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Search 69,459 Camino Questions

LIVE from the Camino Pilgr on the Levante

A selection of Camino Jewellery
@pilgr I’ll be definitely following your bog.

I’m currently tossing up which camino to walk late May/June. At the moment it’s between the Cami Madrid/Invierno or Madrid/VdlP (Zamora+) or the Levante to Zamora. Your up-to-date info will be invaluable.

If I do the Levante, I hope I’ll be able to purchase the Levante English guide outside of the amigos ‘Friday’ hours

Buen Camino
 
Hi, pilgr,
I have moved your post to a new, separate "Live from the Camino" thread.

Be VERY careful with those shin splints. The first four days are all asphalt and that is brutal. I obsessively look for dirt paths over to the side and you will occasionally find them. Be sure to ice after walking (bring a plastic bag to a bar, have a drink, and then ask for some ice cubes; if you can't sit outside, just take them to your room)
Sorry to sound like a nag, but I would really hate to see you "crash and burn."
 
A selection of Camino Jewellery
The Amigos office is open on Wed too. Perhaps it is a seasonal thing. There are MANY volunteers there. I suggested they join this blog to provide their service.
 
Nice to hear you obtained Levante credencial.
And great to post a photo for Laurie ;)

I would second her advice about brutality of first three/four days of tarmac. But all the way to Xativa you have a train station in virtualy every village which makes plenty of options for short stages and training back & forth to your overnight stay. After Moixent things get better and you'll have much more gravel or dirt paths.

Ultreia!
 
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@pilgr I’ll be definitely following your bog.

I’m currently tossing up which camino to walk late May/June. At the moment it’s between the Cami Madrid/Invierno or Madrid/VdlP (Zamora+) or the Levante to Zamora. Your up-to-date info will be invaluable.

If I do the Levante, I hope I’ll be able to purchase the Levante English guide outside of the amigos ‘Friday’ hours

Buen Camino

Well, I think we have to find a good in-town pensión to replace the lovely Pensión Paris. Once we do that, maybe we can work with the owner to see if he/she will do what Vanessa used to do, which is to buy the guide and credential for a confirmed guest, who would then pay upon arrival. I will for starters contact the Association and see what they might suggest. But, you have a difficult choice whichever way you go. All of them are spectacular. One thing to think about is whether by late May early June the endless fields of the Levante will have turned from shocking green to brown. A couple of years ago, when LTfit and I walked from Montserrat on the Camino Catalán, we left Montserrat on June 3 or 4, and as we went through Aragón, we were confronted with endless miles of brown stubble. Not that the scenery is the most important thing, but it´s something to keep in mind. But of course you are likely to find parts of the Madrid to be similar, since I also have many memories of May walking with emerald green fields.

And a p.s. Here are the hours of the association in Valencia:
Summer hours -- June, July and August
Wednesday -- 10.00 h. a 13.30 h.
Thursday and Friday -- 17.00 h. a 20.30 h.

Rest of the year, only Wed. morning and Friday afternoon.
 
Just to be totally clear, the way super cool Levante credentiales are NOT acceptable to the Camino Association as per the Amigos of the Levante. So they sold me TWO credentiales, the official version and the Levante version.
 
Just to be totally clear, the way super cool Levante credentiales are NOT acceptable to the Camino Association as per the Amigos of the Levante. So they sold me TWO credentiales, the official version and the Levante version.

Ah yes, that battle between the cathedral and other groups that are selling credenciales. I would have thought that the cathedral would accept a credencial from an official camino association, but maybe not. But pilgr, you don't have to worry about getting two credenciales stamped for the entire 1200 kms. What I would do is just supplement the cool Levante one with the official one for the last 100 km from Sarria. You are eligible for a compostela so long as you have a valid credencial with two stamps a day from Sarria.

So how did you meet them since it was neither Wed. nor Friday when you got yours? Buen camino, Laurie
 
The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
Ah yes, that battle between the cathedral and other groups that are selling credenciales. I would have thought that the cathedral would accept a credencial from an official camino association, but maybe not. But pilgr, you don't have to worry about getting two credenciales stamped for the entire 1200 kms. What I would do is just supplement the cool Levante one with the official one for the last 100 km from Sarria. You are eligible for a compostela so long as you have a valid credencial with two stamps a day from Sarria.

So how did you meet them since it was neither Wed. nor Friday when you got yours? Buen camino, Laurie

Well, in Spain it is Wednesday. So it wasn't a problem meeting them as this was their office hours 10am to 130pm. There were a whole lot of them surprisingly. Only one speaks English semi-well and another semi-okay. I suggested the decent speaker to involve herself on this blog, if in fact their mission is to promote the Levante. I wonder sometimes about to what extent organizations get side tracked to their stated purpose.

They were VERY hospitable toward me. They served me wine, baked goods, food, a shell necklace, gave me kisses, took photos and a warm welcome. They have an English version of their guidebook. But it weighs a lot! Instead of buying tbeir book, I told them that I have tracks .kml files. Too bad they can't make their guide book into an e-book!

Walking from Valencia to Silla, I was sure glad to have with me the .kml files handy on my smartphone! The waymarking is there, but some areas it is very spotty or you can't see the fleches because of sun bleaching the paint.
 
Well, I think we have to find a good in-town pensión to replace the lovely Pensión Paris. Once we do that, maybe we can work with the owner to see if he/she will do what Vanessa used to do, which is to buy the guide and credential for a confirmed guest, who would then pay upon arrival. I will for starters contact the Association and see what they might suggest. But, you have a difficult choice whichever way you go. All of them are spectacular.
Good suggestion!
And there sure are great choices. For example (for tomorrow) 82% discount, 30€ for two on Plaza de la Reina which is actually maybe 30 meters from Cathedral: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/rei...3d993ecd51bdaX5;type=total;ucfs=1&#map_closed
 
Just to be totally clear, the way super cool Levante credentiales are NOT acceptable to the Camino Association as per the Amigos of the Levante. So they sold me TWO credentiales, the official version and the Levante version.
They were acceptable in 2015. I think this battle between Cathedral and others began last year if I remember correctly when the thread on this topic was posted. In Zamora I got free Credencial in TO across the Plaza from Parador. Later I was told that they sell them now because unidentified people were selling the same (free) Credenciales for 5€ and more... I guess in a way it's good to regulate this thing about Credenciales but on the other hand I can't see real reason (apart from purely financial for the SdC Cathedral) why those from different Amigos groups aren't recognized as official.

Well..., there are other things in this world I don't understand :D
 
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Add me to the list of followers!

I really would like to walk this route but I think my husband would also really enjoy it ... so we're saving it for a year When he can come too At the moment that might be 2019... too far away to plan but not so far that a girl can't dream.

Have a great walk :)
 
Walking from Valencia to Silla, I was sure glad to have with me the .kml files handy on my smartphone! The waymarking is there, but some areas it is very spotty or you can't see the fleches because of sun bleaching the paint.

@pilgr can you point me in the direction of the place you sourced your kml/kmz files for the Levante? I’d like to upload them to maps.me which I am familiar with.

Enjoy your camino and please post the ‘tricky’ bits to assist us following you (possibly 10 weeks away!)
 
@pilgr can you point me in the direction of the place you sourced your kml/kmz files for the Levante? I’d like to upload them to maps.me which I am familiar with.

Enjoy your camino and please post the ‘tricky’ bits to assist us following you (possibly 10 weeks away!)
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/gps-tracks-for-the-levante.32426/
;)

Peter Robbin's site has changed address. This is the new one:
https://pilgrimdb.github.io/alphalist.html
 
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Pilgr ... keep up the great reports! I now have exactly 27 days before I leave Oregon for Valencia and then (probably taking your earlier advice) down to Alicante, starting walking on the 2nd of April. I'm not all that fast so I may not catch up with you, but I really want to hear how it goes for you.

