Camino Frances Pyrenees to Santiago
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Burgos - Leon 8 days /7 nights / 7 walking days | Between these two great relics of a fabulous past, the Camino Frances stretches away to the horizon over the great Meseta plain. Each village, each hamlet conceals a treasure to discover – here an old dovecot, there a church with the grandeur of a cathedral. |  |  |
Day 1: Arrive Burgos
Day 2: Burgos - Castrojeriz
Altitude at departure: 856m/2823ft
This is a very long section across the Meseta (although, at extra cost, there is the possibility of a transfer to Hornillo del Camino). After the suburbs of Burgos, the route comes to Rabe de las Calzadas, then climbs up to the plateau before redescending to Hornillo del Camino, a timelrss village built along its one street. Back up to the plateau, descend to Hontanas, and we arrive at Castrojeriz along a charming valley.
Altitude at arrival: 800m/2640ft, 38.7 kms/24.2 miles, 10 hours Day 3: Castrojeriz - Fromista
Altitude at departure: 800m/2640ft
Up to the plateau again before going down to cross the twelve arches of the Itero bridge which marks the frontier between Burgos and Palencia provinces. We come to the Castille canal which is followed to the entry into Fromista, whose church of St. Martin is a model of Romanesque architecture.
Altitude at arrival: 780m/2574ft, 25.5 kms/15.9 miles, 6 hours 30 minutes Day 4: Fromista – Carrion de los Condes
Altitude at departure: 780m/2574ft
To get to Carrion, there are two possibilities: follow either the official, most direct route, or a more rural path beside the Rio Ucieza. In either case a detour via the centre of Villacazar de Sirga is worthwhile. From afar it is impossible not to notice the immense church high above the fields...not without similarities with a certain cathedral at Chartres!
Altitude at arrival: 840m/2772ft, 20.5 kms/12.8 miles, 5 hours 15 mins.
Day 5: Carrion de los Condes – Moratinos
Altitude at departure: 840m/2772ft
After Carrion we pass the San Zoilo monastery, before continuing across the 'paramo', or 'desert'; we pass through a number of places before getting to isolated Moratinos, from where there is a transfer for overnight to the interesting town of Sahagun.
Altitude at arrival: 816m/2693ft, 30.5 kms/19.1 miles, 8 hours Day 6: (Sahagun) Moratinos – Burgo Ranero
Altitude at departure (Sahagun): 816m/2693ft
Taxi back to Moratinos (although you can start from Sahagun if preferred) and then continue over the immensity of the Paramo, today lined with trees to provide some shade for travellers. Another variant is also possible, which follows an ancient Roman road.
Altitude at arrival: 878m/2897ft, 27.9 kms/17.4 miles, 7 hours 30 mins Day 7: Burgo Ranero – Mansillas de las Mulas
Altitude at departure: 878m/2897ft
Two possible routes today as far as Reliegos where the two routes converge before arriving at Mansillas de las Mulas.
Altitude at arrival: 799m/2637ft, 20kms/12.5 miles, 5 hours 30 mins. Day 8: Mansillas de las Mulas - Leon
Altitude at departure: 799m/2637ft
A comparatively short and very pleasant section with a beautiful descent into Leon, one of the most important towns of the Camino Frances. To the north we can see the chain of mountains forming the Cordillera Cantabrica.
Altitude at arrival: 822m/2713ft, 18.4 kms/11.5 miles, 5 hours (End of the stay at the end of the afternoon) - possibility one night additional at Leon.
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