The Camino Invierno (Winter Way) is a Camino that runs from Ponferrada to Santiago de Compostella, somewhat to the South of the French Way. It then joins the Vía de la Plata and approaches Santiago de Compostella from the South. Traditionally, pilgrims used this way to avoid the snows of O Cebreiro in wintertime, from which its name derives.
Accommodation
Casa dos Muros
Points of Interest
Rest Area and Fountain
Accommodation
A Rúa Pilgrims Hostel
Niza Lodging House
Fabio Hostel
O Pillabán Lodging House
Berna Hotel
Hotel Espada
Points of Interest
No Services until Quiroga
With the exception of the drinks available at the pilgrim support point in Albaredos, there is no food or drink and scant accommodation until Quiroga, 27km away.
Points of Interest
Pilgrim Support Point
A corner maintained by two residents, who leave out coffee, tea and juice for pilgrims.
Points of Interest
A Fonde dos Carballiños
Points of Interest
Fountain
Accommodation
Bandeira Pilgrims Hostel
Casa de Cacheiro
Conde Rey Lodging House
Hotel Victorino
Accommodation
Casa Pacita
Points of Interest
Ponde do Barxa
Points of Interest
Fonte
Accommodation
Laxe Pilgrims Hostel
Hotel and Spa Torre do Deza
Points of Interest
Merging of the Camino Invierno and the Vía de la Plata
Accommodation
Los Telaeres del Bierzo Country Lodge
Cornatel Médulas
La Peregrina Hotel
Points of Interest
Waterfall
Fountain
Points of Interest
Rest Stop and Fountain
Points of Interest
Fountain
Accommodation
Dpaso Hostel
A Pousa do Asma Hostel
Gamallo Boarding House
Hotel Mogay
Points of Interest
Tourist Office of Chantada
  1. Mon
  2. Tue
  3. Wed
  4. Thu
  5. Fri
  1. 1000-1400
  2. 1600-1800
  1. Sat
  2. Sun
  1. 1000-1400
Petó das Animas
A small chapel honouring souls that await in purgatory. The 'peto' alms box allows the faithful to fund masses to help them get to heaven.
Accommodation
Reina Lupa Hostel
Accommodation
Diomondi Pilgrims Hostel
Accommodation
Casa Leiras Hostel
Points of Interest
Fountain
Points of Interest
Rest Place and Vending Machine
Points of Interest
Ponte de Éntoma
Points of Interest
Mill and Stone Pasal
Accommodation
Hotel Naval do Espiño
Accommodation
Torre Vilariño
Points of Interest
Mirador Cabo do Mundo II
Points of Interest
Ethnographical House
Fountain
Accommodation
Lalín Centro Hostel
Las Palmeras Boarding House
Hostal As Vilas
Casa Mouriño Boarding House
El Palacio Hotel
Hotel Pontiñas
Points of Interest
Lalín Tourist Office
  1. Tue
  2. Wed
  3. Thu
  4. Fri
  5. Sat
  6. Sun
  1. 1200-1400
  2. 1700-2000
Monument to Joaquín Loriga
Km 0
Lalín stands more or less one hour from all the major cities in Galicia. The location is marked by a plaque in the road.
Museo Municipal "Ramón María Aller"
  1. Mon
  2. Tue
  3. Wed
  4. Thu
  5. Fri
  1. 1000-1400
  2. 1900-2100
Water Mills
Accommodation
La Senda Rural Hostel
Agoga Country Lodge
Socorro Country Lodge
Hotel Medulio
La Peregrina Hotel
Points of Interest
Centro de Recepción de Visitantes de Las Médulas
  1. 1100-1400
  2. 1600-2000
Aula arqueolologica
  1. 1000-1330
  2. 1600-2000
Las Médulas
  1. 1045-1400
  2. 1600-1930
A UNESCO World Heritage Site. The landscape was formed by Roman gold mining activities.
Monforte de Lemos is the start point if you wish to travel the 100km to gain your Compostella. It is 132km to Santiago de Compostella. A passport can be obtained from the pilgrim's office.
Accommodation
Lemavo Pilgrims Hostel
Santiago 15 Hostel
Medievo Hostel
Miño Boarding House
MONComeySueña Lodging House
Puente Romano Hostal
Hotel Terra Galega Meiga
Hotel Condes de Lemos
Cardenal Hotel
Hotel Ribeira Sacra
Parador de Monforte de Lemos
Points of Interest
Monteforte Tourist Office
  1. Tue
  2. Wed
  3. Thu
  4. Fri
  5. Sat
  6. Sun
  1. 1000-1400
  2. 1700-2100
Convento das Clarisas de Monforte
  1. Mon
  2. Tue
  3. Wed
  4. Thu
  5. Fri
  6. Sat
  1. 1130-1300
  2. 1730-1900
  1. Sun
  1. 1200-1300
Mass
  1. 2030-2130
Ponte Vella
Colexio Nosa Señora de Antigua
Medieval Walls
Porta da Alcazaba
Porta nova
Castello de Monforte
Officina Peregrino
  1. 0900-1400
  2. 1700-2000
Points of Interest
Mámoas
Neolithic burial mounds
Points of Interest
Memorial to Uxío Novoneyra
Costa da Virxe do Faro
Ermida do Faro
  1. Sun
  1. 1830-1930
A pilgrimage site in itself, considered to be at the centre of Galicia
Fonte dos Meniños
A fountain credited with healing powers
This fountain does not have potable drinking water
Points of Interest
Túnel Romano de Montefurado
Points of Interest
Castelo dos Novais
Accommodation
Xagoaza Pilgrims Hostel
Aurum Valdeorras Boarding House
La Gran Tortuga Pension
Mayo Hostel
Do Lar Boarding House
Accommodation
Outeiro Pilgrims Hostel
Residencial Victoria Hostel
Points of Interest
Fountain
Alternative Route to Monte Faro
No Food until Río
The Taberna do Peto is the only source of food and drink until Río, 15km away.
Points of Interest
Mausoleum of the Gained Waters
Points of Interest
Bridge over River Arnego
Points of Interest
Fonte e Área Descanso de Piñeiro
Accommodation
Pobra de Brollón Hostel
Pensión María Castaña
    Accommodation
    Alea Pilgrims Hostel
    San Nicolás de Flüe Pilgrims Hostel
    Private Albergue
    House
    Guesthouse
    Hotel
    Points of Interest
    Castillo de los Templarios
    1. Tue
    2. Wed
    3. Thu
    4. Fri
    5. Sat
    6. Sun
    1. 1000-1400
    2. 1630-2030
    Oficina de Turismo de Ponferrada
    1. 1015-1645
    Starting Point of the Winter Route
    Accommodation
    O Cruceiro da Ulla Hostel
    A Taberna de Gundián Hostel
    Points of Interest
    Oficina de Turismo
    Points of Interest
    Templario Tallado en Arbol
    Accommodation
    Sports Centre
    Hostal La Torre
    Pilgrim stamps can be obtained at a casa do teléfono
    Points of Interest
    Fountain
    Points of Interest
    Fountain
    Rest Area and Lookout
    Rest Area and Lookout
    Accommodation
    Quiroga Hostel
    Quiper Lodging House
    Hotel Remansiño
    Points of Interest
    Tourist Office of Quiroga
    1. Mon
    2. Tue
    3. Wed
    4. Thu
    5. Fri
    1. 0800-1500
    2. 1600-2000
    1. Sat
    2. Sun
    1. 1000-1100
    Ethnographical Museum
    1. Mon
    2. Tue
    3. Wed
    4. Thu
