LIVE from the Camino Starting from Valencia Oct 6

[mike105]

I'm walking the Levante starting Oct 6th from Valencia. Is there anybody walking that route (or that has walked it) that can tell me anything about it, for instance, how busy the route should be? Just want an idea of how many people I can expect to see on the route. Thanks.

 

[OzAnnie]

I'm walking the Levante starting Oct 6th from Valencia. Is there anybody walking that route (or that has walked it) that can tell me anything about it, for instance, how busy the route should be? Just want an idea of how many people I can expect to see on the route. Thanks.

Hi Mike
I believe @Albertagirl is walking it right now. I don’t think she is posting yet.

There is a lot of info on the Levante sub-forum posted recently. I’d encourage you to check some of those recent threads out.
You’ll find all and more than you could ever need. People on this forum have shared it from their walks and current more up to date research. Check out the other threads dated around Aug2021 in Levante forum.

I wouldn’t try to add anything - I have to return myself one day to start from Valencia. I squeezed in approx 9 days walking before the ‘big state of emergency ‘ happened last March2020.. I started only from Toledo.

Good luck with planning.

Buen camino
Annie

 

[mike105]

Hi Mike
I believe @Albertagirl is walking it right now. I don’t think she is posting yet.

There is a lot of info on the Levante sub-forum posted recently. I’d encourage you to check some of those recent threads out.
You’ll find all and more than you could ever need. People on this forum have shared it from their walks and current more up to date research. Check out the other threads dated around Aug2021 in Levante forum.

I wouldn’t try to add anything - I have to return myself one day to start from Valencia. I squeezed in approx 9 days walking before the ‘big state of emergency ‘ happened last March2020.. I started only from Toledo.

Good luck with planning.

Buen camino
Annie

Thanks for the information, it's appreciated.

 

[lt56ny]

I'm walking the Levante starting Oct 6th from Valencia. Is there anybody walking that route (or that has walked it) that can tell me anything about it, for instance, how busy the route should be? Just want an idea of how many people I can expect to see on the route. Thanks.

Please follow the advice of checking out info on Levante. Please also add your own information. This is a route I would like to walk one day.
Here are some links:

El Camino de Levante - Mundicamino

EL CAMINO de LEVANTE es la ruta seguida por los peregrinos jacobeos que iniciaban e inician su camino en Valencia, recorriendo hasta cinco comunidades para llegar a Santiago de Compostela como son la Valenciana, Castilla La Mancha, Madrid, Castilla-León y Galicia. En esta larga travesía que...

www.mundicamino.com

Etapas Camino de Levante

Portal del Camino de Santiago.Toda la información del Camino de Santiago. Guias, Etapas, Albergues, Perfiles, Consejos, Hostales, Campings, Farmacias, Foros, Chat, Noticias, Webcams.Camino Santiago

todosloscaminosdesantiago.com

Have no idea how up to date these are if you can't speak Spanish open them in Google Chrome for translation.

Unfortunately Gronze.com doesn't have much on the Levante.

Buen Camino

Maybe I will run into you in Zamora as I start on the VDLP on October 14 from Sevilla.

 

[mike105]

Please follow the advice of checking out info on Levante. Please also add your own information. This is a route I would like to walk one day.
Here are some links:

El Camino de Levante - Mundicamino

EL CAMINO de LEVANTE es la ruta seguida por los peregrinos jacobeos que iniciaban e inician su camino en Valencia, recorriendo hasta cinco comunidades para llegar a Santiago de Compostela como son la Valenciana, Castilla La Mancha, Madrid, Castilla-León y Galicia. En esta larga travesía que...

www.mundicamino.com

Etapas Camino de Levante

Portal del Camino de Santiago.Toda la información del Camino de Santiago. Guias, Etapas, Albergues, Perfiles, Consejos, Hostales, Campings, Farmacias, Foros, Chat, Noticias, Webcams.Camino Santiago

todosloscaminosdesantiago.com

Have no idea how up to date these are if you can't speak Spanish open them in Google Chrome for translation.

Unfortunately Gronze.com doesn't have much on the Levante.

Buen Camino

Maybe I will run into you in Zamora as I start on the VDLP on October 14 from Sevilla.

Thanks for the info...hopefully we'll meet down the road...

