Women's Pilgrims Walk in Spain September 2013

PROPOSED ITINERARY

Day 1 – 12.09.2013 - Arrival in St. Jean Pied de Port

The town was once a part of the Spanish province of Navarre and the Basque language is still spoken on both sides of the border and they still share similar traditions.
The town is an important point on the Way of St. James, the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, as it stands at the base of the Roncevaux Pass across the Pyrenees. Pied-de-Port means 'foot of the pass' in Pyrenean French.
The 14th century red schist Gothic church, Notre-Dame-du-Bout-du-Pont, stands by the Porte d'Espagne. The original was built by Sancho the Strong of Navarre to commemorate the 1212 Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa where Moorish dominance of Spain was undermined. This is an interesting point to visit. Dinner and overnight in St. Jean Pied de Port.

Day 2 – 13.09.2013 - St. Jean Pied de Port – Roncesvalles
Walk aprox. 23 km
Today we will start with the first stage. This stage, could be viewed as the most difficult as it crosses the Pyrenees. The Route de Napoleon kicks off with a steep climb, passing by orchards and country houses and then, later on, through Alpine-style meadows, before weaving its way alongside leafy beech wood towards the border and the descent to Roncesvalles. After arriving in Roncesvalles take a rest and have a walk around this wonderfull town and visit the Colegiate Church or the Santiago Chapel. Dinner and overnight in Roncesvalles.  (BD)

Day 3 – 14.09.1013 - Roncesvalles – Zubiri / Akerreta
Walk aprox. 12 km
Today we start with our second stage which will take us to Zubiri or Akerreta. In total this stage is 23 km but we will walk only the first 12 km until arriving Viscarret. Upon leaving Roncesvalles we will walk towards Burguete. Passing through a wooded area containing, amongst others, beech, oak, maple, hazel and holly trees. Two km into the track the trees give way to head towards some farm buildings, and the track turns left to join the road before arriving at Burguete. After leaving Burguete you will pass series of gates, streams, cultivated fields, beech woods and meadows. This track finally ends up in Espinal. After passing a fountain, you will leave the town to the left to begin your climb towards alto de MEzquiriz, going through meadows, coniferous forest andbeech wood. From here and only 8 km away you will reach Viscarret. At Viscarret our coach will be waiting for you in order to drive you to your accommodation. Dinner and overnight in Zubiri / Akerreta. (BD)

Day 4 – 15.09.2013 - Zubiri / Akerreta – Pamplona
Walk aprox. 11 km
The camino runs alongside the river Arga valley, at the foot of a group of hills covered in beech, oak and Scots pine, while the N-135 runs parallel to the river. As we approach Pamplona, the landscape becomes more obviously influenced by mankind, with its conifer reforestation and farmlands. Upon arriving Villava, we once again rejoin civilisation. Today the coach will drive you to Zuriáin and from there you will start your walking until Pamplona. Dinner and overnight in Pamplona. (BD)

Day 5 – 16.09.2013 - Pamplona – Puente la Reina – Estella
Walk aprox. 12 km
Estella is your target of today. The coach will drive you until Puente la Reina, there you will visit the mediaeval bridge over the river Arga before starting today’s stage.
The route to Estella is very uneven and quite agricultural, and is cultivated with cereals, vineyards and olive trees dotted out amongst small towns and villages. As you will not walk the total 21 km until Estella the coach will pick you up in Lorca and from there drive you to Estella. In Estella take a bit of free time and visit the church of San Miguel or the Romanesque cloister in the church of San Pedro de la Rúa. Dinner and overnight in Estella. (BD)

Day 6 – 17.09.2013 - Estella – Los Arcos – Logroño
Walk aprox. 12 km
A new stage which goes through the Rioja area of Navarra: this route has ever-present vineyards, olive trees and cereals. From Villamayor you will start your walking of today. From there to Los Arcos, you will cover 12 km without coming across a single town or village. But before stoping in Villamayor the coach will stop you in Irache, there stands, close to some cellars, a very special fountain. This dispenses not only water – essential and refreshing -, but also wine, traditional pilgrim fuel and provider of energy and comfort. After regaining your strength, and before leaving to Villamayor, you can visit the impressive monastic complex of Santa Maria la Real de Irache.
In Los Arcos your coach will pick you up and drive you to Logroño, you leave Navarra and move into La Rioja. Dinner and overnight in Logroño. (BD)

