Today may have been my longest yet — about 32 km. It was meant to be mostly flat, and compared to yesterday it was, but since I took the routes that kept me off the road I had a couple little climbs that left me winded. Not every day will be a glorious one on the Camino, and today was…
Category: Camino de Santiago
Day 28, Stage 25: Rabanal del Camino to Molinaseca
UPDATED to include some photos… commentary not changed. This was known to be a challenging day, and it didn’t disappoint. Rising to the highest point on the Camino, 1,500 m, with a descent back to 600 m, the guides warned us of the steep incline, but even more difficult, the downhill. And the temperature changed and we had a bit…
Day 27, Stage 24: Astorga to Rabanal del Camino
We are at 3,800 feet here in Rabanal del Camino, the last stop before a big climb to the highest point of the entire trip. It’s chilly — clearly autumn and some elevation, but the village is charming. It was only 21 km today, and I walked alone and with some energy made good time. It’s not a race but…
Day 26, Stage 23: Villadangos del Paramo to Astorga
28.5 km today… the longest I’ve done in awhile. The first 11.5 km was alongside the road again, and had it not been for the most glorious sunrise I might’ve been cranky. I walked with Karen as far as Hospital de Orbigo, and then took the scenic route (which was a bit longer) into Astorga. And I’m so pleased I…
Day 25, Stage 22: Leon to Villadangos del Paramo
Lest you begin to think that all of Northern Spain is nothing but charming village and beautiful geography, today’s route must have been specifically designed to alter that perception! The walk out of Leon was just as it would be walking out of any city — suburbs and traffic and noise. The road split about 6 km out of town,…
Day 24: Resting in Leon
What a perfect city in which to have a rest day, although I’m not certain I’d really call it a rest. Such a vibrant place, and in the midst of the Festival of San Froilan, so even more to do and see! One a Roman military garrison, Leon became the capital of the old kingdoms of Asturias and Leon, but…
Day 23, Stage 21: Mansilla de las Mulas to Leon
Just 18.6 km to day, but the second half of it was along the road into this city of 130,000. I walked alone and it was a glorious morning — sunrise over the city walls, across the Rio Elsa, and through farmland and 2 small villages — just me and my shadow. Once closer to the city, it was the…
Day 22, Stage 20: El Burgo Ranero to Mansilla de las Mulas
The 18 km route today is called a senda — a path alongside a road. While it can be a bit monotonous, it is flat and easy on the feet. Having a couple of sameness in the days before Leon, and the upcoming mountains on the other side, seems ok when one is still gaining strength and capabilities each day.…
Day 21, Stage 19: Sahagun to El Burgo Ranero
A short 18 km today along a flat track. We are still in farm country, the high plains, so much of the landscape is as we’ve seen for days. Which is good because I have limited ability to post photos today — pictures not transferring to the Cloud as they should. (The fact that I’m in a town of 250…
Day 20, Stage 18: Caldadilla de la Cueza to Sahagun
After many days of perfect weather, today had threatened to be rainy all morning. But the front moved in late last night, and while cloudy and suggestive of rain, it was a perfect day for walking. We did have about 15 minutes of rain about halfway through the 22 km walk, it gave me the opportunity to try out my…