currently walking Levante

[princesslorna]

Hi we are two aussie women currently walking our first camino on the Levante route...we left Avila on 28th March and leave Toro tomorrow...anyone coming up behind us who wants info or anyone ahead with something to share? So far we have come across one German man and one Czech woman...but we know you are out there!!

 

[Donovan]

Hi Pricesslorna, welcome to the Forum.
I walked this route two years ago. The final section from Villaralbo to Zamora following the PA-Z-1102 (the Camino route) was along an increasingly busy highway and not at all enjoyable. If I did the walk again I would follow the Gr-14 (Sendero del Duero) for that final section. From Toro you will in fact be on the GR-14 for the first 10 km or so, the Camino and the GR-14 then diverge but are joined again by Villaralbo. In Villaralbo the Gr-14 and the Camino diverge at the Bar Lucero. The RH route is the Gr-14, the ‘Camino Viejo de Villaralbo’
Buen Camino.

 

[princesslorna]

Hi Pricesslorna, welcome to the Forum.
I walked this route two years ago. The final section from Villaralbo to Zamora following the PA-Z-1102 (the Camino route) was along an increasingly busy highway and not at all enjoyable. If I did the walk again I would follow the Gr-14 (Sendero del Duero) for that final section. From Toro you will in fact be on the GR-14 for the first 10 km or so, the Camino and the GR-14 then diverge but are joined again by Villaralbo. In Villaralbo the Gr-14 and the Camino diverge at the Bar Lucero. The RH route is the Gr-14, the ‘Camino Viejo de Villaralbo’
Buen Camino.

 

[princesslorna]

Hi Donovan...thanks..we had read there was a lot of asphalt to Zamora...we also follow a slightly different path out of Castronuno that followed the Duero as far as Villafranca on advise from the mayors wife..a lovely lady we met there...all tips greatly appreciated by us newbies!

 

[Bad Pilgrim]

Hi aussie ladies,

I walked the Levante two years ago as well, as Donovan. Nice for you! What has been your favorite part so far?

As you say Toro... I guess you're already safe and sound in Zamora. This just reminds me of some pilgrims reporting that there are difficulties on this stretch: people getting lost at a certain point. I was well prepared for this as I had read the info on the Forum and... I still got lost. How about you, any problems between Toro and Zamora???

Ciaoaoaoo

BP

 

[princesslorna]

Hi aussie ladies,

I walked the Levante two years ago as well, as Donovan. Nice for you! What has been your favorite part so far?

As you say Toro... I guess you're already safe and sound in Zamora. This just reminds me of some pilgrims reporting that there are difficulties on this stretch: people getting lost at a certain point. I was well prepared for this as I had read the info on the Forum and... I still got lost. How about you, any problems between Toro and Zamora???

Ciaoaoaoo

BP

Hi BadPilgrim...yep we are safe an sound in Zamora but sadly couldnt do the whole stage...got as far as Villalazan but my friend could barely walk the last few kms and limped in...has been getting increasingly worse..shin splints? We arent sure could just be muscle strain as she has been having foot issues...as the last bit had been described as uninspiring we decided to taxi to Zamora to give her a couple of recovery days. I have loved it all..maybe not walking in sleety cold..bit unprepared for that but ok...we had a ton of fun in Castronuno and met some awesome people who were really informative. Been looking forward to this a while now. Its all good!

 

[Bad Pilgrim]

Well, I'd say that the last part really was uninspiring as it added 5-7 kms to my stage, getting lost and all that...

Castronuño - did you stay in the albergue built with money from American pilgrims? Yes, I liked that town. Until 1 pm when teenagers started to throw stones on the door to keep us awake all night...

Your journey looks like mine: I met only two or three people before Zamora!

That's right: It must be cold out there at this time of year. Sorry for your friend. Are you going on the Sanabrés after the Levante?

 

[princesslorna]

Well, I'd say that the last part really was uninspiring as it added 5-7 kms to my stage, getting lost and all that...

Castronuño - did you stay in the albergue built with money from American pilgrims? Yes, I liked that town. Until 1 pm when teenagers started to throw stones on the door to keep us awake all night...

