El Acebo on the Camino
El Acebo is the first village after the descent from Manjarín and the last before Molinaseca, on the Camino Frances towards the Cathedral of Santiago in Santiago de Compostela. Its single street, with houses of stone and slate and long wooden balconies, is one of the loveliest sights of upper El Bierzo. Many pilgrims sleep here so as to tackle the steep descent the next day with fresh legs.
What to see in El Acebo?
Services
El Acebo has hostels and bars, but few other services: it is best to arrive with what you need.
What you will not find
- ATM.
- Pharmacy.
- Repair shop.
- Supermarket.
- Health centre.
Where it is
At 1,145 metres above sea level, El Acebo overlooks the Bierzo valley from the slopes of the mountains of León.
It belongs to the municipality of Molinaseca, another highlight of the Camino Frances.
Population
It has about fifty people, who keep the village alive largely thanks to the Camino.
Nature
It is surrounded by oaks, chestnuts and, as its name says, holly, acebo, a protected species.
Roe deer, wild boar and birds of prey live in the hills.
Heritage
Its wealth lies in its traditional architecture, with balconies jutting out over the street. On the way out of the village there is a monument to Heinrich Krause, a German pilgrim who died here on his bicycle in 1987, and a little further on the hermitage of San Roque.
The surroundings
From El Acebo you can go down to Compludo to see its water-powered medieval forge, one of the jewels of El Bierzo.
Food
The food is already in the Bierzo style: botillo, empanada, cured meats and chestnuts.
In short
El Acebo, in the municipality of Molinaseca, is a street of stone and wood hanging over El Bierzo: a good place to sleep before the great descent.
| Country | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Autonomous community | Castile and León | |
| Provincia | Leon Province | |
| Comarca | El Bierzo | |
| Judicial district | Ponferrada | |
| Municipality | Molinaseca | |
| Location | 42°29′57″N 6°27′28″W | |
| Elevation | 1,145 metres | |
| Population | 52 inhab. (INE 2017) | |
| Postal code | 24413 | |
| Dialling code | 987 | |