Day 40 - Segovia to Riberduero

 Lazy breakfast of croissant from the adjacent supermarket whilst we play ‘peekaboo’ with the baby in the next van. 

Both of us feel said to leave Segovia but the time has come… we are keen to look at a viewpoint mentioned at the tourist office so drive towards town, passing directly in front of the aqueduct. We initially took a road behind the castle heading up towards the old town but keen not to get stuck in narrow streets we turned around but stopped at some viewpoint lay-bys to admire the castle.


We then pull over in front of the hermitage just as the road curved out of town as we noticed a path up the hill. This was a good spot. The path was steep in parts and a bit of a challenge first thing, but the views across yo the castle, the cathedral and the old town were amazing, especially as those snow covered mountains were back in view. Segovia really is a beautiful city and having all this countryside right alongside is such a treat. Definitely more to explore here and we’ll be back.




Head out to the 605 taking the slow road for the first half our journey. It’s a lovely road, newly surfaced and running alongside the AVE track in the main. Once again it’s surprising how quickly the landscape changes, it’s now really wide and flat, with crops and occasional industrial units.. There’s a little stretch of the road marked green which corresponds with a stretch of pine forest but it’s all lovely to look at, though sad to see the mountains disappearing behind us. 

We drove past some dark trees sitting in a bright yellow field of rape and turn around to go back and see if it’s as worthy of picture as it appears. 

The last stretch of minor road is one of the straightest we’ve been on in ages on  the map it looked like it was drawn with a ruler!

We pass through several small villages and pass a building  piled high with about a dozen stork nests and some tiny collections of houses before driving through Barnatdas, the same size as the others on the map but huge in comparison with schools and colleges and a casino! 


Just a little longer to the main road in which there’s the promise of a hermitage viewpoint but we miss it completely! 

For the last stretch it’s a major road and all is much flatter now but with crops and vineyards it’s still a lovely drive, especially with the sun shining.

We found the campsite easily enough on the edge of town. It’s only five mins off the main road but its tranquil on our pitch. It’s not empty , maybe 50% capacity but with a very relaxed clientele who all seem content to keep things peaceful. The sun is out and whilst the air is chilly it’s just lovely basking in the sun on deckchairs… really hasn’t been enough of that. Got the cadac out for a bit of a bbq and had our dinner outside for the first time in a while.


Not used to the meat eating though and decide on a late wander to aid our digestion. Turn away from town at the campsite gate and head along the dusty track.

 There’s a sign at the end of the lane , 2.4km to a reservoir. A bit far as light is falling but we plough on a little past vineyards and crops seeing rabbits and deer as well as the now easily recognisable corn buntings and crested larks. “Just to the corner” we repeat over and over as it’s lovely walking on the chalky paths as the sun goes down. We get curious and look at Google maps for the reservoir, now just 20mins away but the sun is gone… too near not to see it we crack on. It’s a bit of a climb at the end as we head up the dam but it still and calm when we get there and very peaceful with crested grebe and a unidentified hawk. 

The 

Can’t hang around as the light is falling fast so turn around and get the pace up. The pale paths help and it’s not long before the lit castle in the town is in sight.  Cicadas are singing and scops owls join in. Tiny new moon with Jupiter alongside…. Its idyllic … but getting dark! 

Managed to keep torches off until the last 50ft though when we knew the ground was uneven. Lovely way to end the day! 

Miles so far : 2276

Steps today: 15544

Overnight: Camping Riberduero , Penafiel, €23 inc electric (ASCI)


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