The Stages of Mansilla de las Mulas

Mansilla de las Mulas ©Panoramio David Peloquin

Mansilla is located just 19 kilometres from León. Those pilgrims who want to start their journey to Santiago from here should ideally travel to the city of León and from there, travel to the town via a bus link. The opposite case applies to those who want to make a stop in Mansilla and then return to their place of origin.   The company that covers this route is Alsa.

From Mansilla to Leon there are several daily services from 07.43 to 17.50. The journey takes just 25 minutes. On Saturdays the links are reduced to two in the morning and one in the evening and on Sundays, two services depart at the same time (17.50 hours), but with a different itinerary. From Leon to Mansilla there are frequent services between 08.30 to 20.30, and a reduced number on Saturdays, with two trips in the morning and one in the afternoon. On Sundays two buses depart from the city of León, one at 16.15 and the other at 18.30.

Correos offers a delivery backpacks service so you can walk without loads and enjoy the routes and stages. You can also purchase a packaging and shipment of bicycles service. The price is 42,03 euros (VAT included, shipping to mainland Spain). This is available in all offices.

In Mansilla there are four licensed taxis. Those who provide transport in this area are: A. Suárez Morán y hijos (987310153/609724754), Andrés Laiz (609012383); Antonio Villañafe (987311141/609724754), and Taxis Manuel Garcia Taxis (675 042 009). For the transfer of luggage Jacotrans is the main option, the company that covers the entire pilgrimage route. The contact for the stretch of Burgos to Leon is Luis Angel. To contact call: 650451540 or jacotransburgos@gmail.com). Rates are from 7 euros.

The normal procedure is for those sleeping in public shelters- thus, unable to reserve a place at their next accommodation until their time of arrival-is to assign a bar or another destination point where they can collect it. For those staying in private hostels or hotels, the backpack will be waiting for them at their next accommodation. In either case, walkers should call in advance because the service vehicles usually begin distribution before 0900 hours.

By noon, they are already at their destination. Another company that also covers the entire route is Camino Facil. The procedure is identical to that of Jacotrans. Hikers should call or email the day before to have everything planned. Backpacks are delivered to their destination by lunchtime. The rates are normally 7 euros, although prices vary according to the number of people and the number of stages covered (for cyclists), the price may be higher. Contact: 610798138/947585002/947580010; contacto@caminofacil.net