I just got a PM from a pilgrim who found accommodation after Albacete that I haven't seen mentioned on the forum. This would be a good way to lengthen the stage from Chinchilla, and then make it easier to walk into La Roda the next day (and skipping La Gineta and its not too reliable and sometimes not very hospitable albergue). The place he found is about 10 km beyond Albacete, in a place called Urbanizacion el Trigal. Two places to sleep, restaurants, and even a Burger King!
Here is how he did it:
I left Albacete on the left hand side of the motorway and it is waymarked to within 500m of the motels. The following morning I just walked on towards La Gineta, took the first left after 50m, then right and was back on route again. It probably added 10 mins onto my journey. I'd no complaints there and ate and slept well. I paid 24€ for a really good room.
Anyway, I've noticed there are a few people about to head up that way and it would give them options. Leave Chinchilla early, spend the day in Albacete, see the sights, then saunter on in the evening to Urb el Trigal and cut the next day down to 30k . You also pass a big Mercadona too which is right at the city edge and can stock up.
As someone who arrived in La Gineta from Chinchilla only to find there was no way to get into the albergue, this would be tempting! Buen camino, Laurie
Here is how he did it:
I left Albacete on the left hand side of the motorway and it is waymarked to within 500m of the motels. The following morning I just walked on towards La Gineta, took the first left after 50m, then right and was back on route again. It probably added 10 mins onto my journey. I'd no complaints there and ate and slept well. I paid 24€ for a really good room.
Anyway, I've noticed there are a few people about to head up that way and it would give them options. Leave Chinchilla early, spend the day in Albacete, see the sights, then saunter on in the evening to Urb el Trigal and cut the next day down to 30k . You also pass a big Mercadona too which is right at the city edge and can stock up.
As someone who arrived in La Gineta from Chinchilla only to find there was no way to get into the albergue, this would be tempting! Buen camino, Laurie