2023 planning to walk the Olvidado

[laineylainey]

So after a gorgeous walk last september on the Invierno (after the Madrid), have started looking at some ideas for this September. We are just back from a month of travelling in Spain in our campervan with our 2 dogs and really want to keep doing that sort of journey. We have 2 options for getting to Spain in a campervan with the dogs from Ireland and one of them is to get a ferry from Ireland (Rosslare) to Bilbao. So I am thinking about going with my husband and dogs in the Ferry to Bilbao then waving goodbye for me to walk the Olvidado while my husband has a wonderful wife-free 3 weeks touring round in the van. Sort of perfect for us both!

I was thinking 3 weeks would be enough to get to Villafranca on the Francés?

Have downloaded Ender's English guide for the Olvidado (many thanks @peregrina2000) and also have started to read up on the Olvidado forum for information, again thanks @peregrina2000 for your own detailed guide. Did anyone walk this route last year or planning to this year? If anyone did walk last year, I would appreciate any updates especially re route/accommodation etc. My other question is about GPS. It would seem essential as mentioned by a few people. I have not used GPS, but it would seem Wikiloc is popular? Any other suggestions? Afraid I am a bit of a techy nerd so as much information would be appreciated!

Look forward to having a conversation about this lovely sounding Camino!

 

[WestKirsty]

So after a gorgeous walk last september on the Invierno (after the Madrid), have started looking at some ideas for this September. We are just back from a month of travelling in Spain in our campervan with our 2 dogs and really want to keep doing that sort of journey. We have 2 options for getting to Spain in a campervan with the dogs from Ireland and one of them is to get a ferry from Ireland (Rosslare) to Bilbao. So I am thinking about going with my husband and dogs in the Ferry to Bilbao then waving goodbye for me to walk the Olvidado while my husband has a wonderful wife-free 3 weeks touring round in the van. Sort of perfect for us both!

I was thinking 3 weeks would be enough to get to Villafranca on the Francés?

Have downloaded Ender's English guide for the Olvidado (many thanks @peregrina2000) and also have started to read up on the Olvidado forum for information, again thanks @peregrina2000 for your own detailed guide. Did anyone walk this route last year or planning to this year? If anyone did walk last year, I would appreciate any updates especially re route/accommodation etc. My other question is about GPS. It would seem essential as mentioned by a few people. I have not used GPS, but it would seem Wikiloc is popular? Any other suggestions? Afraid I am a bit of a techy nerd so as much information would be appreciated!

Look forward to having a conversation about this lovely sounding Camino!

Hi! We have similar tastes in Caminos! I recently walked the Invierno and I'm planning to walk the Viejo/Olvidado this June/July. I'll do the route from Pamplona instead of Bilbao, but from Aguilar de Campoo it'll be the same route as you

I'm just starting to look up accommodation etc but would be happy to share what I find. I've been using the same sources as you as well as the Wise Pilgrim app. It has the route mapped so I plan on using that plus Wikiloc. I used the Wise Pilgrim Invierno app and liked it and found the map to be very accurate.

Happy planning!

 

[LTfit]

Hi @laineylainey and @WestKirsty ,

I'm also planning on doing the Olvidado this year, hopefully in June/July starting in Bilbao. Last year at the same time I was supposed to walk the Olvidado (already had a flight to Bilbao and tentative stages) but a week before leaving I decided to switch to the Norte. I had been following a pilgrim on the Olvidado Facebook page (Ender contributes a lot there) and he was having a difficult time with accommodations as a few albergues/hostales were temporarily closed. He ended up taking a taxi here and there and spent much more money than planned in hotels/pensiones (especially on the first few stages). It could have been bad luck but this soured my plans and so opted to walk the Norte again.

This year I do plan on carrying out my previous plan. I'm not a big planner and rather wing it but this Camino, especially if planning to take the mountain alternatives, needs organizing. GPS is definitely recommended for those stages. If you are on Facebook Ender posted quite a few videos of the trail last summer. Also a few Spanish posted everyday of their walk.

Next month I'll probably sit down and look at my previous notes and make tentative stages. If I recall correctly, someone posted a list of her (or his?) Olvidado stages in another thread last week. There is also a thread on the pros and cons of different gps apps (general post, not specific to the Olvidado). Sorry don't have the link at hand.

