Arrive in the lively city of Logroño, the capital of Spain’s famous La Rioja wine region. Spend the afternoon exploring its charming old town, strolling along the Camino trail markers, or enjoying a tapas crawl along Calle Laurel. This vibrant city offers the perfect place to settle in before beginning your next Camino stage.

Leave the city of Logroño behind and follow the trail into the heart of La Rioja, Spain’s celebrated wine region. Pass through vineyards, pine forests, and olive groves as you make your way to Navarrete, a hilltop village known for its beautiful Baroque church and rich winemaking tradition. Continue across gently rolling terrain, often accompanied by rows of vines stretching into the distance, before reaching the red cliffs and riverside setting of Nájera. Once a seat of royalty, the town is home to the impressive Monastery of Santa María la Real and is steeped in medieval history. The walk is long but steady, with moderate undulations and a mix of dirt tracks, paved sections, and wide agricultural trails offering a rhythmic, varied day on the Camino.

Depart Nájera in the quiet morning light and walk through a peaceful landscape of grain fields, wooded paths, and small farm hamlets. The path winds toward Santo Domingo de la Calzada, a town legendary among pilgrims for its miracle of the chickens — a story immortalized in its grand cathedral, where a live rooster and hen are still kept today. The town has long been a haven for pilgrims and boasts a fascinating blend of Gothic, Romanesque, and Baroque architecture. Today’s stage is a gentle one, with wide-open skies, well-maintained gravel paths, and only mild ascents — ideal for reflecting on the stories of those who walked before.

Continue west through classic Castilian farmland, where vast fields stretch to the horizon and tiny villages seem to rise from the earth like mirages. Pass through Grañón and Redecilla del Camino, stopping to admire simple stone churches and centuries-old pilgrim markers. The day ends in Belorado, a charming small town with a medieval square, a quiet atmosphere, and a history linked to the Knights Templar. Though the landscape lacks dramatic features, the peaceful rhythm of this stage is rewarding. Terrain is mostly flat or gently rolling, with dirt tracks and compact rural lanes leading through wheat fields and open countryside.

Walk into the Montes de Oca, a forested region that in medieval times was feared for banditry but now offers a tranquil, shaded contrast to the open plains. Pass remote villages and stone chapels before arriving in San Juan de Ortega, a spiritual refuge founded by a monk devoted to aiding pilgrims. The tiny settlement is anchored by its Romanesque church, where a pilgrim mass is held each evening in a powerful reminder of the Camino’s sacred history. The stage includes a long, steady climb into the forest followed by undulating woodland trails. Surfaces are mostly packed dirt and gravel, with cool shade for much of the second half of the day.

Descend from the hills and begin your approach into Burgos, one of the Camino’s major cities and home to the spectacular Gothic Cathedral of Santa María, a masterpiece of medieval architecture. The path takes you through Atapuerca, an archaeological site of global importance, and then offers route options: a scenic riverside parkway or a more direct but industrial approach. Arriving in Burgos, you’ll step into a bustling centre filled with museums, cafés, plazas, and a rich cultural scene. The day starts with quiet trails and descends into urban sprawl, with terrain gradually flattening and becoming more developed as you near the city.

Stage 2 comes to a close in Burgos. Spend the day exploring the city’s stunning historic centre, including the magnificent Gothic cathedral, and sampling local Castilian cuisine. Reflect on how far you’ve come, recharge, and enjoy a well-earned rest. You’ll return here soon to begin Stage 3 — but for now, take time to savour this milestone or continue on to your next destination.