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Dragonte route

B

Bear

Member
Time of past OR future Camino
Past: Camino Frances 2012.
Future: Camino Frances 2020
I'm thinking of taking the Dragonte route from Villafranca del Bierzo on the way to O'Cebreiro.

Has anyone taken this route, and if so, can you recommend it?
 
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2024 edition: The Brierley Camino Frances Guide
The first edition came out in 2003 and has become the go-to-guide for many pilgrims over the years. It is shipping with a Pilgrim Passport (Credential) from the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.
Will do, thanks.
 
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Hi Bear, took the Dragonte Route early November last year. It is a full and long day. No cultural treasures but lots of ups and downs and beautiful and varied scenery, including coming down into a valley through a working quarry. Its a straight uphill 5km to Dragonte on the road to start, but then its muddy agricultural tracks through forests and a variety of tracks along creeks and over hilltops with beautiful views. Suggest you take food and drink as no shops. Walked from Cacabelos and had to go through to Faba as the albuerge in Herreira (?) was closed on the day. Happy to answer any questions.
 
Basquefan1 and GunnarW - thank you both.

The link GunnarW provided includes an excellent video of part of the Dragonte route.
 
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Walked it 6 or 7 days ago! Basque fan is correct, mostly muddy agricultural paths, great views and just had to acclimate myself to following multiple forms and colors of arrows. And currently, the albergue in herrerias is closed for renovation.
 
I'm glad that you posted this question because we are considering that route as well. We will be walking in June. I think that whether to take the route will likely be a game-day decision based on the weather, how we are feeling, and our progress up to that point. It is good to have information about the route ahead of time though so as to be able to make a better decision. Knowing at the albergue in Herrerias is closed for renovation may be the deciding factor against this route.
 
The walk to la faba was only 3 km more and by June, it will likely be open in Hererrias
 
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Bear said:
I'm thinking of taking the Dragonte route from Villafranca del Bierzo on the way to O'Cebreiro.

Has anyone taken this route, and if so, can you recommend it?
Click to expand...
The Route of Dragonte is rarely mentioned in any of the guidebookse. It is one of many routes used by the Knights Templar when groups of bandits or scouting parties from other armies would follow the Templars to learn of their hideouts or plan an attack. Legend has it that the Templars would move quickly through this trail when being followed. After several hours on the trail the Templars would cross the third major hill. So would the bandits or soldiers chasing them only to find other Templars waiting in ambush. The walk was so exhausting it would allow the Templars to slaughter the enemy with little or no resistance even when the enemy outnumbered the Templars at ratios greater than 10 to 1. The Route Dragonte is a scenic path but also one of the most difficult hikes of medieval Europe. It is extremely difficult.
 
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