{"id":17247,"date":"2026-08-28T18:04:33","date_gmt":"2026-08-28T16:04:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/etapas\/belorado-san-juan-de-ortega\/"},"modified":"2026-10-03T11:59:08","modified_gmt":"2026-10-03T09:59:08","slug":"belorado-san-juan-de-ortega","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/stages\/belorado-san-juan-de-ortega\/","title":{"rendered":"Belorado \u2013 San Juan de Ortega (24 km)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Camino Frances Stage Route: Belorado \u2013 San Juan de Ortega (24 km)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This stage of the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Camino de Santiago Frances<\/a><\/strong> runs from <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/burgos-province\/belorado\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"11306\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Belorado<\/a><\/strong> to <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/burgos-province\/san-juan-de-ortega\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"11337\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">San Juan de Ortega<\/a><\/strong> over 24 kilometres in two very different halves: a flat first part linking small villages beside the road, and a second climbing into the <strong>Montes de Oca<\/strong> with twelve kilometres of solitary forest to the isolated monastery of San Juan de Ortega.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cp-timeline-content-timeline Cool-Content-Timeline\"><div class=\"cool-timeline-block-5fdb33e0-b298-4b7e-8396-8a1be1fd3883\"><style>.cool-timeline-block-5fdb33e0-b298-4b7e-8396-8a1be1fd3883 .cool-vertical-timeline-body{--ctlb-content-alignment: left;--ctlb-icon-color: #ffcc00;--ctlb-date-color: #003888;--ctlb-line-color: #003888;--ctlb-icon-bg: #003888;--ctlb-story-border-color: #ffcc00;}<\/style><div class=\"cool-vertical-timeline-body ctlb-wrapper one-sided left\"><div class=\"cool-timeline-block-list\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cp-timeline-content-timeline-child swiper-slide\"><div class=\"timeline-content icon-true \"><div class=\"timeline-block-timeline ctl-row  position-left\"><div class=\"ctl-6 timeline-block-time\"><div class=\"story-time\"><p><strong>KM 0<\/strong><\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"timeline-block-icon\"><span class=\"timeline-block-render-icon\" style=\"fill:white\"><div class=\"iconpicker-item\" style=\"font-size:24px;color:white;padding:2px\"><svg stroke=\"currentColor\" fill=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"0\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" height=\"1em\" width=\"1em\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M413.1 222.5l22.2 22.2c9.4 9.4 9.4 24.6 0 33.9L241 473c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0L12.7 278.6c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l22.2-22.2c9.5-9.5 25-9.3 34.3.4L184 343.4V56c0-13.3 10.7-24 24-24h32c13.3 0 24 10.7 24 24v287.4l114.8-120.5c9.3-9.8 24.8-10 34.3-.4z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><\/span><\/div><div class=\"ctl-6 timeline-block-detail\"><div class=\"story-details\"><div class=\"story-content\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full ctlb-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/Belorado-Camino-de-Santiago-Frances.jpg\" alt=\"Belorado\" class=\"wp-image-11312\" srcset=\"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/Belorado-Camino-de-Santiago-Frances.jpg 600w, https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/Belorado-Camino-de-Santiago-Frances-300x158.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading ctlb-block-title\" style=\"padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/burgos-province\/belorado\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"11306\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Belorado<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"ctlb-block-desc wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px\">Leave Belorado past the church of Santa Mar\u00eda and cross the Tir\u00f3n river. A flat path beside the N-120 links the villages of Tosantos, Villambistia and Espinosa del Camino.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cp-timeline-content-timeline-child swiper-slide\"><div class=\"timeline-content icon-true \"><div class=\"timeline-block-timeline ctl-row  position-right\"><div class=\"ctl-6 timeline-block-time\"><div class=\"story-time\"><p><strong>4.8 km<\/strong><\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"timeline-block-icon\"><span class=\"timeline-block-render-icon\" style=\"fill:white\"><div class=\"iconpicker-item\" style=\"font-size:24px;color:white;padding:2px\"><svg stroke=\"currentColor\" fill=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"0\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" height=\"1em\" width=\"1em\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M413.1 222.5l22.2 22.2c9.4 9.4 9.4 24.6 0 33.9L241 473c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0L12.7 278.6c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l22.2-22.2c9.5-9.5 25-9.3 34.3.4L184 343.4V56c0-13.3 10.7-24 24-24h32c13.3 0 24 10.7 24 24v287.4l114.8-120.5c9.3-9.8 24.8-10 34.3-.4z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><\/span><\/div><div class=\"ctl-6 timeline-block-detail\"><div class=\"story-details\"><div class=\"story-content\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full ctlb-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/Tosantos-Camino-de-Santiago-Frances.jpg\" alt=\"Tosantos\" class=\"wp-image-11311\" srcset=\"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/Tosantos-Camino-de-Santiago-Frances.jpg 600w, https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/Tosantos-Camino-de-Santiago-Frances-300x158.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading ctlb-block-title\" style=\"padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/burgos-province\/tosantos\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"11314\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tosantos<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"ctlb-block-desc wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px\">Above the village, carved into a rock face, stands the <strong>hermitage of the Virgen de la Pe\u00f1a<\/strong>. Tosantos has a donation-based parish hostel.