Spanish tourism officials suspect the risky practice - which is being done even when the detour puts pilgrims at risk - has been perpetrated by bar owners.
"The problem is the bad image that this gives to the pilgrimage as well as the city of Ponferrada," Roger de la Cruz, president of the Friends of the Camino de Santiago, told the Times.
"The signs on the Camino are sacred and they cannot modify it for commercial or personal interests."
Every year hundreds of thousands of people walk across northern Spain to Santiago de Compostela, where the remains of the apostle Saint James are thought to be buried and also a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The introduction of a standard yellow symbol to stop walkers being led astray is in the works.
Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily newsletter and receive more stories like this straight to your inbox every morning.
