Rioja walks

The fifty-third stage of the Camino de Santiago. A simple, short stage with few inclines, through gently rolling countryside. The route mainly follows farm tracks, and the vineyards give way to cereal crops. You arrive in Santo Domingo de la Calzada, a town that retains a beautiful medieval historic centre and was declared a Site of Historical and Artistic Interest in 1973. The town’s main heritage attraction is the cathedral.

Santo Domingo de la Calzada was founded by the saint after whom it is named, with the aim of helping pilgrims on the Way of St James. It is a resting place on the Way of St James. Among other things, you must see its cathedral and stroll amongst the many churches, historic monuments and narrow streets, which can keep you occupied for half a day. I visited this town during the fifty-third stage of my Camino de Santiago.

Fifty-fourth stage of the Camino de Santiago. This stage marks the entry into Castile and León, just after passing the village of Grañón. The route leading to Belgrado requires following maintained tracks, a few metres from the busy Carretera (N-120), making the journey somewhat unpleasant but ensuring rapid progress.

The fifty-second stage of the Camino de Santiago. For this stage, the route leaves Logroño via a pleasant walk through the large La Grajera park and its lake of the same name, continuing on to Navarrete, a town renowned for its crafts. After a gentle climb leading up to Alto de San Antón, from where you can already see Nájera, the route takes you to the red rocks of the River Najerilla, where the ancient royal town of Nájera is situated.

At the crossroads of the Camino de Santiago, Logroño is crossed by the River Ebro, spanned by two bridges connecting it to Navarre and Álava. Logroño seems a vibrant city that carefully preserves an old town shaped by the Way of St James and the culture and production of wine. It is a very pleasant city to stroll around, especially in the evening, to enjoy tapas in its famous bar district. I visited this city during the fifty-first stage of my Camino de Santiago.