French way ‧ Stage 22
French Way
On foot
33 stages
Information
About this stage
After two stages marked by the presence of asphalt, today we will say goodbye to the track parallel to the N-120 to give way to an agricultural landscape with short but steep slopes. Once again, we will have the possibility of choosing one of the two existing variants, with our sights set on Astorga, full of Roman remains such as its famous thermal baths, medieval buildings and modernist houses. This small town also serves as a link between the French Way and the Silver Route.
Pilgrim Recommendation
This is not a stage with a long distance or steep slopes, but the road surface can play a trick on
us in some sections, as there are predominantly cobbled paths and the occasional dangerous slide. As
for the cyclists, they will suffer in equal measure from these stony areas, which can be quite
uncomfortable at some points.
People with disabilities should drive on the N-120 between León and Virgen del Camino, so it is
advisable to pay close attention to traffic and wear reflective waistcoats to avoid accidents.
Distance and elevation
Stage profile
Route
Itinerary
Km 0 ‧ Hospital de Órbigo
Just outside the village there is a fork in the road: we can either continue straight on, along a road next to the national road, or turn right towards Villares, a much more interesting and beautiful road. The first option is 1.2 km shorter, but even so, the section through Villares is a very good option. The two converge at the Crucero de Santo Toribio. We therefore turn right following a dirt track.
Local Information
Police, Medical care, What to see, Where to eat…
Km 2,6 ‧ Villares de Órbigo
On leaving Villares we cross a local road and take a path that climbs up a hill; we then descend to Santibáñez along a local road.
Km 5 ‧ Santibáñez de Valdeiglesias
At the exit we take a track on the right, going uphill. We continue along pleasant dirt tracks, with modest hills, crossing forests of oaks, pines, holm oaks and poplars. After six and a half kilometres, we reach the Crucero de Santo Toribio, from where we can already see Astorga and, in the background, the Montes de León. We descend and enter San Justo de la Vega along Calle Real.
Km 12,9 ‧ San Justo de la Vega
We cross San Justo de la Vega along the Calle Real, cross the river Tuerto over a metal footbridge, go down on the right and continue behind a factory. After a small Roman bridge we return to the national road to cross the railway line over a pedestrian footbridge. Then, at a roundabout we continue straight on; at the end, we turn left and, a few metres further on, we take a steeply ascending street on the right, arriving at the Plaza San Francisco.
Km 16,5 ‧ Astorga
Local Information
Police, Medical care, What to see, Where to eat…
What to see
During the route
Church of St James
The Church of St James was built in the 18th century in the centre of the town of Villares de Órbigo to pay homage to St James the Apostle. The church has a Latin cross floor plan and a bell tower about seven metres high, which is attached to the church and faces west.
It was built with stone masonry and brick walls. The sacristy of the church is attached to the south façade, while the parish hall is attached to the north façade.
Church of San Juan Bautista
The Church of San Juan Bautista dates from the mid-18th century and is located in Hospital de Órbigo, which belonged to the Military Order of St. John of Jerusalem.
The most outstanding feature of the monument is the entrance doorway, with its cross, and the beautiful Plateresque altarpiece inside.
Órbigo Bridge
The Órbigo Bridge rises over the river that crosses the town, the Río Orbigo. This river is one of the most famous of the Camino de Santiago, both for its great architectural beauty and its great historical past.
This building was witness to a great variety of harsh confrontations, including those that took place in 452 between the Suevi and the Visigoths, and the fierce battle between the troops of Alfonso III and the troops of Cordoba.
