The Meseta

[Håvard Karlsen]

Today it's 4 months since i started my Camino in Burgos. It hasn't been one single day without thinking about the beautiful journey which i was so fortunate to take part of.

As a native Norwegian- i'm quite used to mountains and hilly terrain, The Meseta was for me the best part of the Camino- i even dream about walking the mestea during nights.

I have to go back!

(This is the first glimpse of Hontanas)

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

Loved that part to but my favorite are the mountains.

Wish you well,Peter.

 

[HedaP]

Welcome to the club. Barely a day goes by that I don't think about the camino.
Hontanas was one of my favourites too.

 

[Myra13]

I walked this february-march from Burgos to Ponferrada (had to stop because my feet hurt to much). And also think every day about it.
And thats why I arranged to go back to finish the way to SdC and maybe even untill Muxia at the end of next month. So happy!

 

[hel&scott]

I remember Hontanas coming out of the dirt in front of me, no idea it was there and then, there it was. If you love the Meseta then you would love the Vdlp or Levante, both have their own long flat sections. Isn't it strange how we are attracted to what we don't have - many of us would love to walk the Norwegian hills, and I've received strange looks from people that I'd leave climbing in NZ to walk in Spain, Mountains and bush are great, but no Roman Roads to walk on let alone Templar Castles to sleep in.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Hontanas was one of my favourites too.

There is no hint it is there. I collapsed for a water break approaching it, I got up, walked about 100 yards, and there it was! I could have had a V-8...

 

[Colette Z]

Ah The Meseta......5 months since completing the CF and I walk at minmim 10 km daily, relive moments and am trying to decide which one in 2018.

 

[Aidan21]

Hi Havard,
I remember very clearly the first time I walked into Hontanas and like you I just simply loved the Meseta. The blue skies and the horizon that goes to infinity are my clearest memories and your photograph captures those memories perfectly. I found it a place where you could be absolutely alone but never lonely. Like you I will go back and experience the magic again and again.
Aidan

 

[JabbaPapa]

I love Hontanas !!!

It was truly amazing in 93 ...

... and 94, 05, and 14

One of my favourite Camino pueblos, but crikey it was amazing for me in 93 & 94 !!!

 

[John Sikora]

Also loved the Meseta (although I think I drank about 4 liters of water that day). Thanks for sharing the picture. Brings back the same memories. It was always amazing how satisfying the sight of church steeple is as you come over the rise.

 

[nycwalking]

Loved walking the meseta. The long flat stretches, curves in the road, no bus, no train, only saw one car, just a dirt track.
Thanks for pic.

 

[C3 to Camino]

I still hope to do the Camino - maybe even next year - if I can get to walking properly again. I literally dream of walking the Meseta at night, by moon and starlight. And the views in the mountains! And - like my sister-in-law says - checking out every blade of grass and flower, and taking pictures of many of them

 

[AlwynWellington]

- i'm quite used to mountains and hilly terrain, The Meseta was for me the best part of

My hills have been an important part of my training, both head and body. So, getting onto the Massif Centrale last April was a breeze. And then five days on the tops at 1400 metres above sea level made the difference for me.

let alone Templar Castles to sleep in.

Not only no Templar Castles, only one monastery, humungous distances between backpacker hostels, and many narrow bridges on the principal walking roads in Aotearoa make France and Spain delightful places to walk.

 

[Gailsie]

8 years for me since walking into Hontanas, loved it and the mesata - probably my favorite section of the Camino Frances. Thinking of going back to just do that section again.

 

[Saint Mike II]

Hola, even with a day & half of rain the Meseta is just about my favourite part of the Camino Frances. Having walked & cycled it I can not understand those who hop the bus to avoid it!

 

[Gillyweb]

Today it's 4 months since i started my Camino in Burgos. It hasn't been one single day without thinking about the beautiful journey which i was so fortunate to take part of.

As a native Norwegian- i'm quite used to mountains and hilly terrain, The Meseta was for me the best part of the Camino- i even dream about walking the mestea during nights.

I have to go back!

(This is the first glimpse of Hontanas)

OMGoodness - you have no idea how much longing that photo has just triggered in me. The Meseta was by far my favourite part ....... I need to go back to the Francés (sigh !!)

 

[naplesdon]

Heaven on Earth 365 days a year. I envy Reb and Paddy in Moratinos.

 

[Håvard Karlsen]

I remember Hontanas coming out of the dirt in front of me, no idea it was there and then, there it was. If you love the Meseta then you would love the Vdlp or Levante, both have their own long flat sections. Isn't it strange how we are attracted to what we don't have - many of us would love to walk the Norwegian hills, and I've received strange looks from people that I'd leave climbing in NZ to walk in Spain, Mountains and bush are great, but no Roman Roads to walk on let alone Templar Castles to sleep in.

