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Hi, DuaneS,After finishing the camino frances in 2017, I decided I would move to Spain and live here full time. I chose the city of Valencia (which coincidentally this last year was voted the #1 city in the world for expats), and I've been super happy here. Obviously things in Spain aren't great in general right now with COVID, but I'm thankful at least we can still get outside and go for a walk.
Today I decided to follow some of the waymarkers for the Levante, simply because I've seen a few around town and thought I may as well get some exercise. Right now we can't move between regions, so while I could technically walk it for 4 or 5 days (until I hit the border between regions), I'll likely wait until things relax a bit, and then maybe walk for a few weeks on it. One of the nice aspects of having already completed one camino is that I no longer feel the need to arrive in Santiago de Compostela at the end - if I make it there again, so be it, but I'm quite content just walking along a few of the other caminos for as long as I have time for. So one day I'll try and walk for a while on the Levante.
But in case anyone is interested, here are a few photos from this morning for all of you here are patiently waiting to do a camino in Spain. Let's hope this year some of us are able to walk a bit on one of the caminos! Until then, buen camino!
Thanks for letting me know. I did know about an association, but haven't been in touch yet. I was already surprised walking around the cathedral in Valencia how little (basically no) emphasis there was on there actually being a camino starting there. I had to look pretty hard to find the marker near the cathedral the first time, and haven't seen anywhere to actually get a stamp around there (inside the cathedral I'm guessing?). I asked in several of the stores in front of the cathedral if they had a credencial, and many didn't even know what that was.Hi, DuaneS,
I have walked the Levante and always enjoy seeing pictures. I don’t know if you know about the Amigos Association in Valencia, but if you are a “joiner” type, you might find it interesting. @JLWV is the forum’s “link” to the Association, he is French but has lived in one of the little suburbs on the way out of town on the Levante. He actually joined some of our camino zooms last fall to let people know about the association’s activity and to give some specific pointers about the route. You could contact him via PM here if you wanted to find out what the association is doing. Last I heard, they were still operating, socially distanced and reduced capacity, but that may be different now.
You may already know this, but you could walk the Levante at least to Xátiva and use the Cercanías to bring you back and forth. It is almost all asphalt on those first few days, which isn’t ideal, but it would be much less annoying doing it one day at a time and having a break, rather than pound pound pounding the pavement relentlessly for days on end.
Lucky you to live in Valencia. I’ve only spent several days on several different occasions, but it has always seemed to me like a great place to live. Buen camino, Laurie
I actually went looking for a map of where the markers are in Valencia, but couldn't find one. So here is a pretty rough layout of where I started (the cathedral) and where the markers go. I'll redo it again at some point and get it exact, but I'm pretty sure that's on the path, or really close. Inside the cathedral there is something some people claim is the Holy Grail. I at first though that was just made up for marketing, but the pope did use it once during a mass. I think it's one of two in the world that are contenders for the grail, but just tidbit of information for anyone passing through the city.Thanks for those photos, @DuaneS ! Can you tell us more about the precise locations, so we can imagine the start of that Camino?
The river in Valencia is called the 'turia', and yes, it's lovely! I live less than ten minutes from it on foot, so I try to get down there as much as I can.My favourite Spanish city, love the river walk.
If its within your allowed travel distance, there are some fantastic walks starting from the Monestery of Santi Spiritu outside Gilet in the Calderona National Park. One of them is the Spanish GR10. I had a great weeks walking there in 2018.The river in Valencia is called the 'turia', and yes, it's lovely! I live less than ten minutes from it on foot, so I try to get down there as much as I can.
Thanks for the advice! And off topic, like off roading, is always welcome!If its within your allowed travel distance, there are some fantastic walks starting from the Monestery of Santi Spiritu outside Gilet in the Calderona Nation Park. One of them is the Spanish GR10. I had a great weeks walking there in 2018.
Sorry for bringing this off topic.
PS say hi to Gulliver for me.
Can you tell us more about the precise locations, so we can imagine the start of that Camino?
I actually went looking for a map of where the markers are in Valencia, but couldn't find one. So here is a pretty rough layout of where I started (the cathedral) and where the markers go.
I met my wife in Valencia on a semester abroad in 1991 and I've been back at least once a year ever since to see the in-laws and friends (with the exception of 2020). I was going to spend a couple of days walking to Xátiva during our last visit in August 2019, but the cost/benefit analysis of offending my wife's parents by (literally) walking out on them and walking through a heat wave kept me in Valencia. Plus I had just finished my last part of the Frances the month before. I will do it eventually. The Levante will not be overrun with Peregrinos anytime soon so it will be a good choice for those seeking solitude for years to come.
It's so cool to learn there are people on this forum who live in and around Valencia! We've passed the love on to the next generation and our daughter made her first solo Valencia trip a couple of years ago. Vixca Valencia!
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