Just "finished" Camino de Madrid

[frbobs]

I walked for most of August (2019). I had the time to just walk, and see what happens. I had long days, short days, hot days, not as hot days. I encountered 9 pilgrims on foot and 5 pilgrims on bikes (there were probably more bike pilgrims, but they just wiz by). I found it physically difficult, extremely isolated and solitary, and I think, one of the best experiences of my life. I'm still processing the memories and feelings (only been back 3 days), but I already know it has left an indelible mark on me. I hope to be open to the fruits of this Camino as they continue to unfold and be revealed.
I started at the church of Santiago in Madrid and "ended" in Sahagun. I stayed longer than one night in a few places ( I would HIGHLY recommend staying in Segovia a bit, what an awesome city; given very cheap airfare - I would consider flying to Madrid just to go there). There is some walking through suburbia and larger towns, a mountain range, days of pine forests, all giving way to just dirt and grayish white gravel. Seemingly endless paths of just nothing. Little towns, not a lot of services or provisions. When I accepted the conditions of what I placed myself into, small but wonderful, serendipitous, Camino-magic type things would happen. Pretty sure that's part of what I'm supposed to integrate into my life.
I would recommend this route, especially if you speak Spanish fluently (which, I don't). And, if able, go slow. Peace, Bob

 

[Anniesantiago]

It's one of my favorite shorter routes so far, along with the Aragones.
I'm so happy you enjoyed it!
I agree with your comments about Segovia, which is why we've decided to walk it toward Madrid in April.
You should walk it once more in springtime!
Incredibly beautiful!

 

[Chris Howard]

@frbobs - I thoroughly enjoyed the Camino Madrid this June and am still processing my memories too! My wife and I spent an extra day in Cercedilla and Segovia which worked out perfectly. We also stayed exclusively in the municipal albergues between Segovia and Sahagún (with the exception of the donativo convent of Santa Clara in Medina de Rioseca) and many of them were fascinating. My favorite was the municipal in the "castle" in Grajal de Campos.

We only saw 4 other walkers, and a handful of bicyclists which made this a camino of solitude. This also worked out perfectly as life had been a bit hectic for the 2.5 months pre-camino! As the weather was quite hot on June 28th when we arrived in Sahagún, we hopped on the train up to Oviedo and completed a walk on the camino Primitivo where the weather was beautiful for walking. Life is good! Here was our itinerary:

	Madrid (676 to Santiago)	Kilometers
1	Tres Cantos (653)	23.0
2	Manzanares de Real (626)	27.0
3	Cercedilla (607)	19.0
	Cercedilla	-
4	Segovia (576)	31.0
	Segovia	-
5	Santa Maria La Real De Nieva	32.0
6	Coca (522)	22.0
7	Alcazarén (497)	25.0
8	Puente Duero (472)	25.0
9	Peñafor de Hornija (446)	26.0
10	Medina de Rioseco (422)	24.0
11	Villalón de Campos (395)	27.0
12	Grajal de Campos (364)	31.0
13	Sahagún (355)	6.5

 

[timr]

@Chris Howard Thanks for that. I am interested to know who is running the albergue in Medina del Rioseco now. I stayed in November 2017 a few days before the Poor Clares moved out after over 500 years. A special place. I believe a group of religious from Brazil came after that, but I thought I had read that they had not stayed.

 

[Chris Howard]

@Chris Howard Thanks for that. I am interested to know who is running the albergue in Medina del Rioseco now. I stayed in November 2017 a few days before the Poor Clares moved out after over 500 years. A special place. I believe a group of religious from Brazil came after that, but I thought I had read that they had not stayed.

@timr yes, you are right! The Brazillian group La Misión Eucarística Voz de los Pobres arrived in December 2017 and are still running the albergue. Very small group I believe, trying to establish monastic life in the convent.

 

[camino07]

Chris,great info,thanks. Did you stay with Ray y Rosa in Manzanares or the new Albergue la Pedriza ?
I know you have to wait around to be picked by the former.

 

[KinkyOne]

Chris,great info,thanks. Did you stay with Ray y Rosa in Manzanares or the new Albergue la Pedriza ?
I know you have to wait around to be picked by the former.

La Pedriza? They have an albergue now? I thought they are CR...

 

[camino07]

Looks good. Its even on Booking.com. Have a look.

 

[Chris Howard]

Chris,great info,thanks. Did you stay with Ray y Rosa in Manzanares or the new Albergue la Pedriza ?
I know you have to wait around to be picked by the former.

@camino07 Yes, we stayed with Ray y Rosa. Ray picked us up after we resupplied at the town grocery store, and we were the only ones at their albergue that evening.

After washing up they invited us to join them for dinner and we got some good tips and enjoyed our camino discussions. They have done almost 30 caminos I believe. I had been using Ray’s GPS tracks (he has tracked all major and some minor caminos, and has them on his website rayyrosa.com) so it was nice to meet him.

The next morning we walked down to the lake and then into town to reconnect with the camino (maybe 20-25 mins). Their albergue was well outfitted, very clean, and nicely laid out. They did want the backpacks to remain on the porch at their house - an effort to keep the albergue clean and reduce bedbug risk? We just brought our stuff sacks in with what we needed, and it was fine.

 

[camino07]

Thanks Chris, I usually like to be in the town to have a look around.