Aldeanueva del Camino to La Calzada de Béjar
The transition stage between Extremadura and Castile and León, with the climb to the Puerto de Béjar along a restored Roman road.
Best season: Spring and autumn; in winter the Puerto de Béjar can occasionally see snow
Map
- Aldeanueva del Camino
- La Calzada de Béjar
FEAACS track published by IGN. Follow current trail signs.
Source: IGN/CNIG · FEAACS · CC BY 4.0 · Accessed:
Gaps in the source file are preserved; no connections have been added.
The Camino Bonsai Café team · Last editorial update:
From Aldeanueva del Camino to La Calzada de Béjar is 21.8 km along the Vía de la Plata. It's stage 16, with 509 m of ascent and 242 m of descent, completed in about 5 h 30 min. Difficulty: Moderate.
Crossing the Sierra de Béjar into Castile
As far as Baños de Montemayor, the stage runs alongside the N-630 road with a slight climb. From there begins the day's great challenge: the ascent to the Puerto de Béjar, possibly the most important mountain pass on the entire Vía de la Plata, along a restored Roman road.
The climb is fairly gradual — about 400 meters of elevation gain over 12 km from Aldeanueva del Camino — though the most demanding stretch is the final 3 km, with around 200 meters of elevation gain concentrated there.
After cresting the pass, the descent toward La Calzada de Béjar runs through a beautiful, peaceful stretch of forest, crossing the Roman Bridge of La Malena over the Cuerpo de Hombre river, down to a cobbled final stretch. It's a symbolic stage: leaving lower Extremadura to enter the highlands of the Meseta, now in Castile and León.
What the terrain is like, section by section
Terrain
Gradual climb to the Puerto de Béjar (about 400 m over 12 km), with the final 3 km stretch the most demanding (200 m elevation gain).
Landscape
From the Extremaduran countryside to the forests of the Sierra de Béjar, with transitional views toward the Meseta.
Path type
Low-traffic road at the start, restored Roman road on the climb, forest trail on the descent, cobblestone on the final stretch.
Villages
Baños de Montemayor, with good services, before the climb to the pass.
Water points
Available in Baños de Montemayor; more limited on the mountain stretch.
Shade
Good on the wooded descent after the pass.
Traffic
Moderate along the N-630 at the start, very low for the rest of the route.
Key fact
The Puerto de Béjar is the great transition of the Vía de la Plata: from lower Extremadura to the highlands of Castile and León.
Staying in La Calzada de Béjar
La Calzada de Béjar has a single lodging option, verified in 2026.
Albergue Alba-Soraya
Private, at the entrance to town, right on the Camino Real de la Plata. 25 beds: 2 double rooms with beds + 2 rooms with 12 beds each. Open year-round, bookable, and does not require a pilgrim credential. Own bar-restaurant. The owners also run two rural houses in the same village. Not on Booking, direct booking (923 416 505 / 646 410 643).
Eating in La Calzada de Béjar
The bar-restaurant at Albergue Alba-Soraya is the town's dining reference.
Bar-restaurant Alba-Soraya
Simple Castilian cuisine, a good way to recover after crossing the Puerto de Béjar.
Historic stops on this stage
Puerto de Béjar and the Roman road
Possibly the most important mountain pass on the entire Vía de la Plata, climbed along a restored stretch of Roman road.
Roman Bridge of La Malena
A bridge of Roman origin over the Cuerpo de Hombre river, in a very peaceful wooded setting.
Baños de Montemayor
A spa town with Roman tradition, with medicinal waters known since antiquity.
Use the climb to the Puerto de Béjar to take in the remains of the original Roman road: walking on a route with over two thousand years of history is one of the great appeals of the Vía de la Plata.
How to get there and back
If you're starting here: Aldeanueva del Camino has bus connections to Plasencia and Béjar.
If you need to return from La Calzada de Béjar: the most practical option is to head to Béjar, with bus connections to Salamanca.
What you should know before this stage
Save energy for the final 3 km of the pass
It's the most demanding stretch of the whole climb, with 200 m of elevation gain concentrated there.
Stock up in Baños de Montemayor
It's the last town with full services before tackling the pass.
Enjoy the Roman road
It's one of the most historic stretches of the whole Vía de la Plata: don't rush here.
Don't ruin this stage
Underestimating the Puerto de Béjar
Although the climb is gradual, the final 3 km concentrate most of the elevation gain.
Not stocking up in Baños de Montemayor
It's the last point with full services before the climb to the pass.
Walking past the Roman Bridge of La Malena
A small detour of attention that's worth it for its historical value.
What to pack, travel insurance and getting around
One single guide with the recommended gear, useful services (insurance, eSIM) and transport options for the whole Camino.
Work out how much it will cost you
Set the days, route and type of trip, and we give you an estimate of the total cost with a full breakdown.
Everything you want to know before this stage
How many kilometers are there from Aldeanueva del Camino to La Calzada de Béjar?
What is the Puerto de Béjar?
Is the climb very hard?
Are there services in Baños de Montemayor?
Is a pilgrim credential required at Albergue Alba-Soraya?
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Ideas for after you finish the Camino
A café waiting for you in Santiago
You still have many kilometres ahead, but once you finish the Camino in Santiago, Bonsai Café is a great spot for breakfast: right in the city centre, with Berraco by Bou specialty coffee and weekend brunch.
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