    5. Fri
    1. 1300-1400
    1. Sat
    2. Sun
    1. 1200-1300
    Accommodation
    Pavillón Municipal de Rodeiro
    Pilgrims may enter the premises to spend the night once all activities are over
    Carpinteiras Boarding House
    Points of Interest
    Espacio Vilaseco
    Points of Interest
    Mirador Santalla del Bierzo
      Accommodation
      Pilgrim Albergue
      Private Albergue
      Guesthouse
      House
      Hotel
      Points of Interest
      Catedral Basílica de Santiago de Compostela
      1. 1000-2000
      View from the Praza do Obradoiro
      Journey's End
      Pilgrim's Mass
      1. 0730-0830
      2. 0930-1030
      3. 1200-1300
      4. 1930-2030
      Praza das Platerias
      The entrance point to the cathedral for those travelling the Portuguese Camino. The entrance way has the traditional alpha-omega signs inverted, indicating that this is the end of your journey and the start of a new life.
      Praza do Obradoiro
      The main arrival point for pilgrims
      Pilgrim Office
      This is where you can pick up your Compostela (pilgrim's certificate).
      This office can get very busy during the high season. Book a ticket ahead by using the link above.
      Casa Ivar
      Public Holiday (Galicia)
      1. 1000-1100
      2. 1700-1800
      1. Mon
      2. Tue
      3. Wed
      4. Thu
      5. Fri
      1. 1000-1400
      2. 1600-1800
      1. Sat
      1. 1000-1200
      1. Sun
      1. 0730-0800
      Casa Ivar is a bookshop that provides a luggage-storage service and Camino noticeboard
      Accommodation
      The Gran Albergue Silleda
      Trabazo Hostel
      Santa Olaia Hostel
      Silleda Tourist Hostel
      Casa Novas Hostal
      Toxa Hostal
      Ramos Hotel
      Hotel Vía Argentum
      Points of Interest
      Tourist Office of Silleda
      1. Mon
      2. Tue
      3. Wed
      4. Thu
      5. Fri
      1. 0800-1400
      Accommodation
      Bar Mar
      Alojamiento Boutique a Pontevella
      Points of Interest
      A Ponte Nova
      Accommodation
      O Muiño Apartments
      Points of Interest
      Rest Area
      Points of Interest
      Ponte Taboada
      Built in 912, part of the royal roadway connecting Santiago and Ourense
      Roman Road
      Fountain
      Church of Santiago
      Legend has it that any pilgrim passing this church must tap the door with their head.
      Accommodation
      Miralmonte Country Lodge
      Points of Interest
      Caleyón de Merayo
      A 'tunnel' dug into the rocky soil, associated with Roman gold-mining
      Medieval Bridge
      Accommodation
      Remanso de Transfontao Casa do Compo
      Accommodation
      Vilamartín de Valdeorras Hostel
      Paladium Hotel
      A Lastra Hotel
      Points of Interest
      Rest Area and Fountain
      Points of Interest
      Fountain
      Accommodation
      Vilaseco Hotel
      Accommodation
      Villavieja Municipal Hostel
      Points of Interest
      Castillo de Cornatel
      1. Wed
      2. Thu
      3. Fri
      4. Sat
      5. Sun
      1. 1000-1400
      2. 1600-2000