Day 7 – 18.09.2013 - Logroño – Najera – Santo Domingo de la Calzada
Walk aprox. 15 km
After breakfast you will be transfred by coach first to Najera, where you will make a little stop. Maybe you can take this time and visit de Monastery of Santa Maria la Real. After this stop the coach will drive you to Azofra and from there you will walk until Santo Domingo de la Calzada.
From Azofra, our next destination, there are two alternatives, you will walk the one towards Cirueña. To follow this alternative route, begin by xheading upwards through the vegetation until you reach a Plateau, on which an extremely alien=looping golf course can be found in the middle of a holm oak wood. To the right of here, you will be able to see Ciruñuela, and then Cirueña, a village you will soon reach along the pathway. From here, and indeed until you reach Santo Domingo , the track is full of ups and downs, (the Matacon Hills). From a viewpoint along the way, you can see as far as the foothills of the La demanda mountain range to the South, and the Cantabria mountain range to the North. Straigh ahead you should be able to see Santo Domingo de la Calzada, your next stop. Here you will have your next overnight. Dont miss and visit the town ando f course the Renaissance Cathedral. Dinner and overnight in Santo Domingo de la Calzada. (BD)

Day 8 – 19.09.2013 - Santo Domingo de la Calzada – Atapuerca – Burgos
Walk aprox. 8 km
Today the coach will drive you first to Belorado (short visit) and San Juan Ortega (short visit). After visiting San Juan Ortega you will start walking to Atapuerca. From San Juan Ortega, your route will take you to Ages, passing the Hermitage of our Lady of Rebollo, Ages lies straight ahead. Go down to the village. A small road leads out of Ages, going directly to Atapuerca. From there until Burgos the landscape disappears, and you will travel by coach through the traffic and industry which is caracteristic of the entrance to Burgos. It is by no means an exaggeration to say that Burgos is one of the Spanish cities most closely associated with St James. Here you will have a guided tour where you will see Burgos Cathedral and many other important spots of this wonderfull city. Dinner and overnight in Burgos. (BD)

Day 9 – 20.09.2013 - Burgos - Castrojeriz – Fromista – Carrion de los Condes
Walk aprox. 12 km
Today you will leave Burgos and your coach will drive you to Castrojeriz for a little stop to see the collegiate church of La Virgen del Manzano, there you can see a nice statue of St James the Pilgrim. After this short visit you will start walking from Castrojeriz to Itero de la Vega. After Castrojeriz, situated on the hillside between the valleys of the river Odrilla and the Pisuerga, is Mosterales, the last plain in the Burgos area. The river Pisuerga brings you into the province of Palencia, and into the Tierra de Campos, with its immense plains. Once you leave on the left side Itero del Castillo you will arrive at Itero de la Vega. The coach will wait there for you and drive you to Fromista where you can visit the church of San Martin. After the visit the coach will drive you to Carrion de lo Condes. Due the history and central location, it can be said that Carrion de los Condes is the capital of Tierra de Campos. Liber Sancti Iacobi reflects this important status and bestows on it the sort of praise which denies cities such as Burgos. The name Carrion de los Condes, which replaces the old Ciudad de Santa Maria or Santa Maria de Carrion (the river Carrion) is related to the important banu-Gomez family, a noble family from Leon who ruled over the area from this city. Dont miss the oportunity and visit the monastery of San Zoilo. Dinner and overnight in Carrion de los Condes. (BD)

