It Doesn't Get Any Better Than Today

As nice as the Le Puy route was, it didn't have a stage that was as spectacular as today's walk from Pamplona to Puente la Reina. 

As much as I've raved about Pamplona, I'd only seen the eastern part of town. This morning started at my hostel near the Plaza del Castillo and proceeded out of town to the west. It took about five km to clear the suburbs and then the day's objective became clear, the Alto del Perdon (Hill of Forgiveness). It's one of the most famous spots on the Camino, where there's a sculpture of pilgrims headed west and leaning into the wind. 

The Camino crosses a line of about 50 wind turbines that run along the ridge from north to south, about 3/4 of the way to the top. The climb is about 1000 feet and there is a beautiful panoramic view back to Pamplona from the top. 

The view west is equally dramatic. In the 60 days I've hiked this year it is the only spot that gives a clear of both the days origin and destination. It's a little hard to describe but if you look at the white smoke in this next picture, Puente la Reina is just under the second of two horizontal green streaks, or the first under the horizon. 

Uncle Bob and Margo asked for some windmill pictures so here you go!

I walked up a few more feet above the Camino to get this shot of the pilgrim sculpture with turbines in the background. 

 And here's a close up.