Day: 4
Date: Monday 22 May, 2023
From: Las Dehasas Albergue To: Segovia
Distance (Planned): 27.4km Actual (Garmin): 29.7km
Progress: 109/801km
Start Walking: 0638 End: 245pm
Time: 8h7m
Ascent: 547m Descent: 837m
Terrain: Lung-busting climbs up original Roman roads and then down through thick pine forests.
Weather: It would be chilly if I wasn’t working so hard. A brewing storm made me hit the turbo boost (slight exaggeration) into Segovia.
Stayed At: Infanta Isabel Hotel
General Comments:
- HolyDooley! What a start to the day. I knew the first couple of hours was going to be tough this morning, but I didn’t think it would take me nearly 2.25 hours to cover a little over 5km. That gives you an idea of the steepness of the terrain.
- While it was tough climbing it was also fascinating as a large portion of the path was actually ancient Roman road.
- I had complete faith in the engineering skills of the Romans and was sure that they would choose the lowest part of any mountain range to build a road and a crossing. However, I think my faith was a little misplaced and it was just plain, hard yakka. How the Romans got loaded wagons up and down these roads and its incredibly steep incline I have no idea.
- I am always boggled when I’m out walking in Spain to think how I am walking in the footsteps of people from so long ago and I am equally amazed that their handiwork i.e. roads are still evident. These roads though are now only fit for human feet. There is no way any sort of vehicle, not even a bicycle, could use these roads today.
- I forgot to mention that this morning as I was walking out of the albergue the kind lady handed me my breakfast picnic. I was shocked to see the size of the brown paper bag and then feel the weight of all the goodies inside. It would have to have been close to 1.5kgs! If ever there was a morning that I didn’t need to be carrying any extra weight, today was it, but I just didn’t have the heart to say ‘no thanks’.
- Back to the huffing and puffing…Eventually I could start to see daylight above me through the tree tops and knew that I was getting to the top of the pass. One last heave over the edge and I was there at last. I wasn’t expecting to have an audience of curious cows, but I didn’t hold their attention for long.
- That previously maligned breakfast picnic came into its own at that point and I tucked into pineapple juice, sponge cake and biscuits. The breakfast of champions.
- The South Korean girl who I have seen on and off for the last couple of days also enjoyed her breakfast picnic as she struggled to the top.
- We walked together for the rest of the day and were dazzled by about 40 eagles circling on thermals above a paddock. They would dive down to feast on something lying dead in the corner of the field, hunting away other birds and a squabble would ensue. Their wingspan is truly magnificent.
- Segovia looks like an amazing city and I look forward to exploring it some more tomorrow on my rest day. Hopefully a lot less walking than today’s actual 32.8km and 41,891 steps. I so hate it when my Garmin watch tells me to ‘move’. I have done more than enough moving for one day.
Top Tips:
- The big tip for today is to definitely start from Las Dehasas rather than Cercidilla. I would hate to add those additional ascents to the start of any day.
- The waymarking is not great on the first section of today’s stage, but as long as you heading uphill, it’s a safe bet you are going in the right direction. If there are no yellow arrows, just follow the white or green dots painted on some trees.
- It appears laundromats are not common in central Segovia, so be prepared for yet more kilometres to get your clothes clean and you smelling sweetly. Definitely worth the effort.
Buen Camino.
Life...one big adventure 
Much greener now and the Romans were incredible engineers. Rather you than me on those climbs, but I know you are pretty good at inclines from your Aussie hikes. Love the orchid! %
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Ah, is that an orchid? I thought it might be a type of iris or something. Thanks for the identification.
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Jo might even be able to identify the type.
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No doubt. Maybe she has spotted them or something similar on one of her walks. 😉
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Oh, the weight of expectation! Sorry, Mel, but I don’t recognise that orchid, but I certainly did recognise the Roman road. Not easy to walk on those lumps and bumps, but so happy you made it to Segovia. Another city I haven’t visited. How will I ever keep up with you?
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You have the advantage of living only a hop, step, and a jump away, so I am sure you will cover much more Iberian territory than me in the long run. When I should have been sleeping last night, I was wondering whether that plant would be a type of hyacinth?
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I don’t think so, Mel. Too late now but you know you can photo ID them with Google?
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I’m not sure I am enough of a dedicated gardener to worry about that!😆
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🫢💖
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Ugh, those Roman roads. I’ve hiked on trails like that before (in the US, so definitely not Roman). It’s no picnic for your feet, ankles, knees, hips, or your ability to actually look up and enjoy the scenery, but I suspect you know all that. Anyway, I hope the going is easier tomorrow.
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Yep, definitely challenging, although I am not expecting to see any more of these for the rest of the trip. Good to have them behind me…and that mountain range.
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That must have been steep! I love that you traveled on old Roman roads though. Maggie
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Not steep like Canadian mountains steep, but certainly steep enough for me!
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I imagine those Roman paving stones would have been a bit tough on the feet. How wonderful, though, to be walking in history. All those eagles would be a magnificent sight.
That ‘move’ function was the first thing I turned off on my Garmin. I don’t respond well to nagging. 😄
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Ok, sounds like I need to find out how to turn off that function. ⌚⏱
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Try Settings – Activity Tracking – Move Alert (turn off). That’s where it is on mine.
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You are a bloody marvel! Thanks for the tip. All turned off now.
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That is a fragrant orchid Gymnadenia. I have the Picture This app. So helpful in identifying plants ( I just took a photo of your photo with my app.
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Go you! Thanks for the clarification.
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These Roman roads are always a bonus to walk on (or up) … but oh, it’s hard on foot! If I were you, I’d eat breakfast within the first kilometer 😉 (the weight in one’s stomach sounds better than in one’s backpack)! Love the Aqueduct.
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I find I can’t eat straight away. I need to walk for about an hour before chomping on a muesli bar and then like a decent snack and coffee, if I can get it after about 2hrs. It’s funny how the metabolism works.
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I will never understand how the Romans built so much, it really is amazing
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They were great designers and had plenty of slaves!
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♥ not enough time to say more . LOL You have time to write and walked a long day..Amazing !
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Some days it is harder to focus than others…😊
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