Entering Burgos

[Turga]

From what I can see on Gronze.com, it seems that there is an alternative to the ”standard route” into Burgos, that will take you away from the industrial areas and into a nicer walk following the river.

It looks like you have to take a left turn towards Castañares somewhere between Orbaneja Riopico and Villafría.

My question is, if the point where you have to turn to follow this alternative route is clearly marked and if the route itself is well marked.

Gracias.

 

[m108]

From what I can see on Gronze.com, it seems that there is an alternative to the ”standard route” into Burgos, that will take you away from the industrial areas and into a nicer walk following the river.

It looks like you have to take a left turn towards Castañares somewhere between Orbaneja Riopico and Villafría.

My question is, if the point where you have to turn to follow this alternative route is clearly marked and if the route itself is well marked.

Gracias.

Hello ,
the path is marked (perhaps not ideal) and is significantly more beautiful than the "original"

 

[Turga]

Thank you very much -that is very helpful.

 

[wayfarer]

Have a look here.
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/burgos-river-way-pdf.39726/#post-557248

 

[Vacajoe]

Turn left by the apartments immediately after crossing the bridge (before the airport!). When that long path re-enters the city in an industrial area, head straight across the main road and you’ll hit the river. It’s NOT well-marked but definitely worth the time to find it

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

To clarify: the link provided by wayfarer above leads you to these instructions:
https://www.docdroid.net/h1osXOV/burgosriverway.pdf

 

[scruffy1]

The "standard" route is not really industrial it does pass large numbers of garages, furniture stores, hairdressers, cafe/bars, used car dealers, unidentified office buildings, clothing emporiums, and food stores. Decidedly better that the exit route from León since there are no sleazy appearing bars and the sidewalks are level ! The river route is by far the better choice.

 

[trecile]

I download the above mentioned pdf and following it was very easy.

 

[VNwalking]

My question is, if the point where you have to turn to follow this alternative route is clearly marked and if the route itself is well marked.

The advice others have offered is super. But by way of reassurance, I was fine just following the description in Brierley.
The initial turn-off is hard to miss.
What is more opaque is that once you go past the airport and enter Castañeres, you have to go straight across the main road and eventually around the right side of a small factory - frames 11-19 of this post:
https://www.docdroid.net/h1osXOV/burgosriverway.pdf
Once you cross the footbridge over the Rio Arlanzon, just keep it on you right and you can't go wrong!

 

[Camino Chrissy]

We took the river walk into Burgos after the seemingly endless walk around the airport fence that goes on and on and on. Lol! It wasn't too hard to find.

 

[scruffy1]

We took the river walk into Burgos after the seemingly endless walk around the airport fence that goes on and on and on. Lol! It wasn't too hard to find.

Something like the endless walk around the airport in Santiago where once the security people in their jeep cast a very scrutinous eye over this lone pilgrim slogging along.

 

[Turga]

Thank you all very much. This forum -or rather the amazing people that make this forum- never fails.

 

[trecile]

We took the river walk into Burgos after the seemingly endless walk around the airport fence that goes on and on and on. Lol! It wasn't too hard to find.

As I recall, If you find the turn off, which is easy to miss, you avoid the long walk around the airport.

 

[Turga]

As I recall, If you find the turn off, which is easy to miss, you avoid the long walk around the airport.

Sorry -which turn are you referring to, the left turn after the bridge walking out of Orbaneja?

 

[C clearly]

What is more opaque is that once you go past the airport and enter Castañeres, you have to go straight across the main road

And depending on exactly where you cross I seem to recall that I had to go a few metres left upon crossing the main street in Castanares, to get on the street to the factory. There was a sign but not prominent. Tell locals "Quiero ir al río. Donde está?"

As I recall, If you find the turn off, which is easy to miss, you avoid the long walk around the airport.

I am also confused by this. You need to go by the airport (unless maybe if you walk the highway). If you turn left after the bridge, just before the apartments, the airport will be on your right.

 

[AndreaCT]

Hi C Clearly, You are correct. Once you turn left, just before the modern apartments, you continue along that road and you will eventually see that the perimeter of the airport is on your right. You're walking on a gravel road at this point. What stuck out in my mind was that there was little infrastructure on part of the trail and then suddenly there seemed to be modern apartments. You might even be able to see other pilgrims that have taken that path. For two other gentlemen and myself, the confusion came when we tried to get across the highway to the path that led along the river. There seem to be many ways and it was a bit of guesswork. As long as the river is on your right, you are okay. It is a long walk in, so don't think that you've missed something.

 

[C clearly]

As long as the river is on your right, you are okay.

Except... that there are portions with walking trails on the other side too. Along the route there are several (3?) bridges. It is true that if you have the rover more or less in sight, you will be fine.

 

[VNwalking]

Except... that there are portions with walking trails on the other side too. Along the route there are several (3?) bridges. It is true that if you have the rover more or less in sight, you will be fine.

Yes. In fact someone helped me save some time at one point by telling me not to follow the river exactly but to just stay in the park and keep it generally on the right.

 

[pjacobi]

I missed the turn-off and noticed the airport fence on my left. I was easily able to back-trace along the airport fence and go around it. Just remember to keep airport fence on your right.

Note that the river can flood and make the route impassible in early spring.


-Paul

 

[MickMac]

I took the alternative route .
I did not find it picturesque but dirty, long, and monotonous.
Maybe better than other route but definitely drawn out and a bit dodgy, if on your own, or have a moaning brother (are we there yet) with you.
The idea of staying in the park and keeping river on your right sounds a good one.

 

[VNwalking]

I did not find it picturesque but dirty, long, and monotonous.

MickMac you must have taken a wrong turn somewhere to walk an alternative alternative route.
Because the alternative route through the park is lovely.

 

[MickMac]

No, took the correct alternative route exactly, the park improves nearer the Cathedral but in my opinion down in the scrubland beside river its dirty and isolated we did not see one other pilgrim so if your walking alone in a city it can be threatening then again just an opinion but beware.
P.S. it was raining heavily that might have clouded my rose tinted glasses slightly.

 

[VNwalking]

Ah, well, I was there on a Sunday and met tons of local people out for a run or with their dogs. It was a delight from start to finish. But I will definitely agree with you about the distance. It seemed to go on for quite a ways.

P.S. it was raining heavily that might have clouded my rose tinted glasses slightly.

Edit - Yeah. Rain is like that. I had dogs and happy people so that had the opposite effect. The truth may be someplace between our individual impressions.

 

[C clearly]

the park improves nearer the Cathedral but in my opinion down in the scrubland beside river its dirty and isolated

I agree that the first part of the park after Castanares was a bit "iffy". I've done it twice, so I didn't find it too bad. However, it occurred to me that 'next time' I would consider staying on the road out of Castanares until I get to the first opportunity to turn left and cross the river. Then walk along the left side of the river until the bridge to the cathedral.