And Laurie's right about the shin splints ... not to be taken lightly. Buen Camino!
JRM
 
Well, I am going EXTRA tortuga to start: the roadway, the shin splints, and I am out of shape. The first day I made it to Silla which is 16k. I think the lonliness factor might weigh on me as the Amigos office says only about one pilgrim a week are departing Valencia.

I can't imagine trying to walk this in the summer! There are no trees. Yet according to the Amigos office, that is when most pilgrims do it.

I must say I love being on the camino again. I must have vagabond blood in me. It is so cool how the Spaniard holds the peregrino in esteem. I am not totally clear on the why, other that it is wrapped up into their spiritual culture.
 
Hi, pilgr, glad to hear you made it to Sillas. Where are you staying and eating in Sillas? I walked out and took the train back so I would have another day in Valencia, and the next morning I got an early train and started in Sillas.

I think you will like Algemesi tomorrow -- see if you can find paella in the Casino restaurant. I don't know if they make it on weekdays, but it's very yummy as you might guess, given where you are.

Are you finding ways to stay off the pavement to give those shins a break? :)
 
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Hi, pilgr, glad to hear you made it to Sillas. Where are you staying and eating in Sillas? I walked out and took the train back so I would have another day in Valencia, and the next morning I got an early train and started in Sillas.

I think you will like Algemesi tomorrow -- see if you can find paella in the Casino restaurant. I don't know if they make it on weekdays, but it's very yummy as you might guess, given where you are.

Are you finding ways to stay off the pavement to give those shins a break? :)
I stayed at the Hostal Moreno. Very nice and modern, except for the smell of cigarette smoke. As to the shin splints, what I am doing is just low mileage days. For example, I only walked 11k today to Beniyou SP?...Tomorrow 16k. I plan to keep it below 20k until I hit earth trekking. Plus, i probably wont have any other choice when I get further from Valencia. The weather is PERFECT! (knock on wood).
 
I stayed at the Hostal Moreno. Very nice and modern, except for the smell of cigarette smoke. As to the shin splints, what I am doing is just low mileage days. For example, I only walked 11k today to Beniyou SP?...Tomorrow 16k. I plan to keep it below 20k until I hit earth trekking. Plus, i probably wont have any other choice when I get further from Valencia. The weather is PERFECT! (knock on wood).

Hello Matt, I am the person who received you in the Asociación in Valencia.
In spite of my por english I will try to help.
Where are you staying in Benifaió? (I live there). This morning I was with the president and the secretary of the association in the town-hall negociating the etablishment of an albergue.
Tomorrow in Algemesi you will have an albergue (ask at the museum, or if it is not open at the police station), or a train to go back.
For next days there are train-stations in Alzira, Carcaixent, Pobla Llarga, Enova-Manuel, Xativa (30 km untill there), L'Alcudia de Crespin(next to Canals), Vallada and Moixent (other 29 km) . Various pilgrims from here take profit of it to begin the way on various week-ends.
About credencials, last year the organización in Santiago accepted my specific credencial because I had begun the way before the new rules, but they do not accept for new credencials. For that we "sell" the oficial model, and give free our former one.
For tacks I use the application "ORUX" downloaded from the IGN (Instituto Geográfico Nacional) which can download all tracks of the various ways to Santiago (centrodedescargas.cnig.es)
Buen camino.
 
Hello Matt, I am the person who received you in the Asociación in Valencia.
In spite of my por english I will try to help.
Where are you staying in Benifaió? (I live there). This morning I was with the president and the secretary of the association in the town-hall negociating the etablishment of an albergue.
Tomorrow in Algemesi you will have an albergue (ask at the museum, or if it is not open at the police station), or a train to go back.
For next days there are train-stations in Alzira, Carcaixent, Pobla Llarga, Enova-Manuel, Xativa (30 km untill there), L'Alcudia de Crespin(next to Canals), Vallada and Moixent (other 29 km) . Various pilgrims from here take profit of it to begin the way on various week-ends.
About credencials, last year the organización in Santiago accepted my specific credencial because I had begun the way before the new rules, but they do not accept for new credencials. For that we "sell" the oficial model, and give free our former one.
For tacks I use the application "ORUX" downloaded from the IGN (Instituto Geográfico Nacional) which can download all tracks of the various ways to Santiago (centrodedescargas.cnig.es)
Buen camino.

I am excited to see that you joined this blog! There are a number of English speaking peregrinos who have many questions as they look to start the Camino de Levante in Valencia. I believe "Peregrina 2000" is the moderator of the Levante blog in which you are communicating. "Kinky" could be the moderator.

I am staying at the Hotel Isabel.

Thank you for reaching out! I am sure you will be very popular with your participation on this blog!

By the way, I described you as the "semi-okay English" speaker. After your eloquent post, I will look like a donkey.
 

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Very light, comfortable and compressible poncho. Specially designed for protection against water for any activity.

Our Atmospheric H30 poncho offers lightness and waterproofness. Easily compressible and made with our Waterproof fabric, its heat-sealed interior seams guarantee its waterproofness. Includes carrying bag.

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Hello Matt, I am the person who received you in the Asociación in Valencia.
In spite of my por english I will try to help.
Where are you staying in Benifaió? (I live there). This morning I was with the president and the secretary of the association in the town-hall negociating the etablishment of an albergue.
Tomorrow in Algemesi you will have an albergue (ask at the museum, or if it is not open at the police station), or a train to go back.
For next days there are train-stations in Alzira, Carcaixent, Pobla Llarga, Enova-Manuel, Xativa (30 km untill there), L'Alcudia de Crespin(next to Canals), Vallada and Moixent (other 29 km) . Various pilgrims from here take profit of it to begin the way on various week-ends.
About credencials, last year the organización in Santiago accepted my specific credencial because I had begun the way before the new rules, but they do not accept for new credencials. For that we "sell" the oficial model, and give free our former one.
For tacks I use the application "ORUX" downloaded from the IGN (Instituto Geográfico Nacional) which can download all tracks of the various ways to Santiago (centrodedescargas.cnig.es)
Buen camino.

Hi, JLWV,
Welcome to the forum! It's so good to have someone from the Valencia Association here. If you look through the posts on the Levante, which are all collected in this sub-forum, https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/forums/camino-de-levante.55/ you'll see a fair amount of interest and a few people who really loved walking the Levante.

I have written a message to the Association from my gmail account to see if there are some ways you might be able to help us out. For one thing, trying to get the credencial and guidebook is very hard for many of us from English speaking countries. Our banks charge us ridiculous amounts to do bank transfers (I believe my bank wanted about 30 € just to do the transfer), so getting the guide by mail isn't too feasible. We used to be able to ask Vanessa in Pensión París to go to your association and buy the book and credencial, and then the peregrin@ would pay her upon arrival, but we learned that the Pensión París is closed. :( We are very sad about that because we many of us LOVE the Pensión París.

Anyway, hoping to hear more from you, and again welcome to the forum. Buen camino, Laurie
 
..and a warm welcome to @JLWV from me too. I have ‘almost’ decided to walk the Levante for this year’s camino. Arrive Madrid 24th May and hope to get to Valencia the same day.

