Just returned from 10 days from Foncebadon to Santiago, 245 km, average of 25 a day (between 20 and 29). Because of early warning from people here had reserved almost all accomodations ahead and weren't sorry, allthough I am not sure wether the public albergues were competo I am hapy for having reserved- it gave us time to walk and enjoy and not rush to get to the albergues before 1300, did more stops, had more coffee and lots of bebidas, had more time to talk to people. highly recommended.Remember that you need to confirm the day before of your coming.
here's the list and phone numbers:
PONFERRADA ALBERGUE PARROQIAL 987403855
VILLA FRANCA A VE FENIX 987542680
LAGUNA DE CASTIILA LA ESCUELA 989157392 619479238
TRIACASTELA COMPLEX XACOCEBO 982548037 696553254
BARBADELO CASA CARMEN 982532294
GONZAR CASA GARCIA 982157842
PONTE CAMPANO CASA DOMINGO 982163226 630728864
ARZUA ULTRIA 981500471 626639450
SANTA IRENE ALBERGUE 981511000
Santiago at Maria's pension opposite pilgrim info office 619847482
Finisterra ALBERGUE DA PAIX 981740332 615423354
Prices were at about 8-10 euros and worth every penny, clean, sheets, quiet, smaler rooms, dinner sometimes, thet even offered calling the next albergue to confirm your coming.
Weather was sunny or a bit cloudy, no rain, cold mornings most of the way, windy up near Foncebadon.
We landed in Madrid Barajas 2100, took a bus from Terminal 4 to Madrid central station and from there to Astorga, bought the bus tickets ahead from Barajas to Astorga,ALSA bus company, 22 euros if I remember correctly. You can take buses to Ponferada too .Got to Astorga at 0430, had a taxi driver waiting for us to drive us for 34 Euros to Foncebadon (you can look for them on google), cold, dark, windy but was exciting starting at dark with flash lights, crazy.
Advices- as an experienced hiker I can say that most problems are badly fitted backpacks, some not fited for hiking, packs for men worn by women and viceversa, packs not fitted, all weight on shoulders and not hips, people just weren't aware that you need to adjust a pack well before hiking.
blistres because of tight shoes-people not aware that your feet expand and you need 1 to 1.5 sizes bigger then usuall, wrong shoes for this kind of hiking-people wore shoes fit for tough mountain climbing and ice instead of light to medium shoes, thin socks, cotton socks, wrong socks. Many had Achilles tendon problem because of lack of training or low shoes, weren't aware that you can add a small insole under back of your feet which helps when Achilles hurts.
Many suffered from tendons and knees problems, again lack of training, walking too fast up and down hills, not using poles (big mistake if you are not well trained), take elastic bands.
Some carried too heavy packs- if weight exceeds 5-6 kg before water and food then it's too much.
And blistres- wrong shoes, wrong socks, sweaty socks, not aware of Hotspots which will develope into blisters, know how to treat a blister and carry first aid just for that- needles, iodine or betadine, cotton balls, gauze, antibiotice cream, strong adheasive tape.
Many are not aware of the "ceremony" that takes place neat the Faro (lighthouse) in Finisterra , at sundown, it's worth the trip there by bus from Santiago and staying one night there, it's a fine and exciting event sort of a closure for the Camino. Don't miss it.
here's the list and phone numbers:
PONFERRADA ALBERGUE PARROQIAL 987403855
VILLA FRANCA A VE FENIX 987542680
LAGUNA DE CASTIILA LA ESCUELA 989157392 619479238
TRIACASTELA COMPLEX XACOCEBO 982548037 696553254
BARBADELO CASA CARMEN 982532294
GONZAR CASA GARCIA 982157842
PONTE CAMPANO CASA DOMINGO 982163226 630728864
ARZUA ULTRIA 981500471 626639450
SANTA IRENE ALBERGUE 981511000
Santiago at Maria's pension opposite pilgrim info office 619847482
Finisterra ALBERGUE DA PAIX 981740332 615423354
Prices were at about 8-10 euros and worth every penny, clean, sheets, quiet, smaler rooms, dinner sometimes, thet even offered calling the next albergue to confirm your coming.
Weather was sunny or a bit cloudy, no rain, cold mornings most of the way, windy up near Foncebadon.
We landed in Madrid Barajas 2100, took a bus from Terminal 4 to Madrid central station and from there to Astorga, bought the bus tickets ahead from Barajas to Astorga,ALSA bus company, 22 euros if I remember correctly. You can take buses to Ponferada too .Got to Astorga at 0430, had a taxi driver waiting for us to drive us for 34 Euros to Foncebadon (you can look for them on google), cold, dark, windy but was exciting starting at dark with flash lights, crazy.
Advices- as an experienced hiker I can say that most problems are badly fitted backpacks, some not fited for hiking, packs for men worn by women and viceversa, packs not fitted, all weight on shoulders and not hips, people just weren't aware that you need to adjust a pack well before hiking.
blistres because of tight shoes-people not aware that your feet expand and you need 1 to 1.5 sizes bigger then usuall, wrong shoes for this kind of hiking-people wore shoes fit for tough mountain climbing and ice instead of light to medium shoes, thin socks, cotton socks, wrong socks. Many had Achilles tendon problem because of lack of training or low shoes, weren't aware that you can add a small insole under back of your feet which helps when Achilles hurts.
Many suffered from tendons and knees problems, again lack of training, walking too fast up and down hills, not using poles (big mistake if you are not well trained), take elastic bands.
Some carried too heavy packs- if weight exceeds 5-6 kg before water and food then it's too much.
And blistres- wrong shoes, wrong socks, sweaty socks, not aware of Hotspots which will develope into blisters, know how to treat a blister and carry first aid just for that- needles, iodine or betadine, cotton balls, gauze, antibiotice cream, strong adheasive tape.
Many are not aware of the "ceremony" that takes place neat the Faro (lighthouse) in Finisterra , at sundown, it's worth the trip there by bus from Santiago and staying one night there, it's a fine and exciting event sort of a closure for the Camino. Don't miss it.
Good work! I am planning to do the same, log where I stay and post when I return
