Diversion of route outside León

[Tarquin]

For info , as I don’t know how much publicity will be given , the Camino Frances route has undergone a significant diversion on the outskirts of León.
The blue footbridge just outside Valdelafuente has been closed off and the route diverted up towards Alto del Postillo where the large transmission masts are located. It then takes a left turn off the road and down a very steep and uneven dirt track. Cyclists may have an issue braking due to the looseness of the surface.
Point to note is that at the bottom of this dirt track I realised it crosses what I was told later is an established cycle route. In fairness to the cyclists using the established route , they will be approaching that section over a blind summit and may not have time to change direction as they ride over it. I am assuming it’s a work in progress and that warning signs or something similar will appear. The workmen were in the process of putting up the way marker by the mast turning when I got there this morning.
There are yellow arrow markers on the diversion route, which rejoins the original not far from Puente Castro. Buen Camino.

 

[domigee]

Thank you for the update! Buen camino

 

[Dancing Rain]

Just walked this “diversion” today! Was initially very impressed walking up to the blue pedestrian overpass. However, it’s entrance is taped off, and instead there are arrows to the right. After a while one walks past derelict apartments with bricked in doors and windows - (What is their history?) and eventually, as Tarquin says, past transmission masts and then down the steep dirt track - wouldn’t want to walk it in the rain. This route is quiet and away from traffic - there is even bird song, so walking it does have its own peace and quiet

 

[dcorrea951]

Thanks for the info !

 

[geraldkelly]

I came through in August and this diversion is still in place. Does anyone know how long before they reopen the old route?

Gerald

 

[Sam Hardman]

I walked this route in the rain just over a week ago. In the rain the dirt turns to thick sticky clay which is almost impossible to walk on and makes a real mess of your shoes, There were a group of us sliding about in the mud on that slope! There was a queue at the next water fountain in town where everyone was washing themselves off.

 

[Kathar1na]

I came through in August and this diversion is still in place. Does anyone know how long before they reopen the old route?

Here is a recent article: https://www.lanuevacronica.com/santiago-entra-en-leon-con-mas-pendiente-pero-mejores-vistas . Not really an answer to your question but it states that the roadworks that are the reason for the deviation of the Camino de Santiago path just before Leon will be finished by the end of 2018. Apparently, at that point in time the footbridge that crosses the road and was a part of the Camino de Santiago before the deviation will be open to pedestrians again.

 

[lindigo]

Plan to walk Camino Francis in 2020 and would like to know for sure if the footbridge outside Leon is definitely open for pedestrians again.

 

[geraldkelly]

Yes. This was all several years ago.