Castile and León walks

Under the pretext of hunting for frogs, set off to discover "la Dorada" (the "Golden City"), one of the most spectacular Renaissance cities in Europe. There are many monuments to visit along this route, some of which charge an entrance fee. To fully enjoy the atmosphere of this city, even if visits are no longer possible, you can do this tour at night, with a break for dinner around the Plaza Mayor.

This very short round trip hike takes you through an extremely narrow gorge. A small stream has cut through the mountain at an impressive height (100 metres), carving out a very narrow passage: you have to bend down to get through in some places. You will see vultures on the cliffs and a metal sculpture of a vulture by the side of the path.

Sixtieth stage of the Camino de Santiago. A carefree stage... it’s flat... flat... flat! Few village crossings. The route is less desolate than the previous stage, yet there isn’t much to discover. But this may be an opportunity to listen to the silence and reflect on what truly drove us to reach Santiago!

León is a city steeped in history and full of monuments to discover. Without a doubt, the cathedral is the number one sight to see in León. A colossal monument that dominates the city from above and captivates simply by its presence. In addition to this monumental building, you can explore the Royal Collegiate Church of San Isidoro, Casa Botines, the Palacio de los Guzmanes, the Roman and medieval walls, and the Convent of San Marcos. And if you have time, do take a stroll through the Húmedo and Romántico districts to soak up the atmosphere around the tapas bars. I visited this city at the end of the sixty-third stage of my Camino de Santiago.

Fifty-fifth stage of the Camino de Santiago. This stage towards Burgos takes you through several villages along a path that climbs imperceptibly, leading you first towards the Montes de Oca through wooded landscapes, and finally to the convent of San Juan de Ortega, a convent perched in the mountains, which appears like an oasis (remember to stock up on supplies before setting off).

Route family (3-4 hours though) on easy paths. Viewpoint at 1151m, 1.5 km from the road: 360-degree view. Elevation gain: 220m. Beautiful panoramic views in several places. View of Portugal on one side. Later, views of Puebla and the mountains above Lake Sanabria.

A circular route that begins and ends at the car park next to the Puente de la Cantina, which spans the gorge over the river Eresma. A demanding mountain route with a steep ascent to Peña Citores, rewarded by panoramic views, historic civil war remains, alpine scenery, and a scenic descent along forest paths and mountain streams.

A pleasant little path that runs alongside the river and through the trees, offering cool shade in summer. It offers superb views of the village nestled at the foot of the Sierra de Gredos.

This circular route starts and finishes in the small village of Quintana Martín Galíndez (Burgos). It links quiet villages, hilltop views at El Cotorrón and Altos del Portillo, the Ebro riverbanks, a Roman bridge, and the hamlet of Montejo de San Miguel.

A circular route starting and finishing at the car park of Castroviejo. Drive up from Duruelo de la Sierra (or walk if you want to split the route into two days).This route links several prominent summits, with sweeping ridge views, dramatic rocky landscapes, and the source of the Duero River in a wild and scenic setting.

A gentle circular route along the River Duero in Soria, starting from the village of Duruelo de la Sierra, along woodland paths and historic bridges, passing hermitages and the village of Covaleda before returning through peaceful forest scenery.

Free parking is available in the public car park at the start of the walk. Walk along the canal in the shade of the trees and cross the bridge to admire the lock. Return via the other bank of the canal to the water retention basin. Take the pedestrian crossing to enter the old town and visit the cathedral. Then return to the car park.

The sheer number of things to do in Burgos is impressive: religious and secular monuments, parks, museums, fountains, statues and so on. Among the places to visit, perhaps the most important is the Cathedral of Santa María, a Gothic-style Catholic church converted into a museum. Inside, it houses numerous chapels, each of which is a small museum in its own right. Not far from the altar, on the floor, lies the tombstone of El Cid and Chimène. Also not to be missed are the Monastery of Santa María la Real de Las Huelgas, Burgos Castle, the historic centre, the Miraflores Charterhouse, and so on. I spent a day visiting Burgos, at the end of the fifty-sixth stage of my Camino de Santiago.

The sixty-ninth stage of the Camino de Santiago. This stage is nothing like the one before it – far from it! It is a stage that will leave an indelible memory, thanks to the beautiful, exhilarating and daunting climb to O Cebreiro, the highest ascent on the French Way within Spanish territory. In the village of O Cebreiro, you are in Galicia; this village is a little gem, thanks to its location, its views, its church, its pallozas and its legends.

