French Way (Camino Francés) ‧ Stage 12
French Way
On foot
33 stages
Information
About this stage
In this stage we will pass through practically flat terrain, typical of the lands of Castile. The original route does not cross Atapuerca but those pilgrims who wish to visit the sites have a signposted variant at their disposal. In the same way, to avoid the last industrial section that gives access to Burgos, we can also turn off along a river walk and then join the traditional route in the city bathed by the river Arlanzón.
Recommendation Pilgrim
There are lots of part of this stage that are not able for people with reduced mobility. It is a little bit complicated for them from Atapuerca to Burgos. We reccommend them to get to Burgos through Santovenia de Oca, Zaldueno and Ibeas de Juarros.
Distance and elevation
Stage profile
Route
Itinerary
Km 0 ‧ San Juan de Ortega
We leave the town and after 300 metres we cross the road to Santovenia de Oca, continuing along a dirt track through a pine forest. Further on we descend to Agés.
Local Information
Police, Medical Care, What to See, Where to Eat…
Km 3,6 ‧ Agés
We take a lonely road to Atapuerca. On leaving Agés, crossing the river Vera, we see on the left, 50 metres away, a small stone bridge built by Juan de Ortega. Shortly before reaching Atapuerca we will see a dolmen that commemorates the death in battle, in 1054, of the Navarrese king Don García I of Nájera.
Km 6,1 ‧ Atapuerca
Just at the exit of the village we turn left to take a track and start the ascent through the Sierra de Atapuerca. We reach the Alto de Atapuerca. Weather permitting we can enjoy a wide panoramic view, with the city of Burgos in the background. We continue straight on and begin the descent.
The first stretch is on a stony path, but soon after we follow a comfortable dirt track. After a little over two kilometres we reach Villalval; we leave the village 200 metres further on to the left. We immediately join a local road, with practically no traffic, which takes us to Cardeñuela de Riopico. We follow the same road and reach Orbaneja Riopico.
Km 14,3 ‧ Orbaneja Riopico
We leave Orbaneja on the same road, cross the AP-1 motorway over a bridge, go round one end of Burgos airport on the right, and enter Villafría, crossing the railway line over a bridge.
Km 17,9 ‧ Villafría
Here we begin the long journey through an industrial estate, a typical landscape (although not very desirable for pilgrims) of the outskirts of a large city. After a few kilometres we enter the city of Burgos, through the district of Gamonal. We follow the Avenida de Vitoria straight ahead until we reach the Telefónica building, where we turn slightly to the right into Calle San Roque and then to the left into Calle Obdulio Fernández.
We follow this street to the end, turn right into Avenida Cantabria, then immediately left into Calle Calzadas and, always straight on, continue along Calle San Juan, Calle Avellanos and Calle Fernán González. We find ourselves in front of the magnificent Burgos Cathedral.
Km 25,8 ‧ Burgos
Local Information
Police, Medical Care, What to See, Where to Eat…
