Helen Mannersjö
Member
- Jun 2, 2014
- 48
- 24
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Via De La Plata + Sanabres march-april 1050km 2015
Arles to Lodeve + Norte & Primitivo march-may 1250km 2016
Planning for Sureste and Torres march 2017
They are not the same but they do join here and there. In general they start and end at completely different spots. I think @Bad Pilgrim (first one I can think about) could answer more exactly because he had walked both Caminos.Can anyone tell me about the different between Levante and Sureste ? When I look at the maps they look the same exept for that one camino starting in Alicante and the other in Valencia.
Thanks <3
Helen
Helen,
This is a rough guide to the two routes from their respective starting points in Valencia (Levante) and Alicante (Sureste)
The Levante then goes to Zamora, while the Sureste goes to Benavente.
- They join near Albacete
- Separate at Minaya
- Rejoin at El Toboso
- Separate at Tembleque
- Rejoin at Almenocid de Toledo
- Separate at Rielves
- Cross at Escalona
- Rejoin at Cebreros
- Separate at Medina del Campo
It is worth knowing where the routes separate so you can choose the right one to follow. The arrow markings are the same for both routes.
The old routes followed the Roman roads, which now are mostly paved. After all, they were the most direct route available, and after ox carts, cars followed them. Modern walking routes are based on the easement rights that the local governments can get to cross private land. That is why most of them have a lot of road and road shoulder sections -- the government already has rights to that land! There are a lot of old Roman road sections and Roman ruins in the area you will be walking. Look for them. Buen camino!It seems strange that Peregrinos back in the old days should have made two caminos so near to each other.
I dont really care if we walk the Levante or the Sureste. The less asphalt the better. It seems strange that Peregrinos back in the old days should have made two caminos so near to each other. After they joined the first time i Albacete they should have been one until they seperated for the last time. Is one of them origin ?
The arrow markings are the same for both routes.
Not completely sure of this blue+yellow solely for Sureste because I remember one of those after la Font de la Figuera on the way to Alpera/Almansa. And also later on when they criss-cross but I'm sure I was always walking on Levante.Donovan, are you sure? I remember the Sureste has a blue background with the yellow arrows (like the Swedish flag, Helena!) while the Levante uses the regular yellow arrows known from many other routes.
As the Caminos are crossing at several points, this is a way to distinguish between them. For example, In Minaya there is a large yellow arrow on a blue background that has fooled many a pilgrim and that made the Levanters go on the Sureste...
/BP
Thanks for your answer How will we know if we walk on the Sureste or Levante ? Does the signs tell us ? My feet really hates asphalt so if its possible to not walk on that, I will prefer that. We have no problem walking long stages and we also use to sleep where we like it most. It can be albuerges, hostels, a room over a bar and even hotels, it doesnt matter. We dont want to end up at the Camino France (to many people) and we have already done the VdLp/Sanbres so we are thinking of walking over to Portugal and ending the Portuguis way if its possible.
Helen
Here you have some of them:And none of you know about any guidbook for the Sureste ?
How will we know if we walk on the Sureste or Levante ? Does the signs tell us ?
Not completely sure of this blue+yellow solely for Sureste because I remember one of those after la Font de la Figuera on the way to Alpera/Almansa. And also later on when they criss-cross but I'm sure I was always walking on Levante.
But definitely in 2014 where both routes share the track the signage was better. That means Sureste is better marked or at least the paint was newer.
Here you have some of them:
http://caminodelsureste.es.tl/
http://www.mundicamino.com/los-caminos/57/camino-del-sureste/
http://www.encaminodesdealicante.org/camino-del-sureste/etapas
http://www.todocaminosantiago.com/en/camino-del-sureste/
http://www.amigosdelcamino.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=174&Itemid=130&lang=es
http://es.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=4455745
we also use to sleep where we like it most. It can be albuerges, hostels, a room over a bar and even hotels, it doesnt matter.
Yeah, all of them in SpanishK1, are those all in Spanish (I'm too lazy to open them aaaall...). Cause I think Helen wants them in English. Do you know any? I used them in Spanish so I don't think I can help her.
Thanks
BP
Your great
Donovan, are you sure? I remember the Sureste has a blue background with the yellow arrows (like the Swedish flag, Helena!) while the Levante uses the regular yellow arrows known from many other routes.
Both on the Sureste and on the Levante you will encounter a wide range of accomodations: from a polideportivo (free) to hostals of 25 euros. The most expensive place for me was Arévalo (35 euros. But there's also a polideportivo, I've heard)."
I do speak some Spanish an I understund and read better than I speak. So mayby a good Spanish guidbook would be better than nothing.
And thank you all for the help. Your great
Helen
And none of you know about any guidbook for the Sureste ?
There is a room attached to the polideportivo with two bunks (four beds), hot shower and toilet. No kitchen of any description, but plenty of eating places nearby. The room has its own locked entrance and you get the key from the police office in the town.
There were lots of copies of Paco Serra's guide in his very luxurious free albergue in Novelda (a posh first floor flat with 4 bedrooms, kitchen and washing machine). Unless it's been revised, it's quite out of date (last Holy Year, 2010) so won't have the many new albergues (Alpera, San Clemente etc) and I've never heard of an English edition. It's also very heavy.You can write to one of the authors of the guidebook of the Sureste to find out if there's a version in English:
pacoserrae@gmail.com
m
Try not to arrive in Arévalo on a Friday or Saturday as the sports hall above the "albergue" is used for enormously loud and popular basketball matches and you won't get any sleep until 3am. Likewise the albergue in Higueruela is in the community centre and the local band or orchestra apparently practices there until late at night some nights (fortunately not Sunday night when I was there).
Unless it's been revised, it's quite out of date (last Holy Year, 2010) so won't have the many new albergues (Alpera, San Clemente etc) and I've never heard of an English edition. It's also very heavy.
so won't have the many new albergues (Alpera, San Clemente etc)