Wilderness Travel 2018 Catalog of Adventures

HELMUT KAPCZYNSKI ANNIE HAWKINS

On this pilgrimage journey, we hike the best sections of this classic trail, ending at legendary Kilometer 0 at Finisterre.

Pilgrim’s Way ANCIENT TRAILS AND PARADORS OF NORTHERN SPAIN’S CAMINO DE SANTIAGO

Be part of a thousand-year-old pilgrimage— the Way of St. James—through some of Spain’s loveliest landscapes. We’ve selected the most evocative portions for our journey, which brings us from the ancient kingdom of Castile to mystical Galicia, a hidden corner of Spain alive with legends and Celtic heritage, and on to the holy city of Santiago de Compostela. Our hikes lead along sunny country lanes marked with the scallop shell, the symbol of St. James, through mist- shrouded forests of gnarled oaks, and we finish with a special hike along the beach at Finisterre, Kilometer 0 on the pilgrim trail. Along the way, we relish superb Romanesque architecture, meet fellow pilgrims, and enjoy splendid accommodations in quaint guesthouses and spectacular paradors. Days 1-2 Burgos / León / Astorga We meet in historic Burgos, then head to the Castilian meseta (high plain) and join other pilgrims as we hike to the remote village of Hontanas. A journey across the sun-splashed plains of Castile brings us to the engaging city of Léon, and we explore its leafy squares and

12th century frescoes before heading to the walled city of Astorga.

Days 3-5 Cruz de Hiero / O’Cebreiro / Portomarin Entering rural Galicia, we hike past thriving farmsteads and tiny villages to Cruz de Hiero, a towering iron cross where for a thousand years pilgrims have carried a single stone from their homeland to make a wish (be sure to bring yours!). In the mountaintop village of O’Cebreiro, we visit a small church whose chalice is linked in legend with the Holy Grail. Some of the most beautiful stretches of the entire pilgrim trail—jewel- green fields, ancient stone walls, and meadows where shepherds tend their herds—await us as we head to the whitewashed village of Portomarin. Days 6-9 La Coruña / Santiago de Compostela / Finisterre Following trails through eucalyptus forests, hamlets, and farms flanked by ancient grain silos, we arrive in Santiago, a beautiful medieval city of golden granite. We explore this sacred site, and in the extraordinary twin-towered limestone cathedral that reputedly contains the remains of St. James, have a chance to attend the noon mass with a jostling crowd of pilgrims from around the world. We complete our pilgrimage with a hike to Finisterre—the “end of the earth,” following tradition by walking the last part of the trail barefoot along the beach. Depart on Day 9.

HIGHLIGHTS • Hike the most beautiful sections of one of Europe’s revered pilgrimage routes • Complete the final hike at Finisterre, the westernmost point on the Iberian Peninsula • Enjoy Galician cuisine, famous for its • Overnight in historic hotels and inns, including the 5-star Parador Los Reis Católicos, a 15th century monastery on Santiago’s main square DETAILS • 9-day trip begins in Burgos and ends in Santiago de Compostela • 8 nights inns, manor houses, and paradors • All meals included except 1 dinner seafood, and some of its delicious cheeses including creamy tetilla

DATES Apr 24-May 2, 2018 May 29-Jun 6 Sep 7-15 Sep 25-Oct 3

TRIP COST $4295 (10-15 members) $4695 (4-9 members) Single supplement: $480

TRIP LEVEL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 7 hiking days on easy to moderate trails, some steep sections, 3-8 hours a day, van support

FOR A DETAILED ITINERARY: 1.800.368.2794 OR EMAIL EUROPE@WILDERNESSTRAVEL.COM 59