Day 8. La Peza to Quéntar (28 km)

We had a tough day – my longest yet, this year, at about 28 km. It was interesting, having some of almost everything – steep climbs, steep descents, asphalt road, dirt tracks, river beds, pine forests, orchards, and a huge limestone quarry. The only thing missing was a bar. Now we are installed in a…

Day 7. Guadix to La Peza (24 km)

I walked today with the 6 women – somewhat spread out but keeping an eye out for each other. The one in front took a wrong turn and disappeared near the end. However, thanks to tracks on maps.me, she found her way back and into WhatsApp contact. This region has red clay in abundance, and…

Day 6. “Rest”day in Gaudix

This is quite an interesting town. And I am certainly tired, but even more, I needed a change in pilgrim dynamics. By waiting a day I have become one of “6 chicas” – 6 English-speaking women from 5 countries who met on an internet forum about the camino, and started in Almería last week.

Day 5. Alquife to Guadix (21 km)

This was a very nice day of walking. Guadix is a touristic town with a lot of cave dwellings, including accommodation. However, i am staying in a beautiful 15th century palacete (don’t really know what that means but it is a lovely house in the town). Apparently it is built over Roman ruins.

Day 3. Ocaña to Huéneca (27 km)

Since I’m writing a day late, I can hardly remember Day 3. (I am posting it even later – finding it hard to put the blog together, and I’m not sure if I’ll keep it up, this trip.) An early highlight was breakfast in Abla. There were some nice views of the Sierra Nevada. The…

Day 2. Alboloduy to Ocaña (21 km)

The Energizer Bunnies were off, leaving me and another Canadian in the dust. The only reason she was back with me was that her ~20 kg backpack was slowing her down. We were warned about the early, very steep ascent, and it was. But really quite enjoyable if you go at the right speed and…

Day 1. Rioja to Alboloduy (24 km)

I started off with @peregrina2000 and 2 others who walked a bit faster than my preferred rate. They also solved all the world’s problems animatedly while walking uphill. I needed to save my breath for oxygen! It was a hard day, being the first day with backpack and all, It was mostly up and down…