 

[laineylainey]

Hi! We have similar tastes in Caminos! I recently walked the Invierno and I'm planning to walk the Viejo/Olvidado this June/July. I'll do the route from Pamplona instead of Bilbao, but from Aguilar de Campoo it'll be the same route as you

I'm just starting to look up accommodation etc but would be happy to share what I find. I've been using the same sources as you as well as the Wise Pilgrim app. It has the route mapped so I plan on using that plus Wikiloc. I used the Wise Pilgrim Invierno app and liked it and found the map to be very accurate.

Happy planning!

Great to hear from you @WestKirsty ! Yes please do share what you find and I will do likewise. With Wikiloc, I take it you download the maps prior to journey? Someone mentioned that Ender's maps on wikiloc are under "enderjace" ?
I do tend to plan a route though and leave little to chance if at all possible. Also for me part of the fun and anticipation is the planning and researching.

 

[laineylainey]

Hi @laineylainey and @WestKirsty ,

I'm also planning on doing the Olvidado this year, hopefully in June/July starting in Bilbao. Last year at the same time I was supposed to walk the Olvidado (already had a flight to Bilbao and tentative stages) but a week before leaving I decided to switch to the Norte. I had been following a pilgrim on the Olvidado Facebook page (Ender contributes a lot there) and he was having a difficult time with accommodations as a few albergues/hostales were temporarily closed. He ended up taking a taxi here and there and spent much more money than planned in hotels/pensiones (especially on the first few stages). It could have been bad luck but this soured my plans and so opted to walk the Norte again.

This year I do plan on carrying out my previous plan. I'm not a big planner and rather wing it but this Camino, especially if planning to take the mountain alternatives, needs organizing. GPS is definitely recommended for those stages. If you are on Facebook Ender posted quite a few videos of the trail last summer. Also a few Spanish posted everyday of their walk.

Next month I'll probably sit down and look at my previous notes and make tentative stages. If I recall correctly, someone posted a list of her (or his?) Olvidado stages in another thread last week. There is also a thread on the pros and cons of different gps apps (general post, not specific to the Olvidado). Sorry don't have the link at hand.

Thanks @LTfit , will look up the Olvidado thread to get up to date on possible stages. Not a FB fan but will try to get the Olvidado page. How long are you thinking, 3 weeks?

 

[LTfit]

Thanks @LTfit , will look up the Olvidado thread to get up to date on possible stages. Not a FB fan but will try to get the Olvidado page. How long are you thinking, 3 weeks?

This is the Olvidado FB page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/elcaminoolvidado/permalink/1062343577755765
I see that there are IMHO a lot of irrelevant posts these past few months but if you look more towards the spring and summer and you'll find posts of pilgrims and their stages, pictures and comments.

And this is the pdf file of the Olvidado guide (in Spanish) found under 'files' at the top of the FB page
file:///C:/Users/latol/Downloads/guia_camino_olvidado.pdf

This is Laurie's forum post about the English guide (updates in her post of October 2022 which is not in the English guide):
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/enders-olvidado-guide-in-english.63557/

I recall that I wasn't going to follow the exact stages as in the guide as some are quite short so I was planning on less than 3 weeks. I'll be re-evaluating the stages and will share when I'm that far.

This is the thread about the pros and cons of different gps apps:
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...ide-for-this-dummy-please.78339/#post-1097113

Hope this helps!

p.s. I'm looking at Wikilocs right now and can't find Ender's tracks for the Olvidado. I keyed in Enderjace Camino Olvidado but got hits by someone else for the first 3 stages.

 

[laineylainey]

This is the Olvidado FB page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/elcaminoolvidado/permalink/1062343577755765



I see that there are IMHO a lot of irrelevant posts these past few months but if you look more towards the spring and summer and you'll find posts of pilgrims and their stages, pictures and comments.







And this is the pdf file of the Olvidado guide (in Spanish) found under 'files' at the top of the FB page



file:///C:/Users/latol/Downloads/guia_camino_olvidado.pdf







This is Laurie's forum post about the English guide (updates in her post of October 2022 which is not in the English guide):

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/enders-olvidado-guide-in-english.63557/

I recall that I wasn't going to follow the exact stages as in the guide as some are quite short so I was planning on less than 3 weeks. I'll be re-evaluating the stages and will share when I'm that far.







