Starting in Villafranca

[Gillyweb]

Hi guys.... I was planning on starting in Villafranca as my time is very limited...I have 9 days. However now I have looked at the maps in detail it seems Villafranca to O'Cebreiro is a tough climb. Is it a sensible starting place for day one. I'm staying overnight in Ponferrada arriving late (10pm) and was planning catching the bus along to Villafranca at 05.15 and starting from there as I don't think I can do it from Ponferrada in 9 days. What's your opinion...should I go from O Cebreiro instead, I want to go as far as I can though especially as I'm raising money for charity too....

 

[William Marques]

Yes it is a climb but if you take it slowly and if it is too muddy you miss the first part of the main climb by taking the very quiet road to La Faba I would say it is worth it. It is one of my favourite sections of the whole CF and Villafranca is one of my favourite towns.

 

[zammy]

Take it slow, you don't have to get up to Ocebreiror you can sleep in albergues in Faba and another one near.

 

[Gillyweb]

Thanks .... I guess it won't be any worse than starting in SJPDP which is what I hope to do next year - perhaps a good way to break myself in. And yes I did wonder if I should aim to stop earlier than O'Cebreiro. As I'm walking in August it may even be a sensible plan. I'm glad you said it was a favourite section because that was the impression I got and I feel I'd like to see it..... So train a bit harder and pace myself seems to be the plan. )

 

[StuartM]

How fit are you? I did Astorga to Santiago in ten days and didn't find it overly taxing. Average was about 27km a day.

O Cebreiro is a challenge but there is a road route that is somewhat easier that others I met took. I thought it was only slightly physically harder than some of the other sections in Galicia but because it's sustained ascent over a couple of hours it seems harder mentally. It is however very rewarding.

 

[annakappa]

Personally I don't find the climb up to O'Cebreiro a difficult climb. The first half is in the shade of the woods surrounding this old mule track. The last part is in the open, but the views are magnificent, that the thought of a steep climb is taken away by stopping, taking photos and generally admiring the spectacular surroundings. We have always avoided staying in O'Cebreiro, which is very touristic. We stay at the Albergue La Escuela in La Laguna and from there you have less than one hour to make it to O'Cebreiro early the next morning. Anne