ETAPA 26. VILLAFRANCA DEL BIERZO a O CEBREIRO. CAMINO FRANCÉS.

STAGE 26. VILLAFRANCA DEL BIERZO to O CEBREIRO. FRENCH WAY. 28.4 km Today's stage was spectacular. We left Castile and entered Galicia with the climb to the legendary O Cebreiro. The first part was along the shoulder of the N-6 highway, protected by a concrete barrier, in the Valcarce Valley. The national road has hardly any traffic since the construction of the motorway. We set off very early, after having breakfast at the La Piedra hostel. For much of the stage, the Valcarce River accompanied us with a refreshing symphony until the final kilometers. At Pereje (km 4.8), we slept; at Trabadelo (km 9.7), we stopped for a tortilla sandwich at the first open bar we found. We continued through La Portela (km 13.7); Ambasmestas (km 14.9); We arrived at Vega de Valcarce where we stopped again to refuel and gather strength for the climb. We continued through Ruitelán (km 18.6) and Las Herrerías (km 20.1). Immediately after the Refoxo stream, the climb begins. Short steps and straight ahead. We reached La Faba (km 23.5) and the last Castilian village, Laguna de Castilla (km 25.9). All these villages have hostels and all the services that allow you to shorten the stage. We crossed into Galicia at kilometer 27 of the stage; we immortalized it at the always-painted boundary marker—what a habit!—that indicates the change of region. Just over a kilometer further on is O Cebreiro. We were impressed by the pre-Romanesque church, the pallozas (traditional thatched houses), and the panoramic views. The hostel accommodates more than one hundred pilgrims. There are also rural houses, hotels, and guesthouses. All services are available.