Boo de Pielagos to Mogro

AJGuillaume · Apr 11, 2018

I was looking for GPS tracks between Boo de Pielagos and Santillana del Mar. The official Camino goes down from Boo to Arce, then across the bridge to Oruña, and up to Mogro.
I have found a number of GPS tracks that actually cross the river on the railway bridge between Boo and Mogro. Gronze shows the bridge with a mention "Paso a pie prohibido". None of the tracks I saw would have been on the train, as they go around the gate at the end of the track near the bridge on the Boo side of the river.
So, is there a way to cross the river at that point other than on the railway bridge? If not, are pilgrims still crossing on the railway bridge? I thought it was forbidden.

grayland · Apr 11, 2018

Pretty much the normal practice is to cross the bridge on foot. Most of us cannot understand "Paso a pie prohibido" . I thought that meant do not take pies to the other side.
Part of the adventure. Really not dangerous unless you are sleep walking.

andycohn · Apr 11, 2018

According to the Wise Pilgrim guide, the police and the locals are now enforcing the prohibition against crossing the bridge on foot, and the simplest thing is to just get on the train at Boo. It's a 2 minute ride to Magro and saves you 9.4 k.

grayland · Apr 11, 2018

enforcement would seem to be difficult. The bridge is pretty isolated and there is not any vehicle traffic nearby. It is a very short bridge with adequate room if a train did appear while you were on it. I think most people who have seen it or walked across it would tell you it is not a big deal.

However....do as you think best. Just don't take any pies across the bridge.

andycohn · Apr 12, 2018

I also see that Gronze is showing a new route altogether, which bypases both Boo and Mogro. It goes south to Oruna (like the old roundabout route did) but then heads directly west to Mar, instead of going first north to Mogro, and then west to Mar. I have no first hand experience myself. We're heading out from Irun in early May.

gloria lowe · Apr 12, 2018

The train is a 2 minute ride. Why risk it.

grayland · Apr 12, 2018

gloria lowe said:
The train is a 2 minute ride. Why risk it.

I am not sure what risk you refer to...

gloria lowe · Apr 12, 2018

andycohn said:
I also see that Gronze is showing a new route altogether, which bypases both Boo and Mogro. It goes south to Oruna (like the old roundabout route did) but then heads directly west to Mar, instead of going first north to Mogro, and then west to Mar. I have no first hand experience myself. We're heading out from Irun in early May.

grayland said:
I am not sure what risk you refer to...

Walking over a train bridge that you are not supposed to walk over.

grayland · Apr 13, 2018

I think that those who have actually been there and seen this short small bridge will agree that the whole issue is much overblown.
I am sure that it is difficult for those who haven't been there to understand that it really is not a big deal.
'I think that Michael (WisePilgrim) and the other guide books pretty much have to advise as they do for liability reasons.

Lucy Keenan · Apr 13, 2018

grayland said:
I think that those who have actually been there and seen this short small bridge will agree that the whole issue is much overblown.
I am sure that it is difficult for those who haven't been there to understand that it really is not a big deal.
'I think that Michael (WisePilgrim) and the other guide books pretty much have to advise as they do for liability reasons.

It really is not a big deal. Nip on the wee train.

Dave · Apr 13, 2018

In the first edition of the guide, we included the suggestion to walk over the bridge. I've done it multiple times and it's pretty much a non-event. At the time, the albergue in Santander had a big sign advising pilgrims to do it and showing them exactly how to approach it. Since then, though, the authorities have definitely changed their tune. From a liability perspective, it's probably wise that we made the change as well, but it was primarily driven by the desire to keep pilgrims from getting into trouble.

Timar · Dec 11, 2021

andycohn said:
I also see that Gronze is showing a new route altogether, which bypases both Boo and Mogro. It goes south to Oruna (like the old roundabout route did) but then heads directly west to Mar, instead of going first north to Mogro, and then west to Mar. I have no first hand experience myself. We're heading out from Irun in early May.

Has anyone done this section recently ? Was wondering if it is alongside the busy road or not?

Lucy Keenan · Dec 11, 2021

andycohn said:
According to the Wise Pilgrim guide, the police and the locals are now enforcing the prohibition against crossing the bridge on foot, and the simplest thing is to just get on the train at Boo. It's a 2 minute ride to Magro and saves you 9.4 k.

I agree. The train is really really easy

Timar · Dec 11, 2021

Lucy Keenan said:
I agree. The train is really really easy

Well, I think it is. I was wondering about the schedule on a sunday, but found it and there will be no problem.

Lucy Keenan · Dec 11, 2021

Timar said:
Well, I think it is. I was wondering about the schedule on a sunday, but found it and there will be no problem.

When are you off? Its such a great Camino

Timar · Dec 11, 2021

Lucy Keenan said:
When are you off? Its such a great Camino

We are leaving the second half of May. I only have a couple of weeks, but I'm planning to walk from Santander to Oviedo.

Ali@59 · Dec 11, 2021

I was walking with two Spaniards an Italian and a Dutch and on the evening in Boo de Piélagos there was much talk about the next morning's route and this seemingly dangerous railway bridge, as we arrived at the "said point" myself and one Spaniard walked the two minute shortcut while the others were actually terrified so they took the proper route, it was really funny but I don't think it was long before they caught up with us

Corned Beef · May 20, 2022

Have just come across this thread while planning this section. Open Street Map still routes you over the bridge and from the looks of Google Streetview, it is a well worn path ....

The official camino avoids it but it is still shown as a crossing on the Senda del Litoral.

Bizarre. I think I'll give it a miss.

peregrina2000 · May 20, 2022

The last time I was on the Norte, I walked the SPECTACULAR coastal alternative from Santander (yes, I digress, but every chance I get, I try to start the drumbeat of the beautiful alternative to the asphalt slog that the arrows put you on). I spent the night in the albergue in Boo, which is about 1 1/2 steps from the train station. There was an early morning train, so everyone in the albergue just piled on and got off a minute or two later. Very painless. I have also walked across this bridge, but now that I am older and wiser I wouldn’t recommend it.

From the train station, everything is very clearly marked. Another option would be to take the train the day before and sleep in Mogro, where there is a variety of private options.

Silvermomma · Apr 28, 2024

Elevation map shows this is really steep! What’s the best way from downtown Hondarribia up there? Then wish me luck on the Purgatorio—I am a nervous wreck.

OutdoorsyGal · Monday at 10:21 PM

My group of six arrives in Irun on May 20 and we're starting our Camino on May 21. Since it's the beginning of the busy season, I'm wondering if we should order trekking poles from Amazon Espana...

Mlambere · Tuesday at 9:48 PM

On the Norte...started Morgo headed to Santilanna del mer...today...wonderful walk.... 1st 7k and last 7k ...the middle industrail zone was meh. Just past polonca met loverly local spanish...

Martin-B · Wednesday at 6:12 PM

If anyone is in an albergues in or near Santillana del mar on the 1st of May and comes across Nadia from Ottawa would they kindly point her in the direction of this thread. Thanks all.....

Boo de Pielagos to Mogro

Pèlerin du monde

Veteran Member

Active Member

Veteran Member

Active Member

Arizona is my home

Veteran Member

Arizona is my home

Veteran Member

Active Member

Active Member

New Member

Active Member

New Member

Active Member

New Member

Alison

Veteran Member

Attachments

Moderator

Most read last week in this forum

Similar threads

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency