Camino Pilgrim

I had previously agreed over the phone to get a stamp from the church today. It forced me to walk a kilometer backwards, but I don’t count that one. It will be my last stamp before finishing.

The weather has gotten cold and rainy. I used my winter hiking coat and shoes to make sure I stay warm and dry. No need to push myself too hard. The finish line is so close. It does not matter if it takes me a day more or less as long as I get there in one piece.

The first hour out of Ala village follows Valga highway where you are separated from cars by a shoulder wide area with a thin white line. It is definitely something to be done before the roads get icy. First frost could arrive already next weekend.

For pilgrims that have camping gear, it might be a better option to head south from Ala grocery store and stay at a campsite near Jeti village. This way you can avoid most if not all the highway walks.

Thankfully, from Karjatnurme village I could get off the highway and into the beautiful hilly autumn farmlands and colourful leafy forests. I spend a whole two hours without a single car or person anywhere around me. It was magical and the landscapes made the mind wander in its own pace.

The time here starts to flow slower. There was even a clock nailed to a tree near Tõrva. I decided to split this suggested stage into two parts and visit the town of Tõrva. It was definitely the right choice. The official trail skips this town for small car roads, but I strongly suggest not to do that.

Tõrva is small but very beautiful. Despite its size it has three churches and even three Coop stores (not to mention its competitors). Besides, the local bus connections are very active, so it’s easy to get back home and later quickly back on the trail.