Information about stage 12: Stage from Ages to Burgos
| STAGE 12 |
KM 23.0 |
TIME 04H 55′ |
Itinerary
- Km 0. Agés (Shelters. Shop. Bar)
We say goodbye to Agés taking a last look at its traditional architecture and we begin the day by the side of the road that leads to Atapuerca , an island in the ocean of time, as defined by researchers who work in the nearby archaeological sites.
- km 2.6. Atapuerca (Hostels. Bars. Shop in season)
The road divides the town in two and acts as the main street. Before leaving the town we leave the asphalt and turn left onto a stony track. It advances through scrubland and after leaving behind a farm it climbs without difficulties – not so for cyclists – up to a large wooden cross (Km 4.8) . A yellow arrow at the base of the post encourages us to continue parallel to the rickety wire fence. A geodesic vertex – at an altitude of 1077 meters – marks the beginning of the descent towards the valley of the Pico River . In the nearest background, a quarry is discovered and further in the background the city of Burgos. On the way down, we take the crossroads that leads to Villalval on the left .
- Km 7. Villalval
With the scene of the collapsed church, we left the town along a regional road that soon leads us to Cardeñuela Riopico , which in the spring of 2014 already had three pilgrim hostels.
- km 8.6. Cardeñuela Ríopico (Hostels. Bars)
Two kilometers later we arrive at Orbaneja . In 2013 the town opened a pilgrim reception center .
- km 10.6. Orbaneja Riopico (Hostel. Bar)
We continue along the road and pass over the AP-1. Shortly, about two hundred meters away and next to some single-family homes, we find double signs . The one that indicates straight ahead advances towards Villafría and the one that deviates to the left (marked with paint with the option Río) goes to Castañares (Km 11.6) . It’s time to choose which one to follow. The one in Villafría is heavier, since when you reach this town there are still many kilometers to the capital at the foot of the N-1 and through an industrial and highly urban landscape. The one in Castañares is a better alternative. For this we turn left onto the dirt track and walk through the remains of rubble until we come across the airport fence, which establishes its security perimeter (Km 13.2) . Sticking to the fence, we continue to Castañares itself , at the foot of the N-120.
- km 15.3. Castañares (Bar. Shop. Tourist information at the Peregrina-T bar-restaurant)
From Castañares, logic and signposting dictate continuing to Burgos along the N-120 path, which passes through Villayuda. However, there is a much more appetizing alternative that avoids the tedious entrance to the capital. It is about taking the fluvial promenade of the Arlanzón river that leads calmly to the very center of Burgos. It is not historical and the purists of the Camino do not support it but it is gaining followers. It begins on a pedestrian bridge over the Burgos river. If doubts assail us, it is best to ask a neighbor of Castañares. Walking along the river for more than three kilometers we will arrive next to the Fuente del Prior beach (Km 18.7) . The same walk will take us in about forty more minutes to the bridge of San Pablo or bridge of the Cid , recognizable by the superb medieval sculptures that adorn its pillars (Km 22) . Crossing the bridge we access the Plaza de El Cid, where the equestrian sculpture of this notable figure of the Reconquest is located. After the statue we take Paseo del Espolón to access the Plaza de la Catedral. Behind this top Gothic monument, at number 28 Fernán González street , is the municipal hostel.
- Km 23. Burgos (All Services)
Difficulties
- Comfortable day: The 23 kilometers are bearable and once you reach the top, after Atapuerca, the terrain is favourable.
Observations
- As soon as you cross the bridge that crosses the A1 motorway, the pilgrim is given two options: either continue straight and go straight to Burgos through an industrial landscape or turn left towards Castañares and go once past this town along the left bank. del Rio Arlanzón, this second option is more than recommended because it is a more bearable landscape and we only add another half kilometer to the stage.In Burgos we are joined by the pilgrims who travel the Inland Basque Way and those of the Wool Route. If anyone wanted to visit the Atapuerca sites, previously arranged guided tours can be made either from Burgos or from Atapuerca itself.
What to see, what to do
- ATAPUERCA : This town has risen to world fame for being the scene of the world’s important Paleolithic sites . They can be visited in a guided way to contemplate the place where the Homo ancestor lived more than a million years ago. In the vicinity of Atapuerca, in 1054, the battle between the king of León and Castile, Fernando I, and that of Navarra, Don García , took place, which resulted in the death of the latter. In this way Fernando I recovered the territories of La Bureba and Oca that he himself had delivered to his brother. A monolith commemorates the fact. There is a good offer of restaurants.
- BURGOS : Founded in the year 884 by Diego Rodríguez Porcelos, Burgos is a city that owes part of its importance to the Camino de Santiago. Merchants and artisans settled there and hospitals were built (more than 30 came to exist) and for centuries it became one of the most important cities in Spain. Its cathedral is one of the most famous in the world . Construction began in 1221 (Ferdinand III the Saint laid the first stone) and it took three centuries to finish it. The temple has four main doors, each one more beautiful, and the flamboyant decoration stands out from the main façade. Inside is the tomb of El Cid and on the triforium is the famous Flycatcher., an automaton that sings the hours by opening its mouth and grasping the clapper of a bell. There are innumerable monuments in Burgos worth visiting: the church of San Nicolás , the church of Santa Gadea , the Puerta de San Esteban and outside the walls the Cartuja de Miraflores . On the way out of Burgos is the magnificent Hospital del Rey , the most important in the city, and the Cistercian monastery of Las Huelgas with a group of buildings ranging from Romanesque to Gothic.