colinPeter
Veteran Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- SJPP-SDC (2009) Somport-Jaca, Burgos-SDC, Cee-Muxia (2012) Le Puy - Aumont-Aubrac (2014) SJPP-SDC (Oct 2015)
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annakappa said:When I do the Camino Francés again, I would like to take all the alternative options, especially the high road (weather permitting) between Villafranca del Bierzo and Trabadelo.
I actually just started reading the Gitlitz/Davidson book on the weekend. Did you actually take it with you?Dave said:In 2006, I walked to San Millan de la Cogolla from Najera. It's a little tricky - I used the advice in Gitlitz/Davidson's book, ....
Since then, I've followed the Roman road. It's longer and only passes through one village, Calzadilla de los Hermanillos, but I find the scenery to be really nice (on the first half in particular). Plus, there are a few well preserved patches of the old Roman road.
The majority of pilgrims take the southern fork, following the "Camino real," which passes through a number of villages along the way, with at least a couple of albergues. I did it once and got turned off by the artificially constructed pilgrim's way, which I remember as "tree-tree-bench."
Just to clarify:Dave said:I agree, Janet, about considering switching back to the Camino Real around Reliegos. That is a long, barren stretch otherwise!
Is the "Roman Road" the road via Calzadilla de los Hermanillos?
Dave said:There are actually two high level routes from Villafranca. One [the "Camino Duro"], to the north of the "official" Camino, goes through Pradela. It's well waymarked and popular, with some nice views.
The other, via Dragonte and San Fiz de Seo (among other small villages) runs to the south. I tried walking it twice, in 2002 and 2004. Each time, I failed to complete the route. The waymarking was nearly non-existent, despite posts I'd found online prior to my trip indicating that the route was freshly marked. Perhaps someone on here has tried it in the last few years and can report on current conditions.
Without new markings, try at the very least to get a map in town before attempting this route. People are very hard to find in these small villages, so you can't count on help up top, and there are many different trails and dirt roads winding through the hills. I don't regret the two failed attempts - it is a very nice walk - but it probably added at least 10km to my trip and meant that I didn't make it to O Cebreiro that day. I've never met another pilgrim who tried the route.
Dave
charlesx said:Fellow peregrinos - Has anyone walked the Dragonte route lately, between Villafranca del Bierzo and Herrerias? Has the waymarking been improved since last year? I know some of you have done that route with the Brierley guide alone, but is it possible to get a map of that route in Villafranca del Bierzo? (I've seen the map on http://maps.peterrobins.co.uk/e/2274.html but I don't think that will help me.) I do not have GPS. Would it be helpful to have a compass? If my walking partner(s) is/are not keen to do this route with me, I hope I can find another adventurous soul who would be interested in accompanying me, in late April/early May.
.... has done the Dragonte route in the last 12 months and might be able to help you out, I'm planning on it myself at the start of June so I'll keep an eye out for your bleached bones :wink: but seriously, grateful if you post your experience of it once you get home.
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