22/January/2024
Every year, thousands of people decide to undertake the Camino de Santiago. This long pilgrimage to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela has had various routes over the years, some of the most famous being the French Way, the Portuguese Way, the Mozarabic Way, and the Fisterra and Muxia Way, among many others.
One of the most notable is the Winter Way, a route that emerges as a natural alternative to the French Way, as it avoids the peaks of Cebreiro and is especially used by pilgrims who want to make the journey in winter.
If you are a pilgrim thinking about which route to choose, we cannot recommend the Winter Way enough. You will find great adventures along the way and the beauty of the best Galician landscapes. But where to sleep on the Winter Way? What are the most interesting hostels and rural houses? We tell you below.**
Where is the Winter Way?
This route starts from Ponferrada, a Jacobean town located in the Bierzo area of León. Over 10 stages, you will cross the four Galician provinces covering about 263 kilometers.
It connects with the Sanabrés Way, as they share the last two stages. In any case, it is a somewhat less traveled option than other more well-known ones, making it an ideal choice if you prefer a quieter and more reflective experience.
The Winter Way follows the course of the Sil River, so during its 10 stages, you will have fabulous views and a dreamlike journey. As it is a relatively new route, officially approved in 2016, it is important to choose hostels or rural houses for overnight stays carefully. Here we indicate some of the most interesting ones.
Stages of the Winter Way
The first stage begins in Ponferrada and goes to Las Médulas, with a distance of 27.2 km.
The second stage starts from Las Médulas and ends in O Barco de Valdeorras, covering 26.4 km.
The third stage extends from O Barco de Valdeorras to A Rúa de Valdeorras, spanning 14.2 km.
In the fourth stage, the journey goes from A Rúa de Valdeorras to Quiroga, covering a distance of 26.3 km.
The fifth stage will take you from Quiroga to Monforte de Lemos, totaling 35.4 km.
In the sixth stage, the route goes from Monforte de Lemos to Chantada, with a distance of 29.7 km.
The seventh stage covers the section from Chantada to Rodeiro, with a total of 25.8 km.
The eighth stage takes you from Rodeiro to A Laxe, covering a distance of 27.9 km.
In the ninth stage, the journey goes from A Laxe to Outeiro, spanning 34 km.
Finally, the tenth and last stage goes from Outeiro to Santiago, covering a distance of 17 km.
The 6 Best Places to Stay on the Winter Way
O Canto da Terra
Location relative to the Winter Way: Less than 11 kilometers from the start of the seventh stage.
Type of accommodation: Rural house in Ribeira Sacra.
Guest reviews: 4.7/5 stars on Google.
What makes it special?: Cozy apartments and rooms with spectacular views over the vineyards. Guests can complement their stay with the thermal circuit to recharge for the rest of the way.
Albergue Guiana
Location relative to the Winter Way: Located in Ponferrada, at the start of the route.
Type of accommodation: Hostel.
Guest reviews: 4.7/5 stars.
What makes it special?: It has a sauna, jacuzzi, car workshop, and bicycle washing.
Albergue de Xagoaza
Location relative to the Winter Way: 1.8 kilometers from the path and 3.2 km from O Barco.
Type of accommodation: Hostel.
Guest reviews: 4/5 stars on Google.
What makes it special?: Uses solar energy for heating and has accessibility for people with reduced mobility.
Albergue Municipal de Quiroga
Location relative to the Winter Way: Located at the end of the fourth stage.
Type of accommodation: Hostel.
Guest reviews: 4/5 stars on Google.
What makes it special?: A fantastic option for traveling with your pet.
Albergue Lalín Centro
Location relative to the Winter Way: Located in the stage from Rodeiro to Lalín, coinciding with the Sanabrés Way.
Type of accommodation: Hostel.
Guest reviews: 4.4/5 stars on Google.
What makes it special?: A modern and central building with a bar-restaurant less than 30 meters away.
Albergue Santa Olaia
Location relative to the Winter Way: Located in Silleda, in its historic center.
Type of accommodation: Hostel.
Guest reviews: 4.3/5 stars on Google.
What makes it special?: Ideal for groups, offering significant discounts for associations, schools, or sports teams.
What You Need to Know About the Winter Way to Be Prepared
Like any route of the Camino de Santiago, you should know that it is not an adventure you can undertake easily without some prior preparation. You should be familiar with the different stages and clearly understand how many kilometers you will cover in each one. Keep in mind that not all are equally demanding, as the terrain plays a key role in the difficulty.
As for clothing, it will depend on the time of year you go, but even in summer, you should bring some warm clothing and a raincoat. If you want to go with the whole family, pets, or children, make sure they are in good physical condition. A good idea is to make more stops along the way and cover less distance during the day.
Of course, bring a good map for areas without Internet connection, a light backpack that fits everything, plenty of water, and a basic first aid kit in case of any mishap. With all this, you will be more than prepared to enjoy the Winter Way and all that Galicia has to offer.
