Heading into Burgos, shortly after crossing the AP-1,
Brierley presents an option. We took the paved route going past the airport (Brieley's grey route) and stayed at the Hotel Buenos Aires in Villafria and used the bus that stops right there to visit the city for an afternoon and the next day. In the long run this kept us off lots more pavement and uninteresting walks. When we continued our camino we walked back from the hotel for about 45 minutes to the optional spot of the day before and then took the Brieley yellow route to Castanares and from there took
Brierley's green route across the Rio Arianzon. We then followed the river along its south bank past Burgos until it met up with the camino again at Puente Malatos. We then stayed at Hotel Puerta Romeros just beyond. It is at the spot where in the movie "The Way" the kid hands Martin Sheen his pack.
From Leon to La Virgen was unenjoyable but I really liked the walk from there to Vilar de Mazarife (
Brierley's green route.)
Peg and I are backpackers and enjoyed the hill route (
Brierley's green route) out of Villafranca del Bierzo despite the added work of the ascent and descent. The weather was good though with no wind or heat either. It had nice views and part of it goes through chestnut groves. This is the hill route (Ruta Pradela) to the north of the marked camino, not the one to the south (
Brierley's purple route.) Carry extra water.