Day 10 – 21.09.2013 - Carrion de los Condes – Sahagun - Mansilla de las Mulas – León
Walk aprox. 17 km
After breakfast your coach will drive you to Mansillas de las Mulas, but before arriving in Mansillas de las Mulas you will make a short stop to visit Sahagun where you can see the Church of San Lorenzo, La Peregrina or the arch of San Benito. After this short stop your coach will drive you to Mansilla de las Mulas, before starting your walk of today don’t miss the fantastic monument to the Pilgrims. After passing by the graveyard and the river Moro, you will come to Villamoros de Mansilla. This village is situated alongside the motorway, on the other side of which is Lancia, situated atop a small mound. Leave Villamoros on the hard verge of the road, before taking a path a few metres ahead which heads off into a poplar wood. The river Porma runs along the left-hand side of ths path, before eventually crossing the path. You should then cross the river over the huge bridge with twenty arches, carry along the leafy riverside, and then cross the road to San Miguel de Escalada. Next, go through Puente de Villarente.From here you will only have 10 more km before you finally reach León. Arcahueja, Valdefuente and Puente del Castro will be other towns you will pass before, from Portillo Hill you should be able to make out the beautiful city of León. Dinner and overnight in León. (BD)

Day 11 – 22.09.2013 – León

The spirituality of the pilgrimage era found its expression in light and colour in the fantastic stained glass windows of León cathedral, one of the mighty churches that rose along the Pilgrim’s Way. One can spend hours watching the play of light, as filtered sunbeams pour down from above, but other attractions beckon in this city founded by, and named after, the Roman legionnaires who came here seeking the rich minerals of the surrounding lands. The Plaza Mayor and the Basilica known as the “Sistine Chapel” of the Spanish Romanesque style where the Royal Pantheon and magnificent 12^th century frescoes are housed, but still is much more to see, such as, the Conde Luna and the Guzmanes palaces and churches such as San Salvador de Palas del Rey and the modernist Casa de los Botines by architect Antonio Gaudi. Dinner and overnight in León. (BD)

Day 12 – 23.09.2013 - Rabanal del Camino – Foncebadon – Villafranca del Bierzo

Walk aprox 4 hours, 16 km
Today’s transfer will take us to Foncebadón, the onetime important centre in the Middle Ages that has been abandoned. Here took place a Council in the 10 C, and a century later, the hermit Guacelmo founded a hostelry for pilgrims. Some kilometres off the municipality, surmounting a peak that the Romans dedicated to Mercury can be seen the Ferro Cross, on top of a stick fixed to a big heap of stones .Traditionally travellers bring a stone from their places of origin and deposit it on the heap. The itinerary continues towards Manjarín, an abandoned village that once had a hospital. The Route crosses El Acebo, at whose entrance is the Fountain of the Trout. The houses have exterior staircases and slate roofs. Its Parish Church treasures a Romanesque carving of Santiago pilgrim. Next to this municipality is Compludo, where San Fructuoso founded his first monastery in the 7 C. A Medieval forge, run by water, can still be found. The itinerary continues and arrives at Riego de Ambrós, where stand the Chapels of San Fabián and San Sebastián, and the church of Asunción. Finally, pilgrims reach in Molinaseca. Upon reaching this beautiful town -crossing a Romanesque bridge- travellers will view the ruins of the Sanctuary of Angustias. In the interior of the village the emblazoned houses with towers can be admired. One of this houses was inhabited by Doña Urraca. Also the Balboa house, the Hospital and the chapel of Saint Christ at the end of the village, are worthy of note.

From here our bus will drive us to Villafranca del Bierzo, a town founded in the 11 C, where the Cluny Order had an important representation. Pilgrims can enjoy the Collegiate Church of Santa María, built between the 13 and 16 C; the churches of Santiago (12 C) and San Nicolás, as well as the Agua Street, full of palaces and emblazoned houses. The Castle-Palace of the Marquisate is worthy of being visited.

Dinner and overnight in Villafranca del Bierzo (BD)

Day 13 – 24.09.2013 - Villafranca del Bierzo – Herrerias – O Cebreiro

Walk aprox 4 hours, 9 km
This morning alter having our breakfast, our bus will transfer us to Herrerias (forges), called after the many forges it once had. Later, the Route enters La Faba, from where can be viewed Cebreiro up in the distance. The last village in the region of Leon is Laguna de Castillo. Pilgrims enter Galicia by Lugo, not far from Santiago. The first village in the region of Lugo along the Route is Cebreiro, with an altitude of 1,300 meters. A group of "pallozas" can be seen -Preromanesque circular houses with straw roofs- and a beautiful Preromanesque temple, from the 9-10 C, containing a Chalice, the Paten of "Santo Milagro" and a precious Romanesque carving of Santa María la Real. The Ethnographic Museum, located in a "palloza" can be visited.Dinner and overnight in O Cebreiro (BD)

