Leaving Leon

[Jersey]

Well I made it to Leon where i start my Camino tomorrow
If I follow google maps will that put me on the Camino
Path to Villar de Mazarife?
I've been in Leon for six hours and haven't seen one
Yellow arrow lol

 

[mspath]

Follow the camino arrows through the city to the cathedral and then on to the Parador with the statue of a tired pilgrim in front. Cross the bridge and continue along the roughly marked camino 7 km to La Virgen del Camino and an extraordinary 20th century church. The town is named for a famous 15th century figure of the Virgin holding the dead body of Christ. Today the figure is in a splendid church designed in the 1960s by a Dominican monk, Francisco Coello, a follower of the Brutalist style of Le Corbusier. Located directly on the Camino Frances at Av Astorga, 87, in the midst of chaotic suburb the church is a superbly maintained architectural gem as well as a haven of peace. Be sure to enter it; the calm interior is splendidly lit with deep chrome yellow glass.

Opposite the church you can choose to either continue on the main camino which parallels the highway or pick up the peaceful alternative camino route going slightly southwest towards Villar de Mazarife. It is always very pleasant to escape the N120 highway noise and suburban sprawl while crossing wide flat plains up to V de M where there are several pilgrim albergues and regular accommodation. From V d M the alternative camino continues to Hospital de Órbigo to rejoin the main CF. You can read more about the alternative more rural route in this earlier Forum thread .

Hospital de Orbigo offers many accommodation options; my favorite is the Albergue Verde. They accept reservations and offer wonderful group meals each evening. Leaving HdO turn right to follow the camino towards Astorga via Santibanez de Valdeiglesias on a wonderful rolling rural path.

Good luck and Buen Camino!

 

[SabsP]

Enjoy Jersey! And like @mspath writes : do visit that beautiful church.
The walk out of Leon is not bad at all. Up to La Virgen del Camino there are some bars for when you want to stop for a coffee.

 

[jsalt]

Look for a yellow arrow in the vicinity of the cathedral, or in front of the parador at Plaza San Marcos. Stay focused, as it is very easy to lose the arrows in a city. Look for the arrow at every junction – sometimes it is hidden behind a parked car, or above your head on a lamp post, etc. Don’t continue through a crossroads until you are sure which road the arrows are taking you. It is fine to look lost and unsure. Ask a local passing by if in doubt. Buen camino!
Jill

 

[peregrina2000]

Just a note, out of an abundance of caution. At the statue of the pilgrim in front of the parador, there are arrows going in two directions. If you go around the right side of the parador (right side as you are facing the parador), you will find yourself on the Camino del Salvador -- this is an amazing camino, but probably not where you want to go!

As @mspath so clearly explains, make sure to take the bridge over the river, and then the arrows will kick in in earnest.

And by all means take the peaceful alternative to Vilar de Mazarife, it is a thousand times nicer than walking alongside the national highway!

 

[Jersey]

Follow the camino arrows through the city to the cathedral and then on to the Parador with the statue of a tired pilgrim in front. Cross the bridge and continue along the roughly marked camino 7 km to La Virgen del Camino and an extraordinary 20th century church. The town is named for a famous 15th century figure of the Virgin holding the dead body of Christ. Today the figure is in a splendid church designed in the 1960s by a Dominican monk, Francisco Coello, a follower of the Brutalist style of Le Corbusier. Located directly on the Camino Frances at Av Astorga, 87, in the midst of chaotic suburb the church is a superbly maintained architectural gem as well as a haven of peace. Be sure to enter it; the calm interior is splendidly lit with deep chrome yellow glass.

Opposite the church you can choose to either continue on the main camino which parallels the highway or pick up the peaceful alternative camino route going slightly southwest towards Villar de Mazarife. It is always very pleasant to escape the N120 highway noise and suburban sprawl while crossing wide flat plains up to V de M where there are several pilgrim albergues and regular accommodation. From V d M the alternative camino continues to Hospital de Órbigo to rejoin the main CF. You can read more about the alternative more rural route in this earlier Forum thread .

Hospital de Orbigo offers many accommodation options; my favorite is the Albergue Verde. They accept reservations and offer wonderful group meals each evening. Leaving HdO turn right to follow the camino towards Astorga via Santibanez de Valdeiglesias on a wonderful rolling rural path.

Good luck and Buen Camino!

Thanks. Sounds like perfect directions
I'm staying by the Cathedral and have now noticed the arrows.
I was not looking down all day lol
I'm going to Villar de Mazarife. I already booked Teo Pepe

 

[Felipe]

I found (many years ago) that leaving Leon was a complicated business, mainly because the Camino tries to guide the pilgrim by some historic places and old churches. Arrows were not always evident. I got lost and had to ask for directions. But at the end, basically you have to find the way to Parador de San Marcos, which everybody knows.
Buen camino!

