Elizabeth2018
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2018 Madrid, Salvador
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I will be on CdeM in two weeks. Pls keep the info coming.
Buen Camino
We are now in Colmenar Viejo. But a bit on getting into Tres Cantos first. This morning we discovered that our hotel the VP Jarein was about six blocks and across the highway on the THIRD bridge. That one takes you right into the centre of town. Then you could just backtrack on the same to connect back to the Camino.I will be on CdeM in two weeks. Pls keep the info coming.
Buen Camino
We booked a guesthouse for Manzanares on booking.com
There is no accommodation in Manzanares el Real. Be sure to let lovely Ray and Rosa know your arrival plans.
Further to L’s post above. We write this morning from Manzanares el Real. The lady who gave us breakfast here at Alojiamento de La Pedriza has offered to drive us to Mataelpino. We took longer than expected yesterday and want to catch up a bit today as we have a hotel reservation in Segovia tomorrow night. So we will walk from Mataelpino instead. Although first we have to go to the post office here in MelR to mail some stuff to Ivar! Too much weight!
Yesterday’s journey took us down into a river valley from the hilltop town of Colmenar Viejo and then back up over another big hill through farming country. Only no baas and moos here (we heard those on Tuesday). For the first half of the day our sound track alternated between running water and birdsong, and periodic thumps of artillery fire from somewhere to the west. At one point a military helicopter flew over between us and Colmenar Viejo. At breakfast this morning there were several men in fatigues with patches showing a crown set above a large bird of prey with wings outstretched and Spanish flags. We wondered if they were perhaps paratroopers. Or perhaps helicopter crew given the flyover.
Back on the ground the track was extremely rugged. The terrain here is sandy soil on rocky outcrop and recent rains had gouged out huge ruts— knee or thigh deep in some cases, and eroded a lot of the sand track. We picked our way through and down the hillside and then back up again on the other side. Once we got up nearer the top however the track was harder packed and that made going a little easier. The track was bordered by the stone walls of cañadas — enormous pastures with horses and cows — and torros. This area seems to be bull breeding country. And they are magnificent.
A picnic stop and check of our phones and L’s Fitbit showed that we had made only 7.3 km in 3 hours, thanks to the difficult terrain. But we picked up speed in the second half and despite some distractions taking photos of the bulls we made good time and soon found ourselves descending into another valley and the most spectacular views of the lake, the town and the Sierra behind.
When we first started planning this trip we thought about skipping the first part of this journey and starting instead from Segovia. After yesterday I am so glad we changed our minds.
There is no accommodation in Manzanares el Real. Be sure to let lovely Ray and Rosa know your arrival plans.
How do you find the way to the Camino from Renfe station in Tres Cantos. I cannot find the way from here? Any help appreciated. Cyndi and DaveWe are now in Colmenar Viejo. But a bit on getting into Tres Cantos first. This morning we discovered that our hotel the VP Jarein was about six blocks and across the highway on the THIRD bridge. That one takes you right into the centre of town. Then you could just backtrack on the same to connect back to the Camino.
The walk from Tres Cantos is beautiful. After crossing back over the highway and resuming the Camino, the route drops deep into a river valley. We crossed the river eight times, seven of them through fords. Watch for unsteady stepping stones if you are crossing. The rectangular granite ones are generally fine but where they are missing, they have been replaced by large pieces of rounded granite stones and they are a bit wobbly. We did not fall in!
The climb out of the valley towards Colmenar is challenging. It goes up and up and up. I think it was @OzAnnie and @jillsalt who climbed it in wind and rain. That would not be pleasant. On sunny hot days like today though, there is almost no shelter from the elements once you leave the area around the river. We had a short break under a wall by the side of the road — the only bit of shade we could find after leaving the river. The day started hot and sunny although we had noted a thunderstorm warning for the afternoon. The sky was clear and then in the distance we saw the black clouds rolling in. Fortunately the worst of it arrived after we had arrived at the Gran Hostal El Chiscon — of course the hotel is way up the hill from where the Camino meets the Town. Of course. There is never enough hill climbing for a pilgrim!
How do you find the way to the Camino from Renfe station in Tres Cantos. I cannot find the way from here? Any help appreciated. Cyndi and Dave
All though I didn't complete this Camino last year Tre Cantos was a fabulous town very active and lively. I only did 3 days walk and returned to Madrid and took a train to Sahgun. Maybe someday with some companions, I found it too lonely. In my three days saw no one on the trail.Arrived Tres Cantos this evening after 8 pm having walked from Fuencarral this afternoon. Sunny and temps of mid 20s although occasionally a nice breeze. Getting into Tres Cantos was a bit difficult. The Camino arrows took us into a hard bicycle track but then we noticed an arrow on a parallel Sandy path which was much more comfortable walking. Then we had the business of trying to figure out what bridge to cross to get in to Tres Cantos. CsJ guide says there are three. One was visible from the track so we decided to try it and see what happened. It is a metal bridge and just as we got across it and realized we should have carried on to the next one there was a flash of lightening and a rumble of thunder. We hightailed it off on the other side in a shot and given the circumstances decided there was no going back across it anytime soon! The Via Pecuria runs along from there Bit looking st the map we reckoned it would take us way out of our way. A bit of exploring yielded a narrow ditch on our side of the highway (thank goodness for cement barriers between us and the road) and got ourselves to the next and what seems like the main entrance into Tres Cantos. With online maps we managed to find our way into the city to the VP Jardín. Great hotel but the wifi isn’t working so I am doing this on my Spanish sim and going to stop now. For those who come behind don’t take the first bridge! Find your way to the next one and you should be able to navigate into town.
All though I didn't complete this Camino last year Tre Cantos was a fabulous town very active and lively. I only did 3 days walk and returned to Madrid and took a train to Sahgun. Maybe someday with some companions, I found it too lonely. In my three days saw no one on the trail.
Yes it is a beautiful walk. One of my favorite parts of the CdeM.We had an absolutely perfect walk from Tres Cantos today.
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