 

[ngm]

I'm walking the Levante starting Oct 6th from Valencia. Is there anybody walking that route (or that has walked it) that can tell me anything about it, for instance, how busy the route should be? Just want an idea of how many people I can expect to see on the route. Thanks.

Done this Camino 2014.. with my wife..( we walked all the way on to the <camino Invierno and santiago.. som 1250 km) We were almost alone on the Camino de Levante..( 2 more guys) Some places are better marks on the Camino de Sureste.. so we shifted... This Camino is never busy..and some of the distances are very long..You will find it some mystery..The spirit of Don Quixote is allover the place.. My advice 1) Do not walk the first day to Algemessi.. stay at Almusafes and walk to Alzeera the day after.. 2). the stech between Almansa and Higueruela was tough.. 3). ..even the day after to Chinchila... 4) Leaving out from Chinchila look carfuly for the Camino-waymark..and take to the lef... it will leed you right to Albacete.. do not follow the asphaltroad..! Walking in lamancha was hot.. but OK .. take enugh water. https://www.utsidan.se/albums/view.htm?ID=8775 Buen Camino

 

[trevorcc]

I'm walking the Levante starting Oct 6th from Valencia. Is there anybody walking that route (or that has walked it) that can tell me anything about it, for instance, how busy the route should be? Just want an idea of how many people I can expect to see on the route. Thanks.

walked it in 2016, only saw 3 pilgrims im first 8 days and these were in the albergue on the first night. It is very very quiet and it was not setup like the French way had to drop into the local police station to find accomodation also some towns were full because of festivals and I had to move to the next towns. If you like isolation and very quiet days you will love it.

 

[trevorcc]

A few shots

 

[C clearly]

Just in case you haven't seen this fabulous thread, check it out.

 

[OZAJ]

I too walked this route in 2016 and found the first part rather dull. I know some will disagree with me on this, however only one other pilgrim I met did. One couple on bikes remarked that it was dull enough cycling, never mind walking! From Toledo onwards I enjoyed it very much.

Take care on leaving Zamora, it is easy to take the wrong route, as I did!

The local police were generally most helpful in finding somewhere to sleep.

 

[OzAnnie]

Just in case you haven't seen this fabulous thread, check it out.

Wow @C clearly - I hadn’t realised how much time has passed since you all did that excellent detailed planning thread!!! That thread (in particular), @mike105 is THE one, that anyone planning the Levante shouldn’t miss reading.

Annie

 

[Josefus]

A good source of information is also the website of the jacobean association in Valencia http://vieiragrino.com/

 

[mike105]

Thanks to all that responded. I appreciate the input.

 

[JLWV]

A young lady from Switzerland started some days ago, a french lady was this morning in Albacete, an English man starts today, also some people from the province of Valencia starting this week-end. You are not alone...

 

[mike105]

A young lady from Switzerland started some days ago, a french lady was this morning in Albacete, an English man starts today, also some people from the province of Valencia starting this week-end. You are not alone...

Thanks! Good to know. A friend and I just started and are in Alzira right now. We've seen no other pilgrims. We've had great weather and many lovely orange groves...as usual the Spanish are very friendly and resources are easily available. So far the route has been quite flat...which is nice for breaking in my 62 year old legs. Prices have gotten cheaper as we get further from Valencia.

 

[peregrina2000]

So glad to hear you are on your way. Hope that the weather gods continue to shine on you. It's all asphalt for the first four days, so be kind to your legs. Lots of tendonitis can be blamed on these long asphalt slogs. Lots of us would love to hear your updates! Buen camino, Laurie

 

[mike105]

Today we took the train from Alzira to L'Enova Manuel and walked back to Alzira and our hotel. It was kind of fun following the arrows backwards...tomorrow we will take the train to the same place and walk until Xativa. Again we walked thru orange groves and a couple of small towns. In the Valencia region they are celebrating the fallas. It is usually in March but covid changes it until this weekend. The plaza major in alzira had elaborate statues in place that will be burned in a few days. I love been able to experience these type of local events when it appears there are no other tourists around. As usual everyone is extremely kind and accommodating. Viva Espana!

 

[peregrina2000]

tomorrow we will take the train to the same place and walk until Xativa.

