Camino de Santiago from Burgos to León

To do the Camino de Santiago from Burgos to León, the first thing to do is to get to the starting point. Burgos has good communications so you can get there on your own, or you can hire a tailor-made transfer as an optional service.

On your arrival in Burgos, the city offers you a large number of tourist attractions to visit: the Cathedral, the Arch of Santa María and the Monastery of Las Huelgas are good examples. Or you can simply stroll around and enjoy its streets. That's why we recommend that you take an extra night to enjoy all its charms or arrive as early as possible. We also offer a visit to the Monastery of San Pedro de Cardeña, a Trappist abbey founded over a thousand years ago, and a visit to the Carthusian Monastery of Miraflores.

Hostel: Hostel Catedral de Burgos or similar
Standard accommodation: Hotel Alda Cardeña or similar

Distance: 20.3 km
Difficulty level: ●●○○○
Accommodation: Hornillos del Camino

The first stage will give you a small taste of what awaits you over the next few days: easy trails, with almost no gradient, but with little shade. That is why we recommend that you set off early in the morning to avoid the middle of the day. After leaving Burgos you will find the towns of Tardajos and Rabé de las Calzadas. Their sturdy stone houses preserve the traditional character of the area's architecture. Further on is Hornillos del Camino, mentioned by Aymeric Picaud in the Codex Calixtinus.

Hostel: Rosalia's Alfar or similar
Standard accommodation: Hostel De Sol a Sol or similar

Distance: 19.9 km
Difficulty level: ●●○○○
Accommodation: Castrojeriz

The second stage follows the same scenic patterns as the previous one and will be a constant feature of the Way of St. James from Burgos. The Way crosses wheat fields as far as Hontanas, where the so-called "Hospital de los Franceses" is located, and then continues flat to the valley of San Antón and its convent. There are just four kilometres left to reach the end of the stage, the town of Castrojeriz, which lies at the foot of a fortification built on Celtiberian and Roman remains.

Hostel: Ultreia Hostel or similar
Standard accommodation: Emebed Posada or similar

Distance: 24.6 km
Difficulty level: ●●○○○
Accommodation: Frómista

The day's journey between Castrojeriz and Frómista requires crossing the Alto de Mostelares. The rest of the stage, like the previous ones, runs along fairly flat dirt tracks. You will cross the Pisuerga River over the bridge of Itero or Fitero, built by order of Alfonso VI of León in the 12th century. The beautiful chapel of San Nicolás next to the bridge has recently been restored as a hostel by an Italian association that maintains the traditional rite of foot washing. On your arrival in Frómista, we recommend a visit to the church of San Martín de Tours, a cultural jewel of the stage and one of the best examples of Spanish Romanesque architecture; and if you still feel like it, a boat trip on the Canal de Castilla.

Hostel: Estrella del Camino Hostel or similar
Standard accommodation: Hotel Rural Oasibeth or similar

Distance: 18.7 km
Difficulty level: ●●○○○
Accommodation: Carrión de los Condes

The fourth stage of the Camino de Santiago from Burgos is easy, with no gradients and surrounded by the cereal plains. When you reach Población de Campos, just before crossing the river Ucieza, you will have to decide whether to continue on the official route or take the variant through Villovieco. If you opt for the variant, you will find a pleasant path along the river Ucieza, which is half a kilometre longer if you rejoin the official path at Villarmentero de Campos; or one kilometre if you do so at Villalcázar de Sirga. Without a doubt, we recommend the variant to go along the river bank. On arrival at Villalcázar de Sirga, be sure to visit the 13th-century church of Santa María la Blanca before continuing almost six kilometres to Carrión de los Condes. After several days with small villages, this large town offers a greater variety of services and heritage that you should not miss.

Hostel: Hostel Convento de Santa Clara or similar
Standard accommodation: Plaza Mayor Guesthouse or similar

Distance: 17.2 km
Difficulty level: ●●○○○
Accommodation: Calzadilla de la Cueza

A new stage characterised by the calm and flatness of the Camino de Santiago from Burgos. Stock up on water and food to face this stage, since it is the longest of the French Way without intermediate towns, approximately 17 km to reach Calzadilla de la Cueza.

