Today’s walk carries you deeper into the Maragatería region, where stone villages and centuries-old traditions shape the landscape. Leaving Murias de Rechivaldo, the Camino begins a gentle ascent, and the terrain slowly shifts—fields give way to rolling hills, and views of mountains around you.
A short detour brings you to Castrillo de los Polvazares, one of the most beautifully preserved villages in the region. With its cobbled streets and red stone houses, Castrillo is a living museum of Maragato culture—a community once known for its merchants who traveled by donkey-drawn carriages. It’s a place to pause, take in the rustic charm, and perhaps enjoy a traditional stew before continuing on.
Back on the Camino, the path leads toward Rabanal del Camino, a village with deep spiritual roots and a long history of welcoming pilgrims. Indeed, Rabanal del Camino is featured in the 12th century Codex Calixtinus guidebook for the Camino. Further along, you reach El Ganso, a quirky little village known for its rustic charm and the famous cowboy bar that surprises many pilgrims.
Your day ends in Foncebadón, a once-abandoned village now revived by the spirit of the Camino. Nestled high in the hills, it’s a place of quiet beauty and anticipation—just before reaching the legendary Cruz de Ferro, one of the most symbolic points on the pilgrimage. The air is clean up here, the views are wide, and the sense of nearing something sacred begins to settle in.
