A Peek at the Remarkable Camino de Santiago:
A Photo Journey

Jane V. Blanchard

Copyright ©2018, Jane V. Blanchard

Unless otherwise noted, all artwork and photographs were created by the author.

For information, address inquiries to:

Jane V. Blanchard

P.O. Box 18364

Sarasota FL, 34276

Email contact: Jane@janevblanchard.com

First published August 9, 2016. Rev.1.0

Revised June 26, 2018 Rev. 2.0

Sign up for the author's Woman on Her Way reading group and get a free copy of the companion book Camino Quotes and Poems. 

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Dedication

To past, present, and future pilgrims of the Camino de Santiago.

Contents

Dedication 

To My Readers 

The Pyrenees 

St-Jean-Pied-de-Port 

Valcarlos Valley 

Navarra 

Roncesvalles 

Espinal/Aurizberri 

Zubiri 

Pamplona 

Alto de Perdón 

Puente la Reina 

Estella 

Los Arcos 

La Rioja 

Logroño 

Navarrete 

Nájera 

Azofra 

Cirueña 

Grañón 

Castile and León 

Belorado 

Villafranca Montes de Oca 

Agés 

Burgos 

Hornillos del Camino 

Castrojeriz 

Frómista 

Carrión de los Condes 

Terradillos de los Templarios 

Bercianos del Real Camino 

Mansilla de las Mulas 

León 

Villar de Mazarife 

Astorga 

Rabanal del Camino 

Molinaseca 

Villafranca del Bierzo 

Galicia 

Pedrafita do Cebreiro 

Triacastela 

Sarria 

Portomarín 

Palas de Rei 

Arzúa 

O Pedrouzo 

Santiago de Compostela 

Parting Words 

About the Author 

Woman On Her Way Books 

To my readers

Thank you for taking a peek at the remarkable Camino de Santiago. If you are feeling any pre-Camino jitters, I hope this photo essay will ease your fears. If you are contemplating your own pilgrimage, I hope these pictures will lure you into setting a date.

Since the 9th century, Catholics have pilgrimaged to Santiago de Compostela to visit the tomb of St. James the Great, one of Jesus' twelve apostles. Traveling from all over Europe, pilgrims created a network of trails that lead to Santiago. The most famous of these trails is the Camino Francés. Traveling east to west, it traverses four Spanish regions: Navarra, La Rioja, Castile and León, and Galicia. Since the Council of Europe has designated this path as a Major Cultural Itinerary, the Camino attracts many modern-day pilgrims who hike the trail for nonreligious purposes.

Camino Francés crosses four regions of Spain

In 2011, my husband and I walked the 500 miles across northern Spain in forty-three days. This photo essay reflects our daily mileage and provides a glimpse of what you can expect to see along the way. Enjoy!

If you are interested in reading about my journey and the stories of women I met along the Camino, please see my book, Women of the Way: Embracing the Camino.

If you are preparing your first pilgrimage, Camino Tips: How to get the most out of "The Way" will help you turn your trip into a legend.

Hadrian's Wall Path, Walking into History is the story of my walking 80 miles across northern England and visiting the famous wall that separated the then most northern boundary of the roman empire from the fierce Scottish tribes.

The Pyrenees

St-Jean-Pied-de-Port

Distance: 27 km (16.7 m) from Roncesvalles, Spain, over the Pyrenees to St-Jean-Pied-de-Port, France (hereafter called St-Jean).

Desiring to see both the Pyrenees and the Valcarlos valley, my husband Dennis and I walked counter to the way most pilgrims did the Camino through the Pyrenees. We started in Roncesvalles, Spain, walked over the Pyrenees on the Napoleon Route and returned the following day through the valley on the Valcarlos Route. The highest point is the Col de Lepoeder at 1,450 m. (4757.2 ft).

Way sign on the Napoleon Route. Because we were walking the route "backwards," we had to guess which was the way to St-Jean.

