Bus availability Cruz de Ferro/O Cebreiro (winter_

[Gumba]

Hi, just thinking of contingencies for our walk this winter. We have a few rest days up our sleeves however, if we get caught out during heavy snow and have no more rest days available we will need to get transport in order to keep to our time table. I am thinking the worst of the weather is more likely to be on the above mountains.

Do busses go regularly (ie daily) over these mountains - especially during winter? If so, how do I find out this information (ie timetables, bus companies)? We will be at this stage around mid January.

If it is still drivable but we don't consider it safe for us to walk, can we get a taxi if we cant get a bus? Are there taxis in the area? Not sure how isolated this stretch is.

We have walked previously but skipped the leg from Leon to Sarria so a bit clueless on this section

Thanks

 

[jl]

When I walked the Camino Frances over the Christmas holidays I had fairly heavy snow in O' Cebreiro (approx Jan 10th). I didn't feel safe walking in that environment from there and so caught the workers bus early the next morning down the hill to Triacastela. The snowplow had been through earlier and so it was quite easy to catch the bus (I think it was around 7.00 am from memory). Just dropping down that much meant that I could then walk snow free. I am not confident walking in snow - there are no shadows and so one has no idea what is underneath it - potholes, rocks etc.

I am sure that people growing with a snowy environment manage very well, but here in Australia not many of us get that opportunity! I just found out the information about the bus at the albergue when I arrived. It was very easy. The best thing about walking the Camino Frances in winter is that the mud is frozen - you just walk across the top of it! Enjoy, Janet

 

[Gumba]

Thanks Janet, much appreciated. Fellow Aussie so also not to confident walking in snow. Must go read your blog again

Love the concept of frozen mud!

 

[Felipe]

As far as I know, there are buses from Villafranca del Bierzo to Piedrafita O Cebreiro (that's the town down from O Cebreiro proper, not far). It is ALSA company.
But the rest of this way is quite isolated.
As mentioned above, there is a bus from Piedrafita to Triacastela, that goes by O Cebreiro (but not in Sundays, as I remember), very early in the morning.
I suppose albergue owners can call you taxis from main towns, but it will be expensive.
As if the paved roads are drivable in winter, I can't say,
Edited: after Vega de Valcarce you can follow the paved road to Piedrafita, and then up to O Cebreiro. This is what many cyclist do.