2023 Camino de Santiago - San Martin del Camino to Astorga Stage 16

Stage 16: San Martín del Camino - Astorga
After enjoying a hearty breakfast, we prepared to set off on our 16th stage of the Camino de Santiago. We were excited to arrive in Astorga, one of the most beautiful and iconic cities on the French Way, and admire its majestic cathedral and the Episcopal Palace, a work of the genius Antonio Gaudí.
We left San Martín del Camino along the N-120, then took a gravel path that ran parallel to the national highway. Fields of corn and small vegetable plots stretched out to our right, irrigated by a network of canals and ditches. After three kilometers, we passed a bridge where we heard the croaking of hundreds of frogs, but we could only see a few.
A few kilometers later, we turned right off the N-120 and passed a beautiful brick water tower. We soon crossed the provincial highway at Puente de Órbigo, next to the church of Santa María, whose bell tower is often home to several stork nests.
This bridge is located in the town of Hospital de Órbigo, where we had enjoyed the Justas de Hospital de Órbigo the day before. This is a medieval tournament of knights on horseback that is held in the River Órbigo. The event dates back to the 12th century and is a unique opportunity to learn about Spanish history and culture.
Just outside the town, we came to a fork in the road. We could either continue straight along the dull path next to the national highway or turn right towards Villares de Órbigo, a more interesting route. We chose the latter option, which takes us through an agricultural and low-lying landscape. Both options meet at the Santo Toribio cross.
After walking for a while, we reached Villares de Órbigo. In the village, we found a barn where a group of calves kept us entertained for a while. We continued on our way along a gravel path.
After walking for several kilometers, we decided to take a short break under a shady tree and enjoy the breeze and the view. After a while, we continued on our way uphill and reached a rest stop called La Casa de los Dioses, where we could buy food and drinks for a donation. We continued on with a few gentle slopes until we reached the Santo Toribio cross. We then descended to the Fuente del Peregrino Sediento.
Finally, we reached the outskirts of Astorga after walking for several kilometers and passing through a small industrial area. We reached a metal footbridge that crosses the train tracks and began a steep climb up to the historic center of Astorga. After walking through the main square and some of the city's most important streets, we reached our accommodation. After freshening up, we visited the Cathedral of Astorga and the Episcopal Palace, a work of Antonio Gaudí.
We were tired, but we were also happy to have returned to the tranquility of the countryside. We knew that the flat path was coming to an end, but we were also excited for the challenges that lay ahead on our journey to Santiago de Compostela.
We hope you enjoyed this stage as much as we did.
Buen Camino!