- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2015-2023 walked all or part of CF 11 times
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It is do-able if you don't mind walking parallel to the A-12 with the noise & fumes. The Bodega Villarica just after the Ciruena turn-off might provide a respite depending on timings. Camping Banares just on the Calzadilla turn-off also has an open bar and restaurant in season.
Personally I'd walk a ghost-town at night in a thunderstorm to avoid the A-12, but then we all have our own choices to make
I had planned to have my birthday lunch there in March but it was a Sunday and absolutely packed out so I had to make do with an "al fresco" at the picnic area.And I actually liked the bar at the golf course. Nice people.
Leaving Azofra has anyone avoided ciruena and walked along N120? It appears one can bear right about 2-3 km after Azofra, cross over or under A- 12 , take N120 west, to Santo Domingo della Calzada. There do not appear to be any stops using that alternative, but I am looking for an alternative to going up through the golf course. I disliked the area immensely the last time? Thanks.
Leaving Azofra has anyone avoided ciruena and walked along N120? It appears one can bear right about 2-3 km after Azofra, cross over or under A- 12 , take N120 west, to Santo Domingo della Calzada. There do not appear to be any stops using that alternative, but I am looking for an alternative to going up through the golf course. I disliked the area immensely the last time? Thanks.
@Marbe2 I spent a lot of time this spring on Google Maps & Google Earth planning "alternative" routes for Richard Durrant and his bicycle/guitar camino. If you are determined to avoid Ciruena I'd suggest the following, trackable on G/Maps at sufficient scale. Follow the current traditional camino after Azofra until it intersects the LR-207 very close to the A-12 at Arroyo de las Ventas, go north on the LR-207 for about a Km & turn left on the Camino Antiguo de Najera to Hervias and continue on the Camino Antiguo de Santo Domingo. After you cross the Arroyo Banares there is a track, visible on street-view, that will take you to the previously mentioned Camping Banares. Drop down to the A-12 and you can pick-up the Avenida Logrono into Santo Domingo.I appreciate all of your feedback. Having used the roads, particularly in bad weather, as well as an option to walking more isolated areas in off peak times, I am well aware of what walking along N110 is like. Your concern is appreciated.
However, I was wondering, logistically, if anyone had done this alternative in particular...and then...where they connected into it? From my perspective, on google maps, the best location appears to be a couple of km past Azofra. We plan, God willing, when it is safe to walk again, to following the camino trail to Azofra then walk about two to 3 km more on the trail, before picking up N110. It looks like the Camino de Alesanco parallels N110 along the road on the north side for a few kms as well. So this would also cut down on exposure, leaving about 7km on the shoulder section. Anyone done this?
Walking along highways or even just main roads is not my ideal ...
Better to avoid the highways if you can.
What a lot of fuss to avoid passing an attractive golf course with an excellent bar and restaurant. The length through the partly developed residential area at Cirueña is just over 1km, less than 15mins easy walking. It is reached by an attractive hedge lined track gaining height steadily with great views back towards Najera, while the descent has even better views ahead to Santo Doningo.
The alternative following the N120/A12 is horrid. This is one of those places where construction of the A12 motorway has obliterated parts of the former N120. A new route for the road has been built N of the motorway but this is not great walking on a modern asphalt highway with no senda. There is an incomplete path beside the A12 using disconnected remnants of the old road but in two places this disappears completely under the motorway embankment for a short distance. I explored both routes when I was trying to find a cycleable alternative route for my Cicerone guide to Cycling the Camino Frances and would definitely not recommended the highway as a walking route.
Funny how things play out, have walked that way a few times, the golf course is always a good stop for a drink and wifi, but in March 2018 being nice and cold I stopped not far from the golf course in an old blue albergue, looked run down but cold is cold. It turned out to be a great warm friendly night with 5 other pilgrims food was good a warm night and lots of smiles. There is always an upside on the camino.It was, for me, one of the worst parts and of the CF. Even cities have charm... and the bar at the golf club wasn’t open when we got there!
I’m a huge proponent of this; well worth the detour!An enchanting alternative to bypass Ciruena is to walk from Najera to San Millan de la Cogolla to see los monasterios de Suso y Yuso. The next day take the fabulous mountain route from San Millan de la Cogolla to Santo Domingo. You will skirt pass Ciruena on the far edge and connect back to the camino. The people in San Millan will give you good directions for the mountain route. The route has way marks too but not marked perfectly. I think it's not hard to figure it all out. However, this route may not be for you if you prefer road/highway walking.
I didn't think it was all that bad, and only took 15-20 minutes I think to walk through and I was able to fill up my water bottles. Nothing really spooky or depressing about the town. Simply a development that didn't pan out I suppose.
@Marbe2 I spent a lot of time this spring on Google Maps & Google Earth planning "alternative" routes for Richard Durrant and his bicycle/guitar camino. If you are determined to avoid Ciruena I'd suggest the following, trackable on G/Maps at sufficient scale. Follow the current traditional camino after Azofra until it intersects the LR-207 very close to the A-12 at Arroyo de las Ventas, go north on the LR-207 for about a Km & turn left on the Camino Antiguo de Najera to Hervias and continue on the Camino Antiguo de Santo Domingo. After you cross the Arroyo Banares there is a track, visible on street-view, that will take you to the previously mentioned Camping Banares. Drop down to the A-12 and you can pick-up the Avenida Logrono into Santo Domingo.
I haven't walked this because Richard and I have stayed home this year. Buena Suerte
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