Today, Bro. William travels from Logrono to Najera, a distance of nearly 30 kms, or over 18 miles.

It is an uphill trek going through the villages of Cruce, Navarette, Ventosa and then onto the high point of Alto Poyo de Roldan - at 610m. The onward path then descends steeply downtowards the river Yalde and onto Najera.

Alto de la Grajera - provides a good view back over the route and Logrono.

Now at the top of the rise, the track runs alongside the highway where hundreds of crosses have been made by past pilgrims out of strips of bark from the adjoining sawmill and placed on the wire fence that separates us from the busy city bypass.

We now join the hard shoulder of the N-232 and follow it until it veers off to our right and we continue along the N-120 towards Navarette before crossing over onto the earth track through fields and vineyards crossing over the autopista A-68.

Just over the bridge we come to the ruins of the medieval monastery of the Order of San Juan de Acre founded in the 12th century to look after pilgrims on the way.

The splendidly carved entrance porch has been re-sited as the gate to the cemetery that we will pass on the far side of town.



Navarette Another historic camino town where efforts have been made to maintain the original period houses with handsomely carved family crests and armorial shields.

The imposing 16th century Church of the Assumption occupies a commanding position overlooking the top square and below it is a Turismo.

At the lower end of the town, on the main road, is a busy square with a number of other cafes and restaurant.

Najera - yet nother historic town on our onward journey, Najera was the capital of the Kingdom of Navarre in the llth and L2th centuries.

It has strong connections with the Camino de Santiago, marking the beginning of stage V of the Codex Calixtinus.



Pride of place is the Monasterio Santa Maria de la Real with its magnificent Royal Pantheon housing the burial place of many of past illustrious kings, Queens and knights of Navarre.

Of real beauty is the tomb of Dona Blanca de Castile y Navarre (1156).

The Pantheon is part of this fine church, as is the cave, which gave rise to it.

The church was built at this spot folloming the legend that the son of Sancho the Great, Don Garcia, followed his hunting falcon into this cave and came upon a statue of the Virgin Mary.

The church also has interesting choir stalls bearing pilgrim motifs carved into the seat rests. The splendid Knights Cloister is accessed through the Museum.



There is a detour available to us at this point - San Millan de la Cogolla and the monasteries of Suso and Yuso.

This is a World heritage site, as it represents one of the earliest known monastic communities in Europe dating back to the 6th century and is also credited with being the birthplace of the Spanish language.

It can be walked (a very full day) from Najera to San Millan and back via Canas to Azofra (14 km on LR 206).

More realistically it can be visited as part of a tour or shared taxi from Najera or by staying overnight at San Millan.

Bro. Williams' thoughts of today - It’s a great feeling and a sense of achievement when you enter a village where you can stock up on supplies like bread cheese and chocolate. I am enjoying taking pictures because I may never walk this way again. When I pass a water fountain I always fill my canteen up.