Fountain before crossing the border into France. There is a Basque inscription on the fountain: "Bidea - Iturria - Bizia," which translates in "The Way - The Source - The life."

The majesty of the Pyrenees

Valcarlos Valley

Distance: 11 km (6.8 m) from St-Jean, France, to Valcarlos, Spain, plus an additional 8 km (5 m) getting lost.

Having learned the importance of carrying food on the first day's walk (we "bonked" from not having enough), we purchased sandwiches in St-Jean before setting off for the route through the Valcarlos Valley. At the Pilgrims Office, we received a map, but it did not provide enough details and we missed a crucial right turn after Ondarolle France to cross over into Spain. As we were heading east, we were unconcerned about the route until we started getting low on water and the surroundings became very desolate. Trail angels stopped to give us water and take us back down the mountain to the turnoff point. Exhausted, we decided to spend the night in Valcarlos (Luzaide) and finished the walk to Roncesvalles on the next day.

Ondarolle, a mountain village

Note the yellow trail indicator on the right pole, which we missed and ended up walking back up into the Pyrenees.

The town of Valcarlos.

Navarra

Roncesvalles

Distance: 14.5 km (9 m) from Valcarlos to Roncesvalles.

It was mid-morning by the time we left Valcarlos, sore and stiff from two days of climbing the Pyrenees.

First shell sign seen in Spain

Panoramic vista

Monument commemorating the death of Roland (Aug. 15, 778)

Espinal/Aurizberri

Distance: 6.8 km (4.2 m) from Roncesvalles to Espinal, plus 2.5 km (1.5 m) to campground.

Leaving Roncesvalles. Approximately 490 miles to Santiago de Compostela.

Would the Camino be paved all the way?

A typical Camino path

Zubiri

Distance: 10.5 km (6.5 mi) from Espinal to Zubiri

Camino village

I wonder where the left boots went?

Dinning room at the albergue El Palo de Avellano (The Hazel Stick) in Zubiri

Pamplona

Distance: 22 km (13.6 m) from Zubiri to Pamplona.

The medieval bridge that crosses the river Arga is known as the "Rabies Bridge."

Colorful door and flower box

Olives

Entrance into the "old city" of Pamplona, the capital of Navarra

Square that is the starting point for the Fiesta de San Fermin (the running of the bulls).

Alto de Perdón

Distance: 13.1 km (8.1 m) from Pamplona to Alto del Perdón.

Monument to Koks Frans, a Belgium pilgrim who died here.

Typical Camino de Santiago street, Zariquiegui

Vicente Galvete's cast-iron sculpture on Mount of Forgiveness reflect the centuries-old Camino.

Puente la Reina

Distance: 12.7 km (7.9 m) from Alto de Perdón to Puente la Reina.

Obanos, Spain

The Camino Aragonés joins the Camino Francés

A Romanesque six-arched bridge, Puente la Reina

Church of the Crucifix, Puente la Reina

Estella

Distance: 21.1 km (13.11 n) from Puente la Reina to Estella.

Mañeru fountain

Approaching Cirauqui (Basque word for "nest of vipers"

Calle Portal, Cirauqui

Typical hay bales

Pilgrim weather vane

Chapel of San Miguel

San Miguel Church, Estella

San Miguel Church, Estella

Los Arcos

Distance: 20.1 km (12.5 m) from Estella to Los Arcos.

The Benedictine monastery, Santa Maria la Real in Irache, Spain

The Fuente de Irache offers the pilgrim a choice of water or wine.

Approaching Los Arcos

La Rioja

Logroño

Distance: 29.8 km (18.5 m) from Los Arcos to Logroño.

Church of Santa María la Real, Los Arcos

Landscape showing Iberian Range

La Rioja vineyards

San Sol

Landscape near Viana

La Rioja Shell marker

Festival of San Mateo (wine harvest), Logroño

Navarrete

Distance: 11.9 km (7.4 m) from Logroño to Navarrete.

The ruins of the 12th century pilgrims hostel San Juan de Acre, Navarrete

Navarrete

The Osborne bull is about 14 meters (46 feet) tall and is a cultural Spanish symbol.

