Camino Highlights to Santiago

Our second day of walking the Camino is out the back door of our hotel. This is our two-hill day! It is one of the most challenging days on the route, yet one of the most beautiful. Once we arrive in the hamlet of Biskarete, we travel by van to Alto de Perdon. From this high point, it’s 10 more kilometers to our hotel in Puente la Reina, meaning the bridge of the queen (11th century). This medieval town, built on the river Arga, is the confluence of where several of the principal pilgrimage roads coming from Northern Europe merge and continue west to Santiago. Puente la Reina’s narrow main street, Rua Mayor, is a perfect example of what a pilgrim town was like during the Middle Ages. Later in the day, we will visit the octagonal Romanesque church of Eunate, built in the 12th century by the Knights Templars.

We will set out from the town of Villatuerta, some 5 kilometres from Estella, otherwise known as “Lizarra” in the Basque language, old church. Straddling the Rio Ega, this colourful little town was meant for commerce, encouraging northern Europeans to settle here and enticing pilgrims to pass through its streets. After a visit of the town centre and the church, we will continue our walk to Irache and the Fuente del Vino.
From Torres del Rio, a town most likely founded by the Knights Templars, an optional 12 kilometres will be available for those wishing to walk more to our hotel in the heart of Viana.

We leave the province of Navarra behind us and enter Spain’s most celebrated wine region, La Rioja. We’ll drive to the town of Najera on the River Najerilla and beneath the red cliffs which give the town its name, “between the stone” in Arabic, referring to the cliff dwellings that are visible from the town center. Our walk will take us through vineyards of the La Rioja wine country. Upon reaching Santo Domingo, you will want to visit the 12th century Cathedral of Santo Domingo de la Calzada where a rooster and hen reside inside a 5-star chicken coop above the tomb of St. Domingo.

A guided tour of the cathedral in Burgos is the first thing on our agenda. Before the dusty little Castilian town of Hontanas, as a crossroad in the middle of a wheat field, we will begin our walk to the town of Castrojeriz, set beneath the ruins of a pre-Roman castle, which at one time was a commercial center that prospered as a fortified way station for pilgrims.

Walking from the hotel, our hike will take us up and over a small knoll and into the heart of the breadbasket of Spain. From there, we drive across the flat plains to the monumental city of Leon where we glimpse inside this magnificent cathedral illuminated by 13th century-stained glass and visit the Iglesia de San Isidoro, with preserved 12th century frescos, sometimes referred to as the Sistine Chapel of the Romanesque era. Tonight, in Rabanal, venture out on your own and sample some of the food this region has to offer.

From our hotel, we follow the Camino, passing an ancient hamlet until we reach the Cruz de Hierro where we deposit our rocks we brought from home. Before we move on to the hotel, we visit the Knight’s Templar’s Castle in Ponferrada. We stay near the border of Galicia, but still in Leon.

Today is one of the Camino’s most beautiful walks as we cross the border from Castilla y Leon into green Galicia and the Ancares mountain range. This 13-kilometer climb from the hamlet of Ambasmestas will be the second most challenging hiking days of the pilgrimage to Santiago from Roncesvalles, but memorable as we reach the high Celtic village of O’Cebreiro. Here we visit pre-Roman style dwellings with thatched roofs, a restored pre-Romanesque chapel and pilgrim hospice dating back to the 9th century. At almost 4000 feet, this village is famous for its miracles. The most famous being the at the Holy Grail from which Christ drank from at the last supper was hidden here. Later in the day, we drop into the Torobio River Vally Basin to the town of Triacastela, where pilgrims would pick up a stone to be used in the construction of the cathedral in Santiago. We slumber in for a night at a handsomely restored B&B in the countryside.

Our morning starts out the front door of our Casa Rural. From there, we continue along the Camino to the town of Sarria, where we can enjoy a glass of wine along the river walk. There is an option of visiting another monastery and the 15th century watchtower at the top of the hill. Our hotel is in the town center.

We now have around 100 kilometers to go. More of the well-marked paths will take us through the lush green countryside where farmers are still working hard in the fields of driving their cattle to another pasture to graze. Lunch will be in Portomarin where a large medieval church was reconstructed stone by stone in the 1950’s to make way for a reservoir, damming the Rio Minho for agricultural and recreational purposes.

Our walk from Portomarin this morning will be along a country road leading us to Palas de Rei, Palas of the King, named after an 8th century Visigoth king. After a visit of the tiny 12th century chapel, we drive to a restored farmhouse near Palas de Rei tucked into the countryside.

In the morning, we return to Palas de Rei to continue our walk along the Camino through small villages with numerous religious crosses, small chapels, and tall Galician corncribs. Before our group picnic in Gasteneda, we suggest you stop in the town of Melide at the famous Pulporia to sample one of Galicias specialties – Pulpo Gallego – steamed octopus prepared by the locals and enjoyed by pilgrims! After lunch, we continue our walk to Arzua where its dairy industry is famous for the creamy cow cheese, Tetilla, made in the shape of a woman’s breast.

From Arzua, our journey is dotted with small hamlets hidden amongst tall eucalyptus trees and behind moss covered stone walls. Villages named, Rua, Calzada, and Calle all refer to the word road, recognizing that the pilgrimage road has been leading pilgrims to Santiago for centuries through these tiny villages. We end our day of walking at the Kilometer 14 marker in the town of Amenal.

Today, we embark on the trail for the last time. One notable village along the way is Lavacolla, where pilgrims would wash themselves in the shallow stream before entering Santiago. Just 4 kilometers before reaching Santiago, we encounter Monte del Gozo, also known as Mount Joy, which offers our first glimpse of the cathedral’s towers. According to tradition, the first person in your group to see the church towers has the opportunity to officially change their name to “King” (Rey, Leroy, Le Roi). Our Camino walking journey ends at the steps of the cathedral today. We will gather for a celebratory dinner together.

After a leisurely breakfast and before saying good-bye, a local tour guide and historian will show us the main sights on a two-hour guided walking tour of the city and the cathedral.
* Please note that this itinerary may change slightly due to factors such as accommodation availability, weather conditions, festivals, and spontaneous side trips.

** This trip is not a competition or an endurance race. We ask that everyone respects the different paces and lifestyles of fellow participants on this group journey.

With our support van always close, each day remains flexible, so you can walk the distance that feels right and enjoy the Camino without pressure.

*** There may be instances where we stay for two nights in the same hotel or B&B due to limited accommodation options at the end of our daily walking stages. Many travelers find this beneficial, as it allows you to unpack or take a rest day if you choose not to walk on a particular day.