Albergue in Villavieja

[Simperegrina]

Hi Invierno experts

Am considering walking the Invierno next month. Looking through the many interesting threads, I noted that @Betterisgood was unable to get into the albergue back in Feb last year and had to walk on to Las Médulas.

I’d be getting a train or coach from SdC arriving Ponferrada before midday. I could head straight up to Villavieja (having already notified them a couple of days beforehand that I would be arriving), but if I have the same problems getting in, that means a lot of walking in the dark to Las Medulas. Has anyone else experienced trouble accessing the albergue?

Many thx

 

[Flog]

I'm not sure what the issue was for them, but phone (or email) the ayuntamiento and they'll give you the code for the door, it's pretty straightforward. If you're arriving at a weekend, be sure to contact them on the Thursday or Friday:

+34987420806
aytopriaranza@ccbierzo.com

In November last, I phoned for a couple (I wasn't staying there myself) and was given the code and instructions straight away. I don't know how quickly they'll respond to an email.

 

[Mike Long]

I stayed there in mid-oct, beautiful albergue. Code provided but battery in lock failed to open lock. They came and opened up, changed battery and all was good.. But worth planning to stop there for the night.

 

[Betterisgood]

Hi there,
The lock was broken, would not open, nothing to be done on a Sunday. They give you the contact of the caretaker in the castle and I called but all she could do was call maintenance and she didn’t have high hopes. It was my choice to move along as I didn’t want to be walking in the dark. I arrived in As Medulas just as the Sun was setting. When I go again I will try not to arrive on a weekend. My son and I have been doing a weekend invierno since November ( 2 stages each month) we chose to try the short cut avoiding Villavieja. Still I will always recommend to any first timer to head up to Villavieja, breathtaking.
Buen Camino,
MaryEllen

 

[Flog]

The lock was broken, would not open, nothing to be done on a Sunday.

That was an unfortunate situation for you to find yourself in and hopefully was a once off. Coded locks are becoming more and more popular with accomodation providers everywhere these days, they are generally very reliable.

 

[Glenshiro]

I will always recommend to any first timer to head up to Villavieja, breathtaking.

This is literally true. I stopped quite a few times to take my breath. Temperature was in mid 30s. But the climb was worth it.

 

[Simperegrina]

Thanks everyone