STAGE: Rioja - Alboloduy

The stage is dotted with small white villages From Rioja, the pilgrims enter a path surrounded by orange groves and cortijos that meander along the river Andarax. As the route progresses, they encounter a gradual transition into a more mountainous landscape, where the vegetation changes and the terrain becomes more challenging. In Santa Fe de Mondújar, pilgrims can stay at the municipal hostel La Posada, and if the mood takes them, enjoy a visit to the magnificent archaeological site of Los Millares, a jewel of Bronze Age culture in all of Europe. The path continues uphill towards the magnificent Effiel bridge and turning right we enter a mountainous area of ascents and descents. This stretch is known for its spectacular views, which include both the bay of Almeria, the Almerian subdeserts and the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada in the Alpujarra Almeriense. Before reaching Alboloduy, we pass through Alhabia, Alsodux and Santa Cruz de Marchena where we can sleep in the municipal hostel Azahar. Alboloduy is 3 km away and we can rest in private accommodation or in the municipal pilgrims' hostel.