Is it reasonable to bike Seville to Salamanca in late December?

[Julie & Daniel]

Hi everyone -
my son and I hiked the Via de la Plata from Salamanca to Santiago in July 2013, and we have been eager to get back and do more together. I'm thinking to make the most of his two week winter break from school and hit VdP again, this time BIKING from Seville to Salamanca. I figure if we bike around 60 km per day, we can fit the time frame with flights, etc. But is it reasonable, weather-wise, to make this trip at that time? Tentative dates are between Dec 20 and Jan 3. I recall seeing guidebooks that described that section as much flatter than our (beautiful!!) route through Galicia, but does anyone have insight on where I can find a good elevational profile? Will Christmas and New Years holidays result in closed albergues?

Many thanks to anyone who can provide guidance and/or prevent me from doing something unreasonable which could backfire and make my son miserable for two weeks...

Julie

 

[Donna Sch]

http://caminodesantiago.consumer.es/los-caminos-de-santiago/via-de-la-plata/ for some elevation maps. Calvary (just before Almaden) is a challenge after a lovely day in the park and the trail up to El Real is definite mountain biking but you do see cyclists pop out of nowhere doing these...and some of them are not pilgrims and just do it for fun.

 

[LTfit]

Some albergues will be closed but you will always find some type of accommodation, at least I did in February when a few pilgrim albergues were closed. There were only 5 of us walking and the occasional cyclist.

I just updated Jirit's Vía de la Plata Accommodation guide to also include information on closing dates. Look in the Resource section.

 

[William Marques]

The second day biking out of Seville is lumpy and the section after Banos de Montemayor is properly hilly otherwise it is relatively flat. The weather could be bad especially up on the plateau (from Zafra onwards) and I would book ahead for Christmas Eve and Day at least.

If I was in your place I would look for an easier route with more predictable mid winter weather and save the Seville to Salamanca section for another day.

 

[Julie & Daniel]

Thanks everyone for the info! Yes, I've been looking at Jirit's accomodation guide - a blessing in itself! Will check for the updates LTfit mentioned. Is it possible to bike this route backwards - Salamanca to Seville? Looks to be more downhill... LOL- Can you stay at albergues if you are going the wrong way?

 

[mspath]

As long as you have a Pilgrim Passport/Credencial you can stay at albergues whatever direction you are going.

Buen camino!

 

[Julie & Daniel]

http://caminodesantiago.consumer.es/los-caminos-de-santiago/via-de-la-plata/ for some elevation maps. Calvary (just before Almaden) is a challenge after a lovely day in the park and the trail up to El Real is definite mountain biking but you do see cyclists pop out of nowhere doing these...and some of them are not pilgrims and just do it for fun.

So Donna, I'm curious if you mean "definite mountain biking" in terms of elevational gain or more like rutted, rocky, rooty trails? I'm all for breaking a sweat, but not so much for breaking my neck. I am not a die-hard cyclist by any means, but so far not yet deterred from this endeavor. Had a great practice ride in simulated weather conditions thanks to Joaquin

 

[Donna Sch]

Rutted, sometimes rocky but all gradually uphill. You come across goats here. It's really pretty though. Potentially testing but not unpleasantly so. And there is always the option of taking the road.

 

[jaws101]

You could be lucky and have perfect cycling weather, but at this time of year nothing can be guaranteed. You will have shorter days and cold nights. Near anywhere with "barro" in the name, tracks need avoiding after rain as "barro" means mud. It would be sensible to use the roads instead as the mud is very sticky!

Take cold/wet weather gear and expect to use it. If you don't it will be a bonus.

 

[ajloughran]

http://caminodesantiago.consumer.es/los-caminos-de-santiago/via-de-la-plata/ for some elevation maps. Calvary (just before Almaden) is a challenge after a lovely day in the park and the trail up to El Real is definite mountain biking but you do see cyclists pop out of nowhere doing these...and some of them are not pilgrims and just do it for fun.

Hi Donna,
I would be grateful for your advice on the cycle route you took between Sevilla and Merida, ie did you stick to the walkers route (which I know from walking in 2013) or are there sections in which you took alternative, more bike friendly, routes.

thanks,
Arthur Loughran