Explore different kind of landscapes day after day
Discover Unesco World Heritage sites in beautiful Merida
Time travel along 2000 years of history following an ancient Roman route.
Indulge yourself in en-suite rooms and with a high level of comfort all along the way.

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Departures:

>Self-Guided
Any time, all year round!

>Guided
See Guided Departures page

This Walking Holiday explores the 2nd section of Via de la Plata, the longest of all Camino routes to Santiago de Compostela! It runs through the whole country from South to North, from the hot Andalusian plains to the green mountains of Galicia, from Arabian influenced buildings to traditional stone farmhouses and much more! This Camino in its whole offers most of Spain’s rich and mixed culture.

From Monesterio, the Camino stretches through the South of Extremadura, a region of dry and sparsely populated farmlands. Walking through dry lands with little shade can be seen as challenging but we have split most stages in short enough days and the geography of the flat ground presents no particular difficulty so it only requires an average level of fitness. Olive tree orchards, vine plots and wild flowers add patches of colours to the dominated red earth landscape. Roman influence is still predominant in the area as you will notice, either with the many bridges crossed along the days, either in cities such as Zafra or Merida where there is plenty to see and enjoy!

Day 1 – Monesterio
Monesterio is strongly linked to the history of the Camino de Santiago when Templars from the Order of Santiago brought wealth to the town back in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Nowadays, few remains witness of this heritage and Monesterio is a quiet Extremadura town.

Town: ATM, Internet, shops, all facilities

Day 2 – Monesterio to Fuente de Cantos (5h30, 22km, +100m -300 m)
Today the Camino can be quite exposed, walking on long undulated tracks, even though scatered oak holms and fig groves provide you with shelter from the sun here and there. Few kilometres after Monesterio, don't miss the 5000 years old megalithic, 10 metres off the track. Gazing pigs will probably be the only inhabitants you will see along the way, as the Camino here doesn't pass through any village before reaching Fuente de Cantos, a pretty village.

Town: ATM, shops, all facilities. Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Day 3 - Fuente de Cantos to Zafra (6h30, 26km, +100m -200m)
When leaving Fuente de Cantos, we follow an ancient Roman route and we start to see the first vines of this section, a sign of changing soil. Few kilometres further on, we pass through Calzadilla de los Barros. Then, it is an isolated and peaceful stroll along undulated dirt tracks, bordered by vine plots and olive tree orchards. The walking day ends up in Zafra, a charming old town.

Town: ATM, Shops, all facilities Accommodation: En-suite. 2* accommodation or equivalent. Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Day 4 – Zafra to Villafranca de los Barros (5h15, 21km, +100m -200m)
The first few kilometres after Zafra gently climb up before zigzaging down to the whitewashed town of Los Santos de Maimona. Then, it is an enjoyable up and down walk through farmlands, vines and olive trees with nice views over the surrounding countryside.

Town: ATM, Shops, all facilities Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Day 5 – Villafranca de los Barros to Almendralejo (4h15, 17km, -100m)
Leavin Villafranca de los Barros, we find ourselves surrounded mainly by vines as the area produces a well-known wine. The flat ground and short distance to Amendralejo makes today an easy and nice stroll through the countryside.

Town: ATM, Shops, all facilities Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Day 6 - Almendralejo to Merida (6h30, 26km, -100m)
After Almendralejo, we start to see mountains in the distance to our right and the crops also diversify as sunflower and cereal field alternate with vines and olive tree orchards. Toremegia is the only town we pass through before continuing through the countryside before getting back to civilisation when approaching Merida and its rich historical heritage.

Town: ATM, Shops, all facilities Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Day 7 – Merida
After breakfast, we bid you farewell.

Town: ATM, Internet, shops, all facilities Meal: Breakfast

• Luggage transferred from hotel to hotel
• En-suite rooms
• Half Board during the hike
• Detailed Walking Notes
• Map
• Pilgrim passport

• Flights
• Insurance (recommended)
• Drinks
• Dinners in Monesterio and Merida
• Transfer from/to airport