July 2026
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Day 36 through 39: Astorga to Rabanal to El Acebo to Molinaseca
I’m taking my mileage a little bit slower until the shin splints are completely gone. But they’re a little better every day, so I’m encouraged by that. Astorga marks the unofficial end of the Meseta, which means more hills, more green, and less monotony. Many people, including me, welcome this stretch. The trail steadily climbs…
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Day 33 through 35: Rest days in León
León is one of my absolute favorite places on the Camino. The tapas scene is like none another. Every little bar will offer you a free tapa…usually a couple of bites… with every drink that you buy. Spending a couple of days in this beautiful town also allowed these shin splints to calm down a…
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Days 28 through 32: The 5 day push from Carrión de Los Condes to León
I didn’t post the last few days because, quite frankly, the Meseta is rather boring. it’s endless days of walking along the path, punctuated by little tiny villages. Sometimes the path goes through fields, and sometimes it goes along “sendas”, which is a pedestrian byway that goes right alongside a major highway. Either way, it…
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Day 26 & 27: Población to Carrión de los Condes, and a rest day in Carrión de los Condes
Yesterday was a beautiful day spent walking partially through open fields, mostly wheat and sunflowers, and a lovely shaded path that is next to the canal like the day prior. I arrived in mid-afternoon to Carrión de los Condes, which is a nice medium sized town and ideal for a rest day. I immediately found…
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Day 24 & 25: Hontanas to Itero de Vega, and Itero de Vega to Población
It was very pleasant on the trail the last few days. Yesterday was about 13 miles and today was about 11. The trail has flattened out considerably. There are some hills, but large stretches of flat land as well. Today in particular was really nice, as much as the walk was along an irrigation canal,…
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Day 23: New kicks and a reminder
After an unfruitful day yesterday, trying to buy new footwear in Burgos, but finding everything closed, today I was successful in the pursuit. I went to two stores and was able to find exactly what I needed. I ended up buying the Altra Experience Wild 3+, which is somewhat of a hybrid trail runner/road shoe.…
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Day 21 & 22: Burgos to Hornillos and needing to replace the shoes
Yesterday was a 13 mile relatively flat walk from Burgos to Hornillos. What should have been an easier day was made difficult by the discomfort my hiking boots are causing me. I have the Altra Timps Hikers, and while they are great boots in many regards (wide toe box, very cushioned sole, grippy treads), they…
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Day 19 & 20: Atapuerca to Burgos and rest day in Burgos
Yesterday was the approximately 13 mile walk from Atapuerca to Burgos, and it was much the same as the preceding several days: hot and hilly. I am nearly three weeks into the journey and just over 1/3 done. They say that the first third is where your body adjusts to the mileage and the terrain.…
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Day 17 & 18: Belorado to Villafranca Montes de Oca, and Villafranca Montes de Oca to Atapuerca
Yesterday was a shorter mileage day (8 miles), so I decided to opt for a little bit later start of 8:00. Big mistake, since I was walking through heat and glaring sun all day. But the place I stayed in Villafranca Montes de Oca was absolutely lovely….a big stone building from the 1300s lovingly restored…
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Day 15 & 16: Santo Domingo de la Calzada to Belorado, and a rest day in Belorado
Yesterday was my longest mileage day so far, just over 14 miles. I’m trying to keep my daily mileage around 12 miles which means that some days are shorter and some days are longer. This felt like a very long day. Lots of hills, lots of sunshine. Still, it was a good day. There were…
A Wisconsin Girl Takes a Walk 