The Way of St. James, stage 2
Dificulty level
Medium
Landscape rating
Medium
Cultural rating
High
Departure
Santo Domingo de La Calzada
Arrival
El Burgo Ranero
Duration
8 days – 7 nights – 6 riding days
PAX max per group
6 to 9 PAX
Accomodation
Hotels and Boutique Hotels hb.
Time of the year
May and September
Itinerary
Day 1
Transport from Madrid airport to St. Domingo de la Calzada (3h) 3 pm airport pick up
Day 2
St. Domingo de la Calzada – Villafranca Montes de Oca
After breakfast we start our adventure in beautifull town of St. Domingo de la Calzada, named after a monk whose devotion to create Camino was enormous. We make our way through the last hilly vineyards of Rioja, fertille valleys and hills to make our way towards plains of Castilla. After 23 km we stop for lunch in Belorado medieval village with its 16th and 17th century churches. After lunch we ride 12 more km to Villafranca Montes de Oca where we stop for diner and night.
Day 3
Villafranca Montes de Oca – Burgos
After breakfast we start our last climb over mountains of Orca from 950m to 1150m of Alto de la Pedraja through famous church of San Juan de Ortega, passing menhirs marking battle of 1054 between King of Castilla y Leon, Fernando the first and King of Navarra don Garcia. After 24 km of morning ride we stop for lunch in Cardenuela Rio Pico later after lunch we ride on 11km to Burgos and skip 16 km by car to Tardajos where we stop for dinner and night.
Day 4
Rabe de las Calzadas – Castrojeriz
After breakfast we start the ride from nearby village Rabe de las Calzadas (just next to Tardajos) entering the huge open space of Castilla y Leon and ride for 18 km through the fields of wheet, barley and sunflowers to Horitamas where we stop for lunch. After lunch we ride 10 km passing picturesque ruins of Convento de San Anton and arrive to Castrojeriz, where we stop for diner and night. It is beautifully situated village with ruins of the Castlle on the top of the hill and 18th century Colegiata de Nuestra Señora del Manzano.
Day 5
Castrojeriz – Carrion de los Condes
After breakfast we ride for 29 km with open horizon above our heads to Poblaion de Campos where we stop for lunch. But before we will climb Alto de Mostelares and walk over 11th century bridge Puente Fitero over river Pisuerga to Palencia municipio. After lunch we ride 15km alongside national concreate road to Carrion de los Condes (town of 12 churches and a huge stunning monastery) or Villalcazar de Sirga where we stop for diner and night.
Day 6
Carrion de los Condes – Sahagun
After breakfast we ride for 17 km on antigue Roman road to tiny village of Calzadilla de la Cueza where we stop for lunch. After lunch we cross the municipio border entering Leon and after 22km arrive to Sahagun, town strong Arab influence where we stop for diner and night.
Day 7
Sahagún – Burgo Ranero
Today we only ride in the morning from Sahagun for 18 km to experience “The poor Roman” architectonic style where the buildings were made of cheap mud bricks instead of red expensive bricks. We arrive to cozy El Burgo Ranero where we finish the ride with a glass of homemade liquor and stay for night in.
Day 8
END OF THE ROUTE
Burgo Ranero – Madrid airport
Transfer to Madrid Airport (3h)
This route includes
Hotel, breakfast and dinner
Single/double rooms
Liability insurance
Experienced Spanish and Spanish mix trail horses
Guide and minibus transfer
Picnic lunch
Traditional Spanish saddle: Silla vaquera
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