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Thanks for taking the time to write this...GPS Tracks as well as previous experience of some Caminos or/and Hiking are essential for this Camino IMO.
Print the GUIDE in colour because RED INDICATES Accommodation, GREEN INDICATES Cafes, Supermarket etc.
Camping el Playa de Arija is definitely open for pilgrims. I am staying there tomorrow.I have just walked the Olvidado with friend Janet and to get the certificate in Villafranca it is at the tourist bureau ..but note ....the bureau is currently open10 to 12 in the morning only. That was on October 3 and we arrived after midday.
I agree GPS essential..on our smartphones. We used 2 apps Plus maps.me.
Would love to hear your impressions and tips. There is a growing group of municipal officials and camino junkies working to expand the albergue system. Did you stay in a lot of the albergues?I have just walked the Olvidado with friend Janet and to get the certificate in Villafranca it is at the tourist bureau ..but note ....the bureau is currently open10 to 12 in the morning only. That was on October 3 and we arrived after midday.
I agree GPS essential..on our smartphones. We used 2 apps Plus maps.me.
Here is what I would do if wanting to walk to Villafranca and walk the Invierno; it's 22km from there to Carucedo, to pick up the Invierno before Las Medulas. You can't tell from the zoomed-out version but it looks like a lot is on tracks or small roads, in spite of big roads being nearby -And I have asked Ender whether he can work on finding some other spot where the Olvidadas could be given out in the afternoon, which is when most walking peregrinos will arrive. I’ll keep you posted.
What a great idea. I think the Olvidado folks are a little disappointed that so many people (myself included, twice!) leave the Olvidado after Congosto and go straight to Ponferrada to get on the Invierno.Here is what I would do if wanting to walk to Villafranca and walk the Invierno; it's 22km from there to Carucedo, to pick up the Invierno before Las Medulas. You can't tell from the zoomed-out version but it looks like a lot is on tracks or small roads, in spite of big roads being nearby -
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Indeed. And you see another corner of Bierzo that way. In addition to offering the full Olvidado experience, Villafranca is a favorite stop on the Frances - so it's really nice to see one can have the best of both worlds. Perhaps there could be a gentle request to Ender to scout this out on foot as an alternative (addition) for Invierno-bound pilgrims? I'm guessing most Olvidado pilgrims would prefer the Invierno to the Frances as a way to Santiago.Picking up the Invierno before Médulas seems to solve it all!
The mayor of Villafranca assured Ender that they will mail Olvidada certificates to people who complete the Olvidada in Villafranca. You can send a copy of your credencial and name and address to them at:I have just walked the Olvidado with friend Janet and to get the certificate in Villafranca it is at the tourist bureau ..but note ....the bureau is currently open10 to 12 in the morning only. That was on October 3 and we arrived after midday.
I agree GPS essential..on our smartphones. We used 2 apps Plus maps.me.
Ender will take a look at the route, but also saya that there is a good bus schedule from Villafranca to Ponferrada. He suggests the 5 pm bus after a good lunch in Villafranca.Here is what I would do if wanting to walk to Villafranca and walk the Invierno; it's 22km from there to Carucedo, to pick up the Invierno before Las Medulas. You can't tell from the zoomed-out version but it looks like a lot is on tracks or small roads, in spite of big roads being nearby -
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Hi Sitkapilgrim, what was your experience at Camping el Playa? Mick.Camping el Playa de Arija is definitely open for pilgrims. I am staying there tomorrow.
Fine. Once the elderly man understood I was happy to pay 30 euros for a bunk in a bungalow consisting of 2 bunk beds, one light, one electrical outlet, one window and one door, and that the bathroom facilities were a 2 minute walk from the bungalow, we got along just fine. He was quite sweet. It was a very quiet place and the night sky was bright of stars. If I understood him correctly, the price for 1 or 2 pilgrims was the same.Hi Sitkapilgrim, what was your experience at Camping el Playa? Mick.
I’m assuming the Arija camping is back in the business of accepting peregrinos?
Well Laurie better late than never.The story, reported by @LTfit, was about CAMPING EL PLAYA DE ARIJA not allowing pilgrims to stay there in the cabins.I wrote this in the forum ”The reason Is because the pilgrims complained about the distance from their cabins to the shower block.No this is not a sketch from Monty Pythons, the owner told me this. For a couple of minutes I had to suck up to him then he changed his mind and let me stay there.Whether they will change their nonsensical policy I don’t know but it’s worth giving it a try even if you can’t speak any Spanish by acting tired and being very calm with your passport and €15 in your hand. I have a feeling he won’t turn down the €15.”
@AshireGal a few weeks later stayed there although it was in a dearer Caravan and not in the very basic cabin.
I’ve just finished speaking to the owner but I think we were at cross purposes.He said they don’t want the business but that could be because I mentioned there was over 30,000 members on the forum.I have now sent them a simple email and I will take it from there.
Also the number that I had in my phone for the CAMPING is correct and the one in my 2022 GUIDE Is for the FAX.The one in the guide the last three numbers should be 300.Cheers,Mick.
Laurie, I was walking at the time of the extreme heat with daily temperatures of 39°C.This on top of some of the longer than normal stages made my days extremely long with the heat taking my energy away.I was just glad that the first hostel I came to was open, the Hostal Pineda. There was another one opposite, Hostal El Resbalon, which later in the evening I went to but nobody was there.In the morning I went again but nobody was there also.Any reason why you only listed one hostal in Cervera de Pisuerga? Google maps shows at least 6 or 7 private options. I’m asking because I remember that this spring, I think it was, someone who was walking was unable to find any place to stay in Cervera. So I’m wondering if a lot has closed. I know the albergue is closed, so sad, it was great.
I did the shorter route to Puente Almuhey due to the extreme temperatures et cetera.Although I have done them both before in 2018 and 2019. When I was in Caminayo before the Mayor provided cakes and coffee for me in the central social. Cheers, Mick.In Caminayo, I have heard that several people have been able to sleep in the centro social. Did you hear anything about that? It would be a good way to break up that beautiful, but long, stage to Puente Almuhey.
Gronze says the albergue in Cistierna is only closed temporarily, did you hear anything about re-opening?
Time constraints only allowed me to do the Camino Olvidado by going to Ponferrada and finishing there.I notice that you, like most peregrinos, go straight from Congosto to Ponferrada. Ender’s guide adds information about going to Cabañas Raras (albergue) and then onto the Frances at Cacabelos, with ending in Villafranca del Bierzo.
Gronze says the albergue in Cistierna is only closed temporarily, did you hear anything about re-opening?
Time constraints only allowed me to do the Camino Olvidado by going to Ponferrada and finishing there.I notice that you, like most peregrinos, go straight from Congosto to Ponferrada. Ender’s guide adds information about going to Cabañas Raras (albergue) and then onto the Frances at Cacabelos, with ending in Villafranca del Bierzo.
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