We have left the province of Navarra and entered La Rioja. We noticed fewer directional signs showing distance to the next town and no sign with good details about the route. This is why the above map is now different.
Camino: Day 8
Distance: 28 KM (17.3 miles)
Weather: cloudy, 52-75 degrees
Time on trail: 7 hours & 40 minutes including all breaks
Once again we had breakfast at 7:00 and left the hotel at 7:30.
Logroño is a large town so it took us 20 minutes to leave town. As we entered the La Grajera Park we saw a beautiful sunrise.
Before leaving the park we came across this interesting shop selling traditional walking sticks pilgrim trinkets.
From this point we stared a slow climb through many vineyards. This is Spain’s main wine region called La Rioja.
This long wire fence protecting us from the highway below was decorated with crosses made from sticks.
Once we reached the top we had a beautiful view of the next village Navarrete. This 12th century town was built by the “Knights of the Holy Sepulcher.”
This lovely village is home to the Baroque church called ‘La Ascension.’
At one time the Camino had many pilgrim hospitals. I can easily see why they were needed. Walking the Camino has never been an easy journey.
Today was another long day, but we enjoyed many conversations with fellow pilgrims to pass the time. We all remarked on how few of us were on the trail today. Many left the Camino, but maybe others took a rest day in lovely Logroño.
Our lunch stop for the day and a simple sign to tell us how far we still had to go.
Before reaching Najera we had one more hill to climb then a beautiful view.
On the way down we had this lovely entertainer to enjoy.
Other images from the day.
The last rest stop. Another long day on the road.
Once we had a nice break in our hotel we visited the Monastery of Santa Maria La Real in Najera.
The Wanderers 