Winter has arrived to the Iberian Peninsula without an Autumn! Temperatures went down 20 degrees within 24h a few days ago and warm weather is officially gone. The first snow has covered the mountains in the last few days.

Despite the cold temperatures, Winter is one of the quieter times for those looking for a solitary experience when walking or cycling to Santiago de Compostela. Definitely, a challenging life adventure! However, some advice must be considered to avoid surprises.  Even when temperatures are not freezing, fog, ice, snow and less hours of light can leave Pilgrims in a hazardous situation.

The Pyrenees, the Montes de León and the ascend to O’Cebreiro along the French Way or the ascents along Via de la Plata are some of most dangerous points during Winter season. The Winter Way is the perfect detour for those looking to avoid the hard times in the picturesque village of O Cebreiro.

The French covered in the snow

The French covered in the snow

The Winter Way

The winter Way is still unknown to many, but it is one of the Official routes of the Camino de Santiago. The origin of this variant of the Camino de Santiago is hidden in its name; during the hard winter months, the pilgrims avoided the harshness and snows of the mountains to follow alternative routes. This is the case of the Winter Road, which for much of its route follows the course of the Sil River, fitted and sheltered, with milder temperatures. Peaceful trails, Romanesque churches and vineyards from Ribeira Sacra are just some of the perfect excuses to avoid the snow.

A path through the Winter Way without snow

A path through the Winter Way without snow