Pilgrims on the Way

About a half hour after starting down the hill, we arrive in the village of… well, probably Cardeñuela Riopico. At least, that’s what it seems to be, when I compare my photos with Google streetview. It’s getting to be lunchtime, and whatever marked route we’re taking, it has nothing to do with the map below. It was closer to the […]

This section of the Camino can be a little confusing on the maps. My notes are sketchy, and the map below in no way agrees with the map I actually had with me at the time. So that town in the distance may or may not actually be Villalval, which may or may not have been the next village we […]

Marking the top of the hill we just climbed, Cruz de Matagrande stands at an elevation of 1082 meters. This is the highest point we’ve reached so far in Spain. Higher elevations, of course, were to come, but not for another ten days. Date: 12 April 2013Place: between Atapuerca and Orbaneja (Province of Burgos, Castilla y León, Spain)Today started: San […]

After what seemed like a long, long climb to the top of a hill, we are greeted by fencing and barbed wire. The Camino runs along the border of a military zone, which somebody told me was an artillery range. In any case, we were not expecting this at the top of the hill. The road here is broad – […]

This is Viola walking on what may or may not be the remains of a section of Roman road. It was seriously hard going, and I don’t recommend it for long. In a way, I hope it was a Roman road. Two thousand years or so would certainly excuse its poor condition! Date: 12 April 2013Place: between Atapuerca and Orbaneja […]

Shortly after leaving Atapuerca, we came across this sign. It’s chiefly of interest to me because, while both of these places were on my map, neither of them had quite the same name, being designated as “Matagrande” and “Olmos de Atapuerca” respectively. Also, they were located in two different directions following a fork in the road. Date: 12 April 2013Place: […]

We arrived in the town of Atapuerca about ten in the morning. This little plaza, with its fountain and cantina, is about halfway through the town. I imagine it’s quite a popular spot for a break, particularly in the summer when the sun is hot and the trees are shady. When we were there we found few pilgrims. I can’t […]

This sign marks the UNESCO World Heritage site of Atapuerca, and you’ll see this face everywhere in signage and collateral throughout the area. In the background of the photo, you can see the tiny town of Atapuerca itself, crowned by the Renaissance-era Iglesia de San Martin Obispo. Date: 12 April 2013Place: approaching Atapuerca (Province of Burgos, Castilla y León, Spain)Today […]