Camino Francés Stage 24: Astorga to Rabanal/Foncebadón.
Trail Notes
Camino Francés
Beautiful section with subtle mountain colors.
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Total Distance: 25.8 km (16 miles)
Time: 6.5-8 hours hours
Difficulty: flat farmlands, dirt farm tracks, and short paved or highway-adjacent stretches
Terrain: Gentle rolling paths through the Maragatería region for the first 20 km, followed by a steep 5.6 km mountain ascent.
Transportation: Buses and taxis.
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Valdeviejas, Cafe and water
Murias de Rechivaldo, cafe and water
Santa Catalina de Somoza: water and cafe
El Ganso: water and cafe
Rabanal: food, water, groceries
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Foncebadóon
Albergue Monte Irago:14-44€
Albergue Casa Chelo: 15-20€
If you stay in Rabanal, there are many wonderful hostels and it is a very cute town. It’s a couple of kilometers before Foncebadón.
Rabanal
Posada El Tesin:63€. Private room with private bath. (wonderful little cafe on main floor.)Pilgrim Stone:49-65€
Refugio Guacelmo: Donativo
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When planning stages in this region, watch your mileage and elevations between stages. I was taking my time and stayed in Rabanal. If your time is limited and you stay in Rabanal, you will have a 30km trek the next day.
Notice that I planned my stages on mileage and elevation. My long-mile days always preceded my short-mile days. Many Pilgrims started experiencing injuries from consecutive long-mile days. This is a long trek. Plan it according to your fitness level. You have two options: take care of your body or get an injury that will end your trip.
I stayed the night at Rabanal to break up the following day to Ponferrada. The hike from Rabanal to Ponferrada is beautiful. Make sure you are well rested. Start the day early so you can enjoy Cruz de Ferro in private.
JOURNAL
The village of Rabanal was surprisingly cute — not what I expected from today's stretch. I stayed the night at Posada de Tesín, and it was wonderful — the café downstairs served genuinely great food, the kind you don't expect to find on a quiet stage like this. -That Eva!
