de Santiago (Full Budget Guide)
A real, line-by-line budget for the Camino — from albergue beds to pilgrim menus, gear, transport, and the things that surprise people.
9 min read
Gear
Ultimate Camino Packing List (What I Brought vs What I Needed)
An honest, weighed-out packing list from someone who has walked three Caminos — what made the cut, what got mailed home, and what I'll never carry again.
12 min read
Gear
Best Shoes for Walking the Camino de Santiago (2026 Guide)
Trail runners, hiking shoes, or boots? An honest review of the most common Camino footwear, with picks for wide feet, hot weather, and the rainy Norte.
11 min read