Oh, Xátiva. The castle in Xátiva is simply amazing. Built along the top of a long rocky promontory, just incredible.

https://xativaturismo.com/castell-de-xativa-2/

And lucky you, I see it is open on Sunday all day till 7 pm! Closed Mondays so you lucked out.

 

[mike105]

We are booked to see the castle Tuesday. Really excited to see it.

 

[mike105]

Had an off day in Xativa. Walked up to the castle on a glorious day. Magnificent views of the area and an incredible sight. Well worth the effort and 6 €.

 

[peregrina2000]

Had an off day in Xativa. Walked up to the castle on a glorious day. Magnificent views of the area and an incredible sight. Well worth the effort and 6 €.

BEAUTIFUL! Both the castle and the views. And one thing that should really also make your day is knowing that you’ve only got one more day of asphalt! Yes, the Levante really does have unpaved trails and they start after Moixent!

Buen camino, hope the weather stays as beautiful.

 

[mike105]

Great to know. In Moixent now.

 

[peregrina2000]

Great to know. In Moixent now.

Where are you staying in Moixent? A few years ago the choice was the (pretty dingy) Red Cross or a Casa Rural Corral de Pablanch. My two walking buddies stayed in the Red Cross but I went to the Casa Rural.

 

[mike105]

We're in an airbnb. There weren't many other options. Big 2 bedroom apartment in the center of town.

 

[mike105]

We've used a variety of sources to book places to stay. Airbnb, booking.com...and lately we've been calling places directly as my buddy speaks enough Spanish to make that possible. As we get further along the route that seems to be the best way to book. We got a 10€ Sim card good for 4 weeks with 20 GB of data and 300 minutes from Vodafone. A necessity on routes like the Levante. Costs are about 25 € each per night for lodging.

 

[mike105]

In La Font de la Figuera. Maybe today's walk was the best yet. Morning air was cool and scenery was great. I've posted a few pics of sights along the way. Gained some elevation today. That just made for better vista's.

 

[VNwalking]

Had an off day in Xativa. Walked up to the castle on a glorious day. Magnificent views of the area and an incredible sight. Well worth the effort and 6 €.

Gorgeous photos, @mike105. Especially Xativa - what an amazing spot. Thank you for taking the time to share the photos; it's a treat to see them.

 

[mike105]

Gorgeous photos, @mike105. Especially Xativa - what an amazing spot. Thank you for taking the time to share the photos; it's a treat to see them.

Thanks. A few more from Xativa

 

[peregrina2000]

We've used a variety of sources to book places to stay. Airbnb, booking.com...and lately we've been calling places directly as my buddy speaks enough Spanish to make that possible.

You know, @mike105 itwould be hugely appreciated by people contemplating the Levante if you would post specific information on exactly where you have been sleeping.

There have been a few challenges with accommodation discussed recently on the forum, so any real-time success stories would undoubtedly help those who are contemplating this wonderful walk!

 

[mike105]

You know, @mike105 itwould be hugely appreciated by people contemplating the Levante if you would post specific information on exactly where you have been sleeping.

There have been a few challenges with accommodation discussed recently on the forum, so any real-time success stories would undoubtedly help those who are contemplating this wonderful walk!

Tonight we're staying in Almansa. We're at Hostal Casa Almantica. We phoned the Hostal to book.

 

[mike105]

Last night we were in Hostal Amable. A big shout out to Victor and his wife who opened their kitchen up to feed us dinner when there was nothing else available in town. We also hit the grocery store to get today's lunch. I've been very lucky to receive great hospitality from Spaniards like Victor on my numerous caminos. Tonight we'll be in Almansa. We're staying at Casa Almantica. Google maps are a good source for accommodation in a town. Then we've found a phone call secures a room. But really my buddies efforts to learn Spanish are what's made this possible as we haven't booked a room using English yet.

 

[Doogman]

I’m the friend that is currently walking the Levante with @mike105. We split up today for the stage from La Font de la Figuera to Almansa. @mike105 followed the Levante, while I chose the shorter route along the Camino de Alba - Etapa 12 (which I learned about from the virtual Levante thread. Thanks!).

