Boo de Pielagos to Mogro

[AJGuillaume]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[grayland]

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

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

 

[gloria lowe]

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.

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

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

 

[grayland]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.