Stroll
Camino de Invierno: The Winter Way - 15 Days
Camino de SantiagoCamino Frances

Camino de Invierno: The Winter Way - 15 Days

15 Days
Moderate to Challenging

Camino de Invierno: The Winter Way - 15 Days

from £1,395 / person

Overview

Embark on a memorable journey along the Camino de Invierno, a serene and picturesque alternative to the traditional Santiago routes. This unique pilgrimage invites you to explore the stunning landscapes of Galicia while wandering through charming villages and rich historical sites. The route meanders alongside the Sil River, unveiling breathtaking views of terraced vineyards and dense forests, along with the remarkable ruins of Las Médulas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Blending natural beauty, cultural heritage, and excellent local cuisine, the Winter Way offers a rewarding and intimate walking experience, ideal for those seeking a quieter path away from the busier Camino routes.

Highlights

  • Marvel at the stunning terraced vineyards of Ribeira Sacra
  • Experience the tranquility of one of Santiago's lesser-known routes
  • Explore the ancient mining ruins of Las Médulas, steeped in Roman history
  • Savour delicious Galician specialties like Botillo del Bierzo and local wines
  • Discover charming towns with rich cultural heritage, such as Monforte de Lemos
  • Delve into the myths and legends that weave through Galicia's landscapes

Itinerary

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What's Included

Accommodation

Hotel (14 nights)

Meals

14 breakfasts

Transfers

  • Luggage Transfers
  • Private Vehicle Transfers

Guidance & Support

  • Itinerary & Walk Notes
  • Walking App for Navigation
  • 24/7 on-trip support

How We Rate This Walk

4

Stroll Walking Grade

Moderate to Challenging

Rated by our team — we walk every route before we recommend it.

Regular hills and varied terrain. These walks involve more challenging sections. Regular walking beforehand is recommended.

View Fitness Guide

13

Days on the trail

13-31 km

Daily distance range

93-730 m

Daily ascent range

5/10

Trail difficulty

Where You'll Stay

Accommodation along the Camino de Invierno is rooted in the landscape it passes through. You will find yourself in rural guesthouses and small, welcoming hotels that sit comfortably within their surroundings, each offering en-suite rooms and the kind of hospitality that Galicia does well. Where alternative properties are occasionally used in place of those listed, they will always be of equivalent quality.

Single Rooms

If you are travelling with others but would prefer a single room, we recommend booking as early as possible. Availability can be limited on this popular route and a single occupancy fee applies.

What You'll Eat

Fourteen breakfasts are included throughout the trip, served at your accommodation before each day's walking begins. For lunch, the route provides its own pleasures, with local cheeses, cured meats and a wide variety of breads available to pick up along the way. Come evening, Galician cuisine earns its reputation, and many properties along the route have their own restaurants where dinner can be added as a supplement. The region is known for its empanadas and the excellent wines of the Ribeira Sacra, and there is real reward in discovering both at your own pace.

Note: Please advise us of any food allergies or intolerances at the time of booking. If you have severe allergies, bringing some of your own snacks is recommended, as specialist ingredients can be harder to source along the way.

More About This Trip

The walk starts in Ponferrada, in the Bierzo region of northwest Spain, and finishes in Santiago de Compostela. The nearest airport is Madrid (MAD), with good international connections. From Madrid, trains from Chamartín reach Ponferrada in around 4 hours, and coach services are also available in a similar journey time. Book train tickets in advance through Renfe, as services on this route are limited.

The walk ends in Santiago de Compostela, which has its own international airport (SCQ) with connections across Europe. A regular bus links the airport to the city centre and train station, from where onward rail connections are straightforward. Book Spanish rail tickets in advance through Renfe.

This walk is available from March to October, with no fixed start days.

Spring and autumn are the finest seasons, with mild temperatures, quieter trails and the Ribeira Sacra vineyards at their most beautiful. Autumn is particularly rewarding, with the grape harvest under way and a golden quality to the landscape. Summer is warm and dry, though the valleys around Ourense can see high temperatures and early starts are advisable. March and October can bring cooler days and the chance of rain, particularly in Galicia, so pack layers and waterproofs. Throughout the season, regional festivals and the nationwide celebrations of Semana Santa add colour to the journey.

Trails cross a variety of terrain between Ponferrada and Santiago de Compostela, ranging from open countryside and forest tracks to urban stretches and road sections. Good walking boots are essential.

Conditions can be changeable, particularly in the early and later parts of the season, when mild days may give way to frosty mornings and cool nights. From May to September, temperatures typically sit between 20 and 24 degrees with fewer rainy days, though overcast days are possible at any time. Walkers should pack accordingly and be prepared for shifts in weather.

Daily walk notes, maps, and GPX tracks are provided.

You must hold adequate travel insurance for your trip, including cover for personal liability and accidental injury and illness. For all trips involving international travel, your policy must also include emergency medical treatment, evacuation and repatriation cover. We strongly recommend your policy also covers trip cancellation and curtailment, and loss of or damage to luggage.

