Belorado to San Juan de Ortega

The Belorado to San Juan de Ortega section offers a significant change in landscape, leaving open fields behind to enter the wooded Montes de Oca mountains. This area, which was feared by bandits during the Middle Ages, is now a beautiful 23.9 km hike through nature.

The first part of the stage is an enjoyable walk that passes through small towns such as Tosantos, where the Hermitage of the Rock stands out, carved directly into the rock. Shortly after, Villafranca Montes de Oca comes into view, which was an important episcopal seat and had a large hospital for pilgrims. It's a good point to stop before facing the main challenge of the journey.

Leaving Villafranca, the ascent begins to Alto de la Pedraja (1,150 m). The climb is done on a wide forest road that winds its way through a dense forest of oaks, pines, and broom. It's an demanding but beautiful section, offering shade and a break from the sun of the plateau. At the top, a stone monument remembers those who fell during the Civil War.

The descent from the high point is much smoother, a long and pleasant walk on forest roads that finally leads to the Monasterio de San Juan de Ortega. This isolated and silent place is one of the spiritual landmarks of the Camino. Founded by the saint of the same name to help pilgrims, its church is famous for the "miracle of light", a phenomenon that occurs during equinoxes, when a ray of sunlight illuminates a capital with the scene of the Annunciation. It's a mystical and perfect ending to the stage.