Nájera

Distance: 16.9 km (10.5 m) from Navarrete to Nájera.

Vineyards

Waypost

Pilgrim statue leaving Ventosa

San Saturnino of on the outskirts of Ventosa

Stork nest on Santa María la Real of Nájera

Azofra

Distance: 5.8 km (about 3.5 m) from Nájera to Azofra.

Leaving Nájera

Azofra

Azofra

Cirueña

Distance: 10 km (6.25 m) from Azofra to Cirueña.

Albergue Virgen de Guadalupe in Cirueña

Grañón

Distance: 12.8 km (8.0 m) from Cirueña to Grañón.

Wildflowers

Santo Domingo de la Calzada

The albergue San Juan Bautista is located below the bell tower of this church in Grañón

Grañón

Leaving Grañón

Castile and León

Belorado

Distance: 14.9 km (9.25 m) from Grañón to Belorado.

Entering the region of Castile and León

The landscape in late September

Santa María La Mayor in Belorado

Villafranca Montes de Oca

Distance: 11.1 km (6.9 m) from Belorado to Villafranca Montes de Oca.

Monasterio S. Felix de Oca

Hotel/Albergue San Anton Abad

Sign describing the Montes de Oca

Agés

Distance: 16.1 km (10 m) from Villafranca Montes de Oca to Agés.

Monte de la Pedraja 1936 Memorial commemorating the 300 people murdered during the Spanish Civil War.

Shriveled sunflowers

Agés

Burgos

Distance: 19.5 km (12.1 m) from Agés to Burgos.

Alto de Motagrande

Wild ornamental grass

Arco de Santa Maria

Hornillos del Camino

Distance 20.8 km (12.9 m) from Burgos to Hornillos del Camino.

Canal del Arlanzón

Rabe de las Calzadas

Rabe de las Calzada

Castrojeriz

Distance: 20.9 km (13.0 m) from Hornillos del Camino to Castrojeriz.

San Bol

Castrojeriz

A splotch of color on the Meseta

Frómista

Distrance: 23.9 km (14.9 m) from Castrojeriz to Frómista.

Castrojeriz in background

11th century Romanesque church, San Martin, Frómista

This sign written in Spanish and Braille describes the Great Bustard – The Queen of Plains. It is Europe's heaviest bird and the biggest flying bird.

Carrión de los Condes

Distance: 18.9 km (11.7 m) from Frómista to Carrión de los Condes.

Shepard with flock

Revenga de Campos

Approaching Carrion de los Condes

Terradillos de los Templarios

Distance: 25.8 km (16.0 m) from Carrión de los Condes to Terradillos de los Templarios.

Leaving the province of Palencia

Terradillos de los Templarios

Bicycle pilgrims

Bercianos del Real Camino

Distance: 22.0 km (13.7 m) from Terradillos de los Templarios to Bercianos del Real Camino.

Ermita de la Virgen del Puente

Arco de San Benito, Sahagún

In 2011, volunteers from the American Pilgrims of the Camino hosted this albergue.

Mansilla de las Mulas

Distance: 28.9 km (18 m) from Bercianos del Real Camino to Mansilla de las Mulas

Earthen homes in Reliegos

Bar Elvis, Reliegos

Mansilla de las Mulas

León

Distance: 18.9 km (11.9 m) from Mansilla de las Mulas to León.

Parador "Hostal San Marcos"

Villar de Mazarife

Distance: 21.2 km (13.2 m) from León to Villar de Mazarife.

Villar de Mazarife

Astorga

Distance: 28.9 km (18.0 m) from Villar de Mazarife to Astorga.

Hospital de Órbigo

Crucero de Santo Toribio and the city of Astorga in background

Astorga

Rabanal del Camino

Distance: 21.2 km (13.2 m) from Astorga to Rabanal Del Camino.

