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Herrerías to Tricastela via O Cebreiro too much?

Bella2017

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Time of past OR future Camino
2014,2015,2016.
March 2017 Oct 2018 Camino ingles june 2019 cancelled Camino Portuguese Oct 2019
Are we over ambitious to do this in one day?
 
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Bella, that is around 30km with the Cebreiro uphill in the middle. It s not impossible at all. But would I do it? No, my body does not cope well with 25km+ days, especially when there is an extra challenge (the Cebreiro). But that's me.

So it comes down to knowing yourself - if you are ok with 30km distances, then go for it! If you are not booking ahead, then you can also just start walking and see where you feel like stopping :)
If you have a booking and realize you cannot reach it, stop, call a taxi, go rest and then taxi back the next day to where you stopped.

Whatever you decide, buen camino!
 
Are we over ambitious to do this in one day?
It's just under 29 km. If you are feeling fit, and the weather is conducive to a longer day, then go for it! Remember though that there are still hills to climb after O Cebreiro.

I did Villafranca del Bierzo to O Cebreiro last year, including walking the higher longer route, so I think that it was similar distance. I did have a reservation for a pensión, so I didn't have to worry about a bed that night.
 
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@Bella2017
Robo may be right that only you know if you can walk that distance, according to your own experience. But if you are asking us you are perhaps wondering if others have done such a distance and how it went. Last fall I walked three days of about the same length on the VdlP and found them difficult, in particular, the two days which included a challenging climb as well as the distance. I walked that distance those days because there was nowhere to stay at a shorter distance and I did not want to take a taxi. When it was very hot, the walk was even more. challenging. Of course, you would not have to carry all your water for the day on your proposed route.
A bigger question is why you would want to, when you are passing through some of the most historic and scenic areas of the camino. I have been through O Cebreiro twice, and both times I have spent some time in the church, which is a simple and beautiful place of worship on the pilgrim route. Whether you walk as a pilgrim or as a tourist, you will want to spend time in O Cebreiro and also in Triacastela. To summarize: maybe you can, but why would you want to?
 
Are we over ambitious to do this in one day?
Hola, Bella,

We know nothing about you, your age, fitness level, weight of backpack, nothing. How do you expect us to answer your question???

Anyway when I was 41 and in pretty good shape I didn't do it in one go. There was simply no need for that. But for example for me the leg from Rabanal to Molinaseca (over Cruz de Ferro) would be much tougher because of the downhill which isn't that steep on the stage you are asking for.

Buen Camino!
 
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@Wendy Werneth and I did Las Herrerías to the El Beso albergue in A Balsa, past Triacastelo, in one day, which was about 31km and the longest day we did on the CF (we averaged about 22km/day), as well as one of the best. Wendy did it in crocs and with plantar fasciitis in both feet, so I wouldn't say it's over ambitious.
 
Are we over ambitious to do this in one day?

Is there a reason that you want to walk that part all in one day?

The scenery in that area is stunning and I wouldn't want to rush it.
And the climb up is not easy, similar to the one from St Jean. Nice to take it slow IMHO.
And O Cerbeiro is well worth spending some time in. If not an overnight stay. Lovely buildings, church, views....
All three times I've passed through there I've had great meals ;)
 
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Hola @Bella2017
I am in basic agreement with earlier replies. Yes you will have the advantage of starting the 600-700 metre climb fresh from your nights rest. But it is a long day with the advantage of the downhill section.
A couple of questions - where does this fit in your camino experience? What I am asking is have you walked the whole way from St Jean/Pamplona/Burgos so that you and your legs are camino fit. If you have only walked from Leon then it might be a big ask. One thing I would recommend is ensure that you have a bed booked for the night in Triacastela. You do night want to arrive after a 25-30 km day to find all the beds gone. (I can personally recommend the Complexo - stayed there in both 2015 & 2017.) Cheers and buen camino.
 
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Hi,

to me it seems doable if it is not too hot. We walked La Faba - Triacastela with a 10 year old boy some years ago and neither me nor the child felt very tired thereafter. But it was a cloudy day.

BC
Alexandra
 
We celebrated mass at O Cebreiro and it’s one of our favorite Camino moments (despite the wind, rain, and staying in the ginormous public albergue which lacked both heat AND hot water!!!). Still, so glad we spent the night in that beautiful village.
 
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
It was the most elevation gain on my Fitbit of any day. You can get a taxi only at the bars. It is too pretty to bull through, at least for me. Fonfria and its meal are highly regarded.
 
It is not the distance, it is the elevation. As others have pointed out, the distance is only about 30 km, similar to what many regularly walk in a day. But there will be lots of climbing and descending. So it depends on how you are with these. If either (or both) of these are especially challenging for you there are options. Some rent horses for the climb to O Cebreiro. Others (and I did this my last Camino due to severe knee problems) rent bikes for the O Cebreiro to Triacastela portion to avoid the wear and tear on their knees from the descent. It was my one day sampling the bicigrino life.
 
@Bella2017 , give it a go. In late October 2017 I walked La Faba to Samos (35 km). Herriaras is at 700 metres above sea level (asl) and O Cerbeiro at nearly 1,300 m asl. So it is not the most elevation gain for the distance on the Frances, and early in the morning is a good time to do it. I started well after sunrise as I wanted to see the scenery - with the dairy herds all the way from Vega de Valcarce it was the closest to home I had seen since leaving Le Puy.

This later start meant I was on the roller coaster ride until Bar Puerto at 1,300 m asl in the hot sun.

I suggest you take care on the descent from Fonfria, it is very steep and rocky with, for me at least, a less than good surface.

Kia kaha (take care, be strong, get going)
 
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Are we over ambitious to do this in one day?
We did it this past June however we did the climb up to O Cebrerio on horseback. Victor has 6 great horses down at the bottom that you can hire and he escorts you up to the top. You need to spend time in O Cebrerio-it is just too lovely to just pass through.
 
The ascent is in the morning, so it should be ok. Take a rest at O'Cebreiro and then continue. When you feel tired there is enough intermediate accomodation before Triacastela.
 
I second Via2010 opinion . Have done exactly this segment . The climb was just over 1 hour. Certainly doable
 
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When are you Going? As Falcon mentioned, there is Albergue Reboleira in Fronfria.
https://www.albergueareboleira.com/en-us

You could always play it by ear and see a few days before if there is availability at the above mentioned Albergue. It has both bunks and private rooms...and a tasty meal cooked by the help.

I also suggest you take a bit of time to explore OCebriero, weather permitting. It is a very tiny town but worth a stop!
 
Thanks we are going from Leon to Sarria to complete the camino Frances. We have walked that distance before and I have booked at tricastela. We set off on monday. I was having worry that I might feel to worn out to get to get all the way there. The advice has all been helpful. If we can't make it will stop at Fonfria.
 
I second Via2010 opinion . Have done exactly this segment . The climb was just over 1 hour. Certainly doable

I agree it is doable but it all depends on the person who is doing it :confused: ie level of fitness, first day on the Camino or started in Le Puy or Geneva (or further!) etc etc
Does also depends on the weather imo.
Good luck anyway :)
 
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I agree it is doable but it all depends on the person who is doing it :confused: ie level of fitness, first day on the Camino or started in Le Puy or Geneva (or further!) etc etc
Does also depends on the weather imo.
Good luck anyway :)
In my case, i began my Camino at SJ, so it was about 4 weeks into the trek. Fitness- i am a grandfather of 12, so you can guess my body has seen better days... weather- it actually rained that day.
 
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