3 Questions about Hiking from Leon to O’Cebriero

[TooManyRiceCakes]

Hello again

I will be hiking form Leon to O’Cebriero from the 11th-17 this month (that is really soon ack!) and I have a few last minute questions:

1)
Timing and arriving at the albergues: how much should I stress, if at all?

I have heard from several people that you have to get to the albergue by 3pm at the latest to secure a bed, and I have heard from some saying it’s not a problem. Have you guys experienced full albergues in this stage of the trail around this time? I would love to walk into a village around the sunset hour once…I just love how golden the world likes at that time.

2)
Should I have a very set plan of all the towns I walk through and when? Or should I just print out a map and figure it out as I walk?

3)
Ending my hike and coming back to Madrid:
my bus from the station 3km from O’Cebriero leaves at 1:30pm on the 17th. Should I plan to walk into the village the same day I leave? I hear there is a big difficult hilly stretch before reaching O’Cebriero.

Thank you!
Kate

 

[Deleted member 3000]

After 3 p.m. you may have a problem.

Make a plan, but be flexible in its execution.

https://godesalco.com/plan/frances

It is downhill from O Cebreiro to Piedrafita do Cebreiro, so it is not strenuous. The bus stop is by city hall, so after crossing the autopista, turn left a long block.

 

[trecile]

I can only remember a few times that I arrived after 3 pm. I was usually done walking by 1:00 or 2:00. This gave me enough time to shower and wash my clothes in time for them to dry. I think that the sunset hour is better spent over a beer or glass of tinto de verano with my fellow pilgrims.
I would definitely want more time in O Cebreiro, and would plan to spend the night there before the bus ride.

 

[alhartman]

Walked May 24-June11 , 2016 from Leon to SdC. I start 7am but walk slowly. Nearly every albergue I saw was completo by 4pm Made reservations after Virgen; albergue wanted a courtesy call by 4pm to hold the bed. Checked in first of a group of 4 and Barbadelo wanted me to pay for all 4 and collect from my tardy Camino Family. I am okay with all of that, but it was a different style from my 2005 Camino where I just walked until tired and found a bed (last bed in Roncevalles and OCebreiro, overflow in Hornillos)
Plan but be flexible!!

 

[DowtyCamino]

Beware the "bubble". Over the years I've become convinced that some folks can experience "no problem ever" and "always completo" all within days of each other. Some of this has to do with Brierley and other guide book "stages" that tend to focus pilgrims into certain locations. But I suspect that some of this is also due to the "bubble effect" of people starting at convenient locations on convenient days and walking approximately the same distances. You'd sure think that things would even out with people walking different paces, but that doesn't seem to be the case.
In May/June 2017 I had a friend 2 days ahead of us that was walking in crowds and competing for beds while we walked alone and had albergues with 50% capacity. It was all very strange. So my advice is to feel it out. You may find that lagging behind by a day gets you out of a pilgrim bubble and alone on the Way.

 

[Vacajoe]

Currently on that stage now and getting a bed every time even when arriving late afternoon. HOWEVER, it may be a top bunk or at your second choice albergue! Also, the “wave” or “bubble theory is 100% true - plenty of pilgrims around us stating that all the beds were gone on a previous night but we must be between those crowds.

PS: sunset is currently around 9:30pm, so while your idea of entering town at sunset sounds nice, it’s not practical and many places won’t take new guests at such a late hour. How about simply strolling around town at sunset?

 

[TooManyRiceCakes]

Thank you! I can understand. This is very helpful!