Leon to Astorga via Villar de Mazarife

[ElRicardoL]

The last hospital I visited in Spain was Hospital de Leon. It was in September 2007. My wife and I had walked the Camino from St. Jean Pied de Port to just outside the small town of El Burgo Ranero, where I was struck down with a heart attack. We will be resuming our Camino in June of this year and I am now putting together our route.
I have heard, that there is a preferable route from San Martin del Camino that takes you away from the busy roads. I cannot seem to find any info. about this route. In fact, it's almost as if we're being forced to walk via Hospital de Orbigo, and, as you can imagine , one hospital is enough for me!
Any comments or suggestions would be very much appreciated.

 

[oursonpolaire]

Walk out of Leon to Virgen del Camino. Just after the church, cross the road on you left at the bottom of the hill, and take the lane to Fresno del Camino. Fifteen kilometres of country road later, you'll find yourself in Villar. As it's 7km from Leon downtown to Virgen--about half of which is crawling through a built-up area alongside the main road (some pilgrims have been spotted on the city bus to Virgen!), that makes a 22km day. In 2002 I stayed at the municipal, which was barebones, but had very nice balconies for sleeping in fair weather. The next day is a flat 14km into Hospital de Orbigo.

 

[Javier]

The best way from León to Astorga is via Villar de Mazarife.-
After Virgen del Camino you must to go on the left- There is a Camino very calm way, without cars or trucks, without noise-
In Villar de Mazarife, you can find a very good albergue.- Albergue de Jesús.-
Have a nice Camino.-

 

[bpondugula]

Hallo

We walked from Leon to Santiago via San Martin del camino and then onwards to Astorga,
Vilar de mazarife , we were told was a bit too lonely and were not sure about the accomodation,
maybe the next time, we will be going via Vilar de Mazarife

Regards
Bharat

 

[jeff001]

One of the biggest advantages of having a guidebook with you is the ability to know about route variations such as this. The route through Villar de Mazarife is much more pleasant than the slog along the highway.

 

[bpondugula]

Well , am not sure about following a guide book along the way. We have noticed people following the guide book to the letter and this makes the albergues full in where the group moves with the book in hand.

Its good to read but not following it to the letter.

Regards
Bharat