El Camino Day 15

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Our walk today was from Villafranca to Atapuerca. About 19kms all up and mostly through a service track for a pine and oak forest. It was very cold and there was snow around from yesterday’s snow fall. Thankfully we didn’t need to walk through a snow storm or much rain but the skies were fairly bleak and threatening regardless. The hotel stay was good enough and there were about 15 other pilgrims there in the dining room when we had our dinner in the evening. Drinks were had beforehand in the bar which had a fire place to keep warm. I’m writing this now in the dining room in Atapurerca next to another fire. It’s needed as the temperatures outside are quite chilly down near 0ºC.

A historic stone church with a clock tower surrounded by trees, set against a backdrop of snow-covered hills under a cloudy sky.
The church opposite our hotel in Villafranca

The skies were very bleak looking this morning as we set out and there was a slight drizzle which seemed to follow us all day. The drizzle was much more bearable than a downpour that’s for sure.

A stone wall with a snow-covered top, featuring rooftops with tiled and pointed designs against a cloudy sky.
Everything is covered in ice and snow
A winding dirt path through a snowy landscape with hilly terrain and a distant church visible in the background.
Looking back to Villafranca, there on the left

We had a bit of hill to climb out of Villafranca and the higher we got the more snow there seemed to be around. Most of it was melting as the temperatures today were higher than yesterday. A relief for us walking. The wind had settled down as well.

A winding dirt path through a snow-covered forest, with trees displaying a mix of autumn foliage and a light dusting of snow.
The path going up the mountain

A few of the other pilgrims staying at the hotel were trailing up the mountain before us. Some though had opted to take the bus into Burgos. One fellow we met had injured his ankle and had decided to rest it up by taking the bus into Burgos and taking time out there.

A hiker walking along a snowy dirt road surrounded by pine trees, carrying a large backpack.
Icy trail with the pine forest on either side

The trail was icy and muddy the majority of the way so we had to tread carefully so as to not slip and slide all over the place and injure ourselves.

A snowy dirt road leading to a stone monument, surrounded by trees and a cloudy sky.
A bleak looking sky

Looking ahead I thought the sky was going to fall down on us, it looked so bleak and grey. I thought it was going to either bucket rain or snow on us. Thankfully it was only a drizzle that followed us for the walk.

A muddy dirt road lined with snow and trees, leading into a foggy distance.
A lovely walk in the park
A hiker standing on a snow-covered trail, dressed in warm clothing with a backpack, holding a hiking pole, under a cloudy sky.
Pretty grim! Trying to crack a smile!
A winding dirt path through a dense forest with snow patches on the ground and autumn foliage on the trees.
We were led off the service track onto this path
A historical courtyard featuring stone buildings, benches, and a central archway, on a rainy day.
A huge monastery in the middle of nowhere in San Juan de Ortega
A rural scene featuring a dirt path winding through green grassland, bordered by trees on either side. In the background, a black object is partially visible near a large tree under overcast skies.
Through some open farmland

The scenery changed from here on and so did the mist and the weather. It seemed to get colder and the wind picked up. We’re walking into another town called Agés which when we got there was closed for the winter season. Something we found out well enough when we walked through it last year. Our town for the night was only a few kilometres on from here. Today’s walk was not at all strenuous or difficult nor was it particularly scenic. Just a gentle climb up then a gentle slope downwards into Agés and Atapureca.

A scenic pathway leading through an open field with leafless trees on either side, surrounded by overgrown grass and foliage.
A slight diversion of the road on our way into Atapuerca
A hiker with a large backpack walks along a quiet, winding road surrounded by foggy fields and trees in the distance.
It’s bleak!
A long, empty road stretching into the fog, bordered by grassy fields under a grey sky.
Atapuerca up ahead

That’s it for today folks. Not an exciting walk or post by any means. Tomorrow we head into our next big town, Burgos. We might try to fit in a cathedral tour this time we’re there. Time for a beer and a warm meal by the fire.

Thanks for reading.

For a map of today’s walk you’ll find it below.

Buen Camino! 😊

1 comment on “El Camino Day 15”

  1. I can see now why you get the snow.
    With -0 temps and being fairly high up.
    Still bloody cold though.
    Once again great pictures to illustrate the journey
    Kees

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