It will be great having the support of the association. Many thanks for donating your time and energy.
Cheers, Grace
 
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Well, I am going EXTRA tortuga to start: the roadway, the shin splints, and I am out of shape. The first day I made it to Silla which is 16k. ...
I can't imagine trying to walk this in the summer! There are no trees.
Good decision @pilgr , short distances at the beginning. I don't have shin splints problems but the tarmac is HARD on my soles, auch...
No trees? Plenty of orange groves here but wait until later. I was happy to find a single tree between villages. Many times I was resting lying on the earth in the shade of less than 1 meter high vine ;)
 
Hello Matt, I am the person who received you in the Asociación in Valencia.
In spite of my por english I will try to help.
Where are you staying in Benifaió? (I live there). This morning I was with the president and the secretary of the association in the town-hall negociating the etablishment of an albergue.
Tomorrow in Algemesi you will have an albergue (ask at the museum, or if it is not open at the police station), or a train to go back.
For next days there are train-stations in Alzira, Carcaixent, Pobla Llarga, Enova-Manuel, Xativa (30 km untill there), L'Alcudia de Crespin(next to Canals), Vallada and Moixent (other 29 km) . Various pilgrims from here take profit of it to begin the way on various week-ends.
About credencials, last year the organización in Santiago accepted my specific credencial because I had begun the way before the new rules, but they do not accept for new credencials. For that we "sell" the oficial model, and give free our former one.
For tacks I use the application "ORUX" downloaded from the IGN (Instituto Geográfico Nacional) which can download all tracks of the various ways to Santiago (centrodedescargas.cnig.es)
Buen camino.
Welcome to the forum @JLWV :)
Really nice to have someone from the Valencia Amigos among us!
And your remark about train stops seconds my suggestion to @pilgr how to cut stages short.

One question though. I've had info that there is a possibility to sleep in Polideportivo in Manuel (back in 2015) but when I got there a lady from the library told me over the phone that the mayor decided Polideportivo is in no condition for pilgrims to sleep there. As my Spanish is quite basic I think I understood this lady as the mayor thinks the pilgrims needs real beds, kitchen etc. Well, we don't, at least not everyday. I slept on the disused railway station there and was just fine. Also I was told that the mayor told the Amigos to exclude this info (about sleeping option in Polideportivo) from their web-page but nothing happened. Do you have any up-to-date information on this?

Suerte!
 
The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
Thanks all for your welcome

Laurie, about your question at the Association I will comment it with the staff this afternoon.

KinkyOne: yes the 'polideportivo' in Manuel is still closed. As far as I am well informed this is an administrative problem. I will ask this afternoon if some solution is on sight. The information is OK on our web (http://vieiragrino.com/camino/camino/etapa2.asp)

Pilgr and KinkyOne: in the area where Matt is now, most of the orange trees have been substituted by caquis (persimmon), which, in this moment are leafless. To morrow, after Algemesi you will see more oranges; according to places and varieties, some trees still have fruits, other are collected..

About English, writing is not speaking. I have read much English in my professional life, but spoke very few, so pronunciation is still a big problem for me.

Buen camino
 
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What is the story on eating the oranges off the trees in the orchards?
Well, in my understanding it's stealing. If offered by farmer that's completely different story. Although I think farmer wouldn't really mind missing one orange per week according to info about pilgrims heading off from Valencia :)
But completely different story in vineyards on CF. That's really a disgrace. I've seen it in many CF videos on YT and it makes me sad as we are guests.
 
Recommendation no, just experience. I stayed at "albergue turístico El Palau" just near the 'Colegiata'. For other addresses look at the web or tourist office.

Don't worry about the very near bells of the colegiata, they stop ringing at 10 P.M. until 07 A.M., do not disturb sleeping.

To morrow is Saturday, last day of shops opening. After Xativa you will have to wade across the Canyoles rio, which in the last days had more water tan usual, so take in mind get some large plastic bags from the supermarket to cover your shoes (See photo).

Xativa is a city with long history (from paleolithic), worthy of a good visit. The way runs by the most typical street, but there are also the large castle, up the mountain, the churches, convents, first paper-mill of Spain, and it is the native city of popes Borgia (Calixte III, Alfonso de Borja, and Alexander VI, Rodrigo de Borja). More info at the Tourist Office or Wikipedia.

Ultreia.
 

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Down bag (90/10 duvet) of 700 fills with 180 g (6.34 ounces) of filling. Mummy-shaped structure, ideal when you are looking for lightness with great heating performance.

€149,-
Recommendation no, just experience. I stayed at "albergue turístico El Palau" just near the 'Colegiata'. For other addresses look at the web or tourist office.

Don't worry about the very near bells of the colegiata, they stop ringing at 10 P.M. until 07 A.M., do not disturb sleeping.

To morrow is Saturday, last day of shops opening. After Xativa you will have to wade across the Canyoles rio, which in the last days had more water tan usual, so take in mind get some large plastic bags from the supermarket to cover your shoes (See photo).

Xativa is a city with long history (from paleolithic), worthy of a good visit. The way runs by the most typical street, but there are also the large castle, up the mountain, the churches, convents, first paper-mill of Spain, and it is the native city of popes Borgia (Calixte III, Alfonso de Borja, and Alexander VI, Rodrigo de Borja). More info at the Tourist Office or Wikipedia.

Ultreia.

Thank you!!!
 
I am struggling to find the albergues on this camino. Whereas on the other big caminos there are signs advertising the respective albergues, I am having a difficult time discovering where to go to find these places on this camino. Should I call each town's police department? any simple suggestions?
 
Any recommendations where to stay in Xàtiva?

Thanks!
I would suggest Albergue El Cigroner. I was told it's much nicer than El Palau at almost similar price - 19€. The number of the hospitalero is: 634 514 277. Great guy, even offered me first two beers for free. The rooms are modern, there's an elevator, everything impecably clean etc. It's located on Calle San Domenech, the street to the right if you look in direction of El Palau.
 

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Down bag (90/10 duvet) of 700 fills with 180 g (6.34 ounces) of filling. Mummy-shaped structure, ideal when you are looking for lightness with great heating performance.

€149,-
I am struggling to find the albergues on this camino. Whereas on the other big caminos there are signs advertising the respective albergues, I am having a difficult time discovering where to go to find these places on this camino. Should I call each town's police department? any simple suggestions?
Send me a PM or post it here what's your next planned stop and I'll try to suggest something. Where there are albergues or better said acogida municipal/polideportivo usually you have to go to/call Policia Local for the keys. I still have all the telephone numbers for my stays in 2015.
 
Send me a PM or post it here what's your next planned stop and I'll try to suggest something. Where there are albergues or better said acogida municipal/polideportivo usually you have to go to/call Policia Local for the keys. I still have all the telephone numbers for my stays in 2015.

Thanks Kinky! I will let you know my next town.

How did you find the albergues? in Xàtiva for example? Is there an App, website? I am seriously stupid on this topic. In the past, I just relied on other peregrinos or advertisements. Maybe that is where the "guide" I refused to carry comes into play.
 
Thanks Kinky! I will let you know my next town.

How did you find the albergues? in Xàtiva for example? Is there an App, website? I am seriously stupid on this topic. In the past, I just relied on other peregrinos or advertisements. Maybe that is where the "guide" I refused to carry comes into play.
To navigate in the cities mostly I either ask or follow arrows (there are some albergues etc.right on the Camino) or check the map on my smart phone. Of course you do need an address or at least phone number and I collect them in planning stage at home. But I do have pretty good sense of orientation so no major problems.
Where are you at the moment? Already settled in?
 
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I am in Alzira, at the swanky Casa Brava. I am going to go bankrupt before the end of the week. I will track down your suggestion in Xà...!
 