      Camino Invierno

      Las Médulas Gold Mine
      The Camino Invierno (Winter Way) is a Camino that runs from Ponferrada to Santiago de Compostella, somewhat to the South of the French Way. It then joins the Vía de la Plata and approaches Santiago de Compostella from the South. Traditionally, pilgrims used this way to avoid the snows of O Cebreiro in wintertime, from which its name derives.
      The Winter Way became an official Jacobian way in 2016.
      There are long stretches without accommodation and, often, without food or drink. Pilgrims need to be fit and prepared to carry food and water. Water fountains have been marked but may not be reliable.

      Routes

      Camino Invierno
      The main Winter Camino route
      Bypass Monte Faro
      An alternative to climbing Monte Faro and visiting the Hermitage of Nuestra Señora de Faro pilgrimage site at the summit. This route goes North and follows the pass towards Río.
      This bypass is recommended in Winter, since the peak of Monte Faro at 1138m

      Regions

      Region Closed Day
      España Europe The Kingdom of Spain
        1. Sun
      Castilla y León España The Autonomous Community of Castille and León
        1. Sun
      Galicia España The Autonomous Community of Galicia
        1. Sun

      Holidays

      España Castilla y León Galicia
      National Day (Spain) Sun 2025-10-12 ✔ ✔ ✔
      All Saints Day Sat 2025-11-01 ✔ ✔ ✔
      Constitution Day (Spain) Sat 2025-12-06 ✔ ✔ ✔
      Immaculate Conception Mon 2025-12-08 ✔ ✔ ✔
      Christmas Day Thu 2025-12-25 ✔ ✔ ✔
      New Years Day Thu 2026-01-01 ✔ ✔ ✔
      Epiphany Tue 2026-01-06 ✔ ✔ ✔
      Good Friday Fri 2026-04-03 ✔ ✔ ✔
      Labour Day Fri 2026-05-01 ✔ ✔ ✔
      Galician Literature Day Sun 2026-05-17 ✔
      Galician National Day Sat 2026-07-25 ✔
      Assumption Sat 2026-08-15 ✔ ✔ ✔

      Information

      Information on the source data used when generating this plan.

      Camino

      title es
      Camino Ingles
      title en
      Winter Way
      creator
      Doug Palmer
      created
      2025-07-11
      modified
      2025-07-11
      version
      0.1
      license
      https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
      source
      https://www.editorialbuencamino.com/

      Map

      Camino Invierno
      Bypass Monte Faro
      Village
      Town
      City
      Monastery
      Bridge
      Intersection
      Peak, pass or lookout
      Lookout
      Promontory or Headland
      Church
      Cathedral
      Cross
      Fountain
      Statue
      Art
      Town square, market, etc.
      Information Point
      Pilgrim Resource
      Junction
      Shop
      Winery
      Museum or gallery
      Theatre
      Historical site, archaeological site or ruin
      Park or garden
      Beach
      Nature park, site of natural beauty, etc.
      Hazard
      Wharf
      Locality

      Locations and Points of Interest

      Location Types
      Icon Location Type Comments
      Village A smaller locality with limited services and accommodation
      Town A larger locality with most services and a variety of accommodation usually available
      City A large urban area with multiple options for services and accommodation
      Bridge A bridge acting as a waypoint
      Intersection A road intersection
      Monastery A monastery, often with a hospice attached
      Peak A peak or mountain pass
      Lookout A lookout or scenic view
      Promontory A promontory, cliff or headland
      Church A church or chapel
      Cathedral A cathedral, basillica, shrine or other large religious building
      Cross A roadside crucifix
      Fountain A fountain or spring
      Statue A statue or
      Artwork A piece of art
      Municipal A town square, market place, town hall or other municipal building
      Information Point A local tourist office, guide, etc. not specifically geared towards pilgrims
      Pilgrim Resource A pilgrim's office, rest point, etc. specifically geared towards pilgrims
      Junction A point where alternative routes diverge or the route is joined by another route
      Shop A shop of note or usefulness
      Winery A winery or port warehouse
      Museum A museum or gallery
      Theatre A theatre or opera house
      Historical A historical site, archaeological site, ruin or other historical point of interest
      Park A park or garden
      Beach A beach (sea or river)
      Natural A nature park, area of natural beauty etc.
      Hazard A road crossing, bridge etc. that needs to be treated with caution
      Wharf A wharf, quay or pier connecting to a boat
      Locality An unspecified waypoint or point of interest

      Services

      Services
      Icon Service
      WiFi available
      Restaurant or Café
      Pharmacy
      Banking facilities or an automated teller machine
      Bicycle repair shop
      Convenience store or supermarket
      Doctor, hospital or other healthcare
      Washing machine available
      Dryer or spin-dryer available
      Handwash laundry facilities
      Kitchen facilities
      Breakfast available
      Dinner available
      Lockers or cabinets
      Accessible for people with disabilities
      Stabling for horses available
      Pets allowed
      Bicycle storage available
      Camping sites available
      Bedlinen provided
      Towels provided
      Swimming pool available
      Heated building
      Community prayer/liturgy
      Train station
      Bus stop
      Ferry terminal or wharf