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cp-timeline-content-timeline-child swiper-slide\"><div class=\"timeline-content icon-true \"><div class=\"timeline-block-timeline ctl-row  position-left\"><div class=\"ctl-6 timeline-block-time\"><div class=\"story-time\"><p><strong>6.5 km<\/strong><\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"timeline-block-icon\"><span class=\"timeline-block-render-icon\" style=\"fill:white\"><div class=\"iconpicker-item\" style=\"font-size:24px;color:white;padding:2px\"><svg stroke=\"currentColor\" fill=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"0\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" height=\"1em\" width=\"1em\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M413.1 222.5l22.2 22.2c9.4 9.4 9.4 24.6 0 33.9L241 473c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0L12.7 278.6c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l22.2-22.2c9.5-9.5 25-9.3 34.3.4L184 343.4V56c0-13.3 10.7-24 24-24h32c13.3 0 24 10.7 24 24v287.4l114.8-120.5c9.3-9.8 24.8-10 34.3-.4z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><\/span><\/div><div class=\"ctl-6 timeline-block-detail\"><div class=\"story-details\"><div class=\"story-content\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full ctlb-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/Villambistia-Camino-de-Santiago-Frances.jpg\" alt=\"Villambistia\" class=\"wp-image-11324\" srcset=\"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/Villambistia-Camino-de-Santiago-Frances.jpg 600w, https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/Villambistia-Camino-de-Santiago-Frances-300x158.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading ctlb-block-title\" style=\"padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/burgos-province\/villambistia\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"11320\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Villambistia<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"ctlb-block-desc wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px\">A hamlet with the church of San Esteban and a fountain where, tradition says, a pilgrim who dips their head in shakes off tiredness. A kilometre and a half further on lies Espinosa del Camino.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cp-timeline-content-timeline-child swiper-slide\"><div class=\"timeline-content icon-true \"><div class=\"timeline-block-timeline ctl-row  position-right\"><div class=\"ctl-6 timeline-block-time\"><div class=\"story-time\"><p><strong>8 km<\/strong><\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"timeline-block-icon\"><span class=\"timeline-block-render-icon\" style=\"fill:white\"><div class=\"iconpicker-item\" style=\"font-size:24px;color:white;padding:2px\"><svg stroke=\"currentColor\" fill=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"0\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" height=\"1em\" width=\"1em\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M413.1 222.5l22.2 22.2c9.4 9.4 9.4 24.6 0 33.9L241 473c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0L12.7 278.6c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l22.2-22.2c9.5-9.5 25-9.3 34.3.4L184 343.4V56c0-13.3 10.7-24 24-24h32c13.3 0 24 10.7 24 24v287.4l114.8-120.5c9.3-9.8 24.8-10 34.3-.4z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><\/span><\/div><div class=\"ctl-6 timeline-block-detail\"><div class=\"story-details\"><div class=\"story-content\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full ctlb-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/Espinosa-del-Camino-Camino-de-Santiago-Frances.jpg\" alt=\"Espinosa del Camino\" class=\"wp-image-11330\" srcset=\"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/Espinosa-del-Camino-Camino-de-Santiago-Frances.jpg 600w, https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/Espinosa-del-Camino-Camino-de-Santiago-Frances-300x158.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading ctlb-block-title\" style=\"padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/burgos-province\/espinosa-del-camino\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"11326\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Espinosa del Camino<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"ctlb-block-desc wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px\">On the way out, standing alone in a field, is the <strong>pre-Romanesque apse of San Indalecio<\/strong>, the only remnant of the old monastery of San F\u00e9lix de Oca. The Camino continues towards Villafranca.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cp-timeline-content-timeline-child swiper-slide\"><div class=\"timeline-content icon-true \"><div class=\"timeline-block-timeline ctl-row  position-left\"><div class=\"ctl-6 timeline-block-time\"><div class=\"story-time\"><p><strong>12 km<\/strong><\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"timeline-block-icon\"><span class=\"timeline-block-render-icon\" style=\"fill:white\"><div class=\"iconpicker-item\" style=\"font-size:24px;color:white;padding:2px\"><svg stroke=\"currentColor\" fill=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"0\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" height=\"1em\" width=\"1em\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M413.1 222.5l22.2 22.2c9.4 9.4 9.4 24.6 0 33.9L241 473c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0L12.7 278.6c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l22.2-22.2c9.5-9.5 25-9.3 34.3.4L184 343.4V56c0-13.3 10.7-24 24-24h32c13.3 0 24 10.7 24 24v287.4l114.8-120.5c9.3-9.8 24.8-10 34.3-.4z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><\/span><\/div><div class=\"ctl-6 timeline-block-detail\"><div class=\"story-details\"><div class=\"story-content\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full ctlb-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/Villafranca-Montes-de-Oca-Camino-de-Santiago-Frances.jpg\" alt=\"Villafranca Montes de Oca\" class=\"wp-image-11335\" srcset=\"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/Villafranca-Montes-de-Oca-Camino-de-Santiago-Frances.jpg 600w, https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/Villafranca-Montes-de-Oca-Camino-de-Santiago-Frances-300x158.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading ctlb-block-title\" style=\"padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/burgos-province\/villafranca-montes-de-oca\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"11332\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Villafranca Montes de Oca<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"ctlb-block-desc wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px\">At the foot of the Montes de Oca, with the church of Santiago \u2014 whose holy-water font is a large seashell brought from the Philippines \u2014 and the old hospital of San Antonio Abad, founded by Queen Juana Manuel. This is the last place with services before twelve kilometres of forest: stock up on water and food.