I am in Alzira, at the swanky Casa Brava. I am going to go bankrupt before the end of the week. I will track down your suggestion in Xà...!
That would be approx.25kms. You have three options to stock up in Carcaixent, Pobla Llarga and Manuel and then another 2 hours to Xativa which is really nice little city as already mentioned. Try to find the location of albergue in Xativa already today and remember it so you won't have to stare at your smart phone in sunlight. Well, at least you won't have rain tomorrow as I can see :)
Actually it's quite easy to find El Cigroner. Let me explain. You will come to Xativa with sports arena to your right. Proceed to roundabout (few meters only) and take third street (there are six altogether that runs into roundabout) to the right. It's lined with trees. Walk on the lefthand side of this street approx.4 streets and you'll see Xativa Turismo (on the left corner) where you turn left slightly uphill. That street is Portal del Lleo which continues into Carrer Mossen Urios. Just go straight and after 100mts you'll come to Plaza Calixto III with Basilica to your left. At the upper right corner of the Plaza turn right and you're on the street where El Cigroner is situated (on the righthand side).
Believe me, it's really very easy. I even checked it on Google maps right now and that's it :)

But I would still call the hospitalero in advance because he's not there all the time. Maybe because of the weekend it could be different though. Don't know how fluent you are in Spanish but maybe ask someone in a bar or elsewhere to make that call for you.

Hope everything turns out well tomorrow!
 
Thanks Kinky. If it is 25k, i may cut it in half and stay in La Puebla (or train it fwd to Xà...). Play it by ear. Meanwhile, I found that list of albergues you stayed.
 
The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
Lots of Levante talk while I was offline! But Kinky's right, we can help with the accommodations if we know where you're headed the next day. Really hoping you will have the time and the stamina to go up to see the castle in Xátiva, pilgr. It is spectacular! Did you go up, Kinky?

I don't see any place to stay in Pobla Llarga, but Kinky comes up with places to stay in the most unusual places, so maybe he has something! Buen camino, Laurie

p.s. loving your pictures!
 
Did you go up, Kinky?
Unfortunatelly not, I was too tired and it also rained. But there is always another time ;)

I don't see any place to stay in Pobla Llarga, but Kinky comes up with places to stay in the most unusual places, so maybe he has something!
:D Well, now, you see... don't always believe what Laurie says, hahaha. Disused railway station in Manuel can hardly be a suitable "place to stay" for most westerners but at least it was robbers and rats free ;)

To get serious again, I don't have any info on accommodation in Pobla Llarga, nothing between Alzira and Xativa to my knowledge. But I wasn't searching for off-Camino Casas Rurales or such although I know they are.

If you're uncomfortable with 20-25kms stage (which isn't really hard!!!) and want to break it than I suggest training back or forth, Matt.
 
Down bag (90/10 duvet) of 700 fills with 180 g (6.34 ounces) of filling. Mummy-shaped structure, ideal when you are looking for lightness with great heating performance.

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Yes, that's the one :)
I slept beside the second post of the metal roof from the standpoint of the pic taken. It was the least dirty spot there :D

Did you get to Xativa today?

Yes, I made it there! Tomorrow is a rest day. If I want to keep it under 20k, where should I aim that might have an albergue?

Unfortunatly I reserved a place in X... before getting your wonderful suggestion to stay here. Now I am being more proactive!
 
Yes, I made it there! Tomorrow is a rest day. If I want to keep it under 20k, where should I aim that might have an albergue?

Unfortunatly I reserved a place in X... before getting your wonderful suggestion to stay here. Now I am being more proactive!
Enjoy Xativa and do go up to the castle. Usually Laurie has good suggestions! :)

Next albergue is after 7kms in Canals (and about 5 private B&Bs, Pensions etc.: https://www.tripadvisor.es/Hotels-g...nce_of_Valencia_Valencian_Country-Hotels.html) but I didn't stayed there so don't have updated info:
A (??pl, MUNI, 962 244 422 (Policia Local at c/del
Cronista Sivera Font))
(Ayto: Pl.de la Vila 9, 962-240-126)

12kms (accum.19kms) later in Vallada I have info for Casa Rural but now can't find anything on-line.

7kms later (accum.26kms) in Moixent is albergue. You have to pick up keys first at Policia Local which is on the corner of the house on the left by the river just before the bridge:
A (6/8pl, MUNI, »Cruz Roja«, Asamblea Comaracal de
Cruz Roja, Avda.Hijas de la Caridad (Ctra.Nacional),
616-948-485 (Policia Local, Pl.de la Hispanidad 3)
or ask in Ayto.( Pl.Mayor, 962-295-010), K) don€

After rest day in Xativa maybe you can make it to Moixent or divide the stage by having really short day to Canals. But if you go directly to Moixent you will have much shorter next day to La Font de la Figuera, 16kms.
 
A selection of Camino Jewellery
Enjoy Xativa and do go up to the castle. Usually Laurie has good suggestions! :)

Next albergue is after 7kms in Canals (and about 5 private B&Bs, Pensions etc.: https://www.tripadvisor.es/Hotels-g...nce_of_Valencia_Valencian_Country-Hotels.html) but I didn't stayed there so don't have updated info:
A (??pl, MUNI, 962 244 422 (Policia Local at c/del
Cronista Sivera Font))
(Ayto: Pl.de la Vila 9, 962-240-126)

12kms (accum.19kms) later in Vallada I have info for Casa Rural but now can't find anything on-line.

7kms later (accum.26kms) in Moixent is albergue. You have to pick up keys first at Policia Local which is on the corner of the house on the left by the river just before the bridge:
A (6/8pl, MUNI, »Cruz Roja«, Asamblea Comaracal de
Cruz Roja, Avda.Hijas de la Caridad (Ctra.Nacional),
616-948-485 (Policia Local, Pl.de la Hispanidad 3)
or ask in Ayto.( Pl.Mayor, 962-295-010), K) don€

After rest day in Xativa maybe you can make it to Moixent or divide the stage by having really short day to Canals. But if you go directly to Moixent you will have much shorter next day to La Font de la Figuera, 16kms.
Enjoy Xativa and do go up to the castle. Usually Laurie has good suggestions! :)

Next albergue is after 7kms in Canals (and about 5 private B&Bs, Pensions etc.: https://www.tripadvisor.es/Hotels-g...nce_of_Valencia_Valencian_Country-Hotels.html) but I didn't stayed there so don't have updated info:
A (??pl, MUNI, 962 244 422 (Policia Local at c/del
Cronista Sivera Font))
(Ayto: Pl.de la Vila 9, 962-240-126)

12kms (accum.19kms) later in Vallada I have info for Casa Rural but now can't find anything on-line.

7kms later (accum.26kms) in Moixent is albergue. You have to pick up keys first at Policia Local which is on the corner of the house on the left by the river just before the bridge:
A (6/8pl, MUNI, »Cruz Roja«, Asamblea Comaracal de
Cruz Roja, Avda.Hijas de la Caridad (Ctra.Nacional),
616-948-485 (Policia Local, Pl.de la Hispanidad 3)
or ask in Ayto.( Pl.Mayor, 962-295-010), K) don€

After rest day in Xativa maybe you can make it to Moixent or divide the stage by having really short day to Canals. But if you go directly to Moixent you will have much shorter next day to La Font de la Figuera, 16kms.


-----------------

The albergue in Moixent is no more the former Red Cross barracks on the road. There is new one just near the police station. I have not seen it, but the information from the Amigos is very good comparatively with this of the Red Cross.

For Laurie: we studied yesterday the matter of Pensión Paris' closing, and will contact with an other accommodation for same working. We shall inform when accorded.

Manuel accommodation: sorry to inform than that moves very slowly, there was a political change in the city and we have to establish new relations. as we say in Spain: las cosas de palacio van despacio!

Buen Camino

Jean-luc
 
So glad to hear you made it to Xativa, pilgr. Yes, I did really love the castle. One of the best ever, and must have taken some incredible feats of engineering.