I totally agree With you! The great wide open area was indeed fantastic. Staying in Hontanas was unforgettable.

 

[Håvard Karlsen]

Hi Havard,
I remember very clearly the first time I walked into Hontanas and like you I just simply loved the Meseta. The blue skies and the horizon that goes to infinity are my clearest memories and your photograph captures those memories perfectly. I found it a place where you could be absolutely alone but never lonely. Like you I will go back and experience the magic again and again.
Aidan

It was indeed fantastic!

 

[yaying]

we are attracted to what we don't have

we always look on what we don't have

 

[David Tallan]

I also vividly remember coming up to Hontanas. It seemed like you could be 250m from it and have no idea it was there.

I took this photo between Fromista and Carrion de los Condes and made a phone case out of it. https://www.instagram.com/p/BIUinJ0Asjs/

All of this talk about the Meseta has brought to mind a question that occurred to me the other day:

Imagine you have a friend who is planning to walk the Camino Frances. But they don't have the month to walk the complete distance. Their current plan is to walk from SJPP to Logroño, then bus to Astorga (with brief stops in Burgos and Leon) and finish the walk from there. You have convinced them to also add a brief stop along the Meseta. Where should that stop be?

 

[Håvard Karlsen]

I also vividly remember coming up to Hontanas. It seemed like you could be 250m from it and have no idea it was there.

I took this photo between Fromista and Carrion de los Condes and made a phone case out of it. https://www.instagram.com/p/BIUinJ0Asjs/

All of this talk about the Meseta has brought to mind a question that occurred to me the other day:

Imagine you have a friend who is planning to walk the Camino Frances. But they don't have the month to walk the complete distance. Their current plan is to walk from SJPP to Logroño, then bus to Astorga (with brief stops in Burgos and Leon) and finish the walk from there. You have convinced them to also add a brief stop along the Meseta. Where should that stop be?

How about Burgos and then some days of walking from there?

 

[David Tallan]

How about Burgos and then some days of walking from there?

That would be great but for the purpose of the exercise, let's assume that, after hours of argument, I was only able to convince him to trim one day from the rest of his Camino elsewhere and add it to the Meseta. The question is really, which place on the Meseta is the most representative or rewarding?

I think, tempted as I am by Fromista and Sahagun, I would probably end up sending him to Carrion de los Condes to the albergue we stayed at next to the Church, where the nuns have an informal singalong. Ideally on a day when CaminoArtes has a concert in the evening in the church.

 

[Stivandrer]

Nice Håvard.
And nice to see the letter Å in an international forum...

 

[AlwynWellington]

This is the first glimpse of Hontanas

It seemed like you could be 250m from it and have no idea it was there

Early May 2016, I knew I was close but dreading every step (I had pulled muscles in my right thigh some time before). So really pleased when the tower came into view - it seemed so unreal.

 

[David Tallan]

Håvard posted his first view of Hontanas. Here is my last view before Hontanas. It is less than 500 metres away and you can't see anything. https://www.instagram.com/p/BINFMVqg-th/

 

[KinkyOne]

For the Meseta lovers I would suggest Camino de Madrid or Levante. I haven't walked VdlP yet but from others posts and photos I've seen I believe it's more or less the same. Especially on Camino de Madrid after Segovia villages are either on small hills or hidden in some kind of oasis like Hontanas. Some nice pine forest along the way too. That's why Madrid has more shade than Levante.

 

[Bob from L.A. !]

I still hope to do the Camino - maybe even next year - if I can get to walking properly again. I literally dream of walking the Meseta at night, by moon and starlight. And the views in the mountains! And - like my sister-in-law says - checking out every blade of grass and flower, and taking pictures of many of them

Will yourself to do anything and it will happen !

 

[Håvard Karlsen]

Nice Håvard.
And nice to see the letter Å in an international forum...

Can't help it...

 

[Shelley B]

I am in Carrion de los Condes tonight... very different to Australia!!!! Haha
LOVING every minute... even the blisters and sore feet. Its all part of the journey ❤

 

[Panama Francis]

We are here right now (Castrojeriz) and it is awesomely beautiful!!!!

 

[Shelley B]

I stayed at the Orion in Castrojeriz! What a gorgeous place xx
Did you visit the little art gallery "The Hospitalfor the Soul"?
You walk through in silence...the artist has made his entire house a gallery - amazing! You must see ❤

We are here right now (Castrojeriz) and it is awesomely beautiful!!!!

