Suggested Itinerary

Suggested Itinerary

DAY 1 — Arrival in Madrid • Ávila

Arrival in Madrid and private transfer across the Castilian plateau to Ávila, one of Spain’s great Catholic cities.

Behind its famous medieval walls we encounter the city in which Teresa de Cepeda y Ahumada was born on March 28, 1515.

After checking into our accommodation, we gather for an introduction to the pilgrimage and, according to arrival time, celebrate our opening Holy Mass.

Tonight our spiritual director introduces the central idea that will accompany us along the road:

Life itself is a camino.

Dinner and overnight in Ávila.

---

DAY 2 — Ávila: The World of Teresa

Before beginning the long walk toward Alba de Tormes, we devote a complete day to understanding who Teresa was.

We begin at the Convent and Church of La Santa, built on the site traditionally identified with her family home.

We continue to the Church of San Juan Bautista, where Teresa was baptized on April 4, 1515, and where the historic baptismal font is preserved.

Our Teresian pilgrimage through Ávila also includes two places essential to understanding her vocation.

At the Monastery of the Incarnation, we enter the world in which Teresa lived for many years as a Carmelite and where decisive chapters of her spiritual life unfolded.

Then we visit:

San José — Teresa’s First Foundation

Here in 1562 Teresa established the first monastery of her reform, beginning the extraordinary movement that would become the Discalced Carmelites.

Its simplicity gives us our first lesson before walking:

we do not need to carry much to travel toward God.

Whenever possible, Holy Mass will be celebrated at a Teresian or Carmelite church.

The afternoon allows time to explore Ávila, prepare our backpacks and receive our pilgrim credentials.

Tonight, a short reflection introduces tomorrow’s first stage.

Spiritual Theme: Vocation — “What is God asking of me?”

Dinner and overnight in Ávila.

---

DAY 3 — Ávila → Gotarrendura

Walking Stage 1

Approx. 23–25 km / 14–16 miles

Today the pilgrimage truly begins.

After breakfast and morning prayer, we leave the walls of Ávila behind and begin walking north through the Castilian countryside.

The route passes through Narrillos de San Leonardo, Cardeñosa and Peñalba de Ávila, moving gradually from the granite landscape surrounding Ávila into the great agricultural plain of La Moraña. Historic route accounts describe this transition from rougher terrain around Ávila toward broad, gently rolling farmland.

There will be moments for conversation, but also designated stretches of silent walking.

Eventually we reach:

Gotarrendura

Teresa had family connections here and spent periods of her childhood and youth in this rural landscape.

We visit the places associated with her memory, including the traditional Palomar de Santa Teresa, according to opening arrangements.

After completing our first stage, transfer to our accommodation if necessary.

Spiritual Theme: Detachment

What do we discover when we leave the walls behind?

Holy Mass when possible. Dinner and overnight.

---

DAY 4 — Gotarrendura → Fontiveros

Walking Stage 2

Approx. 25–28 km / 16–17 miles

Our second walking day takes us deeper into La Moraña.

The landscape is spacious and remarkably uncluttered: farmland, enormous horizons, small villages and a sky that seems to occupy half the world.

We pass through or near El Oso, Papatrigo, Narros de Saldueña and Collado de Contreras.

At El Oso, the route encounters traces of an even older Castile, including a Vettón stone boar, while Narros de Saldueña is dominated by its distinctive 15th-century castle.

The simplicity of the landscape makes this an ideal day for the Rosary, spiritual conversation and a longer period of walking in silence.

Our destination is one of the great places of Carmelite spirituality:

Fontiveros

Here St. John of the Cross was born in 1542.

We visit the principal sites associated with him, including the Church of San Cipriano, his birthplace tradition and Carmelite heritage.

Teresa’s road has now brought us into the story of the man who would become her great collaborator in the reform of Carmel.

Spiritual Theme: Silence

Where there is no love, put love, and you will draw out love.
— St. John of the Cross

Holy Mass when possible. Dinner and overnight in the Fontiveros area.