Day 14 – 25.09.2013 - O Cebreiro – Triacastela – Samos - Sarria

Walk aprox 4 hours, 14 km
Today’s stage will start in Fonfría do Camiño, which contains the old hospital for pilgrims, Santa Catalina, and the Parish Church that houses a golden silver chalice from the 18 C. The Route leads to Biduedo, where the smallest church along the Route can be found, San Pedro. In As Pasantes pilgrims can pray in the chapel dedicated to the Virgin of Remedios. Finally, the Route reaches Triacastela. Traditionally pilgrims used to take a limestone which they carried along to Castañeda, so that it would become lime that could be used to build the Santiago Cathedral. In the 13 C, Alfonso XI tried unsuccessfully to convert this precious village into a big town. Triacastela once had a hospital and a prison, an unusual circumstance along the Route. Travellers can visit the Parish Church of Santiago, containing a façade from the 18 C and a Romanesque apse. In its interior there is a processional cross from the 12 C. From there we continue walking until San Cristobal do Real, where we will take our transfer to Samos. Samos is located off the traditional French Itinerary, but whose Benedictine Monastery of San Xulián de Samos, from the 6-18 C, is worthy to be visited. This important monastery is situated on the valley by the Ouribio River, sorrounded by scenery that enhances its beauty and provides a mysterious atmosphere.

The transfer will take the group to Sarria. Dinner and overnight in Sarria. (BD)

From here the group will walk all km to reach the “Compostela”, official certification for all pilgrims who walks the last 100 km. 

Day 15– 26.09.2013 - Sarria – Lavandeira - Portomarin

Walk aprox 4.5 hours, 20 km

The French Way leaves Sarria through the A Áspera bridge, heading for Barbadelo. Across meadows and oak woods, it enters the municipality of Paradela and then descends to the Miño riverside to cross the bridge leading to the town of Portomarín.
The Way leaves Sarria through the parish church of Santa Mariña, of Salvador, the tower of the ancient wall and the convent of A Madanela. After leaving the town centre, a very steep descent leads to the bridge of A Áspera.
After crossing the bridge, the path follows the railway tracks for about 1 km. Then it crosses it to climb the hardest hill of this stage and later reach a flat path all the way to Barbadelo, where one can visit the Church of Santiago.
The road continues towards Rente through a road in very good condition, passing Mercado da Serra, Leimán and Peruscallo, beginning of an area of streams, with berms and stone paths to cross them.
Going past Lavandeira, Casais, A Brea and Morgade, and after a tough climb one arrives to Ferreira, the first village of Ribeira Sacra of Lugo. Taking a detour from the road at the entrance of Francos, the Way continues along a stony path that goes mostly downhill, passing through numerous hamlets.
The valley landscape alternates with meadows full of cows, with typical buildings with slate roofs.  The terrain along this stretch is very uneven, mostly downward, with large potholes and  stones. Leaving this road behind, the path ends up in a road from where one gets the first glimpse of the Belesar Reservoir.
Crossing the bridge over the reservoir, the road enters the village through some stairs that are directly opposite to the road and that lead to the town centre. Portomarín is a town of great tourist interest. Dinner and overnight in Portomarin (BD)

Day 16 – 27.09.2013 -  Portomarin – Palas de Rei

Walk aprox 5.5 hours, 24 km
From the village of Gonzar, the Way continues trough Castromaior and Ligonde, whose hospital hosted Emperor Charles V and his son Philip II, the most famous pilgrim of the sixteenth-century. Immediately after, the route enters the lands of the municipality Palas de Rei, which is named after an alleged royal palace built nearby.

The Way departs from Portomarín through a bridge for pedestrians over the reservoir. From there, a fairly intense climb begins, following the road all the Way to Gonzar, located by the road, with its church and hostel.

