Your legs will know within an hour: this is a day for keeping going. Your head has to learn patience. It is the longest stage of the whole route, at over 38 kilometres, and it will keep you busy for more than 10 hours. You walk a large part of it on the old Roman road. It almost goes by itself, but the kilometres just keep coming.
Along the way you pass the Roman arch of Cáparra. It is a lovely spot to sit down for a while and have something to eat. The climb is spread out over a long distance and is more of a shuffle than a slog. Aldeanueva del Camino arrives at the end like a welcome line drawn under the day. Take plenty of water and pace yourself. You’ll be fine.