The stage, step by step
Leaving Villafranca behind
The stage begins in Villafranca de los Barros. Make the most of the town for breakfast, food shopping and filling your bottle, because there is no other village before Torremejía.
A long stretch with little change
The middle kilometres pass without any new villages. The profile is very gentle and gains very little height, but the lack of intermediate landmarks can make this section feel monotonous.
The prolonged descent
Around km 13.5, the descent begins and continues to km 24.3. You lose 68 m of elevation at an average gradient of 0.6%, a gentle drop that allows you to maintain a steady pace.
Entering Torremejía
The final kilometres bring you to Torremejía. On arrival, the Iglesia de la Purísima Concepción and the Renaissance palace of the Mexía family are the town’s main sights.
What to see on stage 8
Iglesia de la Purísima Concepción
Torremejía’s main church and a useful landmark when you arrive. You can make it your first stop before looking for accommodation or sitting down to rest.
Palacio renacentista de la familia Mexía
This historic building contains Roman remains and now serves as a pilgrims’ hostel. Its current use is part of the experience of arriving in Torremejía.
Extremaduran plain
The landscape of the stage is its clearest feature: very little ascent, a long gentle descent and a succession of open kilometres between Villafranca and Torremejía.
Where to sleep in Torremejía
Accommodation is concentrated in Villafranca de los Barros: Albergue Tierra de Barros, El Carmen, Alojamientos Extrenatura and Albergue Las Caballeras. If you want to stay in Torremejía, confirm a place before setting off, as everything available is at the starting point.
Where to eat and refuel
Shop for food and eat in Villafranca de los Barros before setting out. Afterwards there is no village or bar where you can stop, so do not expect to improvise during the walk.
Practical tips for this stage
Stock up in Villafranca
Set off with enough water and food for 26.7 km. The stage offers no intermediate settlement where you can remedy poor planning.
Prepare for a monotonous day
There is little elevation change, but the absence of villages between Villafranca and Torremejía makes the route feel very continuous. Set a comfortable pace from the beginning and do not run down your supplies.
Save energy for the end
The descent between km 13.5 and km 24.3 is gentle but very long. Maintaining a steady pace will help you reach Torremejía without overloading your legs.
Frequently asked questions about stage 8
Are there any villages between Villafranca de los Barros and Torremejía?
None. After leaving Villafranca, the next village is Torremejía.
How much elevation change is there?
The stage gains 13 m and descends 128 m, with a minimum altitude of 306 m and a maximum of 425 m.
How long does it take to complete?
It is 26.7 km, taking around 5.9 hours at a normal walking pace.