I took the road up and a path down. It meanders through the woods and it brought me to the first "ice tower" I ever saw. It's an old stone tower with a totally open top, just a cylinder really. It´s deep in the woods and the townspeople used to bring snow from all over and fill it up so there would be some form of refrigeration during the rest of the year. Apparently the ice lasted for a long time. I think the name in Valenciano is "pou de glac." I saw another one in San Feliu de Pallerols on the Camino St. Jaume and felt very smart to be able to tell my friend what it was.

I really like coming across these old things unexpectedly, that's one of the real joys of the Camino. Hope you have a good day in Jativa.

And p.s., glad to hear there is now a new albergue in Moixent. My French buddies went to the Red Cross but I wimped out and went to the Casa Rural, because it was very very basic.
 
@jl

How do I access this new albergue in Moixente? police?

I thought about just taking the train back to Xàtiva and staying at Kinky's place La Pau Albergue...Tough choice?!

It is tough for me to guage Kinky's standards as he slept in an abandoned train depot in Manuel and in an old Red Cross emergency shelter in Moixente. He comes from hearty stock!
 
A selection of Camino Jewellery
@jl

How do I access this new albergue in Moixente? police?

I thought about just taking the train back to Xàtiva and staying at Kinky's place La Pau Albergue...Tough choice?!

It is tough for me to guage Kinky's standards as he slept in an abandoned train depot in Manuel and in an old Red Cross emergency shelter in Moixente. He comes from hearty stock!
In Moixent you just follow the Camino through the old town (you'll pass ayuntamiento on your left) on Plaza Mayor, continue straight and after the bridge veer right and Policia Local will be straight ahead at the end of that street. Or just ask :)

I wasn't in El Palau so know nothing about its condition. I was just told that El Cigroner is better choice and that was where I went. I explained direction in one of previous posts. You have another day to make your decision but I would just wing it and decide either in Canals (to stay overnight) or Vallada (to return to Xativa). Or even push it to Moixent...

Hearty stock? :D:D:D Well, that Red Cross shelter wasn't all that bad. Located above the bus station where mall was, with Guardia Civil barracks next to it (red brick building in second photo), WI-FI from the neighbour Red Cross office, microwave oven, huge fridge. I made improvized table with a board and four canisters and enjoyed the evening there with another Spanish pilgrim.
 

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Do the albergues have any heat in them? I am not set up for backcountry camping.
 
Do the albergues have any heat in them? I am not set up for backcountry camping.
Uh, that's a tough one. I wasn't really on alert for that because I wished I have had air cooling when walking :D But maybe sometimes there are electric heaters. Usually in communal area but I guess you can move it to dorm. But most of pilgrim albergues (not to mix with albergues turisticos) or rather polideportivos on Levante are more or less just one or two rooms plus bathroom/toilet.
It would be easier for me to went through my notes and photos as you progress and let you know what I remember. Generalizing either way would give you distorted picture.
Anyway, El Cigroner in Xativa is albergue turistico, hence higher price and better equipped but I really can't remember whether there are heaters or not. Maybe in bathroom?
If albergue in Moixent is brand new I'd guess there is some kind of heating.
On photos from La Font de la Figuera I can't see any heater but kitchen and bathroom were renovated and there might be one in later. Or maybe they put in those electric heater in winter???
In Almansa pilgrims can sleep in a convent where are single rooms for homeless mothers and there are heaters.

More later on along the way ;)
 
Ideal sleeping bag liner whether we want to add a thermal plus to our bag, or if we want to use it alone to sleep in shelters or hostels. Thanks to its mummy shape, it adapts perfectly to our body.

€46,-
So glad to hear you made it to Xativa, pilgr. Yes, I did really love the castle. One of the best ever, and must have taken some incredible feats of engineering.

I took the road up and a path down. It meanders through the woods and it brought me to the first "ice tower" I ever saw. It's an old stone tower with a totally open top, just a cylinder really. It´s deep in the woods and the townspeople used to bring snow from all over and fill it up so there would be some form refrigeration during the rest of the year. Apparently the ice lasted for a long time. I think the name in Valenciano is "pou de glac." I saw another one in San Feliu de Pallerols on the Camino St. Jaume and felt very smart to be able to tell my friend what it was.

I really like coming across these old things unexpectedly, that's one of the real joys of the Camino. Hope you have a good day in Jativa.

And p.s., glad to hear there is now a new albergue in Moixent. My French buddies went to the Red Cross but I wimped out and went to the Casa Rural, because it was very very basic.

Thanks for all the info. Will check out the castle!
 
Very light, comfortable and compressible poncho. Specially designed for protection against water for any activity.

Our Atmospheric H30 poncho offers lightness and waterproofness. Easily compressible and made with our Waterproof fabric, its heat-sealed interior seams guarantee its waterproofness. Includes carrying bag.

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Like Kinky, I walked in May and had no need for heat. I remember the tiny little box-like albergue in Font de la Figuera (day after Moixent) had two beds and one window. I gave up when my French pilgrim budies kept closing the window, but it was hot and stuffy in there. Hope the temps are manageable for you, pilgr. And I do remember a very good meal in Font de la Figuera in the local hangout in the square. Lots of friendly people interested in what we were doing!

And I am know the asphalt ends soon, so I hope your shins have held out!
 
Like Kinky, I walked in May and had no need for heat. I remember the tiny little box-like albergue in Font de la Figuera (day after Moixent) had two beds and one window. I gave up when my French pilgrim budies kept closing the window, but it was hot and stuffy in there. Hope the temps are manageable for you, pilgr. And I do remember a very good meal in Font de la Figuera in the local hangout in the square. Lots of friendly people interested in what we were doing!

And I am know the asphalt ends soon, so I hope your shins have held out!
Laurie, was this the one you stayed in? I don't believe it's the same. This one has kitchen and bathroom obviously completely renovated. Bedroom photo is of my bedroom but there's another one a bit better/nicer equipped. I was completely satisfied with mine ;)
 

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Hi folks, this thread has re-ignited my desire to walk this path for sure! We've just driven home from a holiday and to pass some of the time I read @peregrina2000 's Levante guide to my husband. We're both now really committed to walking the Levante :rolleyes:
 
Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.
Laurie, was this the one you stayed in? I don't believe it's the same. This one has kitchen and bathroom obviously completely renovated. Bedroom photo is of my bedroom but there's another one a bit better/nicer equipped. I was completely satisfied with mine ;)

I don't have enough pictures to keep my memory strong! But I am sure that the pictures you show are not the place I stayed. I stayed in a little concrete house next to the polideportivo and with a large green space outside. Right at the exit from town. We ate our dinner outside at a picnic table, in part because there was no kitchen/sitting room. Definitely didn't have that kitchen/sitting area you show. So... long way of saying that it looks like there are a LOT of new albergues on the Camino de Levante.

Kinky... remind me what year you were there. I walked in 2013, you didn't come much later as I remember, that means there was a lot of albergue action in a short time. Would love to hear from pilgr about the one in Moixent!
 
Hi folks, this thread has re-ignited my desire to walk this path for sure! We've just driven home from a holiday and to pass some of the time I read @peregrina2000 's Levante guide to my husband. We're both now really committed to walking the Levante :rolleyes:
It's beautiful Camino for me. First day some not so beautiful suburbs, then three days of orange and caqui groves almost all on tarmac but after climb out of coastal flats (that's generally after Xativa) the landscape changes and the way is more or less fine gravel or dirt AG paths. Lots of cereals, garlic around Las Pedroneras (you can smell it walking by the fields), olive groves later on, some beautiful architecture and castles (Xativa, Almansa, Chinchilla Monte Aragon, Toledo, Avila, Toro, Zamora), windmills and Don Xiquote monuments around Mota del Cuervo and El Toboso, some very nice albergues (Xativa - El Cigroner, Hoya Gonzalo, La Roda - in bull ring!!!, Avila, Gotarrendura, Zamora) and some in polideportivos/swimming pool changing rooms/classrooms etc. But can get really hellish hot and not much shade in general, just few trees here and there. Although locals are very welcoming it's better to speak some basic Spanish. Signage is more or less adequate with some tricky spots, mostly where Levante and Sureste goes different ways.
Anyway it's a Camino not to be missed especially if you like wide panoramic views over the cereal fields. Good combination with Sanabres.
 