This is the thread about the pros and cons of different gps apps:

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/gps-tracks-a-guide-for-this-dummy-please.78339/#post-1097113

Hope this helps!







p.s. I'm looking at Wikilocs right now and can't find Ender's tracks for the Olvidado. I keyed in Enderjace CaminO Olvidado but got hits by someone else for the first 3 stages.

 

[laineylainey]

Thanks so much for all the links.

 

[peregrina2000]

Just got this recent link from Ender — he says it’s the most updated, and it’s on google maps.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1g0O5w0PuygiBB9K0emz0CyGTjbDYzoI&usp=sharing

 

[laineylainey]

This is the Olvidado FB page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/elcaminoolvidado/permalink/1062343577755765







I see that there are IMHO a lot of irrelevant posts these past few months but if you look more towards the spring and summer and you'll find posts of pilgrims and their stages, pictures and comments.















And this is the pdf file of the Olvidado guide (in Spanish) found under 'files' at the top of the FB page







file:///C:/Users/latol/Downloads/guia_camino_olvidado.pdf















This is Laurie's forum post about the English guide (updates in her post of October 2022 which is not in the English guide):

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/enders-olvidado-guide-in-english.63557/

I recall that I wasn't going to follow the exact stages as in the guide as some are quite short so I was planning on less than 3 weeks. I'll be re-evaluating the stages and will share when I'm that far.















This is the thread about the pros and cons of different gps apps:

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/gps-tracks-a-guide-for-this-dummy-please.78339/#post-1097113

Hope this helps!















p.s. I'm looking at Wikilocs right now and can't find Ender's tracks for the Olvidado. I keyed in Enderjace Camino Olvidado but got hits by someone else for the first 3 stages.


Try enderjace with a lower case "e". I did find his posts on wikiloc.

 

[laineylainey]

Found the whole trail on Wikilocs under

"enderjace bilbao villafranca". It comes up as 2nd entry.

 

[LTfit]

Just got this recent link from Ender — he says it’s the most updated, and it’s on google maps.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1g0O5w0PuygiBB9K0emz0CyGTjbDYzoI&usp=sharing

Thanks so helpful Laurie! I see he's also mapped the alternative mountain routes🙂

 

[WestKirsty]

Thanks for all these links! I'm getting really excited about this one...

 

[laineylainey]

I know @peregrina2000 you have walked thus route. Dud you take any of Ender's alternative routes mentioned in his guide?
Did anyone walk this route last year?

 

[TaraWalks]

My husband and I are thinking about walking part of the Olvidado May/June. I’ll be watching this thread closely!

 

[laineylainey]

So grateful for the link to the GPS question. Must admit it will take me some time to understand a lot of it, but I am sensing that it's mainly but certainly not exclusively, maps.me or wikilocs that people recommend.

Thanks for all these links! I'm getting really excited about this one...

Have decided to start walking on the 1st Sept. Ferry booked!

 

[LTfit]

So grateful for the link to the GPS question. Must admit it will take me some time to understand a lot of it, but I am sensing that it's mainly but certainly not exclusively, maps.me or wikilocs that people recommend.

Have decided to start walking on the 1st Sept. Ferry booked!

Yes, the thread has a bit too much info for someone like me that prefers to just follow the arrows 😂.

I believe I'll stick to Wikilocs as Ender has the tracks for both options (mountain stages or not).

 

[VNwalking]

I'll do the route from Pamplona instead of Bilbao, but from Aguilar de Campoo it'll be the same route as you

This is my top of the list camino, @WestKirsty, so I really look forward to hearing about it, especially the part after Miranda de Ebro.

mainly but certainly not exclusively, maps.me or wikilocs that people recommend.

For offline use, OSMand is IMO much better than Maps.me. Some say it's harder to learn, but I didn't find that to be the case at all.

Buen camino to you both, @laineylainey and @WestKirsty!

And Laurie, so happy to have that map link! Gracias.

 

[laineylainey]

Anyone point me to accomodation choices on the Olvidado including Albergues on the Olvidado?

 

[LTfit]

Here is the website which corresponds to the Olvidado app which we have talked about. This is an example for stage 1.
https://www.caminoolvidado.com/etapa1/?eng

For each stage click on the left side 'town resources', then on a town, then on accommodations (if there are any).
I don't know how up-to-date it is.

