Via Kunig (alternative route Herrerias de Valcarce - Lugo)

[Marc S.]

So there always turns out to be a camino I did not now about: the Via Kunig, which goes from Herrerias de Valcarve (just before O Cebreiro) to Lugo (where it connects with the Primitivo). It is another option for those wanting to avoid the Frances crowds.

The route is based on the pilgrimage of Hermann Kunig, a German monk who walked from Vacha (Germany) to Santiago in 1495 and wrote a guide book about his experiences. His guide (written in rhyming verse apparently) was widely used by German pilgrims in the middle ages.

I do not know how established this route is at the moment (in terms of waymarkers etc.), it seems it is very much in the research stage, but definitely something to look out for and / or be involved in.

More information can be found on this website: http://www.caminosconarte.com/en/portfolio/via-kunig/

And there is a facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/HermannKunig/?hc_location=ufi

 

[Marc S.]

I am getting more and more curious about this route. Just found this article in a Spanish newspaper, according to which the route is almost entirely signposted "and in perfect condition for the pilgrims to begin to discover it" (according to a historian involved in the project).

Lugo se mueve para promocionar la vía Künig

Concluye en la capital el programa de caminatas para promocionar esta ruta a Santiago, en cuyo entorno pervive un valioso patrimonio

www.elprogreso.es

And for those interested, here is a website by the Lugo Amigos del Camino about the Via Kunig:

Asociación de Amigos del Camino de Santiago de la Provincia de Lugo | La Asociación finaliza su recorrido por la Vía Künig el próximo domingo

 

[Isca-camigo]

A friend walked it very recently, he said:-

" Disadvantages of Via Kunig. Three for me:
- No albergues. 3 hostales (25€ with breakfast, 32€ and 25€).
- No other pilgrims.
- Too many big loose dogs in the Way (aprox 14 or 15 in three days). I got tense a lot of moments.
Asphalt with traffic 5%
Asphalt with any traffic 50%
Natural wide ways 40%
Paths 5%

Advantages
Very peaceful and quiet villages.
Interesting. I recommend it.
Lot of galician forests.
End in a beautiful city, Lugo.
Nice option to avoid French Way if you want to change."

To Lugo he did it in 3.5 days.

 

[Isca-camigo]

according to which the route is almost entirely signposted "and in perfect condition for the pilgrims to begin to discover it"

He also said
"Well marked. And there is a Google maps link that they gave me. Almost impossible to get lost."

 

[caminka]

another new way to discover!
I like it that they are trying to scatter the pilgrims on the last congested 100km.
the biggest drawback will be no prilgrim (budget) accommodation. the dogs don't sound very nice either.