Day 20 | The first day on the Meseta | Burgos to Hornillos del Camino
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Walk or Avoid the Meseta?
The Meseta are large flat plains that stretch over the Camino Francés between the cities of Burgos and León (some say Astorga) at a distance of some 180 Km | 112 miles – depending on your pace the Meseta takes 7 – 10 days to cross.
5 Reasons why Pilgrims avoid the Meseta include:
1) The region is notorious for extreme temperatures – very hot in the summer and freezing cold in the winter.
2) The terrain is often described as a flat and repetitive.
3) Long, straight paths which some find boring, monotonous or mentally challenging.
4) For some the solitude can be overwhelming.
5) Restricted available time can best be spent elsewhere on the Camino.
5 Reasons why Pilgrims choose to walk the Meseta include:
1) If you are prepared, the Meseta can be a wonderful experience.
2) There are beautiful memorable towns and villages along the way.
3) The sunrises are extraordinary – followed by clear blue skies stretching across an open, endless landscape.
4) The solitude and space the Meseta offers is welcome by many who are on a spiritual journey.
5) For those seeking the full pilgrimage experience, many feel the Meseta is an essential part of the Camino Francés.
So why is it that those that walked the Meseta thoroughly recommend it?
I guess, it is because that there is always a reason not to do something and you will not know how you feel about it unless you have done it.
As for our Camino, we chose to accept the challenge and walk the Meseta, and I am grateful that we chose to experience it.
My wife, Marianne, and I crossed the plains during an intense heatwave and to avoid the heat, we began each day at around 05:30, walking the first two hours in darkness by the light of our head-torches. Then, somewhere out in the quiet emptiness, we would pause and watch the sunrise – breathtaking, unforgettable moments in the middle of nowhere.
