Independent arrival in Carcaboso. We booked your hotel room. Proceed to your room, explore Carcaboso, and prepare mind and body for the Camino.

Today, depending on the accommodation, there are two route variants:
Accommodation in Olivia de Plasencia: You will first walk the first kilometers/miles through a beautiful landscape with ancient oaks, until you leave the Way of Saint James at the homestead Ventaquemada and walk about 7 more kilometers/4.3 miles to Olivia de Plasencia.

Distance: 13.2 + 6.7 km. (8.2 + 4.2 mi.) | Difficulty: Easy/ Moderate

Accommodation in Jarilla: Passing the above-mentioned homestead, you will remain on the Way of Saint James and reach the Roman ruins of Cáparra, which also includes the Arch of Cáparra (Arco de Cáparra). About 8.5 kilometers/5.3 miles ahead, you will finally reach the junction that will take you to the accommodation in Jarilla, slightly apart from the Camino.

Distance: 26.4 + 2.2 km. (16.4 + 1.4 mi.) | Difficulty: Easy/ Moderate

Depending on the accommodation, the day continues as follows:
Accommodation in Olivia de Plasencia: You will leave the town and return to the Way of Saint James, which you will reach again near the ruins of Cáparra. Continuing on paths past walls and bushes, you will get closer to the highway and national road, part of which you will have to pilgrimage along.

Distance: 7.5 + 19 km. (4.7 + 11.8 mi.) | Difficulty: Easy/ Moderate

Accommodation in Jarilla: In case the accommodation is in Jarilla, you will first have to walk the short distance back to the Way of Saint James on this day. After that, you will continue on tracks until you reach the national road and highway, and after a few more kilometers/miles, you will reach your destination for the day.

Distance: 2.2 + 12.4 km. (1.4 + 7.7 mi.) | Difficulty: Easy

Today’s stage leads mainly along the national road. Therefore, you might take advantage of a short break in the town of Baños de Montemayor and its healing thermal springs. On the way, you will leave Extremadura and enter the province of Salamanca, part of the municipality of Castile and León. In the valley Río Cuerpo de Hombre, the landscape becomes greener and the path is flanked by deciduous forests.

Distance: 21.9 km. (13.6 mi.) | Difficulty: Moderate

Through vast dehesas, some of which are reminiscent of the African savannah, you will get closer and closer to the Castilian highlands. Once in today’s destination, Fuenterroble de Salvatierra, if you still have time, visit the Gothic church and its Baroque main altar. Starting from Fuenterroble, there is the option to call the hotel located outside about 5 kilometers/3.1 miles for a taxi transfer (cost not included, about 10 euros each way) or walk the remaining 5 kilometers/3.1 miles.

Distance: 20.6+5 km. (12.8+3 mi.) | Difficulty: Easy/ Moderate

In the morning, you either take a taxi transfer back to Fuenterroble or walk back. Afterwards, you continue the pilgrimage through a barren plain until you reach about halfway Cruz de Santiago on the Sierra de la Dueña, from which you will have a great view of the large and steppe-like landscape. On treeless paths, you will then go downhill again until you reach your destination for the day.

Distance: 5 + 28.7 km. (3 + 17.8 mi.) | Difficulty: Moderate, longer stage

On wide paths, you hike past gently rolling fields to Salamanca, Spain’s oldest university city. Explore the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its many sights, such as the Old Cathedral, which offers a great view of Salamanca, and the Plaza Mayor, one of the most beautiful town squares in Spain.

Distance: 24.4 km. (15.1 mi.) | Difficulty: Easy/ Moderate

As there is a not so long stage ahead of you today, you can perhaps use the morning to visit the beautiful city of Salamanca. The pilgrimage route past Salamanca takes you first along a segment parallel to the national highway and then changes to a flat landscape lined with fields until you reach your destination for the day, Calzada de Valdunciel, whose stone houses reflect the common construction style of the region

Distance: 16.8 km. (10.4 mi.) | Difficulty:Easy

Today, you continue through the flat landscape, where only shortly before El Cubo de la Tierra del Vino isolated forests appearing on the horizon offer variety to the eye. The town originally lived from winegrowing, but nowadays it concentrates on the cultivation of grains.

Distance: 9.7 km. (12.2 mi.) | Difficulty: Easy

The landscape becomes more diverse again. You hike through small forests and poplar groves. Stop along the way in Brocal de las Promesas, a wishing and “vow-making” well. You will spend the night in Zamora. Its own charm is also a highlight of the Vía de la Plata. The city also offers many attractions, such as the Plaza Mayor, flanked by the old and new city hall, or one of the Romanesque churches located on or near the pilgrimage route.

Distance: 31.5 km. (19.6 mi.) | Difficulty: Moderate, long stage

Farewell, Zamora; farewell, Camino – and safe travels on your journey back home or to your next adventure! Or, here is another option well-worth considering: to continue onto our next Part 4 of the Via de la Plata, from Zamora to Ourense.

¡Buen Camino!