Side trips or detours

[Davisinlp]

I will start my walk on May 13th, which of the alternate routes on the camino Frances are the ones that should not be missed?

 

[Anemone del Camino]

None, unless you see posts for them as you walk, then all. They will only be a few 100s meters away. Anything further is gping to be quite a burden on your feetees.

 

[C clearly]

One that you do want to miss is the one out of Leon that goes through Villadangos del Paramo. Instead you should take the one through Villar de Mazarife even if it is slightly longer

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Vilar de Donas at Portos going into Palas de Rei is a fascinating site.

 

[Tincatinker]

Beware Brierley's recommended route out of Villafranca del Bierzo. That is one heck of a climb. The road route is no-where near as trafficked as the good man implies.

 

[petitewalker]

Beware Brierley's recommended route out of Villafranca del Bierzo. That is one heck of a climb. The road route is no-where near as trafficked as the good man implies.

I agree, we saw almost no cars along the road route.

 

[TaijiPilgrim]

Samos and Vilar de Donas.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Heading into Burgos, shortly after crossing the AP-1, Brierley presents an option. We took the paved route going past the airport (Brieley's grey route) and stayed at the Hotel Buenos Aires in Villafria and used the bus that stops right there to visit the city for an afternoon and the next day. In the long run this kept us off lots more pavement and uninteresting walks. When we continued our camino we walked back from the hotel for about 45 minutes to the optional spot of the day before and then took the Brieley yellow route to Castanares and from there took Brierley's green route across the Rio Arianzon. We then followed the river along its south bank past Burgos until it met up with the camino again at Puente Malatos. We then stayed at Hotel Puerta Romeros just beyond. It is at the spot where in the movie "The Way" the kid hands Martin Sheen his pack.

From Leon to La Virgen was unenjoyable but I really liked the walk from there to Vilar de Mazarife (Brierley's green route.)

Peg and I are backpackers and enjoyed the hill route (Brierley's green route) out of Villafranca del Bierzo despite the added work of the ascent and descent. The weather was good though with no wind or heat either. It had nice views and part of it goes through chestnut groves. This is the hill route (Ruta Pradela) to the north of the marked camino, not the one to the south (Brierley's purple route.) Carry extra water.

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

O

I will start my walk on May 13th, which of the alternate routes on the camino Frances are the ones that should not be missed?

Hi, when I was you go to Samos. When you are there take a tour in the Monastery.
Wish you well and a Buen Camino, Peter.

 

[ELHS220]

Beware Brierley's recommended route out of Villafranca del Bierzo. That is one heck of a climb. The road route is no-where near as trafficked as the good man implies.

I took that high road and rate it a "bummer." Other than a nice view of Villafranca at the very beginning, it was very desolate with little to see. I didn't come face to face with anyone else. I also ran out of water. There is NOTHING!

 

[ERICAST]

Heading into Burgos, shortly after crossing the AP-1, Brierley presents an option. We took the paved route going past the airport (Brieley's grey route) and stayed at the Hotel Buenos Aires in Villafria and used the bus that stops right there to visit the city for an afternoon and the next day. In the long run this kept us off lots more pavement and uninteresting walks. When we continued our camino we walked back from the hotel for about 45 minutes to the optional spot of the day before and then took the Brieley yellow route to Castanares and from there took Brierley's green route across the Rio Arianzon. We then followed the river along its south bank past Burgos until it met up with the camino again at Puente Malatos. We then stayed at Hotel Puerta Romeros just beyond. It is at the spot where in the movie "The Way" the kid hands Martin Sheen his pack.

From Leon to La Virgen was unenjoyable but I really liked the walk from there to Vilar de Mazarife (Brierley's green route.)

Peg and I are backpackers and enjoyed the hill route (Brierley's green route) out of Villafranca del Bierzo despite the added work of the ascent and descent. The weather was good though with no wind or heat either. It had nice views and part of it goes through chestnut groves. This is the hill route (Ruta Pradela) to the north of the marked camino, not the one to the south (Brierley's purple route.) Carry extra water.

I took the route Pradela as well and plan to again this year. I prefer being away from the roads.

 

[marbuck]

Eunate and Samos. Neither should be missed.