Stage 68 of the Camino de Santiago. Today’s stage crosses the entire Bierzo region, a large basin surrounded by mountains and blessed with a milder microclimate. You’ll find yourself back in the countryside and among the vineyards that produce the famous wines of Bierzo. After passing through a few small villages that stretch along the route and crossing the River Cua, you’ll arrive in Villafranca del Bierzo, a Frankish town born of the pilgrimage route and rich in beautiful heritage.

The 67th stage of the Camino de Santiago. On this stage, the climb up to Alto de Cerezales offers a magnificent panoramic view of the surrounding area. Then begins a long descent along stony paths and through magnificent chestnut groves towards Ponferrada. This ancient town, built at the confluence of the River Boeza, boasts numerous religious buildings and an imposing fortified castle built by the Knights Templar in the 13th century.

Sixty-sixth stage of the Camino de Santiago. On this stage, you climb gently up the eastern slope of the León mountains through magnificent scenery. The route passes through picturesque little villages saved from abandonment. After passing through Rabanal del Camino on a path through oak forests, you begin the ascent to the Cruz de Ferro (the Iron Cross), through a landscape of almost deserted moorland, before descending to the hamlet of Manjarin to spend the night in, or next to, a quaint refuge.

The sixty-fifth stage of the Camino de Santiago. On this stage, you reach the very photogenic Orbigo Bridge before passing through several picturesque villages to arrive in Astorga, a Roman town with an imposing city wall, whose many monuments serve as a reminder of its historic past.

Sixty-fourth stage of the Camino de Santiago. On this stage, you will pass through the old part of the city of León, taking in the famous tapas bars, restaurants and iconic landmarks such as the Trajan’s Column. The walk out of León is gruelling, involving several hours’ walking along the N-120, all the way to Villadangos del Páramo.

Stage 63 of the Camino de Santiago. On this stage, you leave behind the arid high plateau of the Meseta to reach León, one of the most beautiful and culturally rich cities on the Camino de Santiago. This is a fairly short stage, leaving you plenty of time to explore the city.

Sixty-second stage of the Camino de Santiago. This stage is long, monotonous and hot! In short, another stage across the Meseta and, more specifically, the rocky Páramo plain, with endless, straight paths offering little variety that seem to go on forever.

Sixty-first stage of the Camino de Santiago. This short route is a transitional stage, allowing you time to visit the Virgen del Puente before arriving in Sahagún and then exploring the town, its churches and monasteries. It is also a good opportunity to rest after the long stages that have gone before, in order to prepare for the long stages ahead.

Fifty-ninth stage of the Camino de Santiago. A long, flat stage with no particular difficulty, except that you walk alongside long stretches of busy road. You enter the province of Palencia and pass through several towns and villages, including Boadilla del Camino with its Gothic Rollo and Frómista, where you can admire the four-lock system of the Canal de Castilla. After entering the autonomous community of Castile and León, you discover the town of Carrión de los Condes with its extraordinary Church of Santa María del Camino and its old town.

Fifty-eighth stage of the Camino de Santiago. This stage, with few trees to shelter from the fierce summer sun or the uncomfortable wind and rain, runs largely over good terrain through fields of grain. After passing under the arches of San Antón, you cross the village of Castrojeriz and, after climbing the Teso de Mostelares, you arrive at the village of Itero de la Vega.

Fifty-seventh stage of the Camino de Santiago. After an urban interlude in Burgos, this stage takes you into the heart of the scorching landscapes of Castile. After Rabé de las Calzadas , you step straight onto a desert-like high plateau, dotted with villages nestled amidst the fields. Here, it is a desert of ploughed fields along a path that is often flat and straight, exposed to the wind or the beating sun! Protect yourself before you turn into a lobster.

Fifty-sixth stage of the Camino de Santiago. This stage towards Burgos passes through Atapuerca and takes you over the day’s only small hill through a rural area. There is an alternative route at the entrance to Burgos to avoid the tarmac after Orbaneja Riopico. This alternative, well signposted from Castañares, is more pleasant. It avoids the tarmac as much as possible and is shaded all the way along the river.

A long stage that begins with a climb through a beech forest, then turns towards Posada de Valdeón to follow a gently sloping valley, before tackling the very difficult climbs of the Canal de Asotín, El Berón and the Canal de Congosto. Finally, you arrive at the magnificent site of Collado Jermoso, where the refuge is perched.