Arriving in Villafranca del Bierzo feels like coming home after a good day’s work. About 23 kilometres are behind you. A bit of climbing, a bit of descending, nothing that will really wreck you. Leaving Ponferrada, you walk through the El Bierzo wine region and it all goes smoothly. Still, it’s well over six hours on your feet, so by the end your legs know exactly what they’ve done.
Something nice happens here too: the Camino Olvidado joins the Francés in this village. From now on you’ll be walking alongside pilgrims who have come from that other route. Ask them where they started. Look after your feet this evening and walk at your own pace tomorrow.