Tag: Steph

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O Pedrouzo to Santiago de Compostela

19.7 km and 4:25 (see map).

So the walking is done, the Camino finished. I don’t think it has sunk in yet. I feel elated; privileged; weary. 783 km over 37 walking days plus 7 rest days. I’ll reflect on this extraordinary experience in the days to come, but right now I’m looking forward to catching up for a drink and meal with some Camino friends and then a long sleep.

To the walk into Santiago …

Onto forest trails not far out of O Pedrouzo.

A few more peregrinos on the path as the morning progressed.

A lot of folk at the first coffee stop, although many turned out to be in a school group of 14-15 year olds.

Rain clouds loom …

… with the rain coming for the last hour into Santiago (quite heavily at times).

Santiago nears.

First sighting of the cathedral.

There at last.

Then the queue for the compostela.

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Vega de Valcarce to Alto do Poio

19.5 km and 5:03 (see map).

An easy walk for the first four km through Ruitelán and Las Herrerias, then a climb of around 700 m over the next eight km to O Cebriero (1,330 m). Stunning countryside and views (especially so the higher you went) and great walking along shaded paths on the lower flanks of the mountains. O Cebreiro was an option for a stop for the night, but the weather was good so decided to carry on for another couple of hours to Alto do Poio (1,337 m).

Arriving in Ruitelán, two km into the day’s walk.

On the way out of Las Herrerias after a stop for a coffee and napolitana (a sweet pastry filled with chocolate cream).

The early stages of the track up the hill.

Walked with (L-R) Lisa and Julie (from the USA) and Steph (UK).

More forest path …

… then out into the open, above the treeline.

Looking back along the path.

And the view off to the left.

Out of the Castilla y Leòn region and into Galicia.

Along to O Cebreiro.

And O Cebreiro itself.

Following shots from walk across to Alto do Poio from O Cebreiro, via Linares, Alto de San Roque and Hospital de la Condesa.

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Acebo to Ponferrada

15.1 km and 4:05 (see map).

Descended around 600 m, most of it over the initial 8 km from Acebo to Molinaseca. For the first few kms the track was on the road, then turned onto a rocky and rutted track through trees. That made the going slow as the surface was loose, but later the path opened out into more open country and the remaining section into Molinaseca was on the road again. Sealed lanes and unsealed roads for the final stretch to Ponferrada.

Into the first village of the day, Riego de Ambros.

On the way down to Molinaseca.

Molinaseca nestled amongst the hills ahead.

Molinaseca.

Ponferrada on the skyline.

Campo, a village near outskirts of Ponferrada.

Ponferrada castle.

One of the plazas at siesta time.

€145 for a 6.5-7.5 kg jamón iberico at the local supermarket; less than half that for an equivalent weight serrano.

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Rabanal del Camino to Acebo

17.6 km and 4:48 (see map).

A slower walk today due to 350 m climb out of Rabanal del Camino and then later a steepish descent on a rocky rutted track to Acebo. Stopped for the day earlier than expected because I came across a new albergue (La Casa del Peregrino) that had a swimming pool. A warm day and a big pool with clear water was too much to resist.

Steph from the UK (via NZ), leaving Rabanal del Camino. Walking partner for the day.

Shots from the climb up to Foncebadón.

First coffee stop. Foncebadón.

On the way up to Cruz de Ferro. 1,504 m.

And at Cruz de Ferro. It’s the main cross where pilgrims leave stones representing their worries. (The cross we passed the other day serves the same purpose, but clearly isn’t as popular as this one.)

The inscription on the stone above reads, in German “a long journey begins with the first step”.

From Cruz de Ferro, it’s down a bit then up a bit again to the highest point of the day – 1,515 m, then a steepish descent on a rocky path down to Acebo, where I stopped walking for the day.

Pilgrim blessing underway on the way through this small hamlet.

Ponferrada down in the distant valley.

On way through Acebo.

And the reason for stopping early.

The swim was the best!