The Wise Pilgrim app for the Olvidado which can be downloaded also has accommodation information. @wisepilgrim Michael, how current is the information on your app?

@peregrina2000 Laurie, do know if Ender keeps a current list of accommodations along the Olvidado?

Last year I downloaded a list from www.godesalco.com/plan/olvidado.
You can plan stages according to the distance you want to walk and available accommodations. Once again, I don't know how current it is.

Thanks to all those who can help us here.

 

[peregrina2000]

Did you take any of Ender's alternative routes mentioned in his guide?

There are two main alternatives, with both options marked for each alternative.

One is from Boñar to Vegacervera (day 1) and Vegacervera to Buiza or Pola de Gordón (day 2). The non-mountain alternative for this route is Boñar to La Robla (just one day). The two alternatives merge in or near La Magdalena. This two day alternative is just, well, just perfect. One of those huff and puff and huff and puff and then up to the top and WOW. There is a long road walk on the last part (6 km or so) into Vegacervera, and I was very glad to have my trailrunners on.

The other is from Guardo to Puente Almuhey. It is 16 via the direct route, 30-something via the mountain route Caminayo. I wouldn’t miss the alternative. If 30 something is too long with lots of elevation, you can push on 6 km beyond Guardo to stay in Velilla del Río Carrión where there is a pensión and it shortens the next day. Caminayo is a small village with a centro social and a lot of houses in process of renovation. They open up the place for pilgrims to rest and tomar algo. I think they will also let you sleep there on the floor if you just can’t go any further, but from there it’s mostly downhill, so you should be fine.

@peregrina2000 Laurie, do know if Ender keeps a current list of accommodations along the Olvidado?

The Ender guide is continually updated in Spanish, so there are a few more new places noted (albergue in Noceda and a few more) than in the English guide. Links to both in this thread with the updates noted. The goal is that Ender will revise the Spanish guide this spring (since 2019 he’s just been doing little piecemeal updates) and then I will translate it. But I’m not sure it will happen before people start walking.

And this may be obvious to everyone, but caminoolvidado.com is a different guide than Ender’s guide, which I translated. The caminoolvidado.com website is professionally done and has not been updated since it was written (professionally). Ender is the best source for new info.

 

[LTfit]

This is the link to Ender's document that Laurie says is the most up-to-date:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LVtQW64pGcbM_2R5R4IhatggNSnxuDoC/view?usp=drivesdk

Thanks so much Laurie! I know I saw this last year but forgot about it🤦🏼‍♀️

So @laineylainey this should be the only document we need in addition to the Wikilocs tracks we now have😊

 

[laineylainey]

Thanks girls, it's brilliant. As you say @LTfit , I have all the information I now need to plan this wonderful Camino.

 

[peregrina2000]

This is the link to Ender's document that Laurie says is the most up-to-date:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LVtQW64pGcbM_2R5R4IhatggNSnxuDoC/view?usp=drivesdk

That is the Spanish version, which is more up to date than the English version. If you don’t read Spanish, here are the main accommodation updates that

1. Quintanilla has an albergue run by Rafa
2. The amigos have an Albergue in Taranco
3. If you want to stop in Riello, Laura will come pick you up and take you to her casa rural, La Magia de las Nubes, a few kilometers away. Laura was the hospitalera in Mansilla de las Mulas for many years.
4. A municipal albergue in Noceda.
5. The English guide says “acogida” in Magdalena, but it is now a pretty amazing municipal albergue.

Yes, the thread has a bit too much info for someone like me that prefers to just follow the arrows

I know we all ”do” caminos differently, but this route passes through and close to many important historical and natural areas, from prehistoric, to Roman, to visigothic, to Romanesque and beyond. Ender’s guide describes many of them — the legend of the carved mermaid in the romanesque church, the XI C carving of the slaughter of the innocents, the old mines and their stories, tombs carved in the rocks, chapels carved in the rocks, on and on. I’m not trying to convince anyone, but just saying that if you like to get that side of the camino, Ender’s guide (much more than the professional website/app) will take you to things you would otherwise miss without it.

