Stage 19: Mansilla de las Mulas - León Distance: 17.5km
Mansilla de las Mulas
Head out of Mansilla de las Mula, crossing a stone bridge over the Río Esla and onto the path parallel to the main road.
The hill on the right is the site of an ancient hill fortress and settlement of Lancia, Celtic Asturians, before they were taken by the Romans in 25BC.
Continue on for a few kilometres, crossing the Río Moro into Villamoros de Mansilla with it's Iglesia de San Esteban.
Pass through the village and after 2km cross the Río Porma via the Puente Ingente, a 20 arch bridge which leads you into Puente Vilarente.
Puente Vilarente
Information
There was once a donkey ambulance service in the village which took sick pilgrims from the pilgrim hospice into León but unfortunately this is no longer in operation.
There are restaurants, cafes and shops in the village.
Accommodation
Albergue El Delfín Verde, Calle El Romero. Tel: (0034) 987 31 20 65
Beds: 30 in different rooms. Open all year.
Albergue San Pelayo, Calle El Romero 9. Tel: (0034) 987 31 26 77
Beds: 64. Open all Year. Has cooking & laundry facilities as well as internet access.
Hostal Casablanca *, Carretera Adanero-Gijon. Tel: (0034) 987 31 21 64
Hostal La Montaña **, Calle Camino de Santiago 17. Tel: (0034) 987 31 21 61
Continue through Puente Vilarente and continue walking uphill, passing over the Canal del Porma and past a rest area to Arcahueja
Arcahueja
Accommodation
Albergue La Torre. Tel: (0034) 987 20 58 96.
Beds: 20 over 3 rooms. Open all Year. Has kitchen facilities. Also offer hostal rooms.
Take the first left if you want to detour to the village of Valdelafuente, or else continue on uphill past some factory buildings. Take a left when you reach the N601 road. If you want to stay at León's campsite stick to the N120 road.
Go as far as the roundabout, follow the path around it and continue on the N601 until you come to a small foot bridge, you shoud be able to see León's cathedral from here.
Cross the foot bridge and and head downhill until you reach Puente Castro and a tourist informaton at the bridge over the Río Torío.
Puente Castro is now a suburb of León which has plenty of bars and cafés.
Go down the Avenida Alcalde Miguel Castaño into Plaza de Santa Ana with it's fountain. Take a left at the Iglesia de Santa Ana into Calle Barahona and through the Puerte Moneda.
Just before you come to the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Mercado take a right on Calle Escurial to the Monasterio de las Benedictanas and it's albergue in the old town of León.
León
Information
León was founded by the Romans in the 1st century and it's name is derived from Legion. It became the capital of the old kingdoms of Asturias and León and over time was conquered by the Visgoths, the Moors, and then by the Christians. It then became the centre of Christian Spain.
It sits along the banks of the Río Bernesga and is the last major city on the Camino de Santiago, before it climbs west into the sierras that separate Castilla from Galicia.
León's cathedral, , described as the "Sistine Chapel" of Spanish Gothic & Romanesque architecture and the old Hospital de San Marcos are the key points of this former Roman encampment.
More information on León
Accommodation
Albergue Municipal, Calle Campos Góticos. Tel: (0034) 987 08 18 32 / 987 08 18 33
Beds: 70. Open all year. Email: alberguedeleon@hotmail.com
Albergue Santa María de Carbajalas, Monasterio de las Benedictanas, Plaza Santa María del Camino. Tel: (0034) 680 64 92 89
Beds: 180 in several dormitories. Open all year. Has laundry facilities. Also offers hostal rooms.
Youth Hostal Miguel de Unamuno. Calle San Pelayo 15. Tel: (0034) 987 23 30 10
Email: migueldeunamuno@terra.es
Hostal Reina *, Puerta de la Reina 2. Tel: (0034) 987 20 52 12 / 987 20 52 00
Check here for great deals on hotels in León or check here to see if there is any budget hostel accommodation in the area
Parador de San Marcos *****. Plaza de San Marcos 7. Tel: (0034) 987 23 73 00
Email: leon@parador.es Website: www.parador.es
More information on León