Rabanal del Camino

Capilla de San Jose, Rabanal del Camino

Foncebadón

Molinaseca

Distance: 25.1 km (15.6 m) from Rabanal del Camino to Molinaseca.

Cruz de Ferro

Manjarin

Molinaseca

Villafranca del Bierzo

Distance: 27.4 km (17.0 m) from Molinaseca to Villafranca del Bierzo.

Ponferrada

Gourd garden

Columbrianos

Camponaraya

Cacabelos wine press

Galicia

Pedrafita do Cebreiro

Distance:33.3 km (20.7 m) from Villafranca del Bierzo to Pedrafita do Cebreiro.

Looking back at Villafranca del Bierzo

Sunrise in the Ancares mountain range

Charming building

Triacastela

Distance: 24.6 km (15.3 m) from Pedrafita do Cebreiro to Triacastela.

Near Alto do Cebreiro. Altitude–1,300 m (4265 ft)

Descending from O Cebreiro

Bucolic scene

Sarria

Distance: 21.7 km (13.5 m) from Triacastela to Sarria.

Mosteiro de San Xulián de Samos, an active Benedictine monastery in Samos

Morning break: café con leche or  cocoa with croissant

Sarria

Portomarín

Distance: 21.2 km (13.2 m) from Sarria to Portomarín.

100 Kilometer marker

Puncheon logs over riverbed

Portomarín

Palas de Rei

Distance: 24.1 km (15.0 m) from Portomarín to Palas de Rei.

Hórreo (granary)

Traffic on the last 100 kilometers

Albergue Paso de Formiga in Palas de Rei has ant sculptures in yard.

Arzúa

Distance: 27.9 km (17.3 m) from Palas de Rei to Arzúa.

Hazy morning

Eucalyptus forest

Pilgrims in raingear

O Pedrouzo

Distance: 19.2 km (11.9 m) from Arzúa to O Pedrouzo.

Only 15 miles to go

Santiago de Compostela

Distance: 18.1 km (11.25 m) from O Pedrouzo to Santiago de Compostela.

Monte de Gozo

Santiago de Compostela

Cathedral Santiago de Compostela

Parting Words

Dear reader,

I hope you enjoyed this glimpse of the Camino de Santiago. My goal was to showcase the beauty of the Camino—all 500 miles of it—and, perhaps, entice you to walk the Camino.

If you liked this photo essay, I would appreciate your helping me spread the word about the ebook. Please tell your friends about it. If you have time, please write a short review on the site where you purchased it. Your review could make a difference to readers trying to decide if the book is right for them.

If you are preparing for the journey, I hope you will consider my book, Camino Tips: How to get the most out of "The Way." If you would like to read about my journey and the discussions I had with other women pilgrims, please check out Women of the Way: Embracing the Camino.

If you are looking for a shorter European hike, I recommend Hadrian's Wall Path in northern England. It takes only 7 to 10 days to hike the 84-mile coast-to-coast path. You can read about my experience in Hadrian's Wall Path: Walking into History.

If you would like to read more about my adventures, please follow me on my travel blog. Sign up for my newsletter to find out about upcoming trips, sales, or book releases.

Sign up for the author's Woman on Her Way reading group and get a free copy of the companion book Camino Quotes and Poems. 

Click HERE to get started

About the Author

Jane V. Blanchard is the award-winning author of the "Woman on Her Way" series. Since she retired in 2011, she has visited sixteen countries by foot and by bicycle and written five books about her wanderings.

When she married in 1974, she joked with her husband Dennis about creating a lifetime of memories so they could have something to chat about when sitting in rockers in their old age. Now in her mid-60s, she is still creating memories, experiencing life as fully as possible, and looking forward to a long future. "I have to live long enough to write about all my adventures."

Besides having adventures and then writing about them, Jane enjoys cooking, reading, and spending time with friends and family.

The "Woman On Her Way" Books

If you enjoyed this book, you may also enjoy:

Women of the Way: Embracing the Camino 

Camino Tips: How to Get the Most Out of "The Way" 

Hadrian's Wall Path: Walking into History 