Stage 10: Santo Domingo de la Calzada - Belorado Distance: 24km
Santo Domingo de la Calzada
Leaving Santo Domingo de la Calzada, pass the cathedral and onto the Calle Mayor and onto the main road. You come to the Puente del Santo, Saint's Bridge, Santo Domingo's original bridge.
Cross over the Río Oja, then across the road onto a broad tracks. Keep going until you come to a junction where a sign offers you the choice between a longer route (3km) to the left through fields or a shorter route (2km) to the right along the road. The longer route being the more pleasant of the two.
Taking the left through farmland and pass a cemetery and another small Ermita, keep straight on until you enter Grañon
Grañon
Grañon is a walled town that once had two monasteries and a pilgrim hospice. Today it's main building is the recently restored Iglesia de San Juan Bautista, which has been built over the site of an old monastery
Accommodation
Albergue Hospital de Peregrinos, next to the Iglesia de San Juan Bautista.
Beds: 40. Open all year. Has cooking facilities.
Casa Jacobeo **, Calle Mayor 32.
Tel: (0034) 941 42 06 84
Heading out of the village, take a left continue on a track then turn right across a stream before taking another left up to a sign indicating that you are about to leave the region of La Rioja and into the region of Castilla y Léon.
Keep on for another 2 - 3 km until you reach the village of Redicilla del Camino.
Redicilla del Camino
Redicillo del Camino is a small village where you'll find the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Calle, inside you'll find a beautiful Romanesque font. The albergue is built on the site of the medaeival pilgrim hospice, Hospitla de San Lázar.
Accommodation
Albergue San Lázaro, Calle Mayor 32. Tel: (0034) 947 58 02 83
Beds: 50 in 4 rooms . Open all year. Has cooking facilities.
Continue on between the church and the albergue along the Calle Mayor. Cross the main road and then take the track until you arrive at Castildelgado.
Castildelgado
Castildelgado was once home to a monstery and a pilgroms hospice. The Iglesia de San Pedro has seen better days, and beside this you can see the ruins of the Casa de Berberana and the pilgrims hospice which was gounded by Alfonso VII.
There is a bar / Restaurant in the village as well a a panaderia and a hostal.
Accommodation
Hostal Chocolatero **, on the main road.
Tel: (0034) 947 58 80 6
Head through the village back onto a track that runs parallel to the main road. After 1km take a left onto a smaller road and continue on until you reach Viloria de la Rioja.
Viloria de la Rioja
Viloria de la Rioja is the birthplace of Santo Domingo.
The house in which he was born was recently demolshed and the font in which he was baptised has been removed from the old church.
Accommodation
Albergue Acacio y Orietta, Calle Nueva 6. Tel: (0034) 947 58 52 20.
Beds: 12. Open all year. Has cooking, dining & laundry facilties.
Head out of the village on a quiet country road and after 1km take the track alongside the main road until you reach Villamayor del Río.
Villamayor del Río
There is not much to Villamayor del Río. There is a restaurant on the main road, but if you do intend on going in be sure to leave your backpack and walking sticks outside, it's a little posh.
Accommodation
Albergue San Luis de Francia, On road to Quintanilla del Monte. Tel: (0034) 947 58 05 66.
Beds: 52 in 9 rooms . Open all year. Offers dinner & breakfast.
Continue on the track parallel to the main road until you come to a picnic / rest area, cross over and follow the track into Belorado.
Belorado
Information
The relaxed town Belorado lies in the valley of the Río Tirón in the shadow of the mountain with it's castle and the ruins of a medaeival fortress.
The 16th century Iglesia de Santa María can be found next to the albergue and has some impressive altars, some depicting Santiago Matamoros y Peregino. Behind the church you can still see the caves that were once home to hermits, including San Capraiso. You can also see the 18th Century Iglesia de San Pedro in the Plaza Mayor.
The Monasterio de Santa María de la Bretonera which was re-established in the 14th century can be found on the outskirts of the town.
The Plaza Mayor is lined with restaurants, shops & bars.
Tourist Information, Town Hall, Plaza Mayor. Tel: (0034) 947 58 02 26.
Accommodation
Albergue Parroquial, Calle Corro, Next to Iglesia de Santa María.
Beds: 30. Open all year. Has cooking facilities.
Albergue A Santiago, as you head into Belorado. Tel: (0034) 947 56 21 64.
Beds: 110. Open Apr - Oct. Has cooking, dining & laundry facilities as well as internet access and small swimming pool.
Albergue El Corro, Calle Mayor/Calle El Corro. Tel: (0034) 670 69 11 73
Beds: 40. Open all year round.Has cooking facilities.
Albergue Cuatro Cantones, Calle Hipólito Lopez Bernal 10. Tel: (0034) 696 42 77 07
Beds: 60. Open all year round. Has cooking & laundry facilities.
Albergue El Caminante, Calle Mayor 36. Tel (0034) 947 58 02 31
Beds: 22. Open Apr - Oct. Had cooking & laundry facilities as well as internet access.
Pension Ojarre, Calle Santiago 16
Tel: (0034) 947 58 02 23
Pension Toni, Calle Redecilla del Campo 7
Tel: (0034) 947 58 05 25
Hotel Belorado *, Avenida Generalismo 30
Tel: (0034) 947 58 06 84
Hotel Jacobeo **, Avenida Generalismo 3
Tel: (0034) 947 58 07 26