Vega on the Camino
Vega de Valcarce is the municipal capital and the village with the most services in the valley. The Camino crosses it along the old road, under the high motorway viaducts, and many pilgrims stay here to climb to O Cebreiro the next day.
Above the village rise the ruins of Sarracín Castle, whose origin is attributed to Count Sarracín in the 10th century and which was rebuilt in the Late Middle Ages. It guarded the passage through the valley, the same one pilgrims climb today.
What to see in Vega de Valcarce?
The municipality
The municipality brings together several Camino hamlets: Ambasmestas, La Faba, Ruitelán, Las Herrerías and La Laguna de Castilla, among others, all in the Valcarce valley.
They are mountain villages, surrounded by chestnuts and oaks, linked by country tracks.
Architecture
The houses are of stone and slate, with wooden balconies, and hórreos, mills and fountains survive from traditional life.
Sarracín Castle
Sarracín Castle, on top of a hill, can be seen from all over the valley. It is in ruins, but its walls are still impressive.
You can walk up from the village on a path of just over a kilometre, with good views of the valley.
Services
Vega has what the pilgrim needs:
- Municipal and private hostels.
- Rural houses and small hotels.
- Bars and restaurants.
- Shops, pharmacy and doctor’s surgery.
Food
The cooking is that of El Bierzo:
- Botillo, with cabbage and potatoes.
- Home-made empanada.
- Roasted peppers, cecina, mushrooms and chestnuts.
- D.O. Bierzo wines, above all mencía.
Festivities
The highlights are:
- The patron saint festivities, in summer.
- The chestnut festival, in autumn.
Before O Cebreiro
Vega de Valcarce is the last place with full services before the climb to O Cebreiro, the gateway to Galicia.
Many pilgrims take the chance to shop and rest before the great ascent.
In short
Vega de Valcarce is the centre of the valley: services, a ruined castle above the village and the Galician mountains in the background.
| Country | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Autonomous community | Castilla y León | |
| Province | Leon Province | |
| Comarca | Historical: Valcarce / Admin.: El Bierzo | |
| Judicial district | Ponferrada | |
| Association of municipalities | Bierzo Oeste | |
| Location | 42°39′50″N 6°56′45″O | |
| • Elevation | 630 m | |
| Area | 69.31 km² | |
| Settlements | Ambasmestas, Argenteiro, Bargelas, Braña (La), Castro (El), Cernada, La Faba, Las Herrerías, Laballós, La Laguna, Lamas (Las), Lindoso, Moñón, La Portela de Valcarce, Ransinde, Ruitelán, Samprón, San Julián, San Tirso, Sotogayoso, Treita (La), Vega de Valcarce and Villasinde | |
| Population | 561 inhabitants (2023) | |
| Density | 8.96 inhabitants/km² | |
| Postal code | 24520 | |
| Dialling code | 987 | |
| Website | www.vegadevalcarce.net | |