 

[laineylainey]

This is the link to Ender's document that Laurie says is the most up-to-date:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LVtQW64pGcbM_2R5R4IhatggNSnxuDoC/view?usp=drivesdk

Thanks so much Laurie! I know I saw this last year but forgot about it🤦🏼‍♀️

So @laineylainey this should be the only document we need in addition to the Wikilocs tracks we now have😊

Sorry if I missed this, but when do you plan to walk the Olvidado @LTfit ?

 

[LTfit]

Sorry if I missed this, but when do you plan to walk the Olvidado @LTfit ?

Yesterday booked a flight to Bilbao for June 16, start Saturday June 17th. Return flight haven't yet booked but hope to return from Santiago. And you?

 

[laineylainey]

Yesterday booked a flight to Bilbao for June 16, start Saturday June 17th. Return flight haven't yet booked but hope to return from Santiago. And you?

I will get to Bilbao on the 31st August and start walking on the 1st Sept. I do hope your post your journey?

 

[laineylainey]

Is there a credencial for the Olvidado?

 

[LTfit]

Is there a credencial for the Olvidado?

Not that I know of but you can get a certificate of completion in Villafranca although I don't know who issues it

 

[WestKirsty]

Is there a credencial for the Olvidado?

I came across a printable credencial for the Olvidado on one of the websites, though I have no idea how offical it may be: https://www.elcaminoolvidado.com/credencial-del-camino-olvidado/

Not that I know of but you can get a certificate of completion in Villafranca although I don't know who issues it

There's also info on the certificate of completion on this thread: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/the-olvidada-for-the-olvidado.73998/#post-1027018

 

[laineylainey]

Sorry I meant a "passport" just to get stamps. I don't bother with certificates but I love getting the different stamps at places I stay. I then have a memory of the journey in my Camino box!

 

[omicko]

Sorry I meant a "passport" just to get stamps. I don't bother with certificates but I love getting the different stamps at places I stay. I then have a memory of the journey in my Camino box!

Hiya Lainey, the credential and “passport” are the same thing.I used the credential download and have done this Camino three times. Enjoy! Cheers, Mick.

 

[laineylainey]

I thought so, but when it was mentioned to download I thought it would be more a certificate. Is there somewhere to buy a credential?

Not that I know of but you can get a certificate of completion in Villafranca although I don't know who issues it

How do you prove you walked it without a credential?

Is there an Olvidado association or similar? I could contact them about a possible credential?

 

[LTfit]

I thought so, but when it was mentioned to download I thought it would be more a certificate. Is there somewhere to buy a credential?

How do you prove you walked it without a credential?

Is there an Olvidado association or similar? I could contact them about a possible credential?

You always need a credencial if you want to stay in pilgrim albergues and in this case if you want a certificate of completion. Ivar's store has them so you can order from him or from your Irish Camino Association (assume there is one). I still have a few empty ones so if you are in a bind send me a pm and I can mail one to you. It doesn't have to be one that is particular for the Olvidado.

 

[laineylainey]

Thank you but I can get one from the forum shop just wondered if there was an Olvidado one. I have a couple of camino special ones over the years.

 

[laineylainey]

I came across a printable credencial for the Olvidado on one of the websites, though I have no idea how offical it may be: https://www.elcaminoolvidado.com/credencial-del-camino-olvidado/




There's also info on the certificate of completion on this thread: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/the-olvidada-for-the-olvidado.73998/#post-1027018

Thanks @WestKirsty and @omicko , I have printed off the online credential.

 

[laineylainey]

Just to let anyone thinking of doing the Olvidado and walking Ender's stage 2b Gueñes to Villasana de Mena, the only accommoation there the Hostelería Foramontanos closed down last October. Looking forward to staying in Nava de Ordunte and the Albergue de acogida! Hope it is still open.

 

[peregrina2000]

Since Adolfo (in whose garage the albergue is located) is a true Camino angel, I’m betting it is going strong.

One sad consequence of that closing is that it makes it difficult/impossible to easily take the loop out to see the Romanesque gems that are located just a few km from Villasana de Mena. But I think Adolfo’s place is a solid option.

 

[laineylainey]

So. I just wanted to check how difficult or not (given it is only day 3 of the Olvidado), the stage Nava de Ordunte to Espinosa is? I like a daily walking figure of just under 30k and I notice there is a climb over 4 k or so and it's about 33k? However I can and have done more than 30k in a day.
I won't ask about the Cervera de Pisuerga to Guardo nearly 40k day, as I have already decided to spilt that day.

