The stage, step by step
Leaving Carrión de los Condes
Sort out everything you need in Carrión before setting off: there are supermarkets such as Dia, Casa Benito, Lupa and Spar, as well as restaurants including Restaurante La Corte, Carta de la Tierra and Restaurante Los Condes.
The long approach to Calzadilla
After leaving Carrión, the Camino opens out into a long succession of plateau tracks. The profile gains 42 m between km 1 and km 14.5, with an average gradient of 0.3%. In the first half, Coffee bar "El camino" offers a possible stop, but it is not a guarantee of a full meal.
Calzadilla de la Cueza
Calzadilla de la Cueza appears after the most isolated section and allows you to break up the day. There you will find the Albergue Municipal de Calzadilla de la Cueza, the Albergue Camino Real and the Hostal Camino Real.
Lédigos and Terradillos
From Calzadilla, you continue towards Lédigos, where you can sleep at the Albergue El Palomar or the Albergue La Morena. Between km 17.3 and km 21.8, the profile gains another 45 m at an average gradient of 1%, before reaching Terradillos de los Templarios and the Albergue Los Templarios.
What to see on stage 17
Calzadilla de la Cueza
Calzadilla de la Cueza is the main intermediate landmark on a stage with very few settlements. Its position makes it the natural place to rest or consider whether you need to split the day.
Lédigos
Lédigos appears after Calzadilla and before the final section to Terradillos. It is a small stop, but it has accommodation for pilgrims and lets you tackle the last part at a more relaxed pace.
Palencia plateau
The landscape is a broad plateau with little relief. The sense of distance comes from both the 26.3 km and the lack of landmarks between the villages.
Terradillos de los Templarios
Terradillos de los Templarios is the destination and retains a name associated with the medieval presence of the Order of the Temple. Reaching it brings one of the long plateau days in this section to an end.
Where to sleep in Terradillos de los Templarios
Carrión de los Condes has the greatest choice at the start, including the Albergue Río Carrión, the Albergue Espíritu Santo, the Albergue Casa de Espiritualidad Nuestra Señora de Belén, the Albergue Parroquial de Santa María and the Albergue del Monasterio de Santa Clara. Calzadilla de la Cueza offers the Albergue Municipal de Calzadilla de la Cueza and the Albergue Camino Real. In Lédigos there are the Albergue El Palomar and the Albergue La Morena; in Terradillos, the Albergue Los Templarios. If you want to sleep at an intermediate point, book in advance: accommodation is very limited and concentrated.
Where to eat and refuel
Carrión is the place to have breakfast, shop and set off properly equipped: you have Restaurante La Corte, Carta de la Tierra, Restaurante Los Condes, Abel and El Doblón, as well as supermarkets such as Dia, Casa Benito and Lupa. After that, the choice becomes very limited; Coffee bar "El camino" appears along the route, but you should not rely on it to sort out all your food. Carry provisions through to Terradillos.
Practical tips for this stage
Leave Carrión with water and food
The first 17 km, to Calzadilla de la Cueza, are the plateau's most famous — and most feared — straight stretch: no village, no bar and no shade. Leave Carrión with a full water bottle and food in your pack; there is nowhere to replenish, even if you want to.
Start early
The 26.3 km and average walking time of 5.8 hours leave little margin if you want to take breaks. Set off early so you can reach Terradillos without turning the final section into a race.
Accept the monotonous section
The route is generally flat, but very open and short on landmarks. Break the day mentally into Carrión, Calzadilla, Lédigos and Terradillos.
Save your legs for the second climb
Although the gradient is gentle, 45 m of ascent build up between km 17.3 and km 21.8. If you arrive tired from Calzadilla, this section can feel longer than expected.
Frequently asked questions about stage 17
How many kilometres are there between Carrión and Terradillos?
The stage is 26.3 km and takes an average of 5.8 hours. It includes 84 m of ascent and 45 m of descent.
Where is the best place for the main break?
Calzadilla de la Cueza is the most important reference point after leaving Carrión. Lédigos comes later, before the final section to Terradillos.
Are there any steep climbs?
There is no particularly steep ramp, but the profile shows a 42 m climb between km 1 and km 14.5 and another of 45 m between km 17.3 and km 21.8.
What altitudes does the stage reach?
The minimum altitude is 823 m and the maximum is 901 m.