I’m a slow walker and I have a good blister on one foot, so I was plodding along. The Alba route is 22+ kms, while the Levante route is about 27 kms, I believe. The Alba route took me 6.5 hours in total, so it’s not just a little stroll. There were no way markings as far as I could tell, so a GPS or excellent map reading skills are needed for the first part. Once it starts running alongside the highway, it is more obvious, but you still need to cross the highway on bridges a couple of times. Walking along a highway can get a bit tedious, but it shortens the route to something more manageable for those like me. It was tough to find places to stop and rest along the way.

 

[mike105]

The Levante route was especially nice for the first 10 km. Then it more or less followed the highway. But it was a good walk. Some pics from the route.

 

[mike105]

Well unfortunately my buddies blisters have shut us down. We are abandoning the Levante. Although disappointed we will spend the next 2 weeks in an airbnb in Alicante on the coast. I've always believed that you need to adapt to what life throws at you and I feel 2 weeks on the Mediterranean makes us pretty lucky!! So I figure daily walks on the Mediterranean will be a good substitute. Thanks to all that read these posts.
A few comments on the Levante. It is not a route for those that want the pilgrim experience. In the 9 days on the route met 1 other pilgrim. But for those looking to challenge themselves in different ways it is an adventure. A Spanish Sim card with minutes and data was vital to us especially after my friend became injured. His ability to speak some Spanish was also necessary, again particularly after his injury.
Ad usual the wonderful Spanish people were always helpful and accommodating. For me,they are the reason the Caminos are special.

 

[Doogman]

Just a quick shout out to the Spanish healthcare system. A bad blister is not exactly a life threatening injury, but everyone has been very kind and caring.

I echo what @mike105 has said about the Levante. Some planning is needed, and it’s not a busy route, but I think it can be very rewarding. Bummer that a stupid blister ends it for us!

 

[VNwalking]

Although disappointed we will spend the next 2 weeks in an airbnb in Alicante on the coast. I've always believed that you need to adapt to what life throws at you and I feel 2 weeks on the Mediterranean makes us pretty lucky!!

Sorry for your bad blisters, @Doogman. Bummer.

And I'm selfishly sorry that we at home will not be seeing your photos, @mike105. It was good while it lasted - but your attitude is fantastic.

Heal well doogman, and may you both enjoy Alicante!

 

[peregrina2000]

I want to echo the . But may your time on the beach be

Our recent virtual Lana thread had a good discussion of things to see and do in Alicante, though you are probably not staying right in town. Great commuter rail system up and down the coast though. And if your foot heals, there is always the chance to start walking! Either right from Alicante or from Villajoyosa, which would take you up into the mountains. All explained clearly in that thread.

Many thanks to @Doogman and @mike105 for sharing their accommodations. I had been keeping a list on the sidelines to publish at the end, and I guess this is the end for now. It also includes two stages ahead of where they actually stopped, showing the places they had reserved. Thanks again so much, hope you will be back on the camino soon!


Valencia - Silla (Hostal Moreno)

Silla - Almussafes (Hotel Isabel)

Amussafes - Alzira (Hotel Casa Blava)

Alzira - L'Enova Manuel (backwards after train from Alzira, sleep in Alzira)

L’Enova Manuel - Xátiva (Casa de Caliz)

Xátiva - Moixent (Air bnb. I assume it’s this one.)

Moixent - Font de la Figuera. (Hostal Amable)

Font de la Figuera - Almansa (Hostal Casa Almantica)

Almansa. - Alpera (Hostal El Cazador)

Alpera - Higueruela (La Posada)

 

[Doogman]

We will be staying right in Alicante, so we will definitely take a long look at the virtual Lana thread. Many thanks for the heads up.

There is only one thing I would add to your list of our stages. It looks like we failed to mention this. We broke up the Xativa to Moixent stage by taking a train to Montesa and walking back to Xativa. Following a rest day in Xativa we then took the train back to Montesa and carried on to Moixent. You may want to edit your above post by including this.

Thanks again for your interest and support and all you do for this forum!

 

[mike105]

Just an update. After 4 days in Alicante I'm realizing what a great choice this location is to spend 2 weeks. I'm getting 12 to 15 km in daily hiking the coast. Buses and a tram make it easy to manage. Hike one way,bus or tram back. I love coastal hikes and I'm more than happy to invent my own camino...a few pics of the coast