From Leon the next step: Villar de Mazarife or San Martin?

Hola Priscilla,
Just start walking and don't plan! You will meet others you want to talk to, the weather might be glorious or trying, your body might do well or not so well - all of these things will affect how far you walk. You won't know until you do. By about lunchtime the choice will be clear.

I suggest Vilar de Mazarife; Tio Pepe.

Hola Priscilla

falcon269 said:

I suggest Vilar de Mazarife; Tio Pepe.

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Yes, I agree.
Others may disagree, but the road via San Martin can be a bit tricky where it crosses under motorways, ended up walking on farm roads beside motorway with six other "lost" pilgrims.
Much prefer Vilar de Mazarife route, which I did on previous walk.
Buen Camino
Colin

Priscilla,

I agree. Much of the Camino Frances immediately west from Leon passes through suburban sprawl and parallels highways; however, the pleasant alternate way via Villar de Mazarife avoids much of this.

Follow the regular CF roughly 7 km from Leon to the village La Virgen del Camino named for a famous 15th century figure of the Virgin holding the dead body of Christ. Today this figure is within a splendid contemporary church designed in the 1960s by a Dominican monk. Basically a glass box with giant stylized metal sculptures of the Apostles covering the west façade it is a gem; do visit the interior.

To find the alternate way after visiting the church just cross the main street. You will see a sign with the alternate camino arrows. The alternate will turn slightly southwest towards Villar de Mazarife. By this you escape further N120 highway noise and much suburban sprawl. At Villar de Mazarife there are several pilgrim albergues, Tio Pepe is my favorite. From here you can continue on to join the regular CF at Hospital de Órbigo .

Buen Camino,

Margaret Meredith

If the weather is good, the way to Villar de Mazarife is far more beautiful, if it is raining the way to San Martin will be less muddy. Said all that, you need to listen to the Camino you are walking, it will tell you what is right for you at that specific moment ;-) Buen Camino! SY

My vote is for Mazarife. The other path is along the motorway for much of the way and is truly dreadful. There are three albergues to choose from in Mazarife - the first one on the right (Padua) offers are fantastic vegetarian meal, Albergue Jesus is full of character, and Tio Pepe comes recommended. Can't go wrong!

If you do decide to take the route via San Martin, or if you just miss the not-well-marked turn-off to Vilar de Mazarife, you can log a big day and go all the way to Hospital de Orbigo and stay at the fantastic Albergue Verde. (I'm a bit biased, I admit, as I am currently volunteering there as an hospitalera.) Hammocks in the giant backyard, yoga class most mornings, delicious vegetarian meal...

To be fair, one of my other favorite albergues is also in Hospital de Orbigo - Alb. San Miguel where there is an easel set up for artists to create their own Camino masterpieces. The walls of the albergue are filled with art from pilgrims that have passed through. Really cool.