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I stayed in a little concrete house next to the polideportivo and with a large green space outside. Right at the exit from town.
This one is also at the end of town and very close to polideportivo. In first photo you can see the road that goes straight on, that's Camino. But if you turn right before albergue (street sign for Valencia) you're at polideportivo in maybe 30 meters. So polideportivo is to the right after old lavadera and before albergue.

So... long way of saying that it looks like there are a LOT of new albergues on the Camino de Levante.
Maybe not a lot but definitely possible to walk even 20km stages most of the way if you don't chicken out on some of them :D

Kinky... remind me what year you were there. I walked in 2013, you didn't come much later as I remember, that means there was a lot of albergue action in a short time. Would love to hear from pilgr about the one in Moixent!
2015 was the year. You won't hear about Moixent new albergue until tomorrow or a day after tomorrow ;)

@pilgr please make some photos of that new albergue in Moixent.
 
Down bag (90/10 duvet) of 700 fills with 180 g (6.34 ounces) of filling. Mummy-shaped structure, ideal when you are looking for lightness with great heating performance.

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Maybe I should finally get myself together and write daily journal because obviously my memory still serves me. And I have a lot of photos and GPS tracks.
But..., so many everyday stuff to solve.
 
Sounds like a plan! I will try to locate both. To do that, seems like I need to go to the police station first.

I didn't have much of a rest today after visiting the castle. It is a steep climb to the top. Then the trail goes down the backside of the mountain. The views were amazing from on top. But to be honest, I am not sure where the castle part was. It is more like a massive wall up there, that use to reach down around to part of the town.
 
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Sounds like a plan! I will try to locate both. To do that, seems like I need to go to the police station first.
No need to locate the old one :D
And new one is possibly in the same building as Policia Local. So yes, first find the Police. I've sent you directions in one of previous posts.
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
This one is also at the end of town and very close to polideportivo. In first photo you can see the road that goes straight on, that's Camino. But if you turn right before albergue (street sign for Valencia) you're at polideportivo in maybe 30 meters. So polideportivo is to the right after old lavadera and before albergue.

So that comment jarred my memory. What I remember about Font de la Figuera is that our little albergue was after the old lavadero (am I remembering right that this was possibly the longest lavadero we have ever seen on a Camino?) but BEFORE the polideportivo. Do you remember seeing any sort of little boxlike structure in the grounds before you came to the polideportivo? It seems strange to me that there would be two little box like structures so close to each other so maybe I am remembering something wrong.

They say that "memory games" are good for aging brains, so thanks, Kinky for giving me lots of exercise. ;)

Thanks, pilgr, for giving us lots to chew on!
 
So that comment jarred my memory. What I remember about Font de la Figuera is that our little albergue was after the old lavadero (am I remembering right that this was possibly the longest lavadero we have ever seen on a Camino?) but BEFORE the polideportivo. Do you remember seeing any sort of little boxlike structure in the grounds before you came to the polideportivo? It seems strange to me that there would be two little box like structures so close to each other so maybe I am remembering something wrong.

They say that "memory games" are good for aging brains, so thanks, Kinky for giving me lots of exercise. ;)

Thanks, pilgr, for giving us lots to chew on!
The lavadero in attachement.
I did some zig-zaging around polideportivo because albergue had no sign and you can't know that's the yellow house but I can't remember anything that would be boxlike. Anyway it could only be on the righthand side before polideportivo or at the back because on the left is long house which is huge bodega.
 

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The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
The lavadera in attachement.
I did some zig-zaging around polideportivo because albergue had no sign and you can't know that's the yellow house but I can't remember anything that would be boxlike. Anyway it could only be on the righthand side before polideportivo or at the back because on the left is long house which is huge bodega.

So maybe they knocked it down when they opened the new one in 2014.
And I remember that bodega, I think it was closed when we were there, but it looked like it had some stuff open to the public.
 
So maybe they knocked it down when they opened the new one in 2014.
And I remember that bodega, I think it was closed when we were there, but it looked like it had some stuff open to the public.
I looked at La Bodega Casa Rural near Moix...That place is NICE!
 
I looked at La Bodega Casa Rural near Moix...That place is NICE!
Hahaha, Matt, me and Laurie are talking about location of "new" (2014) albergue in La Font de la Figuera which is close to la bodega which is wine cellar (also wine selling shop) in Spanish.

If I found the right La Bodega price per person for tomorrow is down to 45€ and it sure looks very nice. But will you use outdoor swimming pool? ;) I don't know if it is on Camino, anyway it is past Moixent so I don't know how would that fit in your stages? What's your plan for tomorrow?
 
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
Hahaha, Matt, me and Laurie are talking about location of "new" (2014) albergue in La Font de la Figuera which is close to la bodega which is wine cellar (also wine selling shop) in Spanish.

If I found the right La Bodega price per person for tomorrow is down to 45€ and it sure looks very nice. But will you use outdoor swimming pool? ;) I don't know if it is on Camino, anyway it is past Moixent so I don't know how would that fit in your stages? What's your plan for tomorrow?

Isn't that where Laurie stayed, La Bodega? I can see why. Wine, nice dining and accomodations. You wouldn't like it Kinky. It wouldn't feel natural like sleeping in an abandoned train depot ;-)

As to Monday, it is all up in the air. I think I got over loaded with possible scenarios. So I took your advice to play it by ear.

By the way, where are all the €20 pensions? I saw a lot of that on the LaPlata route. But prices are rich on this route. I did find Pension Alicante in Valencia for €25
 
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Hi, pilgr,
My notes show a lot of 20-25 euro pensions. But the next five nights you have albergues! Moixent, Font de la Figuera (both of these NEW!!), Almansa, Alpera (if you take the detour, which I would recommend -- Alpera is actually on the Sureste), Higueruela (I stayed in a 20 euro pension there but my French buddies stayed in the albergue).

Then came Chinchilla with a 20 euro truckstop! So your wallet will be appreciative of the cheap lodging in your future.

Not much to do in Moixent tomorrow, but you can see the fountain with the large replica of the very famous "Warrior of Moixent," a tiny figurine from the 4th century BC. It's in the Prehistory Museum in Valencia, so it's unlikely that you'll see the original now, but I thought I'd write about it here in case others might want to go see it before starting out. It is pretty amazing: https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wik...Moixent,_Museu_de_Prehistòria_de_València.JPG

There is also, as I remember, a falling down castle tower behind the center that is left open. I walked up just out of habit, but I wouldn't say it was spectacular. Hope you are having some good meals.

Great pics of the castle in Xátiva! Buen camino, Laurie
 
Hi, pilgr,
My notes show a lot of 20-25 euro pensions. But the next five nights you have albergues! Moixent, Font de la Figuera (both of these NEW!!), Almansa, Alpera (if you take the detour, which I would recommend -- Alpera is actually on the Sureste), Higueruela (I stayed in a 20 euro pension there but my French buddies stayed in the albergue).

Then came Chinchilla with a 20 euro truckstop! So your wallet will be appreciative of the cheap lodging in your future.
Agree with Laurie. I would just add one more between Higueruela and Chinchilla de Monte Aragon that's in Hoya Gonzalo. I really recommend it. But Matt already has my list of albergues so he can see them all.

