The best walks and hikes around Torre Del Bierzo

In front of this small sacred monument—even if it is only a very simple wooden cross that the pilgrim/hiker encounters on their journey—I would like to offer the viewer a brief spiritual impulse: The very first words that the newly elected Pope Leo XIV addressed to the faithful from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, even before he bestowed the traditional blessing "urbi et orbi" (to the city and the world): "Peace be with you all! Dear brothers and sisters, this is the first greeting of the Risen Christ, the Good Shepherd... I too wish that this greeting of peace enters your hearts, reaches your families, all people, wherever they are, all nations, the whole earth. Peace be with you! This is the peace of the Risen Christ, an unarmed and disarming peace, humble and persevering. It comes from God, the God who loves us all unconditionally."

The uniquely beautiful plateau up to Foncebadon makes the strenuous climb worthwhile!

It's a great vantage point to pause and enjoy the view after the descent. A small picnic is a must, whether you stay in El Acebo or continue on to Ponferrada.

It is also known as Cruz de Fierro (Iron Cross). A mountain landmark (1504 m) that stands on the French Way in the mountains of León as it passes through the province of the same name, corresponding to the autonomous community of Castilla y León. 230 km from Santiago. It is one of the best-known and most symbolic places of all the Jacobean routes, and perhaps for this reason the most mythologised and exciting, with the Monte do Gozo de Santiago, the first place from which pilgrims on the French Way observe the city of Santiago.

The "iron cross" here on Monte Irago, which is legendary for many pilgrims on the Camino Frances to Santiago de Compostela to the grave of the Apostle James the Greater, has since been replaced by a copy at the original location. The cross, which appears comparatively small due to its enormous height, stands out from a constantly growing pile of stones at the top of a very long tree trunk. Many pilgrims take a stone with them on the Way of St. James and lay it here. This stone symbolizes the burdens and needs of the pilgrims (or their family members and friends at home), who in this way symbolically cast off their worries at this point with the stone, and can thus move on free of them.

The "iron cross" here on Monte Irago, which is legendary for many pilgrims on the Camino Frances to Santiago de Compostela to the grave of the Apostle James the Greater, has since been replaced by a copy at the original location. The cross, which appears comparatively small due to its enormous height, is on the top of a very long tree trunk and protrudes from a constantly growing pile of stones. Many pilgrims take a stone with them on the Way of St. James and place it here. This stone symbolizes the burdens and hardships of the pilgrims (or their family members and friends at home), who symbolically cast off their worries at this point with the stone and can thus move on free of them.

A small village with a few people

Nice place and no mosquitoes