Category: Hikes

Groveland

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After a long winter in the SF Bay Area, I felt a deep craving for escape—a retreat from the city. With a sense of adventure, we set off to Groveland, a hidden gem nestled among mountains and ancient forests.

Our charming hotel allowed us to truly unwind, surrounded by the calming sounds of the forest, stunning lake views, and majestic mountains. It was the perfect way to relax and reflect.

This getaway promised a weekend of tranquility. We could wander through the history left by the Gold Rush era and the breathtaking hiking trails in the area. The Forest was an invitation to reconnect with nature and rediscover a sense of peace that only the outdoors can provide.

On the first day, we set to the Carlon Falls Trail early in the morning, eager to soak in the beauty of the wilderness. The hike was three miles and moderately easy, and every step felt rewarding. I missed hiking and the sense of freedom that comes with walking outdoors. We were treated to breathtaking views of the river and waterfall.

That night, we had dinner at the Iron Door, the oldest operating saloon in California. Iron Door was founded in 1852; it has a welcoming atmosphere, history, and memorabilia from the Gold Rush era. It’s a must-visit if you’re in Groveland. The food is good, and the highlight is the homemade potato chips; they are simply delicious.

The next day, we hiked the Little Golden Trail, a four-mile hike with steady ascending. The weather was cold and windy, a contrast from the previous day.

On our way back to the San Francisco Bay Area, we stopped at Knights Ferry Covered Bridge Park. The bridge, built in 1863, is approximately 379 feet long and played a significant role during the California Gold Rush.

This harmonious blend of rich history, breathtaking nature, and soothing relaxation creates an unforgettable weekend getaway.

Rúa to Santiago

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The final stage to Santiago is 20 km. We were excited to reach Santiago, but we felt sad that it was the last day of our journey. All morning, it was raining and foggy.

Our hotel host recommended that we take an alternative route to Santiago to avoid the busier sections of El Camino. We hiked along the freeway towards Santiago and rejoined the main route when we reached the airport. From this section to the cathedral was busy, but when the rain got heavy, people found shelter in the cafes, and we kept walking. That was when we could enjoy the silence and the foggy day. As we arrived in Santiago, we started planning our next Camino.

After a long lunch, we reached Santiago in the early afternoon. We stayed outside the cathedral for an hour before going to the pilgrim’s office for our Compostela. We know we will return to Santiago; there are more Caminos to explore..

Lugo to A Ponte Ferreira

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We spent one day in Lugo and had the opportunity to tour this walled city and learn about its importance during the Roman Empire.

In Lugo, several people have begun their journey to Santiago. We found more people and groups of recent high school graduates on the trail. Unfortunately, this group has been the loudest and listening to music on the trails.

The trails are now flat, with very little change in altitude, as in the Asturias area. Today is Sunday, and several bars and restaurants are closed, making it impossible to find a place to rest and drink coffee. We only found one restaurant, where we had to wait about 45 minutes until they opened the kitchen. While waiting, a group of English hikers told us that two of their friends had been attacked by a loose dog, and they had to call an ambulance to take them to the hospital.

In all the Caminos we have done, this is the first time we have heard of a dog attacking hikers on the trail.

Houses outside of Lugo
Cocido en un restaurante en el camino de Santiago

San Francisco Crosstown Trail

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The San Francisco Crosstown Trail stands out as an extraordinary urban exploration that allows visitors and locals alike to discover the hidden beauty of San Francisco. The hike will take you through bustling streets, scenic parks, and neighborhoods, providing an experience of the city’s culture and natural surroundings.

The Crosstown Hike spans approximately 17 miles across San Francisco. Although it can be completed in a single day, it is highly recommended that you take time to fully absorb the sights and sounds along the way.

Overview

Starting Point: Section 1: Candlestick Point, Visitacion Valley, McLaren Park

The trail begins at Candlestick Park State Recreation Area, near the former location of the Giants and 49ers. The path then guides you through the Visitacion Valley Greenway, a series of community parks and gardens serving as both an outdoor learning space and a focal point for the neighborhood. Lastly, you will stroll through McLaren Park, the city’s third-largest park.

Section 2: Glen Park Greenway, Glen Canyon Park, Laguna Honda Trail

Sixty acres of rehabilitated natural environment at Glen Canyon Park and navigate the rejuvenated Laguna Honda Community Trail System.

Section 3: Golden Gate Heights Park, Grandview Park, Tiled Stairways

Take a moment to admire the expansive views of Grandview Park in Golden Gate Heights and the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps.

Section 4: Blue Heron Lake, Rose Garden, Park Presidio Boulevard

Walk through the eastern part of Golden Gate Park. Once you’ve circled Blue Heron Lake, you’ll arrive at the park’s Rose Garden. You’ll be directed to Park Presidio Greenway when you leave the park.

Section 5: Presidio, Sea Cliff, Lands’ End

The last part of the trek guides you to Land’s End, an untamed coastal region providing stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. Walk along picturesque paths that lead to the Sutro Baths. This historic complex was once a lavish public bathing facility.

Zubiri to Pamplona

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Copyright RJK

Our third day of walking found us off to our usual 8am starts, leaving the village of Zubiri and heading towards the provincial capital of Pamplona. We had visited Pamplona prior, but we were eager to arrive as we had built a rest day into our stay. This was good planning on our end. But more on that later…

The day found us covering mostly level terrain with pretty hills and valleys and very few steep climbs or descents. The first seventy percent was mostly rural until we hit the outskirts of Pamplona. And with our entrance into the suburbs, we experienced our first significant pilgrim transition. Prior to entering the satellite towns of Pamplona, we were pilgrims amidst pilgrims. Everything revolved around the Camino, including all people who crossed our paths. However, entering back into everyday Spanish life, with the hustle and bustle of the city, we realize that we were invisible. Everyone was busy with their lives, their work, their family, and the distractions of living, and here we were, arriving, each of us with our own reasons for walking, but with only the immediate need to keep on walking, our every day lives very much in the background. For us, at least, it was a moment of appreciation to have this month to step back from our daily routine and do something of great introspection.

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Alviso Marina County Park

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It has been raining for the past two days, and today we had to hike. I chose Alviso because it looked like an easy hike. It had a flat 9-mile trail. It was a great decision to go today because it was overcast and there weren’t any trees. Well, after three miles on wet gravel,  which was an easy walk, we got to a muddy trail. For the next six miles, we walked on the worst terrain. I didn’t know how heavy my boots and hiking poles could be when the mud accumulated on them; it was almost impossible to walk in some areas. At the end, it took us four hours to walk 9 miles. When we finished, we were dirty, tired, and hungry.

I’m afraid that on El Camino, we will have some days with this kind of terrain due to the rain in spring.

I’m glad we did it because now we know what to expect and how long it could take us to walk in mud with some extra weight on our shoes and hiking poles.