The Way to Land's End







• Starting Point: Murias de Rechivaldo
• Ending Point: Rabanal 
• Daily distance: 9.57 miles (15.4 km)
• Total distance: 315.58 (507.87 km)




The hike into Rabanal was beautiful. We began climbing up into the Cantabrian mountain range. The grade was slight and made for an easy hike. We passed through a couple of small villages on our way up. 

Rabanal was a picturesque mountain village. We checked into Albergue Gualcemo which is run by the UK Cofraternity of St James. They offered an afternoon tea and had the most superb clothes washing station we have encountered thus far. There was a centrifuge to spin out our wet laundry. Let me tell you, hand washing your clothes is hard work!

Our main reason for stopping in Rabanal was to see the vespers service where the local monks perform the Gregorian chant. Unfortunately, the monks left town the day before. However, we did attend a lovely mass in the small chapel. 

It has been a while since we have seen any of the pilgrims we began with in St Jean. I’m afraid we may have fallen behind them. And although we have merged into a new cohort of pilgrims, I sure do miss those faces from the first days and wonder how they all are faring. 

Today we met a father and his 13 year old son from Germany. It is their first day on the Camino. The father completed the Camino back in 2013 and his son begged to do it too. It is now the boy’s fall break from school and his father agreed to the walk from Astorga to Santiago. It is heart warming to see the two together. The son sat outside at the table this evening writing  in his journal and you can see the excitement in his eyes. He talked to me about the United States and seemed disappointed that I wasn’t from Ohio. Apparently, his favorite YouTube stars are from Ohio!

And finally, an update of my blisters: the pharmacist was right on. A full day of letting the skin  breath and my blisters are dry and barely noticeable. I walked all day with no bandage or tape on.  I had no pain or irritation. Apparently, sometimes the best thing to do is nothing. Our bodies are amazing and know how to heal themselves!