Day 28 - Villafranca del Bierzo to O Cebreiro

Today was the day that we had been anticipating for a few days.

The long steep climb from Villafranca del Briezo to O Cebreiro.

Some 30km with a total ascent of 920m.

The day was forecast to be hot and, with the long steep climb, we decided to set off early.

We managed to get on the road by 5:50am and confidently marched through the ton under the guidance of the street lights.

As soon as we left the town, we realized it was pitch dark and we needed a torch.

Luckily the path was alongside a road and we could see some walker ahead of us with lights. So we followed the road and tried to catch up to the lights.

The lights turned out to be a couple of cell phones in torch mode. 

By this time our night vision was kicking in, so we charged ahead unaided.

Once the daylight emerged, we began to realize how much the walk, and how much the scenery, was different to previous days. Beautiful!!

We had steep hills and valleys. The hill cuttings and motorway bridges were grand.

We had rivers and streams and babbling brooks and even water oozing out of the ground.

As we climbed further up the hill to reach the top of the mountain, the scenery was magnificent.

Having missed breakfast in Villafranca del Briezo, we stopped at several villages for coffee on the way. Each were wonderful.

The climb itself was, we thought, a little shorter and not as steep or as long a climb as advertised. 

We finished by 12:15pm and then waited for others to arrive. 

Many people we have met along the Camino, from as early as St Jean Pied de Port, are here in O Cebreiro and there is a high level of fellowship.

The 9th century church in O Cebreiro (right) is reported to be the oldest church on the Camino.

We only have 7 more days walking before we arrive at Santiago de Compostela and we expect that most of the group that we are now with will be arriving at Santiago de Compostela at the same time as us.