Spain – Easy Hiking on the Camino de Santiago

Your tour departs this morning after breakfast from our meeting point in the hotel lobby in Bilbao. (You might plan to arrive in Bilbao the day before the tour starts in order to get over your jet lag and prepare for your adventure.) We will have a private group transfer through Northern Spain's scenic countryside to the unique church of St. Mary of Eunate, amidst the vast fields of Navarra. Its striking architecture and air of mystery make it one of the most intriguing stops for pilgrims and hikers, and a perfect spot to start your epic journey.

Our first walk today will be on the Camino Aragones as it joins Camino Francés. The countryside is rural and peaceful, mostly flat and mostly downhill. Farm fields are interspersed with wooded areas and rolling hills, and in spring and early summer you'll have wildflowers to admire. We'll end up at the town of Puente la Reina, a small city that takes its name after a bridge over the river Arga, whose construction was ordered in the 11th century by Muniadona, the wife of Sancho III, with the intention of facilitating the crossing of the river for pilgrims. At the town entrance, next to the Iglesia del Crucifijo, the Knights Templar built a hospital for pilgrims, which today still serves as an inn. You'll have lunch in the town and then have the option to relax and explore the town, or continue on for another leg of hiking. Later this afternoon we'll make our way into the famed Rioja wine region, known for its beautiful landscape and stunning wineries. A stop for a wine tasting at one of the world's most famous avantgarde cellars, the Marques de Riscal, designed by Frank O. Gehry is the perfect introduction to the wines of the region.

Tonight will find you ensconced in your cozy inn amidst the historic buildings of Laguardia, a medieval walled town known as one of the most beautiful in Spain. We'll meet later for a dinner at one of the town's amazing restaurants.
Northern Spanish cuisine is diverse and influenced by the region's proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and the Pyrenees Mountains. It's known for its rich seafood dishes, hearty stews, and unique tapas called pintxos. Key ingredients include fish, beans, potatoes, and locally produced wines.

Today's hike is rated #1-EASY, with a total distance of 3.3 miles, an elevation gain of 158' and an elevation loss of 310'. The trail is wide and hard-surfaced, often a country road.

We'll start our day with a visit to the captivating town of Navarette, rich in history and culture and farmous for its deep-rooted traditions of pottery and wine making. Here we'll see the stunning Baroque church of St. Mary, known for its architecture and incredible art collection. The nearby picturesque village of Najera, former capital of the Kingdom of Navarre, is home to another "can't miss" site, the Monastery of Santa Maria la Real, founded in 1052 and one of the most historic and important places in the region. After a brief visit here we'll begin our hiking on the Camino, heading for the town of Azofra. Along the way we'll have wide open views of farm fields, vineyards and the rolling hills of the region. In Azofra we'll stop for lunch in a local eatery, then board our private coach for the short drive to Santo Domingo de la Calzada, one of the most iconic pilgrim towns on the Camino.

This charming city, with its rich tapestry of history and cultural heritage, stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of Spain’s past. From the cobblestone streets that whisper tales of medieval pilgrims to the architectural marvels that have stood the test of time, Santo Domingo de la Calzada offers an immersive experience into the heart of Spanish tradition and history, and it's the perfect place for some free time to go get lost and explore a bit on your own.

Later we'll continue our journey with a scenic ride across the undulating Spanish countryside to the charming Cathedral city of Burgos, located in the Spanish region of Castile and León and nestled along the banks of the River Arlanzón. Founded in 884 AD as a military outpost, Burgos has amassed centuries of rich and intriguing history. During the Middle Ages it became a prosperous mercantile city with a significant amount of commercial influence. Between the 10th and 15th centuries Burgos was the capital of the unified kingdom of Castile and Leon. The city has unfortunately witnessed many wars over the centuries, from fighting with the Moors and even up to the Spanish Civil War in the late 1930s; General Franco’s rebel nationalist government was based in Burgos, and today it's one of the most important sites along the Way of St. James. After checking into our lovely 4 Star hotel we'll have time to freshen up and relax.
later we'll meet for a fascinating walking tour of the famous Cathedral and the historic center. The evening is free to wander and explore on your own, Burgos has plenty of excellent restaurants to choose from for dinner.

Today's countryside hike is rated #1-EASY, with 160' of elevation gain and 320' of elevation loss, with a total distance is 3.8 miles. The walking tour of Burgos is also rated #1-EASY, the distance will depend on the route but the total time will be approximately 1.5 hours at an easy pace, with plenty of stops.

