"Filloas?" ...that's pancakes for me mate!
Whatever, my strategy for this year is centred on being back for lunch.
And with the words “back for lunch” echoing in my head I set off on my first 14kms of the Aquilianos route (training version). My intention was to make only the occasional photo-stop and to run all the hills.
First I headed up past the little church of Otero along a familiar track. A small group of old folk were labouring uphill as if in a belated act of Holy week penitence. The priest was just getting out of his car as I passed and he was fumbling with his papers. I suddenly thought of Father MacKenzie of Eleonor Rigby fame. At least the priest of Otero will have half a dozen to preach to.
As I left the village, the Montes Aquilianos stretched out before me, the last vestiges of snow clinging defiantly to the mountainside. I pushed on upwards with a spring in my stride. Then the first real descent followed, down to the tight little valley behind Monte Pajariel where the River Oza will be my only travelling companion for much of the next 20km. As I tried to mark some sort of rhythm a couple of roe deer flashed out in front of me and I watched as their fluffy white rears disappeared into the distance.
15 minutes later I left the wide forest trail to swing right and cross the river via the Roman bridge of San Esteban, half eaten by ivy and so grassy on top that you hardly realize you’re on a bridge. Now the trail thins to a narrow path which is rocky in places. I must duck frequently to avoid overhanging branches. Every now and then a lizard scuttles away into the undergrowth where poppies, bluebells (or rather, purple-bells), buttercups and tiny snowdrops emblazon the grassy verges with spring time colour.
A short distance before the village of Villanueva I must cross a road and embark upon a stiff climb which in the past I’ve managed to run. Don’t know how, it’s a steady 1 in 4 for much of the way. Today I walked it, stopping to take a couple of photos as Villanueva shrunk into a miniature toy-town behind me. Here you cross from one valley to another in order to be reunited with the River Oza once more, arriving at the village of Valdefrancos, “valley of the Franks”. They say that this village was repopulated in the middle ages by French pilgrims, hence the name. Nowadays it’s a ramshackle but charming rural place where storks nest on the church tower and village folk go about their seasonal duties with huge monster-size scythes. Here ends the first stage. Didn’t have the time or energy to run back home from Valdefrancos. I’d conveniently located my car there earlier.
Approximate distance; 14 kms.
Time taken; 1 hour 33 minutes.
Total ascent; approx. 450m.
Total descent; approx. 300m.
Travesía Integral de los Montes Aquiianos
