Today we’re on the Camino Frances Day 5 and its a fabulous walk entering Rioja country.
Todays walk see us walking from Azqueta to Torres del Rio and it’s only 26km although the weather forecast looks like its going to be a hot day.
Camino Frances Day 5 Overview
- Distance – 22km
- From – Azqueta
- To – Torres del Rio
- Min/Max Elevation – 443m/675m
- Elevation gain – 334m
- Steps – 33,000
We had a fantastic time in La Perla Negra Albergue last night. 8 people in a Spanish ladies home called Helena, and she cooked us all a home cooked meal.
There were 3 Brits, 4 Germans, an American and 1 pilgrim from Brazil. We were in our hosts loft and the food was brilliant !! A really fabulous pilgrim dinner in an albergue hosted by the owner who has walked the Camino herself.
Once again we had a night with a lot of people snoring and I was woke up even though I had my tapones para los oídos in.
It turned out to be the loudest night of my pilgrimage on the Camino Francés, the French way, to Santiago de Compostela.
As we were up early we decided to get an early start again and we were up at 6.45am and set off walking the trail at 7am and we were in for a Camino treat.
Once again we are up early to witness a Camino sunrise and this one was absolutely amazing !
Our walk on Day 5 of el Camino Frances takes us from the quiet hamlet of Azqueta and Villamayor de Monjardin through to the bustling town of Los Arcos.
We had a relaxing coffee in the square by the church Iglesia parroquial de Santa María de los Arcos. This church is fabulous and well worth a visit especially if you stay the night in Los Arcos.
Our whole days walk was through undulating countryside and fabulous after leaving the warm city walks of Estella behind. The afternoon was absolutely boiling and made us wish we had left Azqueta an hour earlier in the morning.
Consejo – Check the weather forecast and leave your Albergue early if its going to be hot !
Pilgrim Passport
Every night we have to get our ‘pilgrim’ passport stamped so thought I would show you all what this looks like after getting our passport stamped at La Perla Negra Albergue in Azqueta.
They say you are supposed to get your passport stamped twice a day to be eligible for your completion certificate, the Compostela,’ when arriving in Santiago de Compostela which we did most days although on some days we only got one.
We weren’t challenged when getting our Compostela but I would still aim for two stamps per day.
You can get these stamps in bars, cafes, hotels and albergues and sometimes even in a church.
Planificador y diario del Camino Francés
I’ve recently self published a Camino Frances Planner & Journal to help new and old Pilgrims with their preparation for this amazing pilgrimage.
Planificador y diario del Camino Francés
- Siga su progreso y preparación
- Detalles kilométricos por ciudad
- Seguimiento de gastos
- Seguimiento del entrenamiento
- Diario y cuaderno de bitácora
- Páginas vacías para sellos
Accomodation in Torres del Rio
We then left Los Arcos and continued walking on the Camino Frances for another 12km passing through Sansol to our destination for the night, Torres del Rio.
Nos alojamos en el Albergue Hotel Rural le Pata de Oca in the centre of the village. It’s a great old Knights Templar hotel and even has a small plunge pool to have a swim in on a hot day
The history of the Knights Templar is really interesting and evident everywhere.
We ate at the Hotel de San Andrés which has rooms and also has a plunge pool as well. Our evening Pilgrim meal was a fantastic Tuna salad followed by a Lamb shank for our main course and desert, all with as much free wine as you could drink.
The whole Pilgrim meal cost €15 euro per person and was really good value. I recommend staying and eating here as well.
There are other Albergue options in Torres del Rio and all are worth staying at.
Albergue Hotel Rural le Pata de Oca
- 42 camas, 8 habitaciones
- €60 for a 3 bed private room
- Amenities - very good
- Todo el año
- Mostrar en el mapa
Hostel Rural San Andres
- 18 habitaciones
- €59 double/twin
- Amenities - very good
- Todo el año
- Mostrar en el mapa
Albergue Casa Mariella
- 70 camas
- 10 euros por persona
- Servicios - Baños compartidos
- All year - mainly Pilgrim Walk ins
- Mostrar en el mapa
I hope you enjoyed reading about the walking stage on the Camino Frances Day 5 as we walked from Azqueta to Torres el Rio.
To follow our journey read about our travels on the Camino Frances Day 6 Torres del Rio to Navarrete.
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