Padornelo Tunnel

Corned Beef · Jun 16, 2023

Planning for VDLP part 2 continues. After a break in Salamanca to visit all those places suggested in the other thread, I'm now looking into the Sanabres section. It all looks straightforward apart from the section between Requejo and Lubián.

I can see the N-525 plays a large part but when heading towards Padornela there is some doubt about the off road section being overgrown - or at least difficult to pass. The alternative seems to be to stay on the N-525 and go through the Padornelo Tunnel.

There is nothing from 2023 about this section so far, so wondered if anyone has travelled it and has a view on the conditions there.

Myra13 · Jun 17, 2023

We walked there in may this year.
First stretch was great, you can walk al along the river. But after about 10km you get on the roads that were used for building the highway. But at the end it was a beautiful walk again.

Corned Beef · Jun 17, 2023

Thanks as that has answered one of my two questions about the section. The next one is where the road rises after the river section. You go back on the N-525 but according to Google there is a 'temporary' diversion off the route (see pics) off the road up onto what looks like an abandoned road.

See the junction with the motorway viaduct in the background

camino07 · Jun 17, 2023

Last May I walked from Requejo . There was about 5 kms on the side of the main road going up the hill and I then went off to the left ,down under the bridges onto the old Camino and followed the arrows to Padornelo, before the right turn on the photos. I avoid high bridges and tunnels.
I didn't see an option for a river route.

GraemeHall · Jun 17, 2023

I was there last month. There was a choice to leave the road and follow what looked like a pretty but longer route down along the river. I opted to stay on the road and walk through the tunnel. Perfectly safe.

Paul-CH · Jun 17, 2023

I walked from Puebla de Sanabria to Lubián April 23rd. 2023. My only rainy day out of 44 days. The hike on the road out of Puebla isn't so bad and not to long. Later there is another short part on the road before you pass under the bridge on a nice hiking trail up to Padornelo, with the Restaurant for food and drink.

Rita Flower · Jun 17, 2023

camino07 said:
Last May I walked from Requejo . There was about 5 kms on the side of the main road going up the hill and I then went off to the left ,down under the bridges onto the old Camino and followed the arrows to Padornelo, before the right turn on the photos. I avoid high bridges and tunnels.
I didn't see an option for a river route.

It seems that was the route I took as well. Don’t remember any tunnels or high bridges. My journal says it was a beautiful walk on a beautiful day.
However glad to know the tunnel is safe.

Blister Bill · Jun 18, 2023

Walked May 22. Definitely didn't walk on the road or go through any tunnels. I have the track recorded if of help.

Luka · Jun 18, 2023

GraemeHall said:
I was there last month. There was a choice to leave the road and follow what looked like a pretty but longer route down along the river. I opted to stay on the road and walk through the tunnel. Perfectly safe.

Thanks, I'll be walking there in August. The tunnel looks pretty safe. The bridge not so much. No shoulder at all.

GraemeHall · Jun 18, 2023

Luka said:
Thanks, I'll be walking there in August. The tunnel looks pretty safe. The bridge not so much. No shoulder at all.

Just a comment about the road - first, there was very little traffic as it all uses the new auto via that you can see. I guess I saw one car every 10 or 15 minutes. And if I remember, there was a wider verge on the opposite side - I crossed over there for the photo.