 

[laineylainey]

I was thinking of having a rest or tourist day on this route and wonder what folk would recommend? Although it's only day 7, would you recommend Aquilar de Campoo or what other place?

 

[peregrina2000]

I was thinking of having a rest or tourist day on this route and wonder what folk would recommend? Although it's only day 7, would you recommend Aquilar de Campoo or what other place?

Aguilar is the biggest place along the route, has a Gothic colegiata, castle ruins, a romanesque church below the castle with some really fine Romanesque capitals inside (get the key from the parish priest, and you can then open it up and spend time inside alone — he even told me how to put on the lights!). There is a Centro Expositivo there, which I have never visited. The monastery is now a hotel, and from what I’ve heard the rooms are nice and frequently not too expensive. There is a river walk along the Pisuerga, and a good smattering of services.

The only other place I can think of where you would find things “to do” would be Vegacervera. The gorge of Vegacervera is very nice, and you can walk from town, and there are also some very visited caves not too far away, Cave of Valporquero. It’s not much of a town, though, no services really, other than a small grocery and a good restaurant. I was there during the week in June and it was pretty empty but there are many tourist services and hotels that must get going later in the season and on weekends.

You might want to consider splitting a day rather than taking a rest day, depending on the stages you hope to walk.

So. I just wanted to check how difficult or not (given it is only day 3 of the Olvidado), the stage Nava de Ordunte to Espinosa is?

Not a terribly difficult stage, as I remember. Adolfo walked with us for part of it, though, and that means I didn’t pay any attention to routing. I remember one part where an ascent wasn’t clearly marked, but it was through an open area so no danger, but that won’t be a problem with GPS. This was an area where some “locals” had been vandalizing the arrows, so I would make sure to have GPS going, just in case it’s still a problem.

I won't ask about the Cervera de Pisuerga to Guardo nearly 40k day, as I have already decided to spilt that day.

If your day into Guardo is short, and if you are planning to walk the Caminayo alternative to Puente Almuhey from Guardo, you could consider carrying on beyond Guardo to stay in Velilla del Río Carrión. That takes about 4-6 km, I think, off the longer alternative into Puente Almuhey. It is smaller than Guardo, but it has a pensión and enough services to keep you afloat. Both Guardo and Velilla are pretty sad places, remnants of what used to be prosperous mining towns.

 

[laineylainey]

Thanks a lot for that @peregrina2000 . That information helps a lot with my planning.

 

[laineylainey]

Yes, think I might spilt the Cervera de Pisuerga to Guardo day as I really want to enjoy the journey and not worry about the distance which may be doable, but I don't want to stress about it at the time. Perhaps a more doable and therefore less stressful route for me may be;
CdP to Villanueva, where I believe there is a new Albergue
Villanueva to Velilla, where they are at least 3 choices of accommodation
Velilla to Puente Almuhey, moutain route ( so I shave off maybe 4.5k off that journey)

 

[laineylainey]

So, a blow to my plan to split the Cervera de Pisuerga to Guardo day. The albergue at VIllanueva de la Peña is closed indefinitely and the Casa Rural el Enciinar and Hotel Rural El Yunque (same owner) in Tarilonte de la Peña will only take a minimum of a 2 night booking. Anyone have any other suggestions for this stage?

 

[peregrina2000]

So, a blow to my plan to split the Cervera de Pisuerga to Guardo day. The albergue at VIllanueva de la Peña is closed indefinitely and the Casa Rural el Enciinar and Hotel Rural El Yunque (same owner) in Tarilonte de la Peña will only take a minimum of a 2 night booking. Anyone have any other suggestions for this stage?

Restaurante Mylo in Santibáñez de la Peña has rooms, according to several forum members. Here. And here. Phone number is listed, but no WhatsApp because it’s a land line.

 

[laineylainey]

Well that's an option, thanks.

 

[omicko]

Casa Rural el Enciinar and Hotel Rural El Yunque (same owner) in Tarilonte de la Peña will only take a minimum of a 2 night booking. Anyone have any other suggestions for this stage?

Hi Lainey, where did you get this information from? Was it from the owners website or a third party accommodation website or from another Camino Olvidado Guide. If by an email or telephone what was the question asked?
Mick.

