Leon to Santiago

[scubajunky]

HI All,
how nice is the scenery from Leon to Santiago ? is it a great section of the Camino to do ?
I have done from STGPDP to Burgos before.
I'm also considering the Portuges and the Camino Vadiniense.
It would be over Easter.
I want nice scenery and a good social aspect.
Thanks in advance and I hope someone can help.

 

[SYates]

It is beautiful and you'll get quite a variety of landscapes, from the end of the Meseta to the Montes de Leon through the bassin of El Bierzo over the mountains into Galicia. Also a lot of significant pilgrimage related points like the Cruz de Ferro. Over Easter you will have enough company. Buen Camino, SY

PS But also the Meseta between Burgos and Leon is something very special ...

 

[Al the optimist]

Two words. Varied Lovely.

 

[Jan_89]

This part of Camino is really beautiful (like the whole way)!

For example

 

[jefferyonthecamino]

HI All,
how nice is the scenery from Leon to Santiago ? is it a great section of the Camino to do ?
I have done from STGPDP to Burgos before.
I'm also considering the Portuges and the Camino Vadiniense.
It would be over Easter.
I want nice scenery and a good social aspect.
Thanks in advance and I hope someone can help.

love this section except for the first 20-30 km leaving león are not that exciting, but it gets better to stunning. if it's socialising you like, then this is the route for you, there'll be pilgrims but space too. scenery covers the last of the flat meseta to rolling hills in the bierzo región (and your first wooded áreas after león) mountain on thench camino in spain to luch and Green rollong hills of Galicia. the portuguese way wil be a lot quieter and very different (perhaps more road and asphalt as a whole). regarding easter, you won't get the flair you find in andalucia in teh south, but there will be a lot going on (procesiones, via crucis, misas...).

 

[scubajunky]

Thanks for that, much appreciated.

 

[natefaith]

I agree - it's beautiful. Starts out easy coming out of Leon, then goes into the mountains and the scenery around Cruz de Ferro/ Ponferrada is gorgeous. I've only done León to Ponferrada, and Sarria to Santiago (on separate occasions) but I really enjoyed all the people I met and the vistas along the way during both stretches. Also, there's one section where pilgrims have inserted wooden crosses into the fencing along the trail, and it's like walking on holy ground - it's very, very quiet and you're surrounded by hundreds of small crosses. It was a sacred moment for me, and one of my favorite parts.

Buen Camino and enjoy all the planning!
Faith

 

[Whalleyranger]

It's all lovely with the short exception of the first 20km or so out of Leon, and the town of Arzua, which I have never liked.

 

[NoQ]

Agree with what everyone's said already (though I had some great food in Arzua too).

But do walk the Camino via Villar de Mazarife, rather than the rather tedious and noisy direct route by the highway via Villadangos and San Martin. It's a much nicer way to finish up the Meseta.

 

[La Rubia]

I start from Leon on May 19 - can't wait! My first Camino.

 

[Al the optimist]

Too true NoQ! I would never go via Villadangos again! Serves me right for wanting to explore the options after the first time.

 

[scubajunky]

Thanks guys, so it seems like I'd be better off forgetting the Norde or the Camino Vadiniense and just walk from Leon to Santiago. How many days are needed minimum ?

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Thanks guys, so it seems like I'd be better off forgetting the Norde or the Camino Vadiniense and just walk from Leon to Santiago. How many days are needed minimum ?

Fourteen days is comfortable. The route starts gently enough to get a couple days of training walking!

 

[Jacy]

Thanks for the positive thoughts on this route - I arrive in Leon April 25! I'll arrive in the evening and was planning on staying at the Monasterio de Benedictinas and get my credential there - does that sound like a good/workable plan? Anyone else going to be going along this route end of April/beg of May?

 

[mspath]

Thanks for the positive thoughts on this route - I arrive in Leon April 25! I'll arrive in the evening and was planning on staying at the Monasterio de Benedictinas and get my credential there - does that sound like a good/workable plan? ...

Jacy,

The Benedictinas are centrally located and just minutes away from the cathedral. Will you be in their pilgrim albergue or their hospideria with private accommodations? Both places are very popular with pilgrims.

Buen camino,

Margaret Meredith

 

[Jacy]

Thanks Meredith,

I don't know??? I didn't realize there were 2, do you have a recommendation and should I book in advance?

Jacy

 

[mspath]

The Benedictinas Hospideria PAX offers private accommodation which is very nice and which you can reserve. (Click these links to their web). The Pilgrim albergue provides dormitory accommodation for 134 with shared facilities but does not accept reservations except for groups. Both facilities are located on the plaza Santa María del Camino.

The Hospideria has a pleasant dining room open to all with a good inexpensive daily menu .

While often staying in the pilgrim albergue I peeked at the Hospideria facilities which appear to be very comfortable. The choice is up to you!

MM

 

[Jacy]

Great tips, thank you Meredith! I'm hoping to connect with other pilgrims so might go for the albergue. Plus it should be a nice intro shock to the trip!