We welcome solo travellers but we do not match people up to share. If you are a solo traveller you must book a single room.
Please note that you must book Aer Lingus flights into Bilbao for this trip. The transfers are booked according to Aer Lingus arrivals and departures. If you book another airline or airport you must arrange and pay for your own transfers.
This is the third stage of the French Way on the Camino. This stage will bring us across the famed Meseta. The Meseta is the large central plain of Spain and the French Way of the Camino passes through the northern part. It is a wide open space with wheat fields and tilled land all around you. This entire stage is on the Meseta so the terrain is reasonably flat with very little shelter from the sun or the rain.
There is plenty of history along this stage with the town of Castrojeriz once an important medieval town where pilgrims rested. Fromista has the best example of a Romanesque style of church and Carrion de Los Condes has a unique history with El Cid killing the Counts of Carrion for mistreating his daughter, tributes of 100 maidens paid to the moors annually and a plaque to Francisco Franco in the town. The tiny village of Terradillos de lo Templarios was a stronghold of the Knights Templar, now no trace of it remains.
So this stage has wide open spaces when you are walking and plenty of history to look up in the evenings. A highlight of this stage is a visit to the ruined castle on the hill overlooking Castrojeriz. It commands excellent views of the surrounding countryside.
- Day 1: Arrive at Bilbao airport and transfer to Burgos
Day 2: Burgos to Hornillos 21 km
Day 3: Hornillos to Castrojeriz 20.2 km
Day 4: Castrojeriz to Fromista 25.2 km
Day 5: Fromista to Carrion 20.5 km
Day 6: Carrion to Terradillos 26.8 km
Day 7: Terradillos to Bercianos 23.5 km
Day 8: Transfer to Bilbao airport. Time tbc
The guides will meet the group at Dublin airport.
CLOTHING & FOOD
- This list is recommendations and only covers what you will need for the walking , obviously you will pack other clothes for the evenings.
- Footwear, I recommend a light half boot, these can be got in all good outdoor stores. It is advisable to get a pair a half size or a full size bigger than you normally get. Your feet may swell when walking long distances. This will result in toes catching the inside of the boot.
- Walking pants, they are lightweight and dry quickly. A pair with zip off legs are very handy.
- Trainers or Sandals for wearing in the evening, giving your feet a rest from the boots
- Light rain jacket and rain pants or a poncho.
- Walking socks, I use Smartwool hiking socks and they work really well for me. Bridgedale are another good brand.
- Light Fleece, always carry it in your day pack as it can get chilly when you stop for a coffee or lunch
- Sun Hat, if the weather is hot and sunny you should always cover your head
- Sunglasses, to protect your eyes in sunny weather
- Sunscreen, this should be applied before breakfast and a few times during the day, even if the sun is not shining!!
- Warm hat , for the sometimes chilly mornings and evenings
- Base Layers, I always use a base layer when walking with a light shirt over it. It keeps the sweat off your back
- 30 litre day pack , get one with good waist straps so the weight of the bag is on your hips, this will reduce the pressure on your shoulders. It will make the long distances easier.
- Water bottle/Platypus/Camelbak, the tap water is safe to drink and we encourage people to bring their own water bottles and refill them.
- Toilet paper, for when you get caught short. We use a policy of 'Leave No Trace'. All toilet paper should be brought with you and disposed of at your hotel.Nappy bags are handy for this.
- Snacks/Energy Bars, essential for walking on the Camino. If energy levels drop a small snack can make the difference. Available in shops over there but some people prefer ones they are used to.
FIRST AID
There will be an extensive first aid kit with your guides but it is good to carry a small first aid kit yourself.
- Plasters
- Paracetamol
- Antihistamines
- Antiseptic cream
- Blister plasters
- Foot powder or Vaseline for your toes to help prevent blisters.
- Any medication you may be on.
- Two guides
- Transfer from Bilbao airport to Burgos
- Transfer from Bercianos to Bilbao airport
- 7 nights B&B with en suite and continental breakfast
- Camino Siciety Ireland issued camino passport
- Luggage transfer each day( one piece per person)
- Return bus from Hornillos to Castrojeriz ( we will be two nights in Castrojeriz)
- Flights
- Travel or medical insurance( we recommend you get both)
- Lunches/dinners/beverages.
Fitness
It is up to each individual to be fit enough to complete the walks each day. If a person cannot finish a walk, for whatever reason, they will have to pay for the transport themselves. This usually means calling for a taxi. Into the West Adventures will not be liable for the costs.
Food & Footwear
Recommendations will be given on where to eat.
The group will have breakfast at 7.30 am each morning and will depart at 8.30am. We encourage each person to walk at their own pace, it is not a race. That said the more training a person can do the more they will enjoy the trip.
Even though dinner is not included groups usually eat together at 7.30pm each evening. If people do not wish to join the group for dinner they must inform the guides.
If there are any problems please inform one of your guides.
We advise that your footwear be a half size to a full size bigger than normal. This is because your foot may swell when walking.
ELEVATION OVERVIEW:
Please check out our terms and conditions for our cancellation policy.