Your journey looks like mine: I met only two or three people before Zamora!

That's right: It must be cold out there at this time of year. Sorry for your friend. Are you going on the Sanabrés after the Levante?

Yep...we stayed at the Albergue...it was really quiet when we were there...did you get taken into caves underneath the village? We only started walking at Avila...but i loved it there too..I work at a School named after St Teresa of Avila so it was a bit like meeting an old friend or something. Where does Levante join with Sanabres? I thought ours became Mozarabe where it varied from La Plata but i only really lnow whats in our guide from Valencia.

 

[KinkyOne]

Yep...we stayed at the Albergue...it was really quiet when we were there...did you get taken into caves underneath the village? We only started walking at Avila...but i loved it there too..I work at a School named after St Teresa of Avila so it was a bit like meeting an old friend or something. Where does Levante join with Sanabres? I thought ours became Mozarabe where it varied from La Plata but i only really lnow whats in our guide from Valencia.

Levante really ends in Zamora and Sanabres starts in La Granja de Moreruela, technically it's just VDlP in between
I've walked Levante/Sanabres last summer so if you need additional info just ask.

Enjoy Zamora, it's beautiful city!

 

[princesslorna]

Levante really ends in Zamora and Sanabres starts in La Granja de Moreruela, technically it's just VDlP in between
I've walked Levante/Sanabres last summer so if you need additional info just ask.

Enjoy Zamora, it's beautiful city!

Thankyou...we will get legs sorted first then head out doing small stages and building up again

 

[trevorcc]

Thankyou...we will get legs sorted first then head out doing small stages and building up again

Well done ladies, I leave Oz in Sept. to walk the Levante any info would be great, I have spoken to Donovan (must have a coffee catchup with him again soon) safe travel and Buen Camino I will keep a watch on the forum for any updates. Trevor

 

[trevorcc]

Levante really ends in Zamora and Sanabres starts in La Granja de Moreruela, technically it's just VDlP in between
I've walked Levante/Sanabres last summer so if you need additional info just ask.

Enjoy Zamora, it's beautiful city!

Hi Kinkyone its been awhile since we talked, less than 5 months before I leave for Valencia the excitement is pretty high at the moment. Not sure how far I will get on the Levante as friends are starting in Madrid earlier than I thought but as I have 3 months in Spain I will break the walk to catch up with them on the CF as the last time I saw them was whilst I was in hospital in Santiago 2013. I will go back to the Levante where I break from and walk on, I also want to do the coastal walk from Porto back to Santiago. Hope this finds you well.

 

[princesslorna]

Hi Kinkyone its been awhile since we talked, less than 5 months before I leave for Valencia the excitement is pretty high at the moment. Not sure how far I will get on the Levante as friends are starting in Madrid earlier than I thought but as I have 3 months in Spain I will break the walk to catch up with them on the CF as the last time I saw them was whilst I was in hospital in Santiago 2013. I will go back to the Levante where I break from and walk on, I also want to do the coastal walk from Porto back

Well done ladies, I leave Oz in Sept. to walk the Levante any info would be great, I have spoken to Donovan (must have a coffee catchup with him again soon) safe travel and Buen Camino I will keep a watch on the forum for any updates. Trevor

Hi Trevor..the planning is exciting isnt it...departure time comes around quick! We have started walking in Avila (after a few days holiday during Santa Semana..which was great to experience) We have found the Way well marked ...some of the posts have been moved during farm works but with the guide an commonsense its easy to sort..the path to Zamora also follows a Teresian Camino an then a Naturalist Camino so even when yellow markers are thin on the ground the others are abudant. Loved Avila and Castronuno...i can message you the mayors wifes contact number from there if you like..she is a font of information and LOVES her town..helps run the albergue. The quide is a bit out of date...some accomodation are no longer operational but we have always found somewhere easily enough..also places for yummy food and wine..alway important. Standouts being a bar called Plaza Mayor in Nava del Rey and one called La Tinta in Toro..also Hostal Plaza Mayor in Medina del Campo and Casa Rural dos Hermanos in Nava DR really friendly and great...hope this helps..we tried a few places that were closed Also going into Ataquines follow the highway in even though it looks like you should go via a field rd as you have to climb fences if you go that way..hope i havent bombarded you..will post regularly anything you may find helpful/ interesting. The walk has been of rural serenity so far despite foot/leg issues..too early for a lot of blooming yet but the changes from rocky fields to cultivated land I think has been lovely. Happy planning, PrincessLorna

