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Camino Francés 2026
  • Robin Abroad
  • Robin Abroad

Camino Francés 2026

I’ll start from St Jean Pied de Port on April 11! I’m expecting to walk for around 5 weeks to cover 500 miles crossing Spain.
This will be my longest Camino so far! Read more
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  • Robin AbroadCamino Francés 2026Robin Abroad

    Boadilla del Camino

    April 30 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F

    I think today was one of the most gorgeous, awe-inspiring days so far for me. We started with a rather steep incline up onto a Mesa, and then the world opened up to the expansive Meseta, the high “desert” area that some people chose to avoid. But it’s springtime and the fields are a patchwork of different greens, especially after last nights spectacular thunderstorm.
    We walked about 20 km today and it seemed almost effortless. After that initial hill the path was mostly flat. Once I got into a rhythm (now using my trekking poles), I felt like I was making good, steady progress.
    The albergue tonight is very nice. No bunk beds! Love these types of places. There is no tiende (store) in this small village but the hotel/Hostal serves a nice menu del dia. There are huge stork nests outside the roof window and I’m listening the clipping noise of a parent stork feeding its young.
    Tired and ready to turn in at 9:30. Up early tomorrow for a 26 km walk to Carrión de Los Condes.    Read more

  • Robin AbroadCamino Francés 2026Robin Abroad
    Leaving Carrión de Los CondesMonasteryPablo's welcome food truck!Pilgrim with four dogsStorm clouds! ⛈️View for most of the dayComing into town. It felt like walking into a movie set of an old Western

    Calzadilla de la Cueza

    May 2 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 61 °F

    Threatened with rain for much of the day, but the storms went around us! Today felt like the classic Meseta with one long, straight stretch of gravel road, with plenty of puddles to avoid along the way. It was relatively short at 17 km. Had to enjoy it because the next week plus will be long stages.
    This little village is definitely a “one horse” town! Just three hostal options and no store. But the restaurant looks good and I have a bed to sleep in, which seems to be getting hard to come by. The days of just walking without a reserved bed are seemingly over as most towns get booked up quickly. I have been booking about two days in advance as I go. Margaret has her whole trip booked, as do many others I’ve talked to. The Camino doesn’t seem crowded, specifically, but it seems the numbers of pilgrims is filling all available beds and rooms along the way.    Read more

  • Robin AbroadCamino Francés 2026Robin Abroad
    Halfway!

    Sahagún

    May 3 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 61 °F

    I felt great today! 22 km along more beautiful green fields with a couple of interesting towns along the way. There are bunker-like bodegas built beneath mounds of dirt, and there are chimneys and windows that make me very curious to see what’s inside!Read more

  • Robin AbroadCamino Francés 2026Robin Abroad
    Leaving Sahagún
    Content bar kittyLunch snackA very nice priest who blessed me and gave me a written blessing

    Releigos

    May 4 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 59 °F

    Day 24
    Today was somewhat uninspiring and long! 31 km from Sahagún to Releigos almost completely on a gravel footpath that ran alongside a lightly used roadway. Gratefully, the path was lined for miles with Sycamore trees. It was cool and breezy all day, so I wore three layers almost the whole way.
    Tomorrow, the push to Leon where I’ll take a rest day and see the city which I have heard is beautiful.    Read more

  • Robin AbroadCamino Francés 2026Robin Abroad
    Breakfast cafeCoffee stopSun dappled cathedral

    Leon

    May 5 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 54 °F

    I’m so glad to be in Leon!
    Arrived today through a monotonous metropolitan area and light rain. After 25 km, I was so ready for the slog to be over. The last couple of days have been less than scenic with most of the walking beside roadways. Getting to the old town here took almost an hour of unattractive cityscape, but now I’m in a lovely spot in the plaza mayor. It rained a bit more and it’s been very cool all day. I haven’t experienced the hot days that I was expecting, and I think it will only get cooler and rainier as I go toward Galicia. But fingers crossed the weather stays reasonably good. Soon, there will be less than 300 km to go!Read more

  • Robin AbroadCamino Francés 2026Robin Abroad
    Looking back toward LeonStork nestsStorkLine of pilgrimsA five minute tree'd passageUnder 300 km to go!

    San Martín de Camino

    May 7 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F

    Walking out of Leon today, the route was more of the same from the last few days. More walking beside a highway. Ugh. There was one five-minute segment that went through some trees, but too soon I was by the road again. Tomorrow will hopefully break the cycle at some point. I used my ear buds today to listen to music and block out the road noise of large trucks passing by.
    San Martín is a roadside strip with a number of albergues, all of which are simple and old. I’m in one tonight that is adequate but very basic. While the day seemed hot, the weather is now cooler again with a cold breeze and dark storm clouds threatening. There seems to be no heat here, so I’m hoping the blanket keeps me warm.    Read more

  • Robin AbroadCamino Francés 2026Robin Abroad
    Goodbye to San Martín de Camino!New corn cropSpotted two dear friends up ahead!!Jordan and the flyer for AJ's fundraiserAJCow kissesBabeBarn kittiesA wonderful rest stopLooking ahead to AstorgaFoot fashion

