Camino Frances Stage 15: Hornillos to Castrojeriz

Camino Frances Sunrise Leaving Castrojeriz

Camino Frances Morning Sunrise Castrojeriz

Camino Francés Pilgrims on Trail to Boadillo

Trial Notes

Camino Francés Elevation

Start your hike at sunrise. The colors are indescribable.

• Quick Snapshot

  • Distance: Approx. 20–21 km(12.8 - 13.1 miles

  • Terrain: Mostly flat with little elevation. There is a climb to Arroyo de San Bol.

  • Difficulty: Moderate

  • Time: 4.5-5.5 hours

  • Alternative Transportation: no buses

• Food, Water & Stops

  Arroyo de San Bol

  • Distance from Hornillos: ~5.2 km

  • Details: Features a municipal albergue and a nice resting spot, but typically offers only basic toilet facilities with no food or reliable water/drinks.

  Hontanas

  • Distance from Hornillos: (~3 hours of walking)

  • The first village with full services. Includes natural springs and water fountains, plus cafes and restaurants

• Where to Stay

  • A CienLeguas. 17€

  • Albergue Ultreia 16€/48€/64€.

  • Personal recommendation: both accommodations are excellent.  La Taberna-great food!

  Nearby essentials: There are some cafes

• Tips for Future Pilgrims

  • I know I keep saying this, but always refill your water. I ran out of water at the San Anton ruins. I also recommend a UV shirt /umbrella and lots of sunscreen!

  • The day was uneventful. Fields of agriculture went on forever.

  • Stop and stretch along the

  • You may think flat is easy; for me, the daily repetitive motion on the same set of muscles was harder on my body than the mixed-elevation trails on the Camino Frances. This will be especially true for solo travelers over 50.

  • Kinesiology tape (K-Tape): If you have a foot, knee, or Achilles heel that is bothering you, buy Kinesiology tape (K-Tape). It’s available in every pharmacy on the Camino Francés. You need to know how to use it for specific problems. Google or search YouTube for instructions. I promise—it will save you. Many Pilgrims had shin and achilles injuries.

Journal

Castrojeriz was a stay I genuinely enjoyed. I hiked out that morning into mist and rising sun, the two of them layering colors into soft transparent pastels. I can't find the right words — it's the kind of thing you'd expect from an animated film. I tried to capture it in one of the images in this post, but you would have had to be there. -That Eva!

• Your packing list post

• Your “Start Here” post