Castilblanco de los Arroyos to Almadén de la Plata
A long stage with no services along the way, featuring an especially beautiful stretch through the El Berrocal estate, before a more demanding final push up to the Alto del Calvario.
Best season: Autumn, winter and spring; in summer start very early due to the lack of shade and services
Map
- Castilblanco de los Arroyos
- Almadén de la Plata
FEAACS track published by IGN. Follow current trail signs.
Source: IGN/CNIG · FEAACS · CC BY 4.0 · Accessed:
The Camino Bonsai Café team · Last editorial update:
From Castilblanco de los Arroyos to Almadén de la Plata is 28.2 km along the Vía de la Plata. It's stage 3, with 525 m of ascent and 389 m of descent, completed in about 7h. Difficulty: Moderate.
Through the El Berrocal estate into the Sierra Morena
The stage splits into three distinct sections. The first 16 km run over a moderate climb, combining rural roads and dirt tracks, with no intermediate village offering services.
The second stretch crosses the El Berrocal estate, a beautiful dirt-track route through the granite landscape typical of the Sierra Morena, which gives the estate its name ("berrocal" refers to terrain covered in large granite boulders).
The final part combines a gradual approach with short but demanding climbing and descending ramps at the Alto del Calvario, right before reaching Almadén de la Plata, a village with accommodation available at both the start and end of the stage.
What the terrain is like, section by section
Terrain
Moderate climb over the first 16 km, flat stretch through El Berrocal, and short, demanding ramps at the end.
Scenery
Granite landscape of the Sierra Morena, with the El Berrocal dehesa as the main highlight.
Path type
A mix of paved rural roads and dirt tracks.
Villages
None with services between Castilblanco de los Arroyos and Almadén de la Plata.
Water points
Very scarce: no intermediate services on the whole stage.
Shade
Variable, somewhat more in the El Berrocal dehesa stretches.
Traffic
Very light, practically nonexistent for most of the route.
Key fact
It's a long stage with no services: leave with enough water and food for the full 7 hours.
Staying in Almadén de la Plata
Almadén de la Plata offers a simple range of albergues, enough after this long stage.
Accommodation in Almadén de la Plata
A public albergue and some private options in a quiet town in the Sevillian Sierra Morena.
Eating in Almadén de la Plata
With no intermediate villages, all the dining options for this stage are concentrated at the final destination.
Simple mountain cuisine
Bars and restaurants with set menus designed to refuel after the 7-hour walk.
Stops with history on this stage
Granite landscape of the Sierra Morena
A "berrocal" is terrain covered in large granite boulders; this estate offers one of the prettiest and most photogenic stretches of the stage.
The day's last push
Short but demanding climbing and descending ramps right before Almadén de la Plata, after a long day's walk.
Enjoy the silence of El Berrocal: it's one of the most evocative stretches on the whole Vía de la Plata, with a granite landscape unique to this route.
Getting there and back
If you're starting here: Castilblanco de los Arroyos has buses to Seville, though with limited frequency.
If you need to get back from Almadén de la Plata: there are regular buses to Seville.
What to know before this stage
Carry water for the whole stage
There's no reliable water point along the way: leave Castilblanco well stocked.
Bring enough food
It's a 7-hour walk with no intermediate villages: a packed lunch is essential.
Save energy for the Alto del Calvario
The final stretch has short but intense ramps: don't arrive there exhausted.
Take El Berrocal at a relaxed pace
It's one of the most unique landscapes on the route: take the time to walk slowly through this estate.
Don't ruin this stage
Underestimating the stage's length
It's about a 7-hour walk: start early so you don't arrive with poor light.
Not carrying enough water
It's the most serious possible mistake on this stage: there's nowhere to refill along the way.
Forcing the pace before the Alto del Calvario
Save energy for the final ramps, especially on a hot day.
Rushing through El Berrocal
It's one of the prettiest stretches of the Vía de la Plata: don't turn it into a mere formality.
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 Castilblanco de los Arroyos to Almadén de la Plata?
Is this stage difficult?
What is the El Berrocal estate?
Are there intermediate villages on this stage?
What is the Alto del Calvario?
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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