Blogs from Navarre, Spain, Europe

We started today thinking about the climb to the Cruz de Fiero and how rough it was going to be from Foncebadon. It turned out the worse parts, for sure, were from Rabanal del Camino and the vicious climb, and from the Cruz de Fiero downhill... I mean downhill. We left just after 6am, and for the next hour and a half, we climbed, and I mean climbed! It was brutal. When we reached Foncebadon, there was no discussion of whether we'd stop to take a break or not. We stopped in the first cafe/bar in town, and had coffees. Steeled for the next part, which was supposed to be so much worse, we started the climb. It turned out to be much less steep than the parts we'd already done that day. We were wondering ... read more

We left the albergue about 7am, stopping at the Panaderia de Los Arcos for some coffee and sweets. There were a lot of wheat fields with mountain backgrounds in the 7 kilometers between Los Arcos and Sansol, the first town along the way. It was fairly flat, compared to other days, so far. At the entrance to Sansol we stopped at the Tienda Colmado for another cup of coffee and some sweets, our second breakfast. Once we left Sansol, and Torres del Rio its neighbor behind, it would be almost 10 kilometers with nothing. Fortunately, there was a donativo about half way that had some soda, water and fruit. A donativo is a place where someone sets up with fruit, water, soda, etc., and usually you pay what you want to donate. In this case, everything ... read more

To avoid the afternoon heat, we were packed up and on our way by 6:30am. Since the hotel was at the entrance to town, we had to walk through town to get on the trail. Although it was early, we kept an eye open and spotted a tavern that was open, so we could have a cup of coffee. We finally left Puente La Reina, crossing the old bridge, and posing for a few shots. After about an hour and a half we entered Maneru. We decided to stop for another coffee at the Albergue El Canero. About an hour later we entered Cirauqui, where the Camino passes through an archway of an old building. They provide a stamp, so we got one. I haven't mention this before, but every albergue, most bar and restaurants, and ... read more

After a decent night's sleep, we got up, got our bags ready for transport, and headed downstairs for breakfast. The albergue had the usual toast, jam, orange juice, and coffee. They also had cereal with milk and a pastry. After breakfast, we headed out, crossing the bridge again, and this time turning right. Soon we could see Illarratz in the distance. As we entered the small town, there was a welcome spot to take a break. At about quarter til 9, we passed through Ezkirotz and continued on until Larrasoana. Larrasoana isn't actually on the Camino, but all you have to do is cross a bridge to enter the town, instead of turning left. We'd been walking about 2 hours, and there was a sign for Bar Amari, so we went for it. Well, there isn't ... read more

Day 12 Olite to Tiermas We started the day with a walk around the town, it's much quieter this morning, the revelers must still be in bed, or church. The castle looks as if it could be from a fairytale, with its pretty turrets. It was the home if the Royal family of this area in the 1500's. The walled town around it us made up if churches, set in squares with narrow cobbled streets joining them. We're low on food but it's Sunday, the supermarkets aren't open, so when we found a small general store I popped in to buy food for the day. Back at Dream Catcher we plan a scenic drive to take us east further into the mountains. The route passed by rows of grapes all dark purple and waiting to be ... read more