    Astorga

    May 8 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 54 °F

    Today was a really good day despite being deluged by a rain storm later in the afternoon. We said goodbye to the highway walking after an hour or two, and enjoyed a wonderful reunion with dear pilgrim friends AJ and Jordan. Hadn’t seen them since Burgos, but looking just ahead today there was no mistaking 6’8” tall AJ. Soon we were walking together again and the day just got better from there. Jordan is a wonderful musician and as we passed a dreamlike rest stop with a stupefying array of foods, a sweet dog, and a comfy sitting area with a wood stove, a sleeping cat, and a guitar… he treated us to three lovely songs. A precious moment for sure.
    AJ has cystic fibrosis and he and Jordan are walking together to raise money for a nonprofit. (https://gofund.me/a4c840748 )
    They are Camino blessings.
    And then the rain. I learned that my rain jacket is somewhat ineffective. It keeps some of the wet out, but not all. The saving grace is it drys very quickly once the rain stops. 😉    Read more

  • Robin AbroadCamino Francés 2026Robin Abroad
    In Astorga
    Gaudi's Palace in AstorgaAstorga CathedralWonderful stop... carrot cake!The woman who made the amazing carrot cake!Tiny gnomeSmelling the roses!New hat in the rainThe woman who made the hat!Puddles and white flowersView from the albergueRefugio GuacelmoVespersWine opening challengeFather and son from the Netherlands

    Rabanal

    May 9 in Spain ⋅ 🌧 52 °F

    The rain has come! We dodged most of it today, having one of the best rest stops so far to duck in out of the weather. A couple from Austria have an amazing cafe with homemade deliciousness. I had a hot lemon and ginger drink and a huge slice of carrot cake with yogurt, honey, and cinnamon. Wow! Just perfect for this weather.
    Tonight I am at the Refugio Guacelmo, a renown albergue run by the British Friends of Pilgrims. It’s lovely with a great kitchen and a warm fire! Very kind hospitaleros. The church is just across and soon I’ll go to hear vespers.    Read more

  • Robin AbroadCamino Francés 2026Robin Abroad
    So beautiful and peaceful 💕
    HeatherCruz de FaroCows in mountain pasturesMountains revealed!Margaret!Bumble bee on lavenderLunch stopLunch townAlmost to Molinaseca, finally!

    Molinaseca

    May 10 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 57 °F

    Today was a hard day, 25 Km with a lot of elevation up… and down! It felt almost like going over the Pyrenees with all the fog and mist up to the Cruz de Faro. So beautiful walking among the heather. Then the sun came out and the mountain view revealed itself. It made all the rocky ups and downs worth it, as well as a great lunch stop with lentil soup and lemon cake 😁. Now in a nice albergue and ready for a shower and some rest.Read more

  • Robin AbroadCamino Francés 2026Robin Abroad
    First coffee
    A warm fireplace at the cafe 🔥RosesA bee house 🐝Templar's Castle in PonferradaTemplars were scary dudesYummy breakfast tostada!Propped up wisteria treeLovely vineyardsUnder 200 km to go!!

    Cacabelos

    May 11 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 59 °F

    Man, today was hard. Not difficult, but after yesterday’s very demanding mountain climb and descent, I’m just beat. 25 km more today took everything I had. It’s crazy how the body can feel completely wasted, and yet it can carry me still.Read more

  • Robin AbroadCamino Francés 2026Robin Abroad
    Washed and dried ALL my clothes!!
    BarrenderaGrape budsWalking through stunning countrysideIn VillafrancaMarket in VillafrancaGarden at Casa Susi

    Trabadelo - Casa Susi

    May 12 in Spain ⋅ 🌧 55 °F

    The morning was cool and misty, a wonderful temperature for walking. This area is a lovely wine region in a mountainous micro-climate. The scenery was astounding! There were cherry trees full of fresh ripe fruit, and I tasted one or two with just a little guilt. Passing through the village of Villafranca, there was a market with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, and I was able to properly buy a couple of handfuls of local cherries - yum! The weather held out until about 1::00, but then as the route followed alongside a busy roadway the rain started to come down. Big semi trucks wizzed past and sometimes splashed big waves of water onto the walkway. I mostly avoided it, but one splash caught me just a bit and it made me laugh hard. I was already wet so it didn’t matter, really.
    Made it to Casa Susi before 3:00 and now am dry and settling in. Fermin said he would light the fire soon.    Read more

  • Robin AbroadCamino Francés 2026Robin Abroad
    The Aussie priests at Casa Susi
    Casa Susi in TriacastelaMargaret and kittyRiver solitudeA peaceful albergue along the wayClimbingHeading up to O CebreiroGalicia!!

