Camino Madrid and Inveirno

[handzondeck2]

Hi,

I'm planning to walk from Madrid to Ponferadda and then onto Santiago via Camino Inveirno starting early Apr 2012. If anyone else is walking from Madrid around the same time and would like a walking partner it would be great to hear from you. I am 50 yrs old, an average walker and walk at a slow pace making the albergues late in the afternoon.

I live in Sydney, Australia and have completed Camino France (2), Via de la Plata (2), Portuguese route from Oporto (2) and onto Finisterra, Muxia and walking back to Santiago de Compostela each time. I also took my 12yr nephew on the Caminoh portuguese and he thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

So, if anyone is interested in these two Caminos feel free to PM me or email me direct at handzondeck2@bigpond.com.
Thanks for reading this email

GBY

Sharon
Australian pilgrim

 

[solong]

Hola Sharon:
I have been thinking of walking from Madrid to Santiago in April 2012. I walked the Camino Francais in 2008 & then the Camino Mozarabe/Via de la Plata 2010. I remember how excited I was to meet pilgrims in Merida after walking alone from Grenada. I am 67 years old and a Canadian, slow but steady. I hope we meet up somewhere on the way. Regards David

 

[handzondeck2]

Hi David

All going well I plan to start walking after Easter. What about you?

Sharon

 

[solong]

Hi Sharon:
After Easter makes sense. We should keep in touch as the countdown progresses. Regards David

 

[handzondeck2]

David

Agree

Feel free to Pm me. I have read Laurie's notes and will probably start from Fuencarral to avoid the industrial area.

Gees, I love the planning stages

Sharon

 

[peregrina2000]

Wish I could be planning this one again, too, it is, IMO, a very nice route. And based on correspondence with several Spanish friends, I think you can expect to see an ever-increasing number of Spanish peregrinos on this camino. This is one camino where the infrastructure is way ahead of the pilgrim traffic. I spent many nights all alone in beautiful, clean, well-equipped albergues. For me, Day 1 in Colmenar el Viejo and Day 4 in Segovia were the only two days I spent in pensiones/hotels.

Though I'm not trying to convince you to change your plans, Sharon, I just wanted to say that the first 11 kms from the Plaza Castilla to Fuencarral are not industrial. You're in the city for a while, and you go past a major hospital, but I can't remember any industrial development. After the hospital, you will have to weave under some of the highways going into Madrid, but you are very soon out of the city. There is a dedicated bike/walking path that goes along the highway, so even before you get to rural areas you are at least out of harms way. And it's all extremely well marked.

Buen camino, Laurie

 

[JohnnieWalker]

But just to be clear Laurie - there are no arrows or other waymarks from the centre of Madrid until the Plaza Castilla about .5kms from the hospital referred to. Pilgrim starting in Central Madrid - for example at the cathedral of the Church of Santiago should use the city map to make their way to the Plaza Castilla. Not worth it imho!

 

[peregrina2000]

Hi, John,

I should have made clear that the arrows start at the Plaza Castilla. I agree that the walk from the Church to the Plaza Castilla is not the most scenic of Madrid walks, though weaving through the side streets improves it a lot. But I arrived in Madrid in early morning after an overnight flight, went to the church of Santiago to get my first stamp and then decided to walk the 8 km or so out to the Plaza Castilla in order to force my eye lids not to close. Then the next morning I knew where the starting arrows were, and I had a very manageable day to Colmenar. I know I am a nut case who likes to start walking at the place I get my first sello, but for those who are similarly afflicted, this is an easy way to do it. I wouldn't want to add those in-Madrid kms on to my Day 1 walk.

Buen camino, Laurie

 

[JohnnieWalker]

I laughed at your post Laurie because of course I did the same - then having done it decided it wasn't worth it! For people who don't know Madrid it is a good way to see some of the city.

 

[handzondeck2]

Laurie

Thanks. I think I will not walk from Madrid but catch the metro out. I plan to spend one day in Madrid recovering from jetlag before walking.

Sharon

 

[peregrina2000]

Hi, Sharon,

I guess most would say that your decision puts you in the "sane" category of the pilgrim ledger.

Buen camino, Laurie