From Gonzar the route continues to Castromaior, known for its Romanesque church and situated along a small brook near the remains of an ancient Castro settlement. It goes on towards Hospital, goes across a bridge over the main road and then flows into a county road that leads to Ventas de Narón, A Previsa and Os Lameiros, where the small chapel of San Marcos is found among centenary oak trees.  Then the Way gets to Ligonde that has some historical remains but very few services, which are available in the next parish, Eirexe, where the hostel is.

The Way continues going through different hamlets, among which there is a remarkable inn with stables for horses between Portos and Lestedo. The latter town has a noteworthy cemetery in which the niches are facing the road, with flowers covering the small road verges.

It then follows the road until A Brea, where it diverts during a short stretch through a path that later joins the main road that will be followed until the entrance to Palas de Rei, entering the town through its recreation area, Os Chacotes, where the Pilgrim’s Pavilion is located.

Continuing towards the town centre of Palas de Rei, it passes by the Church of San Tirso.

Dinner and overnight in Palas de Rei (BD)

Day 17 – 28.09.2013 - Palas do Rei – Melide – Castañeda - Arzua

Walk aprox 6.5 hours, 27 km
The French Way departs from Palas through the Campo dos Romeiros, traditional meeting point for pilgrims to then enter the medieval hamlet of Leboreiro. On the way between Leboreiro and Melide it goes across the little village of Furelos and its river through a medieval bridge before entering the urban area of Melide.
The French Way leaves Palas de Rei crossing the main road until it joins a path that leads to Carballal and afterwards to San Xulián, nice village with an interesting church and cruceiro (calvary).
After a series of ups and downs it reaches Ponte Campaña and later Casanova. The Way continues through different provinces, leaving Lugo behind and entering the province of A Coruña through O Coto to then descend to Leboreiro.
The path goes across several small villages and what appears to be an industrial area next to the main road before entering again the forest. It then goes through Furelo's medieval bridge, considered one of the jewels of the French Way's civil architecture and arrives in Melide.
After Melide, the Way passes by Boente and Castañeda to then reach Arzúa, cheese town that offers a wide choice of rural and active tourism, especially in the area close to the reservoir of Portodemouros.
In this stage, the Way is easy and in very good condition, mixing soil and stone with small roads between villages, with gentle climbs and descents, alternating with flat stretches.
In Boente there is a fountain of four pipes and a cruceiro (calvary), separated from the Church by the main road. From there, the Way gets to Ribadiso through a bridge over River Iso, next to which is the hostel, one of the most beautiful ones of the French Way. It consists of several rehabilitated little houses with hearth in the dining room and a large garden with a staircase that goes straight to the river, where the pilgrims bathe in summer.
After Ribadiso, the Way runs through the road all the way to Arzúa, the undisputed land of cheese.
Dinner and overnight in Arzua (BD) 

Day 18 – 29.09.2013 - Arzua – Santa Irene – O Pino - Amenal

Walk aprox 4.5 hours, 19 km
This stretch of the way goes again through meadows, oak and eucalyptus trees that surround the small villages, some with Xacobean reminiscences in their names: A Calzada, A Calle, Ferreiros, A Salceda, A Brea, Santa Irene and A Rúa, the latter already at the entrance of Arca, capital of the municipality of O Pino / Amenal, the last one before Santiago.
Generally speaking, the stage goes along dirt tracks, with some stretches through secondary roads and also through paths parallel to the road. The stage is quite balanced in terms of hills and flats and well signposted from start to finish. The French Way departs from Arzúa through a small road that leaves the county of Arzúa behind to enter O Pino / Amenal. It crosses the main road through a tunnel in the county of Arzúa and then it comes across it again approximately at Santa Irene, where a beautiful chapel are.
Following the Way from the entrance to O Pino / Amanal, there are large remarkable stretches that get into eucalyptus forests and pine and fir reforestation areas, with totally symmetric rows that produce a curious visual effect.
Dinner and overnight in Amenal 

Day 19 – 30.09.2013 - Amenal - Santiago de Compostela

Walk aprox 4.5 hours, 21 km
The final day has come. Pilgrims begin their last day of journey along the Route to Santiago. Along it, pilgrims have travelled by part of the Spanish territory, and have enjoyed many of the countless wonders the country treasures, as a result of centuries of history, where the Route of Santiago has played an important role.

