The Winter Way|Camino de Santiago Winter|Sections

Camino de Invierno (The Winter Way)

From Ponferrada to Santiago de Compostela. 10 sections. 263 kilometres.

The beautiful town of Ponferrada, historically linked to the Knights Templar, is the starting point for the Camino de Invierno or Winter Way that goes through the valley of the river Sil as the natural gateway to Galicia throughout the centuries. This is a beautiful route, with lots of nature and breath-taking landscapes, which at the same time avoids climbing the high peak of O Cebreiro, a strenuous and almost impossible mission in the winter.

This route initially followed an ancient Roman road as the historic alternative for a more accessible entry point to Galicia. This is a good option for rainy weather and snow, although pilgrims increasingly favour this route in the spring and summer when it is lush and green.

The Camino de Invierno is less crowded than other routes, and, therefore, the walk will be quieter and in solitude. It does have, however, good signage and a network of hostels and accommodation in the final stage of each section.

Besides, this Camino runs through the valley of El Bierzo, and is the only Camino going through the four Galician provinces: it enters Galicia through Valdeorras, in the province of Ourense, to move into the South of Lugo and from there to Pontevedra and A Coruña. The landscape on the way is its best asset: you will be walking through the Médulas (an amazing Roman mine), you will meander along the Canyons of the river Sil or climb to the Alto do Faro - all of those are unique experiences for pilgrims.

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How to get to Ponferrada?

Here you have different options to reach Ponferrada, the starting point of the Winter Way.

- How to get to Ponferrada by train: From Madrid, there are two trains to Ponferrada departing from Chamartín station. They are the “Regional” and the “Atlántico”, you can check prices and timetables at Renfe (Ph: 902 240 202).

- How to get to Ponferrada by bus: There are buses from different Spanish cities and towns arriving at Ponferrada’s bus station daily. You can check the different routes and timetables calling +34 987 401 065. Other connections are available from León (+34 987 211 000).

- How to get to Ponferrada by car: There are 114 kilometres from León to Ponferrada, it takes one hour and a quarter by car, driving on the A-6, then on the AP-71 and going past Astorga. From Madrid to Ponferrada there are 390 kilometres, you need 3 hours and 40 minutes on the A-6.

- How to get to Ponferrada by plane: The closest airport to Ponferrada is in León, with daily flights from Madrid and Barcelona. From there, you can take a taxi to the city (around 14 Euros) and then other means of transportation to Ponferrada.

El Camino con Correos

Transfer Rucksack

Send Bicycle

Send luggage to Santiago

We transfer your rucksack

So that you can travel light along the Camino de Santiago

We transfer your rucksack or suitcase from your accommodation at one stage to the next!! This way, your walk is more comfortable, your bag is lighter and you can enjoy every step of the Camino. We will take your luggage every day to your next hostel or hotel.

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Bicycle transportation services

We send your bicycle to your starting or finishing point

Decide where you want to start the Camino and we will send your bicycle there from any branch of Correos. Once you finish the Camino de Santiago you can go to the nearest post office and send it back home again. Your bicycle will be insured and we package your bike without disassembling it.

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Luggage transfer

For everything you want in or out of your rucksack

With our Paq Peregrino you can send suitcases or parcels to any point along the Camino (hostels, hotels, branches of Correos, etc) so that you have your personal belongings when you arrive. You can therefore have extra clothes or other items and not only the ones you carry along the Way. You can also send back whatever you have in your daily rucksack that you no longer need.

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Prepaid Card

So that you have nothing to worry about other than just enjoying the Camino

Correos offers a prepaid card that is not linked to a bank account. In this way, you can defort walk the Camino without taking your credit or debit cards with you. You only have to put the money on the card that you are going to need and then top up again if your balance is low. This is a simple, safe and comfortable way of taking your money along the Camino.

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Stamping Your Credential

So that you have the best stamps on your Pilgrim's Passport

Branches of Correos along the Camino de Santiago stamp your Credential or Pilgrim's Passport with our special stamps. Many of these stamps represent important tourist attractions from that particular place to help you remember your jorney.

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Sending parcels along the Camino de Santiago

Send your parcels without having to go along to a branch of Correos!

You can send a parcel from any of the over one-hundred branches of CORREOS located along the Camino de Santiago and additionally from some of our “Tiendas Amigas del Camino”, a network of shops and accommodation from where you can send parcels any time of the day. This service will help you to get rid of things from your luggage that you no longer need. You can also buy souvenirs or some typical products without having to worry about carrying them with you.

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Lockers in Santiago

So that you can freely visit the Cathedral or enjoy the city

Our Pilgrim's Office at Rúa do Franco, 150 metres from the Plaza del Obradoiro, has lockers. You can leave your rucksack, suitcase, bike or trekking pole before you go into the Cathedral or you can wander around Santiago without having to worry about your luggage.

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Correos Branches

To help you with anything you may need

We have over 150 branches of Correos along all the Caminos. We will be delighted to welcome you and help you with anything you need.

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Camino de Invierno (The Winter Way)

SECTIONS

How to get to Ponferrada?