Walking the Camino Olvidado: Spain’s Forgotten Camino (Almost No Pilgrims!)

The Camino Olvidado is one of Spain’s quietest Caminos under 800 pilgrims a year. In this video, I walk it from Bilbao all the way to Villafranca del Bierzo. If you’ve ever wanted a Camino with real adventure, fewer crowds, and raw beauty, this is it. Walking the Camino Olvidado is nothing like the crowded Frances or the busy Norte. Fewer than 600 to 800 people walk this route each year, and you feel that the moment you step out of Bilbao and leave the Guggenheim behind. This Camino is quieter, rougher, more remote—and honestly, far more of an adventure. In this video, I’ll show you exactly what it’s like to walk this forgotten Camino day by day: the long stretches with no services, the surprise towns, the hidden albergues, the moments of getting lost, the sudden changes in weather, and the incredible views that make every tough climb worth it. Have you ever wondered what the Camino felt like 20 to 30 years ago, before all the crowds? This comes pretty close. What you’ll experience in this episode: • Following arrows through forests, valleys, and tiny villages • Long days with no bars, no shops, sometimes no pilgrims for days • Donativo albergues and the incredible hospitaleros who keep this route alive • Beautiful climbs, foggy mornings, heatwaves, and sudden storms • Roman roads, forgotten train lines, wide empty plains, and remote mountain passes • Meeting the five pilgrims I saw in total on the entire route • The final approach into Villafranca del Bierzo to finish the Camino Why this Camino surprised me: The Camino Olvidado isn’t easy. Some days were 30+ km with no services. Some mornings I didn’t find coffee until noon. Some arrows were missing, and I had to rely on GPX tracks. But every day felt real. It felt like a true pilgrimage—simple, quiet, and deeply rewarding. If you’re thinking about doing a Camino that is: • Less crowded • More authentic • Physically challenging • Historically rich • And still almost untouched …this is one you should seriously consider. Stay with me until the end—I’ll show you the certificate, the final bend into Villafranca, and why this route might be one of my all-time favorites. If you enjoyed this video, feel free to ask anything in the comments. I answer every question. And if you want to follow more quiet Caminos, long-distance adventures, and lesser-known routes, make sure to subscribe. Buen Camino! 00:00. Intro 00:36. Stage 1 Bilbao to Zalla 03:47. Stage 2 Zalla to Villasana de Mena 06:37. Stage 3 Villasana de Mena to Espinosa de los Monteros 11:16. Stage 4 Espinosa de los Montereros to Pedrosa de Valdeporres 16:49. Stage 5 Pedrosa de Valdeporres to Arija 22:13. Stage 6 Arija to Olea 27:27. Stage 7 Olea to Aguilar de Campoo 31:14. Stage 8 Aguilar de Campoo to Cevera de Pisuerga 35:27. Stage 9 Cevera de Pisuerga to Guardo 38:54. Stage 10 Guardo toPuente Almuhey 41:49. Stage 11 Puente Almuhey to Cistierna 44:49. Stage 12 Cistierna to Boñar 47:48. Stage 13 Boñar to La Robla 50:41. Stage 14 La Robla to La Magdalena 53:52. Stage 15 La Magdalena to Riello 56:59. Stage 16 Riello to Fasgar 01:01:03. Stage 17 Fasgar to Igüeña 01:05:56.Stage 18 Igüeña to Congosto 01:09:51. Stage 19 Congosto to Cacabellos 01:11:45. Stage 20 Cacabellos to Villafranca del Bierzo