 

[laineylainey]

Hi @omicko
I tend to WhatsApp properties well in advance just to see if they are still open. It saves me a lot of time later on . I had WhatsApp messages with Elena of both the Casa Rural and Hotel in Tarilonte and she told me they only accept a minimum of 2 night stays. When I sent a WhatsApp message to the Albergue in Villanueva, I received a message back to say it was closed indefinitely.
It's a shame. I am finding this route more difficult to plan as @Sitkapilgrim mentioned in a thread about the Olvidado.

 

[omicko]

I had WhatsApp messages with Elena of both the Casa Rural and Hotel in Tarilonte and she told me they only accept a minimum of 2 night stays.

What did you EXACTLY write to her in your WhatsApp message?
I think I already have the answer to your problem, so tell me your exact message to her and I will give you the solution. ( Good News).
Mick.

 

[omicko]

After reading your reply in the private conversation, below is what Elena wrote to me on the 26th of July 2022 when I asked her for Pilgrim Prices for my Guide. I stayed with her in 2019.
( I think you got tourist prices bearing in mind Pilgrims normally move on the next day. )
I will contact you this week with much more varied and up-to-date information about this Camino. This will take away 99% of your worries about accommodation and stages.

Chill out! I've even translated it into English for you.
Mick.

TARILANTE ELENA

Good morning Michael,
Thank you very much for reconnecting with us!!
As the consultation is for such a long term and for different seasons of the year, I will tell you prices without being able to specify and depending on availability...
In the little hotel, a room for one night/person would cost +-€50 with breakfast and dinner, in May and June, in July it would be somewhat more expensive.
In the rural house, sharing a bathroom, a room per night per person would cost +-€30 with breakfast and dinner. In May and June, in July it would be somewhat more expensive.
My contact phone number is 666-846866.
Thank you very much again, greetings, Elena.

• Date: 26 July 2022 at 09:44:50 BST
• 
  
• Subject: RE: Camino Olvidado
• 
  
• Buenos días Michael,
  Muchas gracias por volver a conectar con nosotros!!
  Como la consulta es a tan largo plazo y para diferentes temporadas del año, te digo precios sin poder concretar y dependiendo de la disponibilidad...
  En el hotelito, una habitación para una noche/persona costaría +-50€ con desayuno y cena, en mayo y junio, en julio sería algo más cara.
  En la casa rural, compartiendo baño, una habitación por noche y persona costaría +-30€ con desayuno y cena, en mayo y junio, en julio sería algo más cara.
  Mi tlf de contacto es el 666-846866.
  Muchas gracias de nuevo, un saludo.
  Elena

 

[laineylainey]

Elena has messaged me again this evening to explain that she has a minimum 2 night stay at weekends. Hopefully that means anyone wanting to stay during the week only one night, will be fine. My plan would mean getting to Tarilonte on a Saturday.
It's no problem I can hopefully stay in Bar Mylo further up the road in Santibanez.

 

[laineylainey]

Just looking at the stages from Vegacervera to La Magdalena. I am not keen on pavement walking so is Vergacervera to Polo de Gordon to La Magdalena a good option or would I be missing something sensational by not going via Buiza?
Also the stage Boñar to Vegacervera on the Ender's wikiloc map he has total time (to complete?) 12.5 hours, I do hope not?

 

[MikeJS]

Just looking at the stages from Vegacervera to La Magdalena. I am not keen on pavement walking so is Vergacervera to Polo de Gordon to La Magdalena a good option or would I be missing something sensational by not going via Buiza?
Also the stage Boñar to Vegacervera on the Ender's wikiloc map he has total time (to complete?) 12.5 hours, I do hope not?

Well Bonar to Vegacerva is about 28 kms and it only took me about 8 hours. It is a fantastic section and I especially liked the old roman road up near the high point was wonderful.

In addition, the section from Vegacervera to Polo de Gordon is spectacular in places.

 

[peregrina2000]

Whether you want to go to Buiza or not will depend on whether you are planning to sleep there in the albergue. If you are planning to sleep in Pola de Gordon, you can shave a few kilometers off the stage by avoiding Buiza. Ender has tracks for both options. The road from Buiza to Pola De Gordon is almost all asphalt. But so is the alternative route.