Hostel: Camino Real Hostel or similar
Standard accommodation: Camino Real Guesthouse or similar

Distance: 22 km
Difficulty level: ●●○○○
Accommodation: Sahagún

The sixth stage will allow you to enjoy Sahagún and visit the churches of San Tirso and San Lorenzo, two of the most complete examples of Mudejar architecture on the Pilgrim's Way to Santiago. And also the Sanctuary of La Peregrina, with its beautiful Mozarabic plasterwork. A leisurely stroll through the streets of Sahagún to soak up its medieval atmosphere is a real luxury. Some pilgrims with limited time prefer to join this stage and the next, Calzadilla de la Cueza - El Burgo Ranero, making a very long stage of almost 40 km. If you want to do this section in one day less, contact us!

Hostel: Domus Viatoris Hostel or similar
Standard accommodation: Rural Hotel El Jardín de la Huerta or similar

Distance: 17.7 km
Difficulty level: ●●○○○
Accommodation: El Burgo Ranero

This stage of the Way of St. James from León is practically flat, with a small difference in altitude between 800 and 880m. From Sahagún you will have to choose your itinerary: head towards El Burgo Ranero along the traditional route or towards Calzadilla de los Hermanillos along the so-called Vía Trajana. The choice is yours! If you take the traditional route, you will only pass through two towns where you can get your strength and provisions, Calzada del Coto and Bercianos del Real Camino.

Hostel: La Laguna Hostel or similar
Standard accommodation: Pension La Costa del Adobe or similar

Distance: 18.8 km
Difficulty level: ●●○○○
Accommodation: Mansilla de las Mulas

Today's section only passes through one town, Reliegos, so we advise you to provide yourself with enough water and food, although there is a fountain halfway along the route. This long and monotonous stretch between Burgo Ranero and Reliegos will test your determination to reach, on foot, the tomb of the apostle. The towns along this stage are watered by the river Órbigo. Traditional dishes include trout and crayfish, especially in Mansilla de las Mulas. On arrival in Mansilla de las Mulas, you will enter the medieval town through one of the four gates in the old wall. If in the afternoon you want to continue exploring some of the most significant heritage monuments in the province of León, and you make your way there between the months of May and October, we recommend a visit to the Monastery of San Miguel de la Escalada.

Hostel: Gaia Hostel or similar
Standard accommodation: The House of the Portals or similar

Distance: 22 km
Difficulty: ●○○○○
Accommodation: León

We begin the last stage, which is quite monotonous, but also the shortest of this route (unless you have spent the night in Sahagún). It is advisable to leave early in order to arrive in León in the middle of the morning and have time to enjoy the city. This last stretch is also flat, like the previous stages, and you can do it directly, crossing the industrial area, or taking the detour along the Arlanzón river. On your arrival in León there are many possibilities open to you. You should definitely visit the Gothic cathedral of Santa María, with its impressive stained glass windows, and the crypt of the Basilica of San Isidoro, known as the "Sistine Chapel of Romanesque architecture". But hurry, tickets to San Isidoro are very limited and, if you are sure, let us know when you make your reservation so we can arrange it for you.

Hostel: Hostel Quartier Leon Jabalquinto or similar
Standard accommodation: Hotel Neru or similar

After a night's rest and breakfast, the services of this programme come to an end. However, if you have time, we recommend an extra night to enjoy the many possibilities offered by the city and its surroundings. In addition to the monuments we have already mentioned, we recommend that you enjoy the gastronomy and stock up your backpack, either to continue on your way or to return home, with cold meats such as cecina, chorizo or Valdeón cheese - blue-veined and with an intense flavour.

Calle Ancha, in the vicinity of the cathedral, separates the best-known tapas districts: the Barrio Húmedo to the south and the Barrio Romántico to the north. But if you're in the mood for a restorative drink, don't leave without trying the cocido maragato (chickpea stew). In this street, Calle Ancha, you will also find two of the city's most attractive monuments: the Casa Botines, designed by Gaudí, and the Renaissance Palacio de los Guzmán. Don't miss a stroll past the old Convent of San Marcos, now a hotel. If you've finally decided to stay an extra day, our recommendation is a visit to the Valporquero Caves, one of the geological wonders of the province of León, made up of a beautiful collection of stalactites and stalagmites.