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cp-timeline-content-timeline-child swiper-slide\"><div class=\"timeline-content icon-true \"><div class=\"timeline-block-timeline ctl-row  position-right\"><div class=\"ctl-6 timeline-block-time\"><div class=\"story-time\"><p><strong>24 km<\/strong><\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"timeline-block-icon\"><span class=\"timeline-block-render-icon\" style=\"fill:white\"><div class=\"iconpicker-item\" style=\"font-size:24px;color:white;padding:2px\"><svg stroke=\"currentColor\" fill=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"0\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" height=\"1em\" width=\"1em\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M413.1 222.5l22.2 22.2c9.4 9.4 9.4 24.6 0 33.9L241 473c-9.4 9.4-24.6 9.4-33.9 0L12.7 278.6c-9.4-9.4-9.4-24.6 0-33.9l22.2-22.2c9.5-9.5 25-9.3 34.3.4L184 343.4V56c0-13.3 10.7-24 24-24h32c13.3 0 24 10.7 24 24v287.4l114.8-120.5c9.3-9.8 24.8-10 34.3-.4z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><\/span><\/div><div class=\"ctl-6 timeline-block-detail\"><div class=\"story-details\"><div class=\"story-content\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full ctlb-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/San-Juan-de-Ortega-Camino-de-Santiago-Frances.jpg\" alt=\"San Juan de Ortega\" class=\"wp-image-11342\" srcset=\"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/San-Juan-de-Ortega-Camino-de-Santiago-Frances.jpg 600w, https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/02\/San-Juan-de-Ortega-Camino-de-Santiago-Frances-300x158.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading ctlb-block-title\" style=\"padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/burgos-province\/san-juan-de-ortega\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"11337\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">San Juan de Ortega<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"ctlb-block-desc wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px\">After climbing to 1,150 m through pine and holm-oak woods and crossing the Valdefuentes valley, you reach the monastic complex of San Juan de Ortega, isolated in the forest. The church holds the saint\u2019s tomb and the capital of the Annunciation, struck at the equinoxes by a ray of sunlight: the <strong>miracle of light<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Belorado \u2013 San Juan de Ortega: Complete Guide<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stage Profile: Distance, Elevation and Difficulty<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Distance:<\/strong> 24 km. <strong>Walking time:<\/strong> 5h 30min \u2013 6h 30min. <strong>Elevation change:<\/strong> about +500 m and \u2013250 m. <strong>Difficulty:<\/strong> moderate-to-high. The first twelve kilometres are flat and easy, linking villages beside the N-120. Then comes the <strong>climb into the Montes de Oca<\/strong> from Villafranca \u2014 with a tough ramp at the start \u2014 and twelve kilometres of rolling forest track with not a single service until San Juan de Ortega. In rain, the forest track turns muddy. By bike the track is rideable, with some awkward stretches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Montes de Oca: Forest, Bandits and Memory<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For centuries the <strong>Montes de Oca<\/strong> were the most feared forest on the Camino: dense, solitary and reputed to shelter bandits, it was crossed in groups and only in broad daylight. Today it is a beautiful pine and holm-oak wood, but it keeps that sense of isolation. Halfway across, the <strong>Monumento a los Ca\u00eddos<\/strong> marks a Civil War mass grave, holding the remains of local people shot in 1936. At the far end of the forest waits San Juan de Ortega, with no village around it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What to See: Monuments and Heritage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong>rock-cut hermitage of the Virgen de la Pe\u00f1a<\/strong> above <a href=\"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/burgos-province\/tosantos\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"11314\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tosantos<\/a>; the <strong>pre-Romanesque apse of San Indalecio<\/strong> standing in open country on the way out of <a href=\"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/burgos-province\/espinosa-del-camino\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"11326\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Espinosa del Camino<\/a>; the church of Santiago in <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/burgos-province\/villafranca-montes-de-oca\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"11332\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Villafranca Montes de Oca<\/a><\/strong> with its shell font, and the San Ant\u00f3n Abad hostel. And in <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/burgos-province\/san-juan-de-ortega\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"11337\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">San Juan de Ortega<\/a><\/strong>, the Romanesque church with the <strong>saint\u2019s tomb<\/strong> under a Gothic canopy and the <strong>Annunciation capital<\/strong>, lit by a shaft of sunlight at the equinoxes (19 March and 22 September, around 5pm).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Bit of History<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">San Juan de Ortega \u2014 Juan Vel\u00e1zquez, c.1080\u20131163 \u2014 was a disciple of Santo Domingo de la Calzada. After a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and surviving a shipwreck, he retired to this uninhabited spot, thick with nettles (ortigas, hence \u201cOrtega\u201d), to help pilgrims: he built the church, a bridge, roads and a hospital. His reputation as a saint who aided fertility drew Queen Isabella the Catholic here centuries later. The Montes de Oca long marked a natural frontier and a dangerous stretch of the route.