So, here is your choice —the two alternatives split in Ciñera. One (the “official” route) goes through La Vid, on to Buiza and from there “backwards” on the Salvador to Pola de Gordon. The other goes from Ciñera, through Santa Lucía de Gordon and into Pola de Gordon. These options are clear on Google Maps. I believe Ender has taken some of the alternative off the road and I think some of it goes along a river. But either way you go there’s going to be asphalt.

Let me know if this doesn’t make sense because I haven’t had my 2nd cup of coffee yet this morning!

 

[laineylainey]

Thanks both. So there goes my "avoid some Apshalt" choice by avoiding Buiza!

 

[peregrina2000]

Here’s a link to the Ciñera alternative through Santa Lucía. It looks to me like it is more off-road than the official route.

FAEDO DE CIÑERA - POLA DE GORDÓN

FAEDO DE CIÑERA - POLA DE GORDÓN Hiking trail in Ciñera, Castilla y León (España). Download its GPS track and follow the itinerary on a map. DESDE EL FAEDO DE CIÑERA HASTA POOLA DE GORDÓN POR EL CAMINO MÁS SENCILLO

www.wikiloc.com

Ender came up with this route when the Buiza albergue was closed. I do not think it’s marked in any way with arrows, shells, etc. There was not much reason to go through Buiza if the albergue was closed and since it’s all road walking back to Pola de Gordón from Buiza.

I remember him telling me when he marked it that he had taken people off to a trail along a river, but by looking at the wikiloc tracks from here, I can’t tell how much is off-road.

 

[laineylainey]

Thanks @peregrina2000 for that. I have downloaded that map from Ender, Ciñera to Polo de Gordón. It appears to follow along the Rio Bernesga, 9.77k.

 

[omicko]

Just to let anyone thinking of doing the Olvidado and walking Ender's stage 2b Gueñes to Villasana de Mena, the only accommoation there the Hostelería Foramontanos closed down last October. Looking forward to staying in Nava de Ordunte and the Albergue de acogida! Hope it is still open.

 

[omicko]

Hiya LL, the first thing I would do is look at my GUIDE. Here you will find ANSWERS to some of your questions. ( Eg. Page 2, ALTERNATIVE FROM BALMASADA ETC., VILLASANA DE MENA etc ). I've changed a couple of typos and renamed It and published it again as :

THE PRACTICAL GUIDE TO THE CAMINO OLVIDADO FROM BILBAO - SUMMER 2022.

 

[laineylainey]

Thanks. Where is it?

 

[omicko]

Since Adolfo (in whose garage the albergue is located) is a true Camino angel, I’m betting it is going strong.

One sad consequence of that closing is that it makes it difficult/impossible to easily take the loop out to see the Romanesque gems that are located just a few km from Villasana de Mena. But I think Adolfo’s place is a solid option.

Hi Laurie, have a look at my Guide THE PRACTICAL GUIDE TO THE CAMINO OLVIDADO FROM BILBAO - SUMMER 2022. I've just posted it. On Page 2 the ALTERNATIVE FROM BALMASEDA THAT BYPASSES NAVA DE ORDUNTE etc. would be the option for this post 38. You can leave from either Villasana de Mena / Mercadillo or Bilbao to visit the “Romanesque Gems “.
I always stay at NAVA DE ORDUNTE to see mi amigo Adolfo, whether I go left or right. Cheers, Mick.

 

[omicko]

Thanks. Where is it?

As it says the Practical Guide to the Camino Olvidado from Bilbao- summer 2022. It Is a PDF In a Post near the top of the Camino Olvidado forum

 

[laineylainey]

Sorry, am I missing the attachment or do I just search for it?

 

[laineylainey]

Found It! Thanks, that will be very useful additional material to help with planning.

 

[omicko]

Sorry, am I missing the attachment or do I just search for it?

Sorry, am I missing the attachment or do I just search for it?

Right LL, CLICK FORUM then ROUTES IN SPAIN then the SUBFORUMS..Scroll down until you get CAMINO OLVIDADO. Click it and 9 titles down you will see THE PRACTICAL GUIDE TO THE CAMINO OLVIDADO etc.

 

[laineylainey]

Yes found it yesterday. Yes it will be very useful in helping me plan, many thanks.