Up and away into the mountains! A cold, grey day for the most part, with very rewarding views and mostly natural trails.

Starting out quite high already in Astorga at around 900m, the day climbed us up to nearly 1,500m through a string of increasingly lovely rural villages.

Gradually at first, until reaching Rabanal del Camino, a town made of stone and albergues it seemed, the path then became more rugged and more beautiful. The once-distant mountains first seen days ago now drawing closer all the time, looming across to the left of us through mountain heather and pine. Around a corner and tonight’s delightful hamlet hoved into view, the alpine oasis of Foncebadón.

The vast high plains of the Meseta now visible behind us, with a mountain pass to the front, all that remained was to stay warm indoors – as I write this shortly after 9pm on the eleventh of April, the apparent temperature outdoors here is one (1) degree celcius – and enjoy a hearty and heartwarming communal meal prepared by the albergue owners, and make plans for the last wee climb – and nearly 1,000m descent – in the mañana / morning.

Stats for today:

• 24.3km
• 606m ascent
• 72m ascent