Foncebadón

15 Sept 2025

I started out slightly earlier this morning because I did not want to be climbing the hill in the hottest part of the day. Today was mostly gradual uphill until the last 5 km/3miles which was steep! I think I took longer on the last bit than I had on the 15 km before that! The footing was not great; these mountains are shale I think, so lots of loose rocks. One false step and I could VERY easily turn an ankle or worse. I have heard of other pilgrims whose Caminos have already been cut short by injury, and almost daily I walk past some kind of memorial or shrine to a pilgrim who has died on the Way. Humbling. And sobering.

Tomorrow, 2km away from where I now sit, I will reach the highest elevation on the Camino Frances route at 1,504m (4,934ft) at the Iron Cross (Cruz de Ferro). Then it is downhill for the rest of the day! For now I rest with my feet up the wall, contemplating my funny new tan lines, and enjoying the cute cats that are hanging out near my Albergue.