The stage, step by step
Leaving Santa Marta de Tera
Start early and set off with your supplies ready. At the start you have Albergue de Peregrinos, Casa Anita, Alimentacion y Tabacos and Venta Medieval Resaurant, but after that the day becomes very open and rural.
Tracks and paths towards the middle section
The route alternates between forest tracks and dirt paths. Fuente La Ribera appears around km 10.3; afterwards, the profile maintains a gentle climb between km 11.5 and km 17, gaining 37 m.
Occasional stops before Rionegro
Around the halfway point, you'll find Albergue de Calzadilla, Albergue de Peregrinos, Casa Julia and Albergue Rehoboth. You'll also come across La Trucha and El Torero, but it's best not to assume that every service will be operating.
Rionegro and the arrival in Mombuey
Rionegro del Puente comes in the final third of the day, and you can visit the Santuario de la Virgen de Carballeda there. The longest climb begins at km 26.3, gaining 117 m before you enter Mombuey, where the final accommodation and services are concentrated.
What to see on stage 3
Santuario de la Virgen de Carballeda
It's the largest church in north-western Zamora and dates back to the 13th century. Tradition says that the Virgin helped three pilgrims cross the Río Negro, a story closely tied to the route.
Iglesia de Santiago Apóstol (Rionegro del Puente)
Only the belfry survives from the parish church. It stands in a village crossed by the Camino Sanabrés and offers a simple stopping point during a day when places of interest are widely spaced.
Río Negro
The crossing at Rionegro del Puente gives its name to one of the stage’s natural landmarks. The riverside and forest tracks provide a change of atmosphere from Santa Marta’s open fields.
Where to sleep in Mombuey
In Santa Marta de Tera, you can set off from Albergue de Peregrinos or Casa Anita. On the way, Albergue de Calzadilla lies around km 11, followed a few kilometres later by Casa Julia beside another pilgrims’ hostel; further on comes Albergue Rehoboth. Rionegro del Puente has Albergue de Peregrinos Virgen de la Carballeda, the most sensible stopping point if 36.1 km feels too far. If you continue to Mombuey, you have its pilgrims’ hostel and Alojamiento El Pajat. For a stage like this, decide where you'll sleep before setting off and book ahead.
Where to eat and refuel
The safest range of options is in Mombuey, with La Ruta, El Porvenir and El Destino, as well as Covirán, Dia and La tienda de Ana. Along the way you'll find Venta Medieval Resaurant, La Trucha, El Torero, Me gusta comer and El Empalme, but services are irregular and many places close outside the season: leave Santa Marta with enough food and don't base your day on finding an open restaurant.
Practical tips for this stage
Set off before sunrise
It's 36.1 km and the average walking time is 8 hours. The only realistic way to reach Mombuey with time to spare is to start very early, especially in summer.
Carry plenty of water and food
Restock in Santa Marta de Tera. Fuente La Ribera is in the first third of the stage, but there's no chain of guaranteed stopping points throughout the day.
Don't be lulled by the flat profile
The terrain is generally flat, but between km 26.3 and km 34.9 you climb 117 m. This effort comes after you have already been walking for many hours.
Frequently asked questions about stage 3
Is it really as long as it sounds?
Yes. It's 36.1 km and takes 8 hours on average, making it the day that most affects your departure time.
Where can I refill my water?
Fuente La Ribera appears at around km 10.3. Even so, leave Santa Marta with enough water because services along the route are limited.
How much elevation is there despite being a flat stage?
The route includes 223 m of ascent and 54 m of descent. The most notable climb is between km 26.3 and km 34.9, gaining 117 m.