O Cebreiro

Although the whole Camino de Santiago was fantastic, one of my secretly favorite places was: O Cebreiro... The second highest peak after the Pyrenees, in Galicia.

The weather was great as I walked through a beautiful forest up a steep mountain. Even though many pilgrims were on the same path, there was a silent and peaceful atmosphere floating all around.
Once I reached the top, magnificent landscapes appeared before me. Looking back, I could trace the whole path I walked all the way from France.. about 700km (430+ miles) and a month of bliss.
As I reached the tiny village with the same name as the mountain, I was first struck by the music I was hearing, Irish sounding music! I had to ask around to understand that Galicia had Celtic culture and some even insisted it was where the Celts originate from.

I loved the village so much that I decided to stay until the next morning. All I did was walk around, take photos, sit in peace watching the landscape and of course.. stuff my face with queixo do cebreiro (cebreiro cheese) served with local honey, pulpo (octopus) and flowing alcohol.
After a great freezing night, I was treated with this fantastic present, an ocean of clouds stretching at my feet across the valley.

Galician Chalet

Galicia is one of my favorite regions in Spain, located on the North-Western part, right above Portugal. Although it's the most rainy region, I find it extremely beautiful with its mountains, forests and Celtic culture.
I took this shot while on the Camino de Santiago, around the last week before arriving to Santiago de Compostella. There is a steep climb on mount Cebreiro with magnificent landscapes.
Who wouldn't want to live in a chalet like this with this beautiful view every morning?

Galician mountains

After walking for about 10 days on a flat "plateau" between Burgos and Leon on the Camino de Santiago, we finally reach the Galician mountains. It is a welcomed change to go back uphill and downhill again with so much to see and so many colors around after the endless flat fields of wheat and long dirt roads.
It is like being reborn after the mental challenge of crossing the "Meseta". They say that here begins the Spiritual part of the Camino.

Being an overcast day during the climb, I was able to capture the amazing landscapes without harsh shadows and blinding light. The colors were softened and appeared truly magnificent. I was the first time I would see purple mountains!

Personally, this part of the Camino is one of my favorites, walking up to O'Cebreiro and looking back to see all the road you have walked for the past 3 weeks is simply amazing.

Buen Camino!