Belorado to Quintanapalla,via Atapuerca,on 21st June – Penultimate Etape.

2 Jul
We set off quite early after a Continental breakfast and the waiter insisted on giving each one of us an ice cold bottle of water for the journey – sums up what a good place Hotel A Santiago is for Pelegrinos.

We passed the ruddy coloured remains of the castle lurking above us.

We then crossed the River Tiron via wooden footbridge and then off left towards Tosantos,some 3Km away.

The outlying houses were adorned by colourful Camino related murals.

Then a slight climb to a plateau with views of rolling pastures

Through the tiny hamlet of Vilambistia.

And then a coffee/drinks break at a cafe you could not miss.

Not it’s not “ the hell of a Camino “ but the “ footprint!”
A netting protected Cherry tree overhanging the cafe terrace.
By road that is.
SAN JUAN DE LA ORTEGA – a student of San Domingo who joined him in his road,bridge and hospice building.

The saint that shares its name, the disciple of Saint Domingo de la Calzada, builder and protector of the ancient route, managed to erect a small church and an important refuge for pilgrims which gave them shelter after the difficult climb up the inhospitable Montes de Oca. Today this quiet place is revived with the presence of pilgrims.

Leaving hill views behind as we entered a pine forest.
And a very good path.
Welcome shade.
Arlanzon with the village of Ages in the distance.
A tiny hamlet of about 60 people with some keen garden designers amongst them.
And a handy craftworker .
Not to mention the mural painter!
Moving towards the world famous Sierra de Atapuerca and the oldest site of humanity in Europe. It has a Museum of Human Evolution and there are ongoing works in the archeological site.
Unmissable.
As was this advert for an Albergue on an abandoned double decker bus on the outskirts of the village.

From Atapuerca we were collected by our host from “ Boomerang Cottage” in Quintanapalla – we would be dropped off the following morning for our last Etape .

2 Responses to “Belorado to Quintanapalla,via Atapuerca,on 21st June – Penultimate Etape.”

  1. slodown's avatar
    slodown 02/07/2022 at 13:20 #

    Looking at these photos I wish I was strong enough to make another Camino.
    Last time I visited Spain (Las Palmas) in January I was obliged to endure the indignity of a wheelchair through departure & security as a “vulnerable” traveller.
    Surely some mistake! 😂

    Reply

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