Day 22 Villadangos del Paramo – Astorga – 26km
The first part of the day again hugs the N120 until Puenta de Orbigo, from here the route is further from the road until a few kilometres before Astorga. The day is easy walking without any steep accents or decent until the short steep accent into Astorga itself.
San Martin del Camino is the first village of day after 4.5km, perfectly placed for breakfast; it is an easy downward sloping track all the way to this village. The downward route continues to, (another 7km), Hospital de Orbigo the village over the magnificent bridge leading into the village.
This is a perfect place to stop for an early lunch or buy food from the many shops to eat later. There is a café/ restaurant on the left hand side at the end of the bridge, it is a great place to enjoy the views and see all the pilgrims walk across the bridge into the village.
From here the route turns right at the end of the village and heads across countryside passing through Villares de Orbigo, (2km), and Santibanez, (another 2km). By now the route will be ascending easily towards the Cross of Santo Toribio, where you will have a view over the valley to Astorga.
The bottom is the valley is incredibly flat; you will cross the railway tracks and walk the steep climb into the walled city of Astorga.
What to see:
- Puente de Orbigo – bridge into Hospital de Orbigo
- Astorga Cathedral
- Bishop’s Palace – opposite the cathedral – Gaudi’s amazing neo Gothic construction
- Museum of the Ways – inside the Bishop’s Palace