Hi all,
I am currently walking the VDLP, and will be updating this post daily with info on how the route is looking and more importantly, what is open.
Day 0: Seville
Almost all amenities are open
Day 1:
Seville to Guillena;
The day started early around 6am and I arrived in Guillena with no bother at all just before 10am. Almost all local amenities are open.
The Albergue Luz del Camino is open, and on the front door there is a phone number to call the owner who arrived within 5 minutes. They sprayed my shoes, put them in a bag, and put my backpack in a bag on arrival. They also offered hand sanitiser. Only the bottom bunks are available, effectively halving the capacity. I am the only person here tonight so availability wasn’t an issue.
Day 2:
Guillena to Castiblanco de los Arroyos
Another early start but a slightly shorter & cooler day.
Arrived in Castiblanco around 10am to find that the local Albergue is closed ‘indefinitely’. However, the local hotel has re-opened and is offering board for 30 euros per night/per person. Even if you are travelling alone. Other amenities, are generally few and far between but most seem to be open none the less.
Day 3:
I decided to enjoy a pool day today, so no update but will be back on it tomorrow!
Day 4:
Castilblanco to Almeda de la Plata;
It was a long one (30km from Castilblanco to Alameda de la Plata) and an early 5am start. The first half was on the road, and the second through Sierra Norte Natural Park, which is really beautiful.
The local albergue was closed, however the really nice Hotel el Romeral was open, and it was 40 euro for the nights stay. All other amenities were open.
Day 5:
Almeda de la Plata to El Real de la Jara;
This is one really long leg split in two, and was supposed to be 12.7km. However, bad signage made it a really tough 21km, so be aware of this.
El Jara is a small town, with a ruin nearby and most amenities are open outwith siesta hours. There are 2 albergues here, both currently closed. The Hostal la Encina is open however, for €25 per person per night in a private room with ensuite. This hotel is in a business park on the edge of town fyi & i think it’s worth mentioning that I asked politely and got to do my washing for free which was a great bonus!
Day6:
El Real de la Jara to Monesterio 21km
A straight forward day that started around 6am and took just under 4 hours. No albergues open here yet, but 3 or 4 hotels taking guests starting at around €25 per person.
Day 7:
Monesterio to Fuente de Cantos 21km
Another relatively straight forward day. Similarly to the rest of the towns, and what I will be expecting until mid-July now, the albergues were closed. Hotels however start from around €30 per head, which seems to be the going rate.
Day 7:
Fuente de Cantos to Zafra 25km
Today’s walk was straight forward, however due to a pretty nasty blister/hole in my foot that I developed a couple of days ago was really tough. Also, there was some pretty overgrown pathways to contend with at times.
This foot issue may put a spanner in the works for a few days, which is extremely frustrating. Either way, i’ll keep you all posted.
Although I was previously advised that the Van Gogh Albergue was open, it was closed when I arrived, and I confirmed this with the owner who I called. Several different hotel options here to suit all budgets, and all of the many amenities are open.
TBC
if anyone has any questions feel free to get in touch.
I am currently walking the VDLP, and will be updating this post daily with info on how the route is looking and more importantly, what is open.
Day 0: Seville
Almost all amenities are open
Day 1:
Seville to Guillena;
The day started early around 6am and I arrived in Guillena with no bother at all just before 10am. Almost all local amenities are open.
The Albergue Luz del Camino is open, and on the front door there is a phone number to call the owner who arrived within 5 minutes. They sprayed my shoes, put them in a bag, and put my backpack in a bag on arrival. They also offered hand sanitiser. Only the bottom bunks are available, effectively halving the capacity. I am the only person here tonight so availability wasn’t an issue.
Day 2:
Guillena to Castiblanco de los Arroyos
Another early start but a slightly shorter & cooler day.
Arrived in Castiblanco around 10am to find that the local Albergue is closed ‘indefinitely’. However, the local hotel has re-opened and is offering board for 30 euros per night/per person. Even if you are travelling alone. Other amenities, are generally few and far between but most seem to be open none the less.
Day 3:
I decided to enjoy a pool day today, so no update but will be back on it tomorrow!
Day 4:
Castilblanco to Almeda de la Plata;
It was a long one (30km from Castilblanco to Alameda de la Plata) and an early 5am start. The first half was on the road, and the second through Sierra Norte Natural Park, which is really beautiful.
The local albergue was closed, however the really nice Hotel el Romeral was open, and it was 40 euro for the nights stay. All other amenities were open.
Day 5:
Almeda de la Plata to El Real de la Jara;
This is one really long leg split in two, and was supposed to be 12.7km. However, bad signage made it a really tough 21km, so be aware of this.
El Jara is a small town, with a ruin nearby and most amenities are open outwith siesta hours. There are 2 albergues here, both currently closed. The Hostal la Encina is open however, for €25 per person per night in a private room with ensuite. This hotel is in a business park on the edge of town fyi & i think it’s worth mentioning that I asked politely and got to do my washing for free which was a great bonus!
Day6:
El Real de la Jara to Monesterio 21km
A straight forward day that started around 6am and took just under 4 hours. No albergues open here yet, but 3 or 4 hotels taking guests starting at around €25 per person.
Day 7:
Monesterio to Fuente de Cantos 21km
Another relatively straight forward day. Similarly to the rest of the towns, and what I will be expecting until mid-July now, the albergues were closed. Hotels however start from around €30 per head, which seems to be the going rate.
Day 7:
Fuente de Cantos to Zafra 25km
Today’s walk was straight forward, however due to a pretty nasty blister/hole in my foot that I developed a couple of days ago was really tough. Also, there was some pretty overgrown pathways to contend with at times.
This foot issue may put a spanner in the works for a few days, which is extremely frustrating. Either way, i’ll keep you all posted.
Although I was previously advised that the Van Gogh Albergue was open, it was closed when I arrived, and I confirmed this with the owner who I called. Several different hotel options here to suit all budgets, and all of the many amenities are open.
TBC
if anyone has any questions feel free to get in touch.
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