ThThis stage starts at Amenal.

It then crosses towards the next village, Santo Antón, where the ascent to the municipality of Santiago begins, going through pine and eucalyptus forests, where the trees are very close together and symmetrically placed, in some areas, there are also oak trees. After reaching the summit, the Way passes next to the airport and starts the gentle descent towards A Lavacolla.

A Lavacolla, already in the municipality of Santiago is located very close from the Monte do Gozo (Mount of Joy), a hill from where the pilgrims catch their first glimpse of Santiago's cathedral.

From here the route is mostly urban, getting to the Cathedral through the San Lázaro neighbourhood, Rúa de San Pedro, Porta do Camiño, Rúa das Casas Reais and Praza de Cervantes, to then go straight down to the cathedral and access through the Holy Door or, if it is not a Holy Year, through the Azabachería Door.

Pilgrims will soon arrive at the Cathedral, the destination they have been yearning to reach for a long time. This architectural masterpiece is the most important Romanesque monument. Access to the Doorway of Glory is via the Obradoiro façade. Once in its interior, pilgrims will be carried away by the emotions produced by the sight of so many extraordinary valuable works of art. Tradition invites pilgrims to perform some rites. The most important and meaningful one is the hug to the Saint. Later on, comes the pagan rite of the bumps. It consists in reaching for a branch on the mullion, below the figure of the Sitting Apostle and, later making three wishes. On the other side of the column, there is another statue believed to impart wisdom and talents to whoever bumps his head against it. Outside the Cathedral, at the Obradoiro Square, visitors will be amazed at the magnificent sorrounding buildings that reflect the thousand years of history and architecture in the town: the School of San Jerónimo, founded in 1501; the Neoclassical Pazo Raxoi, built in 1766, and the Old Royal Hospital for pilgrims, favoured by the Catholic Monarchs and built at the beginning of the 16 C. These are some of the wonders pilgrims can enjoy in this historical town.

Dinner and overnight in Santiago for the next 3 days. (BD)

Day 20 – 01.10.2013 - Santiago de Compostela

After the breakfast a tourist guide will show us the most important sights of this historic city. Among other we visit the palace Gelmirez as well as the cathedral. After this tour, free afternoon to take a stroll through the charming alleys and ancient streets of the city.

Dinner and overnight in Santiago de Compostela.

Day 21 – 02.10.2013 - Santiago – Camariñas – Muxía – Finisterre – Carnota – Muros

After the breakfast in the hotel we will begin our journey towards Santa Comba to arrive at Camariñas, famous for its pillow lace. Afterwards we continue to Cabo Vilano, situated on a cliff which maybe is one of the most spectacular cliffs of the peninsula coast. We continue towards Muxía, where we visit the Santuary of “La Virgen de la Barca” with its magic and curative stones. Passing Cée and Corcubión we will arrive at Finisterre for having lunch (pic-nic). In the afternoon we will ascent to Cabo Finisterre, the end of the world for the Romans. In the return journey to the hotel we will pass small towns as El Ezaro, Monte Pindo and Carnota, where the biggest Hórreo is situated. We arrive in the evening the hotel in Santiago de Compostela.

Dinner and overnight in Santiago de Compostela.

Day 22 – 03.10.2013 - Departure day
Transfer from the hotel in Santiago to the airport of Santiago de Compostela. End of our services. 

This package includes:

- 21 nights accommodation including breakfast and evening meal

 - Bus support throughout the trip.

 arrival and  transfer from St Jean to hotel first day

 Flight Santiago to Madrid last day

departure from the hotel to the airport in Santiago the last day.

Full Days excursion to Camariñas, Muxía, Finisterre, Walls  from Santiago

·Bus support at the beginning of the program and to the hotel at the end it (every day).

- Official Guide in English in Leon and Santiago de Compostela. Guided tour of each city with a visit to the points of cultural historical interest.

- English-language companion guide throughout the trip, walk with the group.

Accommodation twin share with attached bathroom.

 All taxes and service charges at the hotels 

 Full-time services of a tour leader

 Baggage transfer between hotels

Extra 2 night Madrid including sightseeing 21 - 23 Sept.