- Time of past OR future Camino
- Ingles, F+M, Salvador, Norte, V.Serr., Fr.Leopoldo
Last year I asked: “Winter Camino in Andalusia, but which one?” and received many helpful answers from the forum. I decided to walk the Via Serrana in December, and although many things went wrong (unnecessary detours, rainstorms, mean dogs, etc.), I enjoyed a challenging, remote trail. Afterwards I wrote a thriller-like series about my experience.
Now I want to return to Andalusia and have been thinking about the options I had discarded last year. I like the combination of Camino Estrecho (Algeciras – Puerto Real) and Via Augusta (Cádiz – Seville) because it seems to be the only Camino in Andalusia that includes some stages along the coast.
However, since the Via Augusta seems completely flat and rather boring (similar to the last two stages of the Via Serrana), I thought about reversing the route, i.e. starting in Seville and ending in Algeciras. Plans changed again when veteran forum member @islandwalker recently unveiled the Camino de Fray Leopoldo, a new path that runs from Alpandeire, a small village south of Ronda, through hilly terrain to Granada. This new Camino seems to have everything I like, plus a bit of a pioneer feel.
Current plan: Camino Estrecho Reverse, then train from Algeciras to Ronda (or Jimera de Libar), followed by the new Camino ending in Granada. I plan to start in the last week of November.
My question to the experienced hikers in this forum: Where would you start the Estrecho Reverse? In Jerez, Puerto Real or Cádiz?
Unfortunately I don't have the time to visit all three cities. Where should I spend a day after arrival and before the start of the hike?
For the rest of the Camino Estrecho Reverse I plan to follow the usual stages with stops in Medina Sidonia, Benalup Casas Viejas, Tahivilla, El Lentiscal, Tarifa and Algeciras. I am aware that there is no pilgrimage infrastructure other than one albergue in Tahivilla and it might be difficult to find cheap accommodation. And of course there will probably be no pilgrims.
Thank you for suggestions and answers.
PS: Moderators, please feel free to move this thread. There doesn't seem to be a section for the Camino Estrecho, so I've included it in the section for Via Augusta.
Now I want to return to Andalusia and have been thinking about the options I had discarded last year. I like the combination of Camino Estrecho (Algeciras – Puerto Real) and Via Augusta (Cádiz – Seville) because it seems to be the only Camino in Andalusia that includes some stages along the coast.
However, since the Via Augusta seems completely flat and rather boring (similar to the last two stages of the Via Serrana), I thought about reversing the route, i.e. starting in Seville and ending in Algeciras. Plans changed again when veteran forum member @islandwalker recently unveiled the Camino de Fray Leopoldo, a new path that runs from Alpandeire, a small village south of Ronda, through hilly terrain to Granada. This new Camino seems to have everything I like, plus a bit of a pioneer feel.
Current plan: Camino Estrecho Reverse, then train from Algeciras to Ronda (or Jimera de Libar), followed by the new Camino ending in Granada. I plan to start in the last week of November.
My question to the experienced hikers in this forum: Where would you start the Estrecho Reverse? In Jerez, Puerto Real or Cádiz?
- Jerez de la Frontera: has an airport and seems to be a beautiful city worth spending a day in before leaving. I would start with Jerez – Puerto Real (24km), which is actually the second stage of the Via Augusta in reverse. I wouldn't visit Cádiz.
- Puerto Real: This is the official end of the Estrecho, which is located between Jerez and Cádiz. I would fly to Jerez and travel to Puerto Real by train or bus and then start the Puerto Real-Medina Sidona hike (30km), which seems a bit strenuous to me on the first day. And I would miss both Jerez and Cádiz.
- Cádiz: Old town located on a picturesque peninsula. I would fly to Jerez, take the bus or train to Cádiz, spend a day there and then start walking with Cádiz – Jarana (22 km, part of the first stage of the Via Augusta according to Gronze), then Jarana – Medina Sidona (22km). I wouldn't see much of Jerez and nothing of Puerto Real.
Unfortunately I don't have the time to visit all three cities. Where should I spend a day after arrival and before the start of the hike?
For the rest of the Camino Estrecho Reverse I plan to follow the usual stages with stops in Medina Sidonia, Benalup Casas Viejas, Tahivilla, El Lentiscal, Tarifa and Algeciras. I am aware that there is no pilgrimage infrastructure other than one albergue in Tahivilla and it might be difficult to find cheap accommodation. And of course there will probably be no pilgrims.
Thank you for suggestions and answers.
PS: Moderators, please feel free to move this thread. There doesn't seem to be a section for the Camino Estrecho, so I've included it in the section for Via Augusta.
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