Quick Facts
- Starting point: Terradillos de los Templarios
- Destination: Bercianos del Real Camino
- Distance: 23 km (14.5 miles)
- Walking time: Around 5 hours
- Difficulty: Medium
- Special features: Optional route via ancient Roman road
Where to Stay in Bercianos del Real Camino
(Check our accommodation recommendations in our eBook – Link down below)
What You Need to Know About Stage 18
Day 18 on the Camino de Santiago takes you from Terradillos de los Templarios to Bercianos del Real Camino – about 5 hours of walking covering 23 kilometers.
You’ll pass through Sahagún today, which some pilgrims following a different stage plan reached yesterday. It’s a good reminder that everyone walks their own Camino at their own pace!
Route option: Today you have the choice to take a variant route along the quiet Via Trajana – an old Roman road. It’s a nice alternative if you want a change of scenery and some historical vibes on The French Way.
Let’s talk about the Meseta: You’re still deep in the Spanish Meseta plateau. Many pilgrims skip this section entirely, calling it monotonous or „the least interesting part.“ Some experienced pilgrims will tell you: „Try to complete this section – it’s the true spirit of the pilgrimage.“
And you know what? They’re right! Sure, it might not be the most photogenic stretch of the Camino Francés, but spiritually? It’s unbeatable. The endless flat landscape, the wind, the simplicity – it strips away the distractions and brings you face to face with yourself and your thoughts. That’s powerful stuff!
Struggling with motivation on the Meseta? Our eBook „Camino Francés for Beginners“ helps you understand why this „boring“ section is actually one of the most transformative parts of the journey and gives you mental strategies for embracing the experience.
Bottom line: Another Meseta day that tests your patience but rewards your spirit. This is where the real inner journey happens!
Buen Camino! 🥾
Map of the Stage: