Nicolehastwodog
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 20th May 2024
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I agree. Astorga is pleasant but if your on a tight schedule you can see everything in an afternoon and early evening.Hi there, I am Nicole. I will start my trip from Villar de Mazarife on 20th May 2024, ends in Ponferrada.
It will be my first time ever to hike on camino and I will be hiking alone. I have planned the route as below, could anyone give me any suggestion or feedback on this route?
20th: Villar de Mazarife - Hospital de Órbigo
21st: Hospital de Órbigo - Astorga
22nd-23rd: Explore Astorga
23rd-24th: Astorga - Castrillo de los Polvazares - Rabanal del Camino
24th-25th: Rabanal de Camino - Foncebadón - Cruz de Ferro - El Acebo
25th-26th:El Acebo - Riego de Ambrós - Molinaseca - Ponferrada
26th-27th: Explore Ponferrada
I have some questions:
1. Is Astorga worthy of 2-days stay?
2. I really like small towns like Molinaseca and Riego de Ambrós, but I only have 7 days to hike and not sure if I can squeeze an overnight stay. Any advice?
I will appreciate a lot if someone could answer my questions : ) Buen Camino!
Hi Bradypus, thank you so much! I will cut it to one day in Astorga then spend a night at Molinaseca or Riego de Ambrós since many people mentioned the downhill to Molinaseca might be a challenge on the forum.It is only 17km from Hospital de Orbigo to Astorga. Assuming you start reasonably early you should comfortably be there by lunchtime. Astorga is a pleasant town but it is not large and its main sights are very close together. You could probably spend a whole day there very pleasantly but an afternoon and evening might well be enough.
A wise choice I think. The path down to Molinaseca is very tricky. Especially if wet or icy. Worth considering walking down the road if it is wet. You should get a feel for it quite quickly and make your decision.Hi Bradypus, thank you so much! I will cut it to one day in Astorga then spend a night at Molinaseca or Riego de Ambrós since many people mentioned the downhill to Molinaseca might be a challenge on the forum.
Thank you again! May I add one more question? Are there any other nice villages or stop-by recommend?A wise choice I think. The path down to Molinaseca is very tricky. Especially if wet or icy. Worth considering walking down the road if it is wet. You should get a feel for it quite quickly and make your decision.
Apart from Ponferrada which is a large city you will see almost all that there is of the little villages as you pass through them. If you are staying in Rabanal then I would visit the church there - for the night prayers with the monks if you can. Apart from that I would just enjoy the scenery rather than looking for anything in particular.Thank you again! May I add one more question? Are there any other nice villages or stop-by recommend?
Sounds like a plan! I really appreciate for your prompt reply and information : )Apart from Ponferrada which is a large city you will see almost all that there is of the little villages as you pass through them. If you are staying in Rabanal then I would visit the church there - for the night prayers with the monks if you can. Apart from that I would just enjoy the scenery rather than looking for anything in particular.
Thank you Sheesh! I'm going to change my route to:I really enjoy Astorga but, agreeing with the advise you have received thus far, you should be able to see it's sites within one day and then use that extra day to slowly wend your way down the mountain. It is a tough path, especially if wet, so take your time and walking poles will really help.
Aslo, double check the opening times for the Templar Castle in Ponferrada. When I was there in the fall 2022 it was closed on Mondays.
Sorry for another question. Do you think 2 days in Ponferrada is too much?A wise choice I think. The path down to Molinaseca is very tricky. Especially if wet or icy. Worth considering walking down the road if it is wet. You should get a feel for it quite quickly and make your decision.
Thank you! I have booked with another albergues since I can't find it on booking : (I've always made it a point to spend the night in Rabanal del Camino. The Refugio Guacelmo is one of my favorite albergues and the evening spent in vespers at the church right three is memorable.
And as you pass through Molinaseca, check out the Image of the Buddha carved into a living tree. No detour from the route required, but it's easy to miss:
You can read about it in this thread:
Sorry for another question. Do you think 2 days in Ponferrada is too much? I'm thinking if I should stay 2 days in Molinaseca or stay final 2 days in Ponferrada.And as you pass through Molinaseca, check out the Image of the Buddha carved into a living tree. No detour from the route required, but it's easy to miss:
You can read about it in this thread:
I'll watch for it next time. Here's its location on Google MapsAnd as you pass through Molinaseca, check out the Image of the Buddha carved into a living tree. No detour from the route required, but it's easy to miss:
You can read about it in this thread:
Sorry for another question. Do you think 2 days in Ponferrada is too much? I'm thinking if I should stay 2 days in Molinaseca or stay final 2 days in Ponferrada.
Thank you so much again! I'm also a bit worried that I will be burnt out with walking full day for 6, 7 days. I'm considering stay at a place for 2 days before reaching Ponferrada to recharge.Personally I tend not to do full rest days but, if needed, shorter days of say 10-14 km, starting a little later and ending earlier in the day. I may take a full day off in one of the larger cities, such as Burgos or Leon, possibly Logrono, but that is on a longer camino. On a week-long journey such as yours, perhaps shorter days are the key and taking your time during the day to reach your destination.
I have not taken a day off in any of the cities/towns along your itinerary. Maybe another Forum member will be along shortly to provide more input
It’s possible, but a better question might be, is it recommended? I walked 66 kilometers one day, but I wouldn’t recommend it!Hi there, I am Nicole. I will start my trip from Villar de Mazarife on 20th May 2024, ends in Ponferrada.
It will be my first time ever to hike on camino and I will be hiking alone. I have planned the route as below, could anyone give me any suggestion or feedback on this route?
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