The stage, step by step
Leaving Puebla de Sanabria
Use Puebla to buy water and food: you have Dia, Carrefour Express and Super Vaquero, as well as a wide choice of restaurants. The first kilometres leave the town behind and gradually take you into the mountain landscape.
The last points before gaining height
Fuente El Salgueiro and Fuente de Santiago appear around km 10. Albergue Municipal and Alimentación Dory are in the section before the climb; after that, shopping and eating options become very scarce.
Climbing to Alto de Padornelo
Between km 12.8 and km 20.8, you tackle 361 m of ascent at an average gradient of 4.5%. It's the first major climb on the Camino Sanabrés: go slowly, pace yourself from the start and don't try to make up time on the first ramps.
Long descent to Lubián
From the high point, you begin a 357 m descent to km 29. Silva lies in the final section, before Lubián. Fonte da Paneira and Ferreras appear close to the destination.
What to see on stage 5
Alto de Padornelo
It's the stage’s main physical landmark and the first significant climb on the Camino Sanabrés. The effort is concentrated in a sustained ascent before the long descent towards Lubián.
Castro de las Muradellas (Lubián)
This historic settlement lies hidden among the mountains, on a promontory surrounded by a meander of the Tuela. Its position between high mountains and a precipice explains its defensive character.
Santuario de La Tuiza (Lubián)
The sanctuary is dedicated to the Virgin and stands in this borderland between Zamora and Galicia. It's a particularly fitting visit at the end of a stage that also marks a change of territory.
Sierras Segundera y Gamoneda
The stage runs between these two mountain ranges through a clearly mountainous landscape. In wet weather, loose stones and waterlogged sections may appear, so take care with the ground.
Where to sleep in Lubián
Puebla de Sanabria has several options for starting or resting before the climb: Albergue Casa Luz, Hotel Rural Villa Dos Infantas, La Trucha and Carlos V. Casa Cerviño appears in the middle section. On reaching Lubián, you can choose between Albergue Municipal and Albergue de Peregrinos; book ahead if you don't want to face the final descent unsure of where you'll sleep.
Where to eat and refuel
Puebla de Sanabria is the key place for eating and shopping: El Molino de Sanabria, La Casona de Sanabria, Caparrota, Mesón Abelardo, Sidrería La Guaja, La Pascasia, Plaza de Armas and Casa Paca are some of the options. After that, the choice becomes much smaller; Estanco and bar Silva appear along the way, but buy food before leaving and don't expect to sort out the whole day en route.
Practical tips for this stage
Carry extra water
The recommendation for this stage is to carry at least 1.5–2 litres. You can use Fuente El Salgueiro and Fuente de Santiago, but don't rely on finding an open spring at every point.
Start early
The climb between km 12.8 and km 20.8 is long, and the stage ends with a 357 m descent. Setting off early lets you tackle the mountains in cooler conditions and reach Lubián with time to spare.
Prepare for the terrain
There are loose stones and, in wet weather, waterlogged sections. Wear footwear with good grip and take care on the descent too, when fatigue can lead to a misplaced step.
Don't forget warm clothing
The stage reaches a maximum altitude of 1351 m. Even if you set off in good weather, take an extra layer for the high ground and check the state of the waymarking before leaving.
Frequently asked questions about stage 5
What is the hardest part from Puebla de Sanabria to Lubián?
The climb between km 12.8 and km 20.8: it gains 361 m at an average gradient of 4.5%. It's the main ascent of the day.
How much do you descend after Alto de Padornelo?
Between km 20.8 and km 29, there's a 357 m descent at an average gradient of 4.3%.
Are there services during the climb?
There are specific points such as Casa Cerviño, Albergue Municipal and the springs around km 10, but the choice is limited. The sensible approach is to leave Puebla with enough food and water.