The stage, step by step
From Tineo to Campiello
Leave Tineo with your rucksack prepared for a long, mountainous day. Early on, you have Fuente de San Juan and, in Campiello, Casa Ricardo provides a useful place to rest, eat or consider staying overnight before tackling the most demanding section.
Campiello, Borres and the fork
At Borres, towards the latter part of the stage, you must choose between the main route down through the valley towards Pola de Allande and the higher Hospitales variant. This is not merely an aesthetic choice: the valley allows you to stop in villages and find shelter, while the ridge means walking in the mountains without services.
The Ruta de los Hospitales
The variant climbs through the Sierra de Fanfaraón and keeps much of the route above 1100 m. For around 15 km there are no villages, bars or reliable water sources; the ruins of Fanfaraón and Valparaíso are the remains of the former medieval pilgrim hospitals.
The main route towards Pola de Allande
If you follow the valley, the route continues towards Colinas de Arriba before tackling the final descent to Pola de Allande. The profile drops 258 m between km 23.3 and 26.3, at an average gradient of 8.6%, so your knees will appreciate arriving with time to spare and walking poles.
What to see on stage 4
Borres
Borres is the decisive point of this stage. Here, the main route separates from the Ruta de los Hospitales, and it is worth stopping for a few minutes to assess the weather, your water supply and your remaining strength.
Fanfaraón and Valparaíso
The higher variant contains the remains of two medieval pilgrim hospitals. Today they are ruins among the heather, not working establishments or places where you should expect services.
Iglesia Románica de Celón
This 13th-century Romanesque church in Allande preserves later Renaissance murals. It is an important heritage landmark in the territory you reach at the end of the stage.
Palacio de Cienfuegos
This architectural complex, dating from the 14th to the 18th centuries, reflects the importance of Allande’s noble families. Its presence helps explain the change from the landscape around Tineo to Allande country.
Where to sleep in Pola de Allande
Tineo offers Albergue Municipal Mather Christi de Tineo, Albergue Palacio de Merás and Albergue La Plaza. If you want to tackle the Ruta de los Hospitales with daylight and fresh legs, many people prefer to stay in Campiello, where you will find Albergue Casa Ricardo, or in Borres, at Albergue Santa María de Borres. If you continue to the end, Pola de Allande has Albergue de Peregrinos de Pola de Allande, as well as La Casita de ABA and Albergue Polagrino. Book ahead if you are planning to set out towards the Hospitales.
Where to eat and refuel
Tineo is the first good opportunity to eat and buy supplies: you have Meson Pajulon, Restaurante Cafeteria Alhambra, El Forin and Dia. In Campiello, Casa Ricardo is a useful stopping point for food and supplies. In Pola de Allande, the choice improves with La Nueva Allandesa, Café Centro, Cafeteria Lozano, Bar Queipo and Jaybor. There are no bars or restaurants on the Ruta de los Hospitales: carry enough food for the entire crossing.
Practical tips for this stage
Do not take the Hospitales in bad weather
Do not choose the variant in fog, strong winds, rain, snow or ice; nor if you are setting off late, travelling alone without mountain experience or do not have enough water for the whole morning. Up there, there are no landmarks, villages or intermediate escape routes.
Decide at Borres, not later
The fork is at Borres. If you choose the Hospitales, tell your group and check the weather before entering the ridge; if you follow the valley, remember that this is the historic option and offers more shelter and places to stop.
Stay overnight before the climb
Campiello or Borres are good places to start the variant with daylight and fresh legs. Albergue Casa Ricardo and Albergue Santa María de Borres allow you to organise the mountain day without rushing out of Tineo.
Take care on the descents
The profile loses 269 m between km 4.8 and 8.3, and another 258 m between km 23.3 and 26.3. On both descents, especially when the ground is wet, take your time and use poles if you have them.
Frequently asked questions about stage 4
Where do you choose between the main route and the Hospitales?
The fork is at Borres. The main route descends through the valley towards Pola de Allande; the higher variant climbs through Fanfaraón and Valparaíso and rejoins the main route at Puerto del Palo, in the following stage.
When should I not take the Ruta de los Hospitales?
Do not take it in fog, rain, strong winds, snow or ice, or if you are setting off late, travelling alone without mountain experience or do not have enough water for the whole morning. For around 15 km there are no villages, bars, reliable water sources or escape routes.
Why stay overnight in Campiello or Borres?
Staying there allows you to start the Hospitales with daylight and fresh legs. In Campiello you have Albergue Casa Ricardo, and in Borres Albergue Santa María de Borres; setting out from Tineo may mean reaching the ridge section late.
How long does it take to walk from Tineo to Pola de Allande?
The stage is 26.3 km long and takes 6.2 hours on average. The terrain is mountainous and includes 553 m of ascent and 687 m of descent, without counting the additional effort of choosing the Hospitales variant.