Our morning hike starts in the picturesque and historically important village of Castrojeriz, considered one of the main landmarks of the Camino de Santiago. It is a beautiful village of ancient origins, probably Roman or Visigoth, and every pilgrim will be familiar with its castle, clearly visible from the road, which was a witness to many battles between Moors and Christians. Our walking route today leaves the village and soon begins a short but steep climb to the Mostelares viewpoint with excellent views of the Spanish Mesata (huge plains) ahead. Our path becomes downhill and then flat for the rest of the morning as we wind our way across the vast landscape toward the Hermitage of San Nicolas, a simple hostel with no electricity but popular with pilgrims for overnight stays.

We'll have lunch in a nearby town, then board our coach for a relaxing ride to Leon, a cathedral town was once the heartbeat of a great kingdom but now is a sleepy provincial city off the beaten track. León today is the gateway from Old Castile to the northwestern routes of Galicia, and nearly everything of interest can be covered on foot. Its wealth of old monuments and a certain regal atmosphere make the town still feel like the capital. We'll check in to our historic and luxurious 5 Star Parador hotel for the evening, with time to relax and enjoy the atmosphere. Later this evening we'll meet for a guided walking tour of the old town and cathedral, followed by dinner at the restaurant of the Parador. The cuisine on offer at the iconic Parador de León - Hostal San Marcos is based on the rich and varied traditional cuisine of León with a modern twist.

Today's hike is rated #3-MODERATE, 5.6 miles total with 460' of elevation gain and 525' of elevation loss. Most of the trail is flat with the exception of the climb and descent to the Mostelares viewpoint. The trail surface is mostly hard-packed country roads, with expansive views over the open farmlands and countryside. The walking tour of Leon is rated EASY, the distance will depend on the route but the total time will be approximately 2 hours at an easy pace, with plenty of stops.

This morning after breakfast we'll hop on our private coach for some village visits...first is the medieval village of Castrillo de los Polvazares where we'll explore a bit. The towns in this area are like many others along the route, considered “miracles of the Camino” of which all pilgrims speak: a town that today maintains its traditional architecture in good condition and an enormous economic and social vitality, after decades of abandonment, depopulation… The Camino de Santiago did the miracle! The nearby town of Ponferrada is linked to the soldier-monks of the Knights Templar, who built a magnificent castle here in the 12th century and took on the task of protecting the pilgrims who were crossing the Montes de León on their way to El Bierzo.

We'll have a brief stop at the iconic symbol of the Camino, the Cruz de Ferro or Iron Cross, a large iron cross that stands at the highest point along the Camino. It is a reminder of the hardships and challenges that pilgrims face on their journey. The Iron Cross also represents the spiritual renewal that pilgrims seek on their journey. The tradition of leaving a stone at the foot of the Iron Cross is a powerful symbol of the pilgrimage journey and the spiritual transformation that can occur.

A short distance from the Iron Cross is our trailhead at the mostly-ruined vilage of Manjarin, population 1. It's still a popular place on the trail for it's abundance of signposts and eclectic atmosphere. The landscape on our trail today is rolling hills, often covered by scrubby brush and woodlands which provide occasional shade. The path is almost always downhill all the way to the enchanting town of Acebo, with its two small streets. We'll have lunch here and relax a bit to enjoy the ambiance of the trail and camaraderie of the other pilgrims. We meet our coach after lunch and drive just a few minutes to the stunning town of Molinasecca, one of the most popular and beautiful villages on the Camino. We'll have free time to relax and explore here before heading on to our home for the night, the quaint mountain town of Villafranca del Bierzo. Here we'll check into our beautiful Parador hotel and have time to relax before sitting down to another amazing dinner of Northern Spanish cuisine.

Today's hike is rated #2-EASY/MODERATE, a generally descending path with 225' of elevation gain, 1175' of elevation loss, and a total distance of 4.7 miles.

We start our Camino trail today in the exceptionally beautiful hamlet of O Cebreiro, a fairytale-like town perched on the top of a high ridge. Walking along its streets you'll feel like you went back in time, or stepped into a set for a fantasy movie. Odd stone houses with thatched roofs house the tiny population of just 26 inhabitants. It's reknown for its occasional harsh weather, and for providing shelter for pilgrims since 1072. O Cebreiro is also rumored to have been the home and hiding place of the Holy Grail during medieval times. We'll have time for a coffee here, then maybe a stroll to admire the unique houses. The trail departs from here, and many would argue it's one of the most scenic sections of the Camino. You're in the Bierzo mountains with stunning views in all directions of forested ridges and verdant pastures. You'll have plenty of opportunities to stop and admire the view as we'll go slow and take ample breaks. As you walk today for the first time you'll find yourself in the Spanish region of Galicia, leaving behind the region of Leon and Castile with its arid landscape and expansive plains. Galicia is typified by a lush, green environment, occasional rainfall and cooler temperatures. The inhabitants speak Gallego, a combination of Spanish and Portuguese. Even the cuisine changes here!

