El Acebo

Camino Frances

To end of camino
220.3
Altitude
1150

Manjarín

6.80

El Acebo

3.40

Riego de Ambrós

Services
Bar
Yes
Grocery
Yes

El Acebo is a beautiful mountain village strung along a single stone street, clinging to the hillside at about 1,150 m. Slate roofs, stone walls, and balconies overhanging the narrow road give it an alpine character that's quite different from the meseta villages behind you.

A memorial at the entrance honors a pilgrim cyclist who died on the steep descent from the Cruz de Ferro — a sobering reminder of how demanding this section can be.

Several albergues and bars serve the village. The Mesón El Acebo has a good reputation for home cooking. This makes a reasonable stopping point if the descent from the Cruz de Ferro has been hard on your legs.

History

El Acebo received a royal charter exempting its residents from taxes in exchange for maintaining the mountain path and assisting pilgrims in snow — a duty they took seriously, as the income from the exemption depended on the road staying open.

The Road

The descent continues steeply to Riego de Ambrós and then Molinaseca. The path is paved in sections but the gradient is relentless. Take your time.

Comments

Camino de Sant…

Stayed at La Casa del Peregrinos September 2021. Cost €57 for myself and my wife for bed, breakfast and 3 course evening meal, with wine. It is very clean, the staff are friendly and the views are spectacular. Has to be one of the best stops on the Camino.

Camino de Sant…

La Rosa del Agua - first bar on left as you enter town. The empanadas are fantastic (beef and tuna)! And the big salad, a god-send. If you’re wanting some vegetables, the salad is the best I’ve had since entering Spain - mache, spinach, frisée, strawberries, onion, clementine, cashew, almond, walnut, sunflower seeds, tuna, avocado. A true big salad - fresh and filling. (8 April 2022) The owner is a Texan, and told us to mention he’s handsome.

Camino de Sant…

Great bar on the left as you enter town. The owner is from Texas and super friendly. Tortilla and empanadas were very good

Camino de Sant…

Good bar, average dormitorio