Continuing out of Leon March 2023

lvf · Nov 18, 2022

My husband and I began our Camino in September of this year in SJPP and had a beautiful Camino until we got sick with Covid in Leon and decided to stop. We are coming back to Leon in mid March to hopefully make it to Santiago. My question is this: is there likely to be snow at the higher elevations ( O’Cebreiro) ? Is the difficulty hiking up O’Cebreiro comparable to hiking the Napoleon Route over the Pyrenees? We’re planning and packing so thanks in advance for any info. We’ve already decided to hike down the road on the downside of O’Cebreiro after reading comments from this Forum. We appreciate you all very much. We enjoy reading the Forum each day.

J Willhaus · Nov 18, 2022

I didn't find the down so difficult, but the up is pretty steep for the first half (after you start going up). If there is rain or snow it might be slippery since that part is not paved.

lvf · Nov 18, 2022

J Willhaus said:
I didn't find the down so difficult, but the up is pretty steep for the first half (after you start going up). If there is rain or snow it might be slippery since that part is not paved.

Thank you!

JimG59 · Nov 18, 2022

lvf said:
My husband and I began our Camino in September of this year in SJPP and had a beautiful Camino until we got sick with Covid in Leon and decided to stop. We are coming back to Leon in mid March to hopefully make it to Santiago. My question is this: is there likely to be snow at the higher elevations ( O’Cebreiro) ? Is the difficulty hiking up O’Cebreiro comparable to hiking the Napoleon Route over the Pyrenees? We’re planning and packing so thanks in advance for any info. We’ve already decided to hike down the road on the downside of O’Cebreiro after reading comments from this Forum. We appreciate you all very much. We enjoy reading the Forum each day.

I also caught Covid-19 this year on the Camino Frances. Started felling poorly in Najera at the end of September, though only 3 or 4 days later it was confirmed after a test. Fortunately after a bed day in Belorado I managed to carry on with my Camino.

As said the path for the last few km’s is dirt and stone and walking on it when covered in snow hides potential dangers. It was a great walk though.

lvf · Nov 18, 2022

JimG59 said:
I also caught Covid-19 this year on the Camino Frances. Started felling poorly in Najera at the end of September, though only 3 or 4 days later it was confirmed after a test. Fortunately after a bed day in Belorado I managed to carry on with my Camino.

As said the path for the last few km’s is dirt and stone and walking on it when covered in snow hides potential dangers. It was a great walk though.

It sounds like we all had Covid in the same timeframe. Thank you for the information on the possible trail condition. We will definitely keep an eye on that.

Tincatinker · Nov 18, 2022

In adverse conditions on the ascent to O Cebreiro take the cyclist route (the road). Slightly longer but sure footing and, particularly when there is snow on the ground, little traffic and slow moving traffic at that. Beware of snow-ploughs

mspath · Nov 19, 2022

In earlier happier times I often walked the Camino Frances in late autumn/winter. Of course the weather is never the same but the basic route has not changed.

For you after Leon difficult CF stretches after storms might be Rabanal de Camino, Monte Irago and, of course, to and from O Cebreiro.

Late November 2012 at O Cebreiro the snow was a meter deep. Such a storm could also occur in March.

For any winter camino I stress this bit of info re: carrying food supplies.
Wherever you walk in winter
you must be prepared!

Happy planning and Buen camino!

KLM72 · Nov 19, 2022

lvf said:
My husband and I began our Camino in September of this year in SJPP and had a beautiful Camino until we got sick with Covid in Leon and decided to stop. We are coming back to Leon in mid March to hopefully make it to Santiago. My question is this: is there likely to be snow at the higher elevations ( O’Cebreiro) ? Is the difficulty hiking up O’Cebreiro comparable to hiking the Napoleon Route over the Pyrenees? We’re planning and packing so thanks in advance for any info. We’ve already decided to hike down the road on the downside of O’Cebreiro after reading comments from this Forum. We appreciate you all very much. We enjoy reading the Forum each day.

This is amazing to see! I also stopped in León due to Covid in late September Just booked my return flight last night for mid May !

Good luck to everyone on their camino redux, May the odds be ever in our favor.

lvf · Nov 19, 2022

KLM72 said:
This is amazing to see! I also stopped in León due to Covid in late September Just booked my return flight last night for mid May !

Good luck to everyone on their camino redux, May the odds be ever in our favor.

Yes!!! Buen Camino!

Curly Cath · Nov 19, 2022

I found the descent from o'cebreiro a good path, but the descent from Cruz de ferro - especially after el acebo - was a really tricky, uneven, rocky path. In hindsight I would have road walked that section (I did it in the summer this year but there were a couple of ferocious thunderstorms that made that section tricky). Hope that's helpful, buen Camino x

lvf · Nov 19, 2022

Curly Cath said:
I found the descent from o'cebreiro a good path, but the descent from Cruz de ferro - especially after el acebo - was a really tricky, uneven, rocky path. In hindsight I would have road walked that section (I did it in the summer this year but there were a couple of ferocious thunderstorms that made that section tricky). Hope that's helpful, buen Camino x

Thank you!

lvf · Nov 19, 2022

JimG59 said:
I also caught Covid-19 this year on the Camino Frances. Started felling poorly in Najera at the end of September, though only 3 or 4 days later it was confirmed after a test. Fortunately after a bed day in Belorado I managed to carry on with my Camino.

As said the path for the last few km’s is dirt and stone and walking on it when covered in snow hides potential dangers. It was a great walk though.

Thank you!

ijerry · Nov 21, 2022

lvf said:
My husband and I began our Camino in September of this year in SJPP and had a beautiful Camino until we got sick with Covid in Leon and decided to stop. We are coming back to Leon in mid March to hopefully make it to Santiago. My question is this: is there likely to be snow at the higher elevations ( O’Cebreiro) ? Is the difficulty hiking up O’Cebreiro comparable to hiking the Napoleon Route over the Pyrenees? We’re planning and packing so thanks in advance for any info. We’ve already decided to hike down the road on the downside of O’Cebreiro after reading comments from this Forum. We appreciate you all very much. We enjoy reading the Forum each day.

The ascent to O Cebreiro was okay for us — we were advised to take the river route out of Villafranca del Beirzo and found it more picturesque than the highway. TRick sections were definitely the descent into El Acebo after the Cruz de Ferro; and the descent into Portomarin (marked as the traditional route) My suggestion - if it's wet then take the road to the right or the left. Take the road to the right if the stairs are slippery when you get to Portomarin. Both will get you there.

lvf · Nov 21, 2022

ijerry said:
The ascent to O Cebreiro was okay for us — we were advised to take the river route out of Villafranca del Beirzo and found it more picturesque than the highway. TRick sections were definitely the descent into El Acebo after the Cruz de Ferro; and the descent into Portomarin (marked as the traditional route) My suggestion - if it's wet then take the road to the right or the left. Take the road to the right if the stairs are slippery when you get to Portomarin. Both will get you there.

Very helpful information! Thank you!

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