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Arrows leading you out of Leon:

 

[Saint Mike II]

AND when you arrive in Mazarife I would recommend either the Casa de Jesus or Tio Pepe rather than the other one on the right as you enter!

 

[Juspassinthru]

Jersey, if you leave early you probably won't get 1st breakfast. On your way out of Leon, not far from San Isidoro, there is a organic coffee shop on the right. If like me, you need your morning coffee, they're open early. I just got back about 2 weeks ago, leaving Leon was well marked. Buen Camino!

 

[Mike Savage]

Well I made it to Leon where i start my Camino tomorrow
If I follow google maps will that put me on the Camino
Path to Villar de Mazarife?
I've been in Leon for six hours and haven't seen one
Yellow arrow lol

That is great news Jersey,

Buen Camino!

 

[FLEUR]

We stayed at the first albergue in Villar de Mazarife, yes the first on the right and had a very enjoyable stay. Good dinner and breakfast too, all vegetarian . I am not vegetarian but my friend is.

 

[Gumba]

We stayed at the first albergue in Villar de Mazarife, yes the first on the right and had a very enjoyable stay. Good dinner and breakfast too, all vegetarian . I am not vegetarian but my friend is.

Hi Fleur, do you remember the name of this albergue? As a vegetarian, I will pounce on any place that serves veg meals.

 

[Holly Mitchem]

Albergue San Anton. We stayed there two and had an excellent vegetarian meal. Afterwords a wonderful incantation with the traditional orujo, orange rind and coffee beans drink set aflame. Strong and delicious.

 

[Kiwi-family]

Just a note, out of an abundance of caution. At the statue of the pilgrim in front of the parador, there are arrows going in two directions. If you go around the right side of the parador (right side as you are facing the parador), you will find yourself on the Camino del Salvador -- this is an amazing camino, but probably not where you want to go!

Never fear - if this does happen you'll have bus drivers pulling over to tell you you're on the wrong route. And students walking to school. And businessmen.
And no matter what you tell them about the Camino San Salvador they will insist you are wrong and you'd have to look very pig-headed to continue that way.
Pig-headed or not, I concur with Laurie that the Salvador is amazing!

 

[nycwalking]

Happy to hear you're there. Really enjoy yourself.
Buen camino.

 

[RobertS26]

Finding the Camino in any village, town or city is simple. At 7 am walk to the largest church in town. Watch the parade of people walking past, headed west, with backpacks. Follow them.

 

[KinkyOne]

Hi Fleur, do you remember the name of this albergue? As a vegetarian, I will pounce on any place that serves veg meals.

Most possibly this one: https://www.gronze.com/castilla-y-leon/leon/villar-mazarife/albergue-san-antonio-padua

Enjoy!

 

[FLEUR]

I think that's correct but will check my credential and confirm.

 

[KinkyOne]

...It is fine to look lost and unsure...

WOW - exactly what I feel myself when walking less traveled Caminos. That's it. Nothing more to add!!!

 

[Tulle]

Most possibly this one: https://www.gronze.com/castilla-y-leon/leon/villar-mazarife/albergue-san-antonio-padua

Enjoy!

I still remember this place for the good vegetarian dinner there!

 

[FLEUR]

Definitely San Antonio de Padua .Pepe.
2015 we had a twin room there and excellent meals. The Spanish owners were great and I believe they grew a lot of the food themselves .

" Afterwords a wonderful incantation with the traditional orujo, orange rind and coffee beans drink set aflame. Strong and delicious."
I had completely forgotten this!"

At Villavante a bit further on is another great place. Molino Galochas. www.molinogalochas.com
It's near the railway line just slightly off the Camino track. My tourist husband stayed there but friend and I called as we passed and had a delightful coffee stop with the owners.

 

[Jersey]

Finding the Camino in any village, town or city is simple. At 7 am walk to the largest church in town. Watch the parade of people walking past, headed west, with backpacks. Follow them.

Yes very simple if you are up at 7 am lol

 

[Patch]

not all markers are yellow. Many are bronze shells set into pavement or on walls. You have to keep a sharp eye out for them because they could simply on the other side of the road/street. It's sensible to keep an eye out for fellow walkers and there is a steady stream of them all day long - but possible easier than pick out at the beginning of the day.

 

[Kanga]

I have deleted multiple posts because they are off topic and descended into a silly argument, which some members seem to want to continue, despite a warning. The OP's question related to finding the way out of Leon. I think the question has been answered, and it is time to close the thread.