Stage 13: Burgos - Hontanas Distance: 31km
Burgos
From Burgos follow the yellow arrow way markers onto Calle Emperador to the Iglesia de San Pedro de la Fuente and the Albergue Monasterio de San José.
Take a left to cross the Río Alrlanzón over the Puente de Malatos and cross the road by the Hospital Militar and on into the Parque Parral, passing the Albergue on the left.
At the other side of the park continue on before turning left at the Hotel Puerta Romeros and past a university campus before crossing the main road.
Follow the route along the road and then onto a track passed a jail on your right that was once used to hold political prisoners during Franco's rule.
Go straight on from here into Villalbilla de Burgos.
Villalbilla de Burgos
Accommodation
Albergue Municipal, behind the town hall. Tel (0034) 947 43 09 11
Beds: 16. Keys can be found in the town hall of in the Bar La Parada.
Heading through Villalbilla de Burgos and onto the track and cross over the Río Arlanzón via the Puente del Arzobispo. Take a left and pass under the railway, follow along the main road for a while, then under the motorway passing the site of an old pilgrim hospice into Tardajos.
Tardajos
The village of Tardajos is hoome the the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción.
It also has a couple of bars and a shop on the main road
Accommodation
Albergue Municipal, Calle Asunción. Tel: (0034) 947 45 11 89
Beds: 20. Open all year.
Bar Ruiz *. Tel: (0034) 947 45 11 25
Continue through Tardajos past a fountain in a small plaza and onto a quiet track over the Río Urbel and into Rabé de las Calzadas.
Rabé de las Calzadas
Information
Rabé de las Calzadas is a small village with a population of around 150. It is home to the 13th century Iglesia de Santa Mariña and on the outskirts of the village you will find the Ermita de Nuestra Señora de Monasterio
Accommodation
Albergue Hospital de Peregrinos Santa Marina y Santiago, Plaza Francisco Ribera 6. Tel: (0034) 607 97 19 19
Beds: 50. Open Apr - Nov. Has dining facilities.
Albergue Libéranos Dómine. Plaza Francisco Ribera. Tel: (0034) 629 92 05 01
Beds: 25
Head out past the Ermita de Nuestra Señora de Monasterio and onto the meseta,the high plains of Central Spain.
Follow the track through fields and along streams to a resting spot beside the Fuente de Praotorre.
Continue through the way marked open landscape of cereal fields
After a few kilometres descend down the steep Cuesta Matamulos, Mule Killer Slope.
Cross the road and following the Río Hormazuela into Hornillos del Camino
Hornillos del Camino
Information
Hornillos del Camino's Gothic Iglesia de San Román in the Plaza de la Iglesia is built on the site of an ancient military camp.
Next to it is the Fuente del Gallo and the albergue.
There is a small shop and bar along the main street.
Accommodation
Albergue Municipal, Plaza de la Iglesia. Tel (0034) 947 47 12 20
Beds: 32 in three rooms. Open all year. Has kitchen facilities.
Casa Rural Sol a Sol **, Village entrance next to the shop. Tel: (0034) 649 87 60 91
Leave Hornillos del Camino alon the Calle Real, heading right at the end efore heading up onto the meseta again. Continue on for 5km and descend into the next valley and into Arroyo San Bol.
Arroyo San Bol
Information
There's a natural spring here and it is claimed that pilgrims who relieve their aching feet in the water will have no further foot problems from here to Santiago.
The Spring is on the site of the former hamlet of San Boal which was deserted by it's inhabitants for reasons unknown in 1503.
Accommodation
Albergue Municipal. Tel: (0034) 947 16 10 53
Beds: 12. Open May - Oct. Has kitchen facilities.
Climb out of the San Bol valley and back out onto the meseta. After a few kilometres of walking along this long flat stretch of the camino you will catch sight of Hontanas tucked in a valley in the distance.
Continue on until the track runs steeply downhill and on into the village of Hontanas.
Hontanas
Information
The pilgrim village of Hontanas in tucked into a valley and is dominated by the 14th century Iglesia de la Inmaculada Concepción.
Accommodation
Albergue El Puntido, Calle La Iglesia 6. Tel: (0034) 947 37 85 97
Beds: 30 in three rooms. Open Mar - Sept. Has dining & laundry facilities as well as internet access. Also offers hostal rooms.
Albergue Municipal San Juan El Nuevo, in the Méson de los Franceses. Tel: (0034) 947 37 70 21
Beds: 20 in 2 rooms. Open all year. Has cooking & laundry facilities.
When this albergue is full the following two are opened:
Albergue El Viaje, Town Hall.
Beds: 14 in two rooms
Albergue La Escuela, Old School House
Beds: 21 in one dormitory
Hostal Cesar Arnaiz *, Calle La Portadilla. Tel: (0034) 947 37 85 21
Hostal Fuente Strella **, Calle Mayor. Tel: (0034) 947 37 72 61
Open Mar - Oct