Day 11 Santo Domingo de la Calzada – Belorado – 22km
Once again the Camino Frances follows closely to the N120. Most of the day it runs along side and occasionally takes detours into towns and across fields. The route is fairly easy going, but as usual on the Camino there are many ups and downs.
The first town after leaving Santo Domingo is Granon; it is a steep walk uphill. The town is very small and has little to hold the pilgrim for any amount of time, except for the main church which also houses the albergue. This is one of the friendliest albergues along the Camino; I have stayed there twice now. In the evening they have a communal dinner – sleeping is on floor mats within the church bell tower. It is worth stopping to climb to the top of the bell tower for the views.
You cross the La Rioja – Burgos border about 2km after Granon while strolling through the middle of corn fields. The next coffee and watering stop is not far – Redecilla del Camino, another small village. Every three or four kms today there will be a small village.
Belorado has all the amities of a modern town; it is the main rural centre for the area.
What to see:
- Church of San Juan & bell tower – Granon
- Virgen de la Calle Church – Redecilla – 12th centuary Romanesque Baptismal Font
- Church of Santa Maria – Belorado – 16th century statues of St James as the Moor slayer and as a pilgrim