And Laurie, ahm, Alpera is actually on La Lana ;) At this point Sureste runs south of them both and connects with Levante in Chinchilla.
 
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
And Laurie, ahm, Alpera is actually on La Lana ;)

Thanks for keeping me honest.:p Did you stay there? If you did you may have noticed by looking in the sign-in book that my two French pals and I were the very first people to ever stay in the albergue. :D

Very nice place, I thought. The woman in the cultural office took us up in her jeep out of town to see what used to be spectacular cave drawings, but which have been ruined by about 100 years of people touching them. But all in all a very nice stop!
 
Thanks for keeping me honest.:p Did you stay there? If you did you may have noticed by looking in the sign-in book that my two French pals and I were the very first people to ever stay in the albergue. :D

Very nice place, I thought. The woman in the cultural office took us up in her jeep out of town to see what used to be spectacular cave drawings, but which have been ruined by about 100 years of people touching them. But all in all a very nice stop!
Ah, the cave drawings trip was in Hoya Gonzalo??? I remember that from your blog but thought that was in Alpera because I saw a thick book about cave drawings in whole of Spain there in the kitchen downstairs.
I liked that albergue very much. Enjoyed cold beer on almost desolated Plaza watching R4 parked there, lingering by the swimming pool across the street in the afternoon and in the evening soaking up the solitude and sunset on the terrace above... If I'll ever walk Levante again that's a must stop for me, with taking a dip in the pool (I forgot my swim suit...) of course.

Seems like we're hijacking the thread from Matt but it's so nice to remember certain things from that beautiful Camino.

PS (Some photos attached I guess you'll recognize. At the end of this thread I will have so many downsized photos that posting my journal is inevitable :D)
 

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Hi Matt, you will be son in Almansa.
Remenber we told you that a few days ago the last kilometers before Almansa were flooded, so you will very probably have to go in Almansa by the road. Thanks to inform how this is now.
 
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Hi Matt, you will be son in Almansa.
Remenber we told you that a few days ago the last kilometers before Almansa were flooded, so you will very probably have to go in Almansa by the road. Thanks to inform how this is now.
How mant km before Almansa should I get on the autopista?
 
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Going to Almansa, after crossing the railways and highways, you may see some monuments in the field, and if you look at the map names as 'column lane, hill of the prisoners' etc...
This is because you are in the battlefield of Almansa, where in 1707, April 25th, the franco-spanish troops, headed by James Fitz-James, duke of Berwick, and the portugo-austro-british troops of Henrie Massue de Rovigny, count of Galway and Antonio Luis de Sousa, marques das Minas, fought during the war of succession of Spain. It was not the last battle, but an important one. You can visit the dedicated museum on left side of the stairs which leave to the castle.
 
Ah, the cave drawings trip was in Hoya Gonzalo??? I remember that from your blog but thought that was in Alpera because I saw a thick book about cave drawings in whole of Spain there in the kitchen downstairs.
I liked that albergue very much. Enjoyed cold beer on almost desolated Plaza watching R4 parked there, lingering by the swimming pool across the street in the afternoon and in the evening soaking up the solitude and sunset on the terrace above... If I'll ever walk Levante again that's a must stop for me, with taking a dip in the pool (I forgot my swim suit...) of course.

Seems like we're hijacking the thread from Matt but it's so nice to remember certain things from that beautiful Camino.

PS (Some photos attached I guess you'll recognize. At the end of this thread I will have so many downsized photos that posting my journal is inevitable :D)

First of all, @pilgr, I am sorry to be adding all this extra trivia while you are trying to find your way from one place to another. But, I was talking about cave drawings Alpera, Kinky, I never went to Hoya Gonzalo. So I was remembering the Alpera albergue fondly.

It looks like pilgr has a few challenges ahead with flooding. But that is still a few days from now. And very lucky to have all the help from JLWV!

@pilgr, are you safely ensconced in the new albergue in Moixent today?
 
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First of all, @pilgr, I am sorry to be adding all this extra trivia while you are trying to find your way from one place to another. But, I was talking about cave drawings Alpera, Kinky, I never went to Hoya Gonzalo. So I was remembering the Alpera albergue fondly.

It looks like pilgr has a few challenges ahead with flooding. But that is still a few days from now. And very lucky to have all the help from JLWV!

@pilgr, are you safely ensconced in the new albergue in Moixent today?

Well, funny you should ask. I did as suggested by Kinky eg going to the police office. The police officer showed me around the corner to the albergue. It is free. Picture below. It didn't look very new. So I went down stairs to ask him if there was an albergue in town 'newer.' He looked at me like maybe what he showed me wasn't good enough for the American. He said that there were two, but the other one cost money. And the other albergue was not 'new.' However, there wasa new hotel in town.

Do you want me to scout the other albergue?
 

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Hi, pilgr, I hope you enjoy Moixent! No need to spend your time looking for other places on our account. It was interesting to hear that there is a new albergue, and it turns out that it is not a pilgrim albergue, but it is an albergue. http://www.naturjove.es/images/infopdf/alcusses_equipamiento.pdf
Not sure how far it is from town.

The albergue where you are staying is not the room in the Red Cross, where people used to stay. So it is also a "new" albergue, at least for those of us who walked in 2013! I figured that out by looking at the address of the municipal albergue, Calle Santa Reliquia, 1. And it's right next door to the police station, as you said in your post. Plaza de la Hispanidad, 3

The Red Cross where people used to stay was up the hill by the railroad station, which is not where you are at all. Mystery solved.

Glad you are there, I had a pretty good meal in town, if I remember correctly! How are those shin splints? Buen camino, Laurie
 
Laurie explained it well about new and old albergue. Nothing more to say.

I just have to make a comment if that room IS albergue and only that room then it went from "not so good" to "very bad". Is there a fridge, showers, anything like a kitchenette?
Maybe a new one has better location but I was completely satisfied with panoramic vista over Moixent in the evening. And supermercado not far away at the bus station. Ah, well...

True again, Laurie, there is another albergue. About 500mts after leaving Moixent on tarmac road there's the sign for it. See attached photo. That makes the distance from Moixent AND off the Camino approx.8kms. Not sure why would anyone walking Camino go there. It's obvious that it's some kind of archaeological compound where The Warrior statuette was found. And it's in Valencia ;)
 

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Laurie explained it well about new and old albergue. Nothing more to say.

I just have to make a comment if that room IS albergue and only that room then it went from "not so good" to "very bad". Is there a fridge, showers, anything like a kitchenette?
Maybe a new one has better location but I was completely satisfied with panoramic vista over Moixent in the evening. And supermercado not far away at the bus station. Ah, well...

True again, Laurie, there is another albergue. About 500mts after leaving Moixent on tarmac road there's the sign for it. See attached photo. That makes the distance from Moixent AND off the Camino approx.8kms. Not sure why would anyone walking Camino go there. It's obvious that it's some kind of archaeological compound where The Warrior statuette was found. And it's in Valencia ;)

Yeah Kinky, my sentiments exactly. I just asked the police guy if there might be a blanket as there is no heater. He tooked me back up to the room and showed me the sheets "this is for the peregrino" like maybe I might be blind. And I said "I guess I just throw all of this on top of me and I should be good." Just a bunch of sheets. He called it "thin" blankets. To be honest, the police guy was nice. He just had better things to do. I may have to pull out that kevlar blanket tonite.
 

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Yeah Kinky, my sentiments exactly. I just asked the police guy if there might be a blanket as there is no heater. He tooked me back up to the room and showed me the sheets "this is for the peregrino" like maybe I might be blind. And I said "I guess I just throw all of this on top of me and I should be good." Just a bunch of sheets. He called it "thin" blankets. To be honest, the police guy was nice. He just had better things to do. I may have to pull out that kevlar blanket tonite.
So you decided to stay in albergue?
Is there anything else apart from two bunk beds I can see from your photo?
 