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Gastronom\u00eda<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Burgos cuisine: <strong>Burgos-style morcilla<\/strong>, <strong>roast lechazo<\/strong>, <strong>Burgos cheese<\/strong> and <strong>garlic soup<\/strong>. In <strong>San Juan de Ortega<\/strong>, the tradition of welcoming pilgrims with a bowl of hot garlic soup was kept alive for years; the monastery bar still serves it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Practical Tips<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Stock up in <a href=\"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/burgos-province\/villafranca-montes-de-oca\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"11332\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Villafranca Montes de Oca<\/a><\/strong>: there are twelve kilometres of forest with no water or bars before San Juan de Ortega, which only has a bar with limited hours and the monastery hostel. Beds are scarce: many pilgrims carry on 3\u20134 km further to <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/burgos-province\/ages\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"11345\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ag\u00e9s<\/a><\/strong> or <a href=\"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/burgos-province\/atapuerca\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"11353\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Atapuerca<\/a>. The climb after Villafranca is demanding in its first stretch. Wear waterproof footwear if it rains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Services and Accommodation by Town<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Listings published in our guide for the towns on this stage. <a href=\"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/burgos-province\/espinosa-del-camino\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"11326\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Espinosa del Camino<\/a> does not yet have accommodation or heritage listings in the guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/burgos-province\/belorado\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"11306\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Belorado<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Hostels<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/lo\/hostel-cuatro-cantones-belorado\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hostel Cuatro Cantones Belorado<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/lo\/hostel-punto-b-belorado\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hostel Punto B Belorado<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/lo\/hostel-municipal-el-corro\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hostel Municipal El Corro<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/lo\/hostel-parroquial-belorado\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hostel Parroquial Belorado<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Accommodation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/lo\/hotel-jacobeo-belorado\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hotel Jacobeo Belorado<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/lo\/hotel-la-huella-del-camino-belorado\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hotel La Huella del Camino Belorado<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Churches<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/lo\/church-of-saint-mary-belorado\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Church of Saint Mary Belorado<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/burgos-province\/tosantos\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"11314\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tosantos<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Hostels<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/lo\/hostel-saint-francis-of-assisi-tosantos\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hostel Saint Francis of Assisi &#8211; Tosantos<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/burgos-province\/villambistia\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"11320\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Villambistia<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Hostels<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/lo\/hostel-municipal-saint-roch-villambistia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hostel Municipal Saint Roch Villambistia<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/burgos-province\/villafranca-montes-de-oca\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"11332\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Villafranca Montes de Oca<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Accommodation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/lo\/rural-house-la-alpargateria\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Rural House La Alpargateria<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/lo\/hotel-saint-anthony-abbot\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hotel Saint Anthony Abbot<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/burgos-province\/san-juan-de-ortega\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"11337\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">San Juan de Ortega<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Hostels<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/lo\/hostel-parroquial-de-saint-john-of-ortega\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hostel Parroquial de Saint John of Ortega<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Accommodation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/lo\/hotel-rural-la-henera\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hotel Rural La Henera<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Camino Frances Stage Route: Belorado \u2013 San Juan de Ortega (24 km) This stage of the Camino de Santiago Frances runs from Belorado to San Juan de Ortega over 24 kilometres in two very different halves: a flat first part linking small villages beside the road, and a second climbing into the Montes de Oca [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":13174,"menu_order":11,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-17247","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/17247","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17247"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/17247\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13174"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17247"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}