The Camino Frances Camino from Logroño

After your night in Logrono, you can expect a long day but it should not be too challenging.  Leave Logroño by the old pilgrims’ gate ‘Puerta del Camino’. The first part of the day takes you out of the city but you will eventually get back to the vineyards of La Rioja. Your first stop is Navarrete, a 12th century town built by the ‘Knights of the Holy Sepulchre’. Here you can admire the fabulous Baroque church of ‘La Ascensión’. You will finish the day in Nájera, another medieval town with a history with a strong link to the Camino. From Nájera you will enjoy get great panoramic views of the whole region.

After your night in Najera, your Camino takes you along some quiet country roads with the La Demanda Mountain to the South. You will pass the small village of Azofra, dedicated to the La Rioja patron: La Virgen de Valvanera. Azofra is also the starting point for the ‘Monasteries route’, off the Camino de Santiago route but is worth visiting if you have additional days, particularly the Yuso and Suso monasteries of San Millán de la Cogolla, considered the birthplace of Spanish language. You will finally arrive in Santo Domingo de la Calzada, a town with a beautiful Medieval centre and a history closely linked to the Camino de Santiago.

After your night in Santo Domingo de la Calzada, today you will start your day walking on uneven terrain through woodland and then crop fields. Part of today’s trail runs parallel to busy main roads. As you get closer to Belorado, you will start catching a glimpse of the Oca Mountains, the last mountain range before the Meseta (the central Spanish Plateau). Your stop for the night is Belorado, a small and pleasant village in the Burgos province. Visit the Santa María Church where you will find images of St James.

After your night in Belorado, most of your journey today will be along earthen tracks and peaceful trails on your way to the little town of Villafranca Montes de Oca, the Camino weaves its way through gorgeous woodlands of fragrant oak and pines.  Pass though the hamlet of San Juan de Ortega where you can visit its famous mausoleum before continuing onto Atapuerca famous for its UNESCO World Heritage prehistoric caves where fossils and stone tools of the earliest known hominins in Western Europe have been found.

Easy Option: This long day between Belorado and Atapuerca, can be split into two stages of 11km and 18km if you would like a more relaxed pace. You would stay overnight in a lovely 3* hotel in the town of Villafranca Montes de Oca.

After your night in Atapuerca famous for its UNESCO World Heritage prehistoric caves, you will continue following your Camino trail to the town of Burgos.  Take some time to explore Burgos: admire the beauty of its historic centre, enjoy a stroll along the magnificent promenade by the river and taste delicious local tapas in the old town. Burgos has been referred to as the Gothic capital of Spain and the citys cathedral is probably one of the most impressive in the country.