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So you decided to stay in albergue?
Is there anything else apart from two bunk beds I can see from your photo?

No, four beds in the room. No kidding, they were probably pulled out of a now defunct army barracks. I say that because everything is overly worn out. There is a bathroom with shower, that is shared with some city function happening as i write. Lot of activity as I think this the city building.
 

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No, four beds in the room. No kidding, they were probably pulled out of a now defunct prison. I say that because everything is way overly used. There is a bathroom with shower, that is shared with some city function happening as i write. Lot of activity as I think this the city building.
I hope that this "new" albergue is just provisional for the time the old one is being renovated. I'm afraid not, otherwise they would move beds and chairs to new one but they are not the same.
But OK, I've spent nights in worse places :rolleyes:

Long day tomorrow to Almansa. Nice walk in the beginning but the last part after railway and highway mentioned by @JLWV can be absolutely skipped, nothing worth see there, just a mix of AG&industrial suburb. I remember awful smell of trash on that stretch and because of the heat the smell was even worse.

PS (Let me know if you need directions to monastery albergue in Almansa.)
 
I hope that this "new" albergue is just provisional for the time the old one is being renovated. I'm afraid not, otherwise they would move beds and chairs to new one but they are not the same.
But OK, I've spent nights in worse places :rolleyes:

Long day tomorrow to Almansa. Nice walk in the beginning but the last part after railway and highway mentioned by @JLWV can be absolutely skipped, nothing worth see there, just a mix of AG&industrial suburb. I remember awful smell of trash on that stretch and because of the heat the smell was even worse.

PS (Let me know if you need directions to monastery albergue in Almansa.)
How many km to Almansa from Moix..? How does one skip the industrial section, take a bus? I am thinking of staying in La Font. Hopefully the albergue has blankets.
 
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How many km to Almansa from Moix..? How does one skip the industrial section, take a bus? I am thinking of staying in La Font. Hopefully the albergue has blankets.
I appologise, tomorrow to La Font de la Figuera :rolleyes:
16kms approx. but not more than 20kms. Nice walk. The first day when you'll get vague picture of how Levante will look further on with its cereal fields etc.
Easy to find Plaza Mayor in La Font. On the left side is supermercado and on the upper side there's a bar and left to it is Policia Local. If the Police car isn't parked there buy yourself a beer in a bar and wait. Half an hour and he'll be there. You'll also get the map of the village to find albergue and find your way the next day. No need to bring keys back to Police station.

Warning: albergue has very nice kitchen but without pots and pans (in 2015!). Anyway it's not far to go back to supermercado if the situation is different now.
 
I appologise, tomorrow to La Font de la Figuera :rolleyes:
16kms approx. but not more than 20kms. Nice walk. The first day when you'll get vague picture of how Levante will look further on with its cereal fields etc.
Easy to find Plaza Mayor in La Font. On the left side is supermercado and on the upper side there's a bar and left to it is Policia Local. If the Police car isn't parked there buy yourself a beer in a bar and wait. Half an hour and he'll be there. You'll also get the map of the village to find albergue and find your way the next day. No need to bring keys back to Police station.

Warning: albergue has very nice kitchen but without pots and pans (in 2015!). Anyway it's not far to go back to supermercado if the situation is different now.
Your notes about albergue Font is no bedding. I assume that still is true or were u all talking about a new albergue there?
 
Your notes about albergue Font is no bedding. I assume that still is true or were u all talking about a new albergue there?
For photos of albergue in La Font de la Figuera see my post No.59 in this thread. There are 12 places and in 2015 were just 5 mattresses. I guess that's enough for one tired body ;) But no blankets, sheets etc., you need a sleeping bag and I assume you have one walking in winter...

No "new" albergue there to my knowledge.
 
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For photos of albergue in La Font de la Figuera see my post No.59 in this thread. There are 12 places and in 2015 were just 5 mattresses. I guess that's enough for one tired body ;) But no blankets, sheets etc., you need a sleeping bag and I assume you have one walking in winter...

No "new" albergue there to my knowledge.

I am doing this camino sans sleeping bag. So as per today's disappointment, I require a blanket wherever I go.
 
I am doing this camino sans sleeping bag. So as per today's disappointment, I require a blanket wherever I go.
@KinkyOne
After La Font tomorrow, is it 29k to Almansa?

As to your idea of cutting out everything after having to walk on the carreterra because of flooding and industrial section, would you suggest getting on a bus or hitchiking?
 
I am doing this camino sans sleeping bag. So as per today's disappointment, I require a blanket wherever I go.
That'll be a tough one on Levante unless you're prepared to pay for private lodging. But I do remember few albergues with blankets. First one in Almansa, the nuns will surely give you one if needed.

In general using blankets in albergues is a great risk for bedbugs because you don't know how often they are washed and treated with permethrin. I would never ever think of going on Camino (any Camino, any time of the year) without my sleeping bag. But it's lightweight, only 250g. I can even lay it on the floor when waiting at the airport for an early flight.

I suggest you buy one as soon as possible.

@KinkyOne
After La Font tomorrow, is it 29k to Almansa?

As to your idea of cutting out everything after having to walk on the carreterra because of flooding and industrial section, would you suggest getting on a bus or hitchiking?
Officially it's 26kms from La Font to Almansa.
I think it would be easier to hitchhike the last few kilometers. @JLWV mentioned the flooding after crossing the highway and railroad and I think that's the spot where the flatland before Almansa begins. At this point you can see Almansa over the fields and obviously irrigation canals didn't do their work. Just wing it, Matt, you'll see the flood and all you have to do is to reach the tarmac road.
 
St James' Way - Self-guided 4-7 day Walking Packages, Reading to Southampton, 110 kms
@KinkyOne
I have a Kevlar sleeping bag at 170g. You have a real sleeping bag that weighs 250g? Is it down?
OK, then you are good to sleep in albergues.
No, my sleeping bag is a cheap 4,99€ Chinese something plastic :D
I'm using it for my last four Caminos. And my collapsible walking poles are even longer with me, I think 11 years. Thousands of kilometers and a lot of mountaineering for only 9,99€. As a former alpinist I know something about gear and I don't go for them advertising tricks ;)
Not talking about serious mountains, or winter, above 3-4000mts etc. though!
 
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How mant km before Almansa should I get on the autopista?
Once you get to Almansa you will find another great castle. When I stayed with the nuns in 2014 they preferred pilgrims to use the back door on C Miguel de Cervantes. The back door is opposite the excellent Hogar del Productor restaurant, a bustling friendly place with gazpacho manchego starter and I had a delicious fish and cockle main course, vaguely like a simple zarzuela. Very good value when I was there.
 

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Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.
Once you get to Almansa you will find another great castle. When I stayed with the nuns in 2014 they preferred pilgrims to use the back door on C Miguel de Cervantes. The back door is opposite the excellent Hogar del Productor restaurant, a bustling friendly place with gazpacho manchego starter and I had a delicious fish and cockle main course, vaguely like a simple zarzuela. Very good value when I was there.


Another Levante veteran accounted for! Good to see you back, Alan. I agree that Almansa's castle is nice. I think this has to be the camino with the most castles I have ever seen on a Camino.

It's been a while since we've had such regular reports from the Levante, @pilgr, so please excuse all our reminiscing!

Hope you find a way to stay warm. I also always carry a sleeping bag, but I am what the Spaniards would call a "friolera." There's no good translation but it means someone who is always cold. Hope you aren't like that or you could be chilly!
 

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