 

[trevorcc]

Hi Trevor..the planning is exciting isnt it...departure time comes around quick! We have started walking in Avila (after a few days holiday during Santa Semana..which was great to experience) We have found the Way well marked ...some of the posts have been moved during farm works but with the guide an commonsense its easy to sort..the path to Zamora also follows a Teresian Camino an then a Naturalist Camino so even when yellow markers are thin on the ground the others are abudant. Loved Avila and Castronuno...i can message you the mayors wifes contact number from there if you like..she is a font of information and LOVES her town..helps run the albergue. The quide is a bit out of date...some accomodation are no longer operational but we have always found somewhere easily enough..also places for yummy food and wine..alway important. Standouts being a bar called Plaza Mayor in Nava del Rey and one called La Tinta in Toro..also Hostal Plaza Mayor in Medina del Campo and Casa Rural dos Hermanos in Nava DR really friendly and great...hope this helps..we tried a few places that were closed Also going into Ataquines follow the highway in even though it looks like you should go via a field rd as you have to climb fences if you go that way..hope i havent bombarded you..will post regularly anything you may find helpful/ interesting. The walk has been of rural serenity so far despite foot/leg issues..too early for a lot of blooming yet but the changes from rocky fields to cultivated land I think has been lovely. Happy planning, PrincessLorna

Thanks as all my walks I love the info fellow walkers can give, Buen Camino.

 

[KinkyOne]

Hi Kinkyone its been awhile since we talked, less than 5 months before I leave for Valencia the excitement is pretty high at the moment. Not sure how far I will get on the Levante as friends are starting in Madrid earlier than I thought but as I have 3 months in Spain I will break the walk to catch up with them on the CF as the last time I saw them was whilst I was in hospital in Santiago 2013. I will go back to the Levante where I break from and walk on, I also want to do the coastal walk from Porto back to Santiago. Hope this finds you well.

Hi, Trevor,

I know what I promised months ago but I have had so many things to deal with in this period. Promis I'll try to post comments for at least some of my stages on Levante
Either way be sure you'll get by just OK!

K1

 

[trevorcc]

Hi, Trevor,

I know what I promised months ago but I have had so many things to deal with in this period. Promis I'll try to post comments for at least some of my stages on Levante
Either way be sure you'll get by just OK!

K1

Thats okay no worries, it looks as though I will break the walk so that I can meet up with my Canadian friends and then go back and finish it after the head back home. Just trying to work out where and when I have to break to meet them on the CF, as I have no intentions to hurry as I want to take it all in. Look after yourself and again thanks from this old bloke in Oz.

 

[el ciervo amarillo]

Now only twelve days until I fly to Valencia, start walking on Tuesday 26th of April.

 

[filly]

I do hope that you have factored a day in Valencia itself. Do get to the railway station for some great tilework.. As well as the obvious sights. I stayed at the Pension Paris on the recommendation of another site user and it was ideal and on the bus route from the airport. The blog of Peregrina2000 was invaluable.

 

[trevorcc]

Now only twelve days until I fly to Valencia, start walking on Tuesday 26th of April.

As I am walking it in Sept. any feedback will be well received have a great trip.

 

[peregrina2000]

Now only twelve days until I fly to Valencia, start walking on Tuesday 26th of April.