 

[Panama Francis]

I stayed at the Orion in Castrojeriz! What a gorgeous place xx
Did you visit the little art gallery "The Hospitalfor the Soul"?
You walk through in silence...the artist has made his entire house a gallery - amazing! You must see ❤

Thanks for the recommendation

 

[Håvard Karlsen]

I am in Carrion de los Condes tonight... very different to Australia!!!! Haha
LOVING every minute... even the blisters and sore feet. Its all part of the journey ❤

Buen camino!

 

[Kathryn1966]

Hi Havard,
I remember very clearly the first time I walked into Hontanas and like you I just simply loved the Meseta. The blue skies and the horizon that goes to infinity are my clearest memories and your photograph captures those memories perfectly. I found it a place where you could be absolutely alone but never lonely. Like you I will go back and experience the magic again and again.
Aidan

The meseta was an amazing experience yet many avoid it by catching a bus to the next major town but they don't know what they are missing while it is hot and no shade the peace and quite and senery made up for it and I agree while you are alone you are not lonely their is some magic in walking the meseta that makes me want to go back and experience

 

[Karen Cap]

I stayed at the Orion in Castrojeriz! What a gorgeous place xx
Did you visit the little art gallery "The Hospitalfor the Soul"?
You walk through in silence...the artist has made his entire house a gallery - amazing! You must see ❤

My reason for walking the Camino in 2017 was to find peace after the loss of my sister. I loved the Hospital for the Soul. I found that peace while praying there. I left my rock with my sisters name on it in the cave behind the building.

 

[Kathryn1966]

Orion in castrojeriz was amazing and the host was so much fun loved the wine press

 

[Bob from L.A. !]

My reason for walking the Camino in 2017 was to find peace after the loss of my sister. I loved the Hospital for the Soul. I found that peace while praying there. I left my rock with my sisters name on it in the cave behind the building.

Great little place.......

 

[Juspassinthru]

Orion in castrojeriz was amazing and the host was so much fun loved the wine press

Did you have the Bipmbop? Such a great surprise for a Pilgrims meal. I will always remember the Orion.

 

[tomnorth]

Today it's 4 months since i started my Camino in Burgos. It hasn't been one single day without thinking about the beautiful journey which i was so fortunate to take part of.

As a native Norwegian- i'm quite used to mountains and hilly terrain, The Meseta was for me the best part of the Camino- i even dream about walking the mestea during nights.

I have to go back!

(This is the first glimpse of Hontanas)

That hike into Hontanas was epic. The headwinds were howling and I was howling right back at the winds, taunting them by asking if that was the best they had. The albergue in Hontanas was one of the best, and the communal meal of paella was outstanding. I loved walking the Meseta.

 

[Håvard Karlsen]

That hike into Hontanas was epic. The headwinds were howling and I was howling right back at the winds, taunting them by asking if that was the best they had. The albergue in Hontanas was one of the best, and the communal meal of paella was outstanding. I loved walking the Meseta.

You are the Captain Ahab of the Meseta. Totally agree with you!

 

[Greig]

Today it's 4 months since i started my Camino in Burgos. It hasn't been one single day without thinking about the beautiful journey which i was so fortunate to take part of.

As a native Norwegian- i'm quite used to mountains and hilly terrain, The Meseta was for me the best part of the Camino- i even dream about walking the mestea during nights.

I have to go back!

(This is the first glimpse of Hontanas)

 

[Håvard Karlsen]

That hike into Hontanas was epic. The headwinds were howling and I was howling right back at the winds, taunting them by asking if that was the best they had. The albergue in Hontanas was one of the best, and the communal meal of paella was outstanding. I loved walking the Meseta.

You are the Captain Ahab of the Meseta. Totally agree with you!

 

[Sailor]

Always good to read about La Meseta. La Meseta saved my 2017 camino, and if I only had one section of the Camino Frances to walk, this would be the one. Arriving Hontanas is awesome, but I was not able to sleep that night, the church was busy ringing the bells around the clock every 30 minutes. Long live La Meseta. Thanks for reading y que la luz de Dios alumbre su camino.

 

[John Sikora]

As some of the posts have said already, the key is magnesium. I used to get nasty leg cramps after very long walks. Now, after a lot of exercise, I just take a magnesium tablet or two and I've not had a cramp since (unless I forgot or was just too lazy ). So, if you can, bananas do the trick. If they are not available just carry some magnesium pills. They don't weigh much.

 

[Bob from L.A. !]

Potassium also helps - bananas, Plantains etc...

 

[trecile]

As some of the posts have said already, the key is magnesium. I used to get nasty leg cramps after very long walks. Now, after a lot of exercise, I just take a magnesium tablet or two and I've not had a cramp since (unless I forgot or was just too lazy ). So, if you can, bananas do the trick. If they are not available just carry some magnesium pills. They don't weigh much.

Just be aware that the magnesium pills can um, have an effect of speeding up your digestive process.