‌ALTERNATE ROUTE from Villafranca to TRABADELO, VIA PRADELA +1.7km

Camino Frances

To end of camino
180.4

Villafranca del Bierzo

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0.50

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‌ALTERNATE ROUTE from Villafranca to TRABADELO, VIA PRADELA +1.7km

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4.80

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Pereje

‌ALTERNATE ROUTE from Villafranca to TRABADELO, VIA PRADELA +1.7km

If you fancy a climb and a not too long detour, look for a narrow path on your right immediately after crossing the bridge. It looks like a hastily poured concrete drive and starts off quite steep. The way offers much better views with little to no traffic and it passes through a chestnut forest. There is one town along the way, Pradela, which has a bar and a small albergue.

The route via Pradela adds less than two kilometers of distance to the day, but a not insignificant amount of elevation gain/loss. The two routes rejoin in Trabadelo.

Notice

The start of this route is not marked, so if you want to follow it pay close attention after you cross the bridge.
There may be an old woman there warning against the dangers of wolves, of traveling alone as a single woman, or any other strange and deranged reasons. Ignore her and carry on your merry way.

City Map

Comments

13. August 2025 - 7:54

All Caminos App User (not verified)

The only time since Saint John that I got lost
Its beautiful however locals put wrong arrows to mislead you to their bars and its super easy to loose the track.

20. July 2025 - 22:23

All Caminos App User (not verified)

The app red trail took me into fields as the tracks disappear I found my self having to drop onto the road near the top to get my bearings. Basically felt I was lost for a while. It does seem odd to me that an app I paid for doesn’t keep the app up to date.

20. June 2025 - 16:20

All Caminos App User (not verified)

Hot weather not the time to take this alternate route. Climb is ok but the additional travel time and distance to a ghost town. No food, no Albergue, no drinks. Few residents but not happy to see pilgrims. The descent is poorly sign posted and the descent into Trabadelo is a poor service track, the sign leading to the last 500m is difficult and muddy with over grown weeds. I was second guessing myself along this route.
The traffic noise for the first section of the route is noisy but views well worth it. A mixed bag response for a mixed route.

10. June 2025 - 20:01

All Caminos App User (not verified)

Other than the first steep bit not that hard. no where near as challenging as o cebreiro anyway. Longer than stated though. WP has Cacabelos to las Herrerias as 28.5 on regular route so if add the 1.7 should be just over 30km. My garmin said it was 32.5 this way. So was long day and llamas closed but water tap in the town on left as you enter if needed. Highlight of CF for me

22. May 2025 - 9:44

All Caminos App User (not verified)

The mountain path is just gorgeous. Solitude, peace, views, etc. about 6miles to pradela and there was nothing there. No cages open, including Llamad. Then 45 walk down road totrabadelo. Pretty in spring. If you go this route -follow clear signs to pradela and then take the road to left in town in order to leave. Google maps will help

20. May 2025 - 18:35

All Caminos App User (not verified)

Think of it as a hike and not a walk. Like others say, the first part of the trail is steep but doable if you go slow, it then becomes less steep and rolling hills. The views are pretty. The chestnut trees show up around mile 5. I would bring at least 1.5 liters of water since there is nothing out there. Do not follow the red dots near the end - it takes you to an unkept trail and I got lost - perhaps bad with direction but the trail to me disappeared. There are two forks in this section. The first fork I went to the left and it was good. Second fork go towards the town and not following app

8. October 2024 - 18:31

All Caminos App User (not verified)

Once you encounter crossroads in the chestnut orchards, do not follow the red dots on the Wise Pilgrim map. It may send you expeditiously to Trabadela, and not at all near Predela, or it may get you lost and in trouble with a farmer. The WP dots send you into unmarked territory under the chestnut trees and you will need to have a good sense of direction and little aversion to trespassing to find your way through. Instead, follow the yellow signs that point to Pradela, or pick your way through the orchards on visible vehicle tracks tending toward the right when in doubt early and to the left when in doubt later.

4. October 2024 - 21:57

All Caminos App User (not verified)

The alternative route is so beautiful!!!!
If you feel like climbing a little bit, please take this route. It’s mainly a climb in the beginning.

It’s not a dangerous hike but be aware that there aren’t a lot of people around. So I wouldn’t go there in the dark.

Also the albergue lamas is just amazing, very kind people and lots of lovely animals

28. September 2024 - 19:36

All Caminos App User (not verified)

Take the mountain route - and when you do, stay at albergue Lamas.
It’s a detour, yes. But it’s enjoyable all the way.
For us, the trail was clearly marked. There’s only really one road to follow. Some say it’s brutal. Depends on your physical condition and shape. We didn’t find it to rough. It around 450 meters of elevation, but on solid path. If you enjoy inclines and elevations, just go for it.
We continued on after Villafranca as most beds were full, and didn’t regret it. Our best night in an albergue, with just the best hostesses.

10. September 2024 - 15:54

All Caminos App User (not verified)

Follow the arrow to the right straight after the bridge, yes it’s steep and you need a little “mountain goat” in you but seriously it’s worth it. It has to be one of my most favourite days, once you get up there the views are sensational and it really flattens out with a few undulating kms. As you stroll along you walk amongst the chestnut trees and when you stop in Pradala at the Albegue you have to try the chestnut cake, it was amazing, coffee was also excellent and the hosts just beautiful. I would do this alternative route again in a heart beat.