Fork in the road

[DACamino]

In the wise pilgrim guide I have it shows a fork in the path just after Sahagun. The green route goes right to Cazadilla, the left is the official route to Bercianos. Both trails converge later towards Mansilla. The green route is supposed to be more scenic. Can anyone who has passed this way give any guidance as to which is more preferred?

 

[Anamiri]

Yes we took this by accident. If you think the walk out of Carrion de Condes is tediuos on that roman road, this one was way worse.
No water, ploughed fields, no villages until Reliegos. I wouldnt do it again. ever. We were just lucky to meet a Camino Angel on a bicycle who gave us water and directions.

 

[Deleted member 12253]

Left or right done both and both have their charm. Next time i might a coin. Dont miss Elvis Bar in Religios. He just might be in on your ealk

 

[Vacajoe]

In complete contrast, I loved the emptiness and serenity of that very same path!!! Had one of our best evenings in Religios.

 

[MickMac]

Went the Cazadilla in July it was a wasteland, like a road under construction, maybe the heat got to us but it was open to the elements was it worth it ? in my eyes no. Did not see any Roman remains but we nearly left behind two Irish mens exhausted bodies for future archaeologists to ponder over.

 

[KinkyOne]

...
No water, ploughed fields, no villages until Reliegos. I wouldnt do it again. ever. We were just lucky to meet a Camino Angel on a bicycle who gave us water and directions.

Not true. After the fork if you veer to the right and over the highway there are two villages: Calzada del Coto just after the fork and Calzadilla de los Hermanillos. Both with shop, bars, restaurants and albergue in each of them.

 

[KinkyOne]

... Did not see any Roman remains but we nearly left behind two Irish mens exhausted bodies for future archaeologists to ponder over.

The right hand option is on former Roman road, rebuild and resurfaced over the centuries like most of the highways are. But in attached photo (just before turn off for Reliegos) you can see fenced area where under the certain amount of soil is original Roman road called Via Aquitana:

 

[MickMac]

Sorry kinky ! Anamiri is on the ball with this one, this was one of those "Why are we doing this" moments. I agree totally with Anamiri !
We stayed in Cazadilla de Los Hermanillos it was just O.K even though we stayed in great accommodation at the top of town Casa Cura Rural ? everyone raves about it.
We had a foot bath in the village old wash house it was great and different.

 

[Anamiri]

Not true. After the fork if you veer to the right and over the highway there are two villages: Calzada del Coto just after the fork and Calzadilla de los Hermanillos. Both with shop, bars, restaurants and albergue in each of them.

Yes we had breakfast at Calzadilla de los Hermanillos. Saw the sign and wondered how we'd got there. (it was an accident, we weren't paying enough attention and followed some other pilgrims). The walk up to that part was pleasant, it was the roman road afterwards that did me in. Ran out of water, got sunburnt, thought it would never end.

 

[VNwalking]

Love it or hate it. De gustibus non disputandem...

If you need humanity and stimulation, feel free to walk on the endless and soul-less senda beside a road.
If you want to take the road less traveled, and enjoy solitude and open spaces, go via Calzadiila de los Hermanillos and along the Via Aquitana.

It's not a wasteland, as some have implied, not at all. But from Calzadilla to Reliegos, it's true there are no towns: a bit like the section after Carrion de los Condes, and the same kind of distance.
I think it's clear which I prefer.

And the CR that @ was referring to is Casa el Cura. It's a special place to stay.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

 

[BucketBabe]

This kind of information is perfect. Thanks so much!

 

[DebR]

In the wise pilgrim guide I have it shows a fork in the path just after Sahagun. The green route goes right to Cazadilla, the left is the official route to Bercianos. Both trails converge later towards Mansilla. The green route is supposed to be more scenic. Can anyone who has passed this way give any guidance as to which is more preferred?

I like the Calzadilla route, though I confess it can sometimes seem longer than it is.
The first time I walked it was also the first time I walked two hours on the Camino without seeing a soul. Were it not for the regular way markers, I’d have been convinced that I had geographically misplaced myself!
As it was, with no one to disturb, I cranked up the Boss and Mr Springsteen and I enjoyed a cracking stride to The wonderful Albergue Via Trajana in Calzadilla. Half an hour later, as I was relaxing on the terrace with the obligatory cerveza, my Camino family began appearing over the horizon and the world was again a happy place...

 

[IngridF]

Also if I remember correctly there is an out door museum at C.de Los Hermanillos. The local hospitalero ( when I was there in 2012) takes the pilgrims there each evening for a history lesson. Great experience ....he only spoke Spanish, but there was a German pilgrim who was bilingual and translated into German (my mother tongue)...in turn I translated into English and French. Such fond memories of what was going to be my last day on the Camino without injury. Buthe that's anot her story.

 

[Luther]

I'd love to be on one of those boring roads this morning as I head to work, wondering if I'll ever be able to come back! Buen Camino!

 

[t2andreo]

I MUCH preferred the right fork...

 

[KinkyOne]

I'd love to be on one of those boring roads this morning as I head to work, wondering if I'll ever be able to come back! Buen Camino!

Then head for one of the southern Caminos (Serrana, Augusta, Plata, Levante, Sanabres, Lana etc.)

 

[Gcmacrae]

In the wise pilgrim guide I have it shows a fork in the path just after Sahagun. The green route goes right to Cazadilla, the left is the official route to Bercianos. Both trails converge later towards Mansilla. The green route is supposed to be more scenic. Can anyone who has passed this way give any guidance as to which is more preferred?

Yes we took this by accident. If you think the walk out of Carrion de Condes is tediuos on that roman road, this one was way worse.
No water, ploughed fields, no villages until Reliegos. I wouldnt do it again. ever. We were just lucky to meet a Camino Angel on a bicycle who gave us water and directions.

In the wise pilgrim guide I have it shows a fork in the path just after Sahagun. The green route goes right to Cazadilla, the left is the official route to Bercianos. Both trails converge later towards Mansilla. The green route is supposed to be more scenic. Can anyone who has passed this way give any guidance as to which is more preferred?

That trek has no food water and few people but then there are pictures like this to be had.

 

[KinkyOne]

That trek has no food water and few people but then there are pictures like this to be had.

Again - not true at all!
Please read the whole thread, not just the first two posts. And please don't give false info to potential walkers on the right hand side route if you don't know what you are talking about.

 

[MichelleElynHogan]

In the wise pilgrim guide I have it shows a fork in the path just after Sahagun. The green route goes right to Cazadilla, the left is the official route to Bercianos. Both trails converge later towards Mansilla. The green route is supposed to be more scenic. Can anyone who has passed this way give any guidance as to which is more preferred?

I am told that I am a bit different from most. When I find a fork in the road, I start looking for the spoon.