Carcaboso to Aldeanueva del Camino
The Queen Stage of the Vía de la Plata: the longest of the whole route, with the Arch of Cáparra as the great highlight.
Best season: Set off very early and carry enough water and food: there are no villages on the official route
Map
- Carcaboso
- Aldeanueva del Camino
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 Carcaboso to Aldeanueva del Camino is 38.3 km along the Vía de la Plata. It's stage 15, with 400 m of ascent and 153 m of descent, completed in about 9h 30min. Difficulty: Hard.
38.3 km is the editorial distance, the one guidebooks use for planning. The IGN GPX track below the map measures 43.1 km: it can differ because of route variants, the exact start and end points, and the access paths into villages, which it leaves out. Neither figure is the road distance between the two towns.
The Queen Stage of the Vía de la Plata
Known as "the Queen Stage of the Vía de la Plata" for its beauty and length, this is the longest stretch of the whole route: 38.3 km with no settlements on the official path, running mostly along dirt tracks through dehesas and wooded areas on a very solitary day.
Halfway through the stage comes the great highlight: the Arch of Cáparra, a four-sided Roman monument considered the unofficial icon of the whole Vía de la Plata. Next to the arch there's an interpretation center explaining the history of the ancient Roman city of Cáparra.
Anyone needing services can detour to Valdeobispo (7.1 km from Carcaboso) or extend the route to Plasencia (12 km off the path) or Oliva de Plasencia (6.6 km off the path), though most pilgrims complete the stage as it's laid out.
What the terrain is like, section by section
Terrain
Dirt tracks through dehesas and wooded areas, with no major elevation changes.
Scenery
Extremaduran dehesa and the Arch of Cáparra halfway through the stage.
Path type
Dirt tracks for practically the whole route.
Villages
None on the official route; Valdeobispo, Plasencia and Oliva de Plasencia lie off the path.
Water points
None on the official route: leave Carcaboso with enough reserves.
Shade
Good on the dehesa and woodland stretches.
Traffic
Practically nonexistent: it's a very solitary day.
Key fact
At 38.3 km with no villages, it's the longest stage on the whole Vía de la Plata.
Staying in Aldeanueva del Camino
Aldeanueva del Camino offers accommodation for pilgrims after this demanding day.
Accommodation in Aldeanueva del Camino
A pilgrims' albergue in the village, a good place to rest after the longest stage on the route.
Eating in Aldeanueva del Camino
Aldeanueva del Camino has basic dining services for pilgrims.
Simple Extremaduran cuisine
Local bars with pilgrim's menus in the village center.
Stops with history on this stage
The Arch of Cáparra
A four-sided Roman monument, unique of its kind on the Iberian Peninsula, and the unofficial icon of the whole Vía de la Plata.
The interpretation center
Explains the history of the ancient Roman city of Cáparra, of which the arch is the best-known remnant.
Spend a good while at the Arch of Cáparra and its interpretation center: it's by far the great milestone of this stage and of the whole route.
Getting there and back
If you're starting here: Carcaboso has limited bus connections; Plasencia, a bit further, offers better options.
If you need to get back from Aldeanueva del Camino: it has bus connections with Plasencia and other towns in the area.
What to know before this stage
Set off very early
With 38.3 km and about 9.5 hours of walking, every hour of daylight matters.
Carry enough water and food
There are no villages on the official route: prepare well in Carcaboso.
Don't rush at the Arch of Cáparra
It's the great milestone of the stage: it deserves an unhurried stop.
Pace yourself
It's the longest stage on the whole route: keep a steady pace from the start.
Don't ruin this stage
Setting off without enough water and food
There are no services at all on the official route of this stage.
Leaving Carcaboso late
With nearly 9.5 hours of walking, every hour of daylight counts.
Rushing past the Arch of Cáparra
It's the unofficial icon of the whole Vía de la Plata: don't miss it.
Underestimating the stage length
At 38.3 km, it's the longest on the whole route: plan it with respect.
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 from Carcaboso to Aldeanueva del Camino?
Why is it called "the Queen Stage"?
What is the Arch of Cáparra?
Are there villages on this stage?
Is this stage difficult?
Browse the stages
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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