After an early morning cab ride to San Juan Ortega, we began our walk back to Burgos about 7:45am. The weather was very nippy, as we trekked through peaceful forests toward the village of Ages, 2.3 miles. What a terrific little stop, as we are breakfast in a quaint old alburgue cafe that may be the nicest venue we have seen in the entire camino. We were further delighted to see several of our better known and liked pilgrims from earlier days. Great time ‘catching up’. We then walked through the town of Atapuerca, about 1.6 miles later, supposedly the site of some of the earliest known humans in western Europe. We then walked steeply up hill for 2.7 miles, en route to Villalval. The most expansive views we have seen since the Pyrennes! At the crest of the mountain was a 30 foot high cross. Very emotional site as we climbed the last 50 rocky feet. From there we worked our way down the mountain with incredible views of Burgos, still 10 miles away. We walked through a couple small towns in the valleys east of Burgos and stopped for a drink at another alburgue cafe. When we crossed the interstate and later walked next the outskirts of the very windy Burgos airport we knew our ‘rural walk’ was over. Problem was – we still had 7 miles to our hotel! Still, enjoyed the change of pace as we completed our walk at the Burgos Cathedral. Words can not adequately describe this building and the parks and plazas that surround it – hopefully our pictures will!
A lifetime experience