Along the route we'll pass the famous Alto de San Roque, the titanic bronze statue of a windswept pilgrim atop the hill. Continuing on we'll meet our coach for a pickup at a trail intersection for the short ride to the medieval town of Tricastela, where you'll have an excellent lunch in a typical local restaurant.

After lunch you'll have the option for another gorgeous walk along a tree-shaded path with excellent views, or you can ride the coach into the small town of Samos and have free time to wander a bit. Later the group can relax for a scenic ride to our home for the evening, a wonderful 17th century manor house situated in the countryside. We'll have a wonderful group dinner tonight in the peaceful surroundings of rural Galicia.

Today's first hike is rated #2-EASY/MODERATE, mostly flat, rocky path with small ups and downs emerging from the forest and crossing farm fields. Overall it has 110' of elevation loss and a total distance of 4.2 miles. The second hike is rated #2-EASY/MODERATE, with a distance of 3.2 miles, again with plenty of short uphills and downhills with a total elevation loss of 105'.

Today is the day! As we begin walking from the town of Arzua, we'll see more and more pilgrims as we get closer to Santiago. Although we'll walk along dirt paths, pedestrian-only country roads and through some wonderful shaded eucalyptus forests, we'll also begin to have larger roads to cross as we approach the city. Our first leg ends at the typical Galician town of A Calzada where we'll meet our coach for the short ride to Monte do Gozo (Hill of Joy), where we get our first view of the three spires of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Our final leg begins here...we'll live the experience like millions of pilgrims before us as we arriving into Santiago on foot and make our way through the streets to the Cathedral of St. James.
Pleanty of time for pictures, rejoicing, and soaking up the ambiance as pilgrims from all over the world gather. Truly a special moment in a special place!

Later in the day we'll meet a local guide for a walking tour of the historic center of Santiago and its famed cathedral. Tonight is free to wander and get lost, as no doubt many other pilgrims are doing.

Today's first hike is rated #2-EASY/MODERATE, 3.6 miles total with 394' of elevation gain. The trail surface alternates between country roads and some hard-packed dirt paths. The second and final hike into Santiago is rated #1-EASY with an elevation gain of 165', and elevation loss of 493', and a total distance of 3 miles. The walking tour of Santiago is rated #1-EASY, the distance will depend on the route but the total time will be approximately 1.5 hours at an easy pace, with plenty of stops.

Today's adventures are "icing in the cake" of your journey on the Camino Frances! We'll head farther west to the Atlantic Coast to experience what the medieval pilgrims thought of as "the end of the world", as it was unknown what was beyond the sea at this, one of the westernmost points of Europe. We'll visit the town of Muxia, a seaside spiritual site rife with legend, natural beauty and ambiance. The sanctuary of Our Lady of the Boat, in its breathtaking coastal setting, has been the focal point for visitors since ancient times. Celts and other pagans originally worshipped here, and according to legend, the Virgin Mary arrived here in a stone boat to assist St. James in converting the locals. We'll then make our way to the south for the opportunity to walk another section of the Camino, into the fishing village of Finisterre. This hike will feature beautiful rural scenery that changes into wondrous coastal views. In the town we'll have lunch in a seafood restaurant in he old port, enjoying the fresh-caught local bounty! Before we head back to Santiago we'll have a stop at the famous light house of Finisterre, the westernmost lighthouse in Europe, standing atop the peak of Cape Finisterre, also known as the Cape of Death. It's also one of Europe's most powerful lighthouses, protecting ships from this treacherous coast since it was built in 1853.

Tonight we'll be back in Santiago and settling in to our final "Farewell" group meal. Adventures are re-lived, photos are exchanged, and there are always plenty of laughs and toasts!

Today's hike is rated #2-EASY/MODERATE. Depending on the route it will be 3-4 miles, around 150' of elevation gain and around 200' of elevation loss . The trail surface alternates between country roads, hard-packed dirt paths, and the beach.

Your Go Get Lost adventure comes to an end this morning after breakfast. You can easily arrange a taxi to the airport in Santiago.