Wishing you a wonderful Levante, ciervo -- I loved the Levante, but some may find it very lonely. Let us know if the pilgrim traffic has picked up any! Buen camino, Laurie

 

[princesslorna]

Wishing you a wonderful Levante, ciervo -- I loved the Levante, but some may find it very lonely. Let us know if the pilgrim traffic has picked up any! Buen camino, Laurie

Hi..we hardly met anyone in the begining but more as time went on...didnt matter so much as we are two people...I think we have met 21 pilgrims in 25 days..we bussed forward to Ourense due to the rain and mud so just today bumped into some we had met earlier apparently a few have just left and gone home. We are cruising now will probably get to Santiago in about 4 days..its very slow moving in the mud..a few are just taking the road way because of time constraints. As far as updates for ones coming through go...the hospitalero at Cea is about the most unfriendly weve met but the bar round the corner makes the best tortilla and will do it hot for breaky if you ask. Also dont get a bed near the stairs as the lights stay on all night. Go past Tamallancos to Bouzos to the bar..much nicer for a snack and a rest also look out for the creepy kind of puttputt golf that someone has built in their yard with effigys of pilgrims as a welcome...its pretty funny.. loved going to the monastery at Oseira..Lucas is so nice..we had sun that day like summer it was beautiful and so serene sharing vespers with the monks even though we couldnt understand all the words..Lucas showed us the library aftrr which was nice and not on the monastery tour.. lot of people missed it as they heard it wasnt a great Albergue..dirty, cold bedbugs..No Yes No...freezing and noisy as there is an air humidifyer to help with the damp. Maybe a different monastery elsewhere?
But definately clean and no evidence of bugs..The walk out was an an absolute quagmire but surely the rain will stop soon??

 

[princesslorna]

Now only twelve days until I fly to Valencia, start walking on Tuesday 26th of April.

You will be happy to know there are buds on EVERYTHING..waiting to burst into bloom...we are having little splashes of colour but it should be amazing by the time you get north...im so excited for you starting your camino as ours is coming to completion ...buen camino!

Now only twelve days until I fly to Valencia, start walking on Tuesday 26th of April.

 

[el ciervo amarillo]

You will be happy to know there are buds on EVERYTHING..waiting to burst into bloom...we are having little splashes of colour but it should be amazing by the time you get north...im so excited for you starting your camino as ours is coming to completion ...buen camino!

Trains and planes have got me here; enjoyed looking round the city and train station tiling. Credentials stamped at the cathedral, first video posted on YouTube. Time to get some sleep I guess.

 

[el ciervo amarillo]

Day one a bit long for the aclimatising stage. Exhausting but rewarding. First time I've been checked into an albergue by a man with a gun (he was very helpful) blog at breakfastprowl.blogspot.co.uk

 

[el ciervo amarillo]

Day 2 went well, cooler, which helped. People really friendly. Hope to write blog before I fall asleep. Video here

 

[princesslorna]

Day 2 went well, cooler, which helped. People really friendly. Hope to write blog before I fall asleep. Video here

Might seem aways off but we walked up Sacro Pico yesterday afternoon before walking into Santiago this morning..it was a really lovely way to look back on where we had come externally and internally and relect on the whole camino.

 

[el ciervo amarillo]

Might seem aways off but we walked up Sacro Pico yesterday afternoon before walking into Santiago this morning..it was a really lovely way to look back on where we had come externally and internally and relect on the whole camino.

Well done! You must be so happy! Such a sense of fulfilment.

 

[princesslorna]

Well done! You must be so happy! Such a sense of fulfilment.

Yes we do...went to mass tonight and saw the botofumeiro (they didnt have it last night) so our camino feels over now...funny feeling...I kinda want to turn around and do it backwards now..buen camino..enjoy every minute!

 

[el ciervo amarillo]

Pleased to report I arrived in La Mancha today

 

[el ciervo amarillo]

The wayside flowers certainly are amazing at the moment.
Met my second fellow pilgrim yesterday. A cyclist called Jose.

 

[trevorcc]

Just going over the tips and others memories of the Camino de Levante as all my gear is waiting in the cupboard, just 2 months before I fly out the nerves and excitement builds each day as I try to keep things in check. I find that I am going to sleep each night with the stages flashing in my head and asking have I thought of this and that, but I know it will all be okay as each Camino I start the same like a little boy in a candy shop.

 

[Bad Pilgrim]

I'm happy for you. Both Levante and Sureste are my favourite Caminos so far!

/BP