A cancellation fee usually applies if you cancel after your booking is confirmed. Travel insurance with cancellation cover will generally cover this fee, so it's worth arranging your policy at the time of booking.

Full insurance requirements are set out in our booking terms and conditions.

Dates & Pricing

Choose Your Start Date

Pick any available date — this is your trip, your schedule

August 2026

Mon
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1Out of season
2Out of season
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Prices shown are per person, twin/double share basis.

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Frequently asked questions

Your main luggage is transferred between accommodations each day, so you only need to carry a daypack on the trail. Bags must be left at the hotel reception by 9am — earlier if possible to avoid delays. The maximum weight is 20kg per bag in Spain and 13kg in France. Please do not attach items such as bags, umbrellas or footwear to the outside of your luggage as the transfer service cannot be held responsible for lost items. Broken wheels and handles are also not covered by the transfer service. If you are carrying valuables in your luggage, please let the transfer service know so they can take extra care.

Unfortunately, walkers cannot travel with the luggage. The information you are provided with has details for local taxi numbers, bus and train timetables should you wish to not walk on any day. Your accommodation hosts will also have up to date information and advice should you wish to travel to the next destination by local transport. As always, you can call us in the office should you need help during your walk.

Of course, please let us know at the time of booking if you would like to extend your time.

We don't allow children under the age of 16 to do this walk.

Absolutely. Many people choose to complete stages of the Camino as a solo walker. There are many people walking the route, and many of the overnight stays welcome hordes of walkers, which means you can choose to walk your own journey or join in the camaraderie of walking with others.

Subject to a single occupancy payment, single rooms are available. However, due to the limited accommodation single rooms might not always be available for every night of the tour, but we will let you know your options throughout the booking process.

Lugrono and Burgos are vibrant towns, which has been welcoming Camino walkers for centuries! Both Burgos and Legrono are great plalces to add a rest day.

Coverage is generally good in towns and populated areas along the route, though more remote and mountainous stretches can be patchy. Stroll provides GPX files that can be downloaded and viewed offline, making navigation straightforward even without reception. Always follow the Camino scallop shell waymarkers — the route is exceptionally well signed throughout.

Breakfast is included in your package each day. For lunch, dinner and personal expenses, a budget of approximately €35 to €50 per day is a reasonable guide. Pilgrim menus at local restaurants are a budget-friendly option and a genuine part of the Camino experience. Your budget should also account for snacks, drinks and any optional activities along the way.

Yes. While credit cards are widely accepted in larger towns, smaller villages, cafes and rural establishments often prefer or only accept cash. Carry a mix of both and withdraw cash in larger towns where ATMs are more readily available. The currency in both France and Spain is the Euro.

Shops, cafes and most services close during the afternoon siesta, typically from around 2pm to 5pm or later. Plan your lunch stops and any shopping around these hours to avoid being caught out.

Yes. As only breakfast is provided as part of your package, lunch and dinner are your own to arrange, giving you full flexibility along the route. Please advise us of any dietary requirements at the time of booking so we can inform your accommodation hosts. On check-in, reconfirm your requirements directly with reception. Pilgrim menus at local restaurants typically offer good variety and can usually accommodate common dietary needs.

The Camino passes through many significant religious sites, including cathedrals in Pamplona, León and Santiago de Compostela. Dress respectfully when visiting. Covering shoulders and knees is customary at most churches and cathedrals along the route.

Key items include comfortable and well broken-in hiking shoes or boots, a lightweight waterproof jacket, a hat, sunscreen and a 25 to 30 litre daypack. Walking poles are useful in the earlier mountainous stages but less necessary on the flatter terrain closer to Santiago. A basic first aid kit, including blister treatment, is strongly recommended. A full packing list will be provided after your booking is confirmed.

The Camino is a deeply personal journey and there is no single right way to walk it. Whether you take a taxi on a tough day, stay in a private hotel or simply walk at your own pace, what matters most is what you bring to the journey. Stroll is here to make your Camino as comfortable and memorable as possible, however you choose to walk it.

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The Camino Frances Experience

Wonder
Cross the Pyrenees from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Roncesvalles on the Napoleonic route
Admire León’s cathedral, Gaudí’s Casa Botines and Astorga’s Episcopal Palace
Stroll into Plaza de Obradoiro and Santiago’s majestic cathedral for your Compostela
Wellness
Camaraderie on the Camino - Strangers become family, silence becomes prayer, every step a pilgrimage of the soul.
Spend two nights in Santiago rest your tired legs and soak up the pilgrim atmosphere
Unwind in Santo Domingo’s former pilgrim hospital, now a luxury Parador
Nature
Panoramic valleys from Alto del Perdon and oak-beech woods beyond Roncesvalles
Heather, oak and far-reaching views on the climb to Cruz Ferro
Galicia’s green hills, eucalyptus woods and O Cebreiro’s stone houses