    O Cebreiro

    May 13 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 57 °F

    Another tough day with a big climb - 19 km with over 3000 feet elevation gain. It feels like each day is as difficult as the last. But we have entered Galicia! 😊
    With each climb comes a spectacular view. Felt like I was on top of the world! It’s cooler up here and tomorrow will be cloudy and cool as well. Will we ever get warmer temperatures? But no rain today and that’s a relief.Read more

  • Robin AbroadCamino Francés 2026Robin Abroad
    "Fang"Looking down after a long climbA happy, lazy dogInside a warm cafeSpanish Columbine

    Triacastela

    May 14 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 50 °F

    It was a cold and wet day for the most part. O Cebreiro was covered in fog this morning and the air was damp, cold, and windy. No coffee until about 7 km to a tiny little town with a cafe.
    My friend Michaela (from Germany) lives off the Camino here and invited me to stay at her home tonight. I just enjoyed a shower and warming up in her sauna. 😁😁
    It was a beautiful day despite the weather in this pastoral area with lots of cows. Getting to Michaela’s involved 8.5 km of walking off of the Camino, which was a beautiful change of pace. It was dreamlike in the middle of rural Spanish countryside.    Read more

  • Robin AbroadCamino Francés 2026Robin Abroad
    Steps out of Sarria
    Have come a long way!All the dogs here are very sleepyWoohoo!Sabado de Pulpo!Portomarin down belowGreeted by stairs! 😳View from the albergue

    Portomarin

    May 16 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 55 °F

    About 23 km today through more lovely Galician landscape. Some hill climbing out of Sarria and tree covered lanes with mossy stone walls. The swell of pilgrims is real, as now we are surrounded by freshly dressed people carrying tiny day packs and walking in the middle of the roads. It’s kind of fun to know that we are the seasoned walkers. People are dismayed to learn we’ve been walking nearly five weeks all the way from France.
    Also, we’ve run into familiar friends from weeks of connecting including Chad, Trevor, and Yahui. Joshua and Danielle from Florida are here in Portomarin, and also Lavender Rose.
    Tonight’s lodging is at Albergue Ferramenteiro, not a municipal but a large place with 130 beds. It has washers and a dryer so I was able to clean all my laundry! 😁    Read more

  • Robin AbroadCamino Francés 2026Robin Abroad
    Leaving Portomarin this morning
    The crowd of pilgrims from Sarria onward 😕1Amazing looking tortilla!Cute little calfAnd a little lamb!3Another mountain to climb!

    Os Valos

    May 17 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 61 °F

    I wasn’t expecting to climb another mountain today! But it felt like that was exactly what the day was. 21 km (13 miles) and about 1750 feet of elevation gain. Whew! Could this be the last climbing day of the Camino?
    After tonight, only three nights left before reaching Santiago. My feet are very happy about that! But my heart…? That’s a tough one. Although I’m very much looking forward to being home in Muxia. I’ve missed the sea, my friends, the time to just relax.
    But this is the Camino, a mixture of pain, tiredness, and joy! 💛    Read more

  • Robin AbroadCamino Francés 2026Robin Abroad
    View this morning. Where are all the airplanes going?
    Hosteria CalixtinoQuick stop for an AquariusCottonwood "snow"Painted on a camper van 🐕Approaching Melide

    Melide

    May 18 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 61 °F

    Just 18.5 km today, but more hills! It never ends. 925 feet up and 1475 feet down. I guess my body has gotten stronger over the last four weeks because I’m able to power through it all. 😊
    The path didn’t seem as crowded today because I’m now staying off stage and leaving a bit later in the morning. Melide is a relatively good size town with restaurants and supermarkets. It isn’t particularly pretty, but is a good option for a comfortable nights sleep in a pension. Tomorrow, 22 km to Calle. Then just one more longer day’s walk before the final 10 km into Santiago on Thursday.Read more

  • Robin AbroadCamino Francés 2026Robin Abroad
    Wet pilgrims
    Fertile groundKilts!ArzúaLooking back at Arzúa

    Calle

    May 19 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F

    The latest arrival time yet… 6:45pm. Walked in the albergue door and everyone is eating dinner - spaghetti. We are the weary last ones in! But the day was good with some long stops and good conversations. It was raining pretty hard this morning, so I didn’t get started until 10:30! 😳 The rain didn’t let up until after 1:00 and everyone was wet.
    Ran into a couple I met in Saint Jean back before we even started, Monique and Clark from N Carolina. Also met Helen and Gordon from Scotland and spent a good while talking to two American volunteers in Ribadiso, Jeff from Sacramento and Pam from the Bay Area. Jeff will be walking to Muxia with his brother on June 4.    Read more

  • Robin AbroadCamino Francés 2026Robin Abroad
    Figs!
    Smiley lemonadeA cheerful farmer with a content cat having a ride.Duck paradeTwo elderly women working in their gardenMore new friends

    Lavacolla

    May 20 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F

    I’m within 10 km of Santiago! Today’s walk was 22 km, made short by meeting new people and having some great conversations.
    The day started with temperatures warm enough to not need a jacket (first time this whole Camino!), and I peeled off my long sleeve layer after the first hour. This afternoon it’s absolutely hot - 24 degrees! And tomorrow will be even hotter.
    The albergue tonight is surprise with a big green space for relaxing. A bus load of about 25 young male students came in this afternoon and they are the majority of guests here tonight. All are very polite and well behaved. Spain gets it right when it comes to kids. 😉    Read more

  • Trip end
    May 21, 2026