      Accommodation

      Accommodation Types
      Icon Accommodation Type Comments
      Pilgrim Albergue An albergue (pilgrim hostel) for pilgrims only. Pilgrim albergues are often run by volunteer societies or as municipal albergues by the local municipality. Pilgrim albergues are generally inexpensive, have limited services and usually only allow one night's stay. Often, municipal albergues are not bookable but simply accept pilgrims until full.
      Private Albergue An albergue run as a private business. Private albergues usually offer more services than pilgrim albergues, allow more than one night's stay and are bookable.
      Hostel A hostel not oriented towards pilgrims, for example a youth hostel.
      Casa Rural, Quinta or Country Lodge Rural tourist accommodation or farm stay. Casa rurals or country lodges are usually self-catering but in some cases have more facilities. Quintas are farm estates that provide accommodation.
      Guesthouse A guesthouse, bed-and-breakfast, pensione or similar
      Home Stay An AirB&B or similar
      House/Apartment An entire house or unit, available for rental
      Hotel A commercial hotel, usually with multiple services and accommodation options.
      Gîtes d'Étape A stage lodging for walkers or cyclists
      Camp Ground A managed camping ground. Camp grounds will usually have toilet facilities and showers and may offer other services, such as clothes washing facilities or cafés.
      Refuge A remote refuge providing shelter against the elements. Refuges typically provide no resources other than a chance to get away from the weather for the night.
      Camping Camping by the side of the Camino, using your own resources.
      Sleeping Arrangements
      Icon Sleeping Arrangements Comments
      Shared Shared sleeping, usually in bunk beds
      Single A private single room
      Double A private double room
      Double with Bathroom A double room with a private bathroom
      Triple A private triple room
      Triple with Bathroom A triple room with a private bathroom
      Quadruple A private quadruple room
      Quadruple with Bathroom A quadruple room with a private bathroom
      Mattress A mattress on the floor in a shared space
      Sleeping Bag Your own sleeping bag and mattress

      Travel

      Travel Type
      Icon Travel Type Comments
      Road/Path The default, a road or path that is suitable for both walkers and cyclists
      Trail A trail that is only suitable for walkers
      Cycle Path A cycle path that is only usable by cyclists
      Ferry Link A ferry connection. Ferry connections do not usually have a distance but have, instead, a ferry time measured in hours. Ferries usually operate according to a schedule and may require booking.
      Boat or canoe A boat or canoe connection. These connections are usually rowed or paddled and represent as much effort as walking. Boat connections usually operate according to a schedule and may require booking.
      Bus Link A bus connection. Bus links are not normally considered acceptable transport for those wanting to gain a certificate at the end of their Camino. Bus links are included for recreational travellers or non-Camino routes.
      Train Link A train connection. Trains usually operate according to a schedule and may require booking. Train links are not normally considered acceptable transport for those wanting to gain a certificate at the end of their Camino. Train links are included for recreational travellers or non-Camino routes.

      Events

      Event Types
      Icon Event Type Comments
      Religious A large religious event, parade or ceremony
      Food A food or wine festival
      Music A music festival or concert
      Performance A theatre or dance performace or festival
      Festival A generic festival
      Holiday A national, regional or local holiday
      Pilgrim's Mass A mass or blessing for pilgrims
      Mass A general mass or eucharist

      Other

      Other Information
      Icon Description
      Stop Point. A stop point at the end of a day's walking, where you can find accommodation and services.
      Stock-up Point. The next day is likely to have minimal services, because it is a holiday or rest day (eg. Sunday) You will therefore need to stock up on supplies.
      Rest Point. This is a point where a rest day is scheduled, so that you can recover, replenish supplies, repair or replace equipment, wash clothes and whatever else you need to do.