---

DAY 5 — Fontiveros → Duruelo → Mancera de Abajo

Walking Stage 3

Approx. 22–25 km / 14–16 miles

Today is perhaps the most distinctly Carmelite stage of the pilgrimage.

Leaving Fontiveros, we continue through the open countryside toward Rivilla de Barajas and Narros del Castillo before approaching a small place of enormous importance:

Duruelo

Its modest appearance hides its significance.

Here, in November 1568, St. John of the Cross and Fr. Antonio de Jesús established the first community of Discalced Carmelite friars, following the reform envisioned with Teresa.

We allow meaningful time here.

Rather than simply photographing another monument, Duruelo should become one of the pilgrimage’s principal moments of silence and recollection.

Depending on arrangements, we celebrate Mass in the area and have time for prayer associated with St. John of the Cross.

We then continue toward Mancera de Abajo, to which the early Carmelite foundation was later transferred.

Spiritual Theme: Simplicity

The great Carmelite reform did not begin with power or grandeur.

It began in poverty, prayer and a radical desire for God.

Dinner and overnight in the area.

---

DAY 6 — Mancera de Abajo → Macotera → Garcihernández

Walking Stage 4

Approx. 20–23 km / 12–14 miles

Today we enter the province of Salamanca and follow the southern branch of the Teresian Route toward Alba de Tormes.

From Mancera, the southern way crosses Macotera, Tordillos, La Lurda and Garcihernández before reaching Alba.

We walk through an agricultural landscape that has changed surprisingly little in its fundamental character: grain fields, villages, church towers and enormous Castilian skies.

At Macotera, we can visit the Church of Nuestra Señora del Castillo, noted for its remarkable wooden ceiling, subject to opening hours.

As the miles accumulate, the pilgrimage naturally becomes quieter.

Our reflections begin turning toward one of Teresa’s greatest spiritual insights:

The Interior Castle

The journey toward God is not ultimately measured in kilometers.

The deepest pilgrimage takes place within the soul.

Spiritual Theme: Interior Prayer

Whenever possible, we celebrate Holy Mass along today’s route.

At the end of the stage, transfer to our accommodation.

Dinner and overnight.

---

DAY 7 — Garcihernández → Alba de Tormes

Walking Stage 5

Approx. 14–17 km / 9–11 miles

Our final walking stage begins differently.

We know that today we will reach the tomb of Teresa.

The morning is therefore intentionally quieter, with part of the route walked in silence.

Across the Salamanca countryside, the towers of our destination eventually appear.

And after more than one hundred kilometers:

We enter Alba de Tormes on foot.

This is where Teresa’s earthly camino ended.

She arrived in Alba gravely ill in 1582 and died here on October 4, 1582.

Our destination is the Monastery of the Annunciation of the Discalced Carmelites, founded by Teresa in 1571.

Here we encounter the place where St. Teresa of Jesus is buried and where major relics associated with her are venerated.

After receiving our final pilgrim stamp, we celebrate, whenever arrangements permit:

The Pilgrim’s Mass

There is then time for prayer at Teresa’s tomb.

We also visit the principal Teresian sites of Alba, potentially including the Basilica of St. Teresa and the Carmelite Museum, according to opening arrangements.

The afternoon concludes with our final pilgrimage reflection.

We began at her birthplace.

We have crossed the landscape that shaped Teresa and John of the Cross.

And we finish where Teresa completed her earthly pilgrimage.

Spiritual Theme: Union with God

Tonight we gather for a special pilgrim farewell dinner.

Overnight in Alba de Tormes.

---

DAY 8 — Alba de Tormes • Madrid • Departure

After breakfast, final morning prayer and departure by private coach toward Madrid.

Depending upon flight schedules, the itinerary can end at Madrid-Barajas Airport, or groups can add one or more nights in Madrid.

End of pilgrimage.