The Camino Routes Spain & Portugal Via de la Plata This is a 1000 km route which pre-dates even the Roman era stretches north from Seville through four Spanish regions. With the benefit of the Roman infrastructure, it has been an important artery used by invaders, merchants and pilgrims through the ages. Roman amphitheatres, bridges, aqueducts and way-markers immerse the pilgrim into the ancient history of the route. The route usually takes walking pilgrims between 6-8 weeks depending on daily distances and rest/sightseeing days. It is a popular cycling camino. It meanders through vast expanses of vine and olive fields interspersed with huge swathes of undulating cork/holm oak plantations as it travels north through the cereal fields of the Meseta. Fascinating and beautiful UNESCO world heritage cities of Merida, Caceres and Salamanca provide an exciting contrast to the long and solitary beauty of the primarily rural stages. The original Roman “Plata” was destined for Asturias and meets the Camino Frances at Astoria. However, a left turn at Granja de Moreruela brings Santiago-bound pilgrims along the beautiful Camino Sanabres gaining in altitude through the Sierras and into the lush green hills of Galicia. An exceptionally warm and hospitable welcome awaits the pilgrim in the lovely old villages along this route and a relatively quiet and peaceful arrival into Santiago can be expected. Accommodation: The whole route is reasonably well provided with public and private albergues and some excellent traditional donativo establishments as well as characterful Casa Rurales and hotels. Accommodation can easily be found within the 20-30 km range throughout with one exception from Casar de Caceres to Canaveral (33km) -a beautiful stage but with no provisions. Pilgrims who are limited to around 20km per day tend to use local buses/taxis to support their Camino when needed. Timings (When to go) This can be tricky with increasingly unpredictable weather, however setting off between the early Spring rains and well before the heat of early Summer should be ideal with an abundance of wild flowers lining the route and long hours of daylight. Summer temperatures can reach above 40 degrees (Centigrade) and should definitely be avoided. Autumn, once the heat of the summer has abated, would also be a good time to enjoy the landscapes of harvest time, dawn walking and sun sets. Waymarking/Difficulty From ancient Roman and replica cylindrical mile markers to plentiful yellow arrows the route is generally well signed throughout. The terrain presents no particular difficulties other than high water crossings and muddy tracks after heavy rains. Its reputation as a ‘hard’ Camino is earned due to the comparative lack or unreliability of intermediate stops for rest and reprovisioning. Hence extra care in planning for the next day’s stage is needed especially on the Via de la Plata. Water fountains and bar stops become a little more frequent in the villages on the Sanabres. Whilst the route is gaining in popularity as an alternative to the busier Caminos, one could expect to enjoy solitude en-route if desired whilst finding plenty of company on arrival in the albergues. Guide Books Gerald Kelly, Walking guide to the Via de La Plata and the Camino Sanabres (2025) is available as a free download (donativo) or the physical book (2024) from the CSJ Shop. Cicerone Pilgrim Route: La Via de La Plata and Camino Sanabres (2023) is available in from the CSJ Shop. Cicerone Cycling:The Ruta Via de La Plata (2022). available from the CSJ Shop. Wise Pilgrim Guide: The Via de La Plata and Camino Sanabres (2024). Available from the CSJ Shop. Manage Cookie Preferences