Leon to Muxia April 17

[frasert]

Hi
I have announced this before but just trying to get this on the calendar!
Previously walked to Burgos from St Jean in April May 2013 and planning to restart in Burgos. I could have done so but time constraints meant I would always be worried about getting to Santiago with plenty of time to relax at the end.
this way I cant walk on to Finesterre and maybe come back in another few years and do Burgos to Leon.

Thanks for all the great forum advice

fraser

 

[frasert]

Just returned from Leon to SDC April May 2014
I took 16 days to walk this section mainly due to a few short days due to terrible rain and early on I walked a few short days. Overall I would highly recommend this section to anyone looking to walk 2 weeks as it has a varied terrain and lots of opportunities to walk outside of guidebook stages.
I mainly stayed in albergues except for Melide (pension) and tried to always have the communal meal if available.
Positives

• terrain especially the wildflowers and birds
• villages and bigger towns
• food and red wine
• people, pilgrims and locals
• even the walk out of Leon, does anyone know what those underground buildings are?
• Spending 3 days in Santiago at the end. I really enjoyed the food, wine bars and catching up.
• The train SDC to Madrid fast and comfortable.
• mailing gear ahead to Ivar for pickup in SDC great service

Negatives

• wet clothes!
• the times when I was walking and a van would come by and unload a group of tourogrinos to walk a section. This is fine in itself except they just talk non stop and I wonder if that defeats the purpose of walking

Favourites

• Albergue in Villares de Orbido
  
• Night life in Melide
• the castle in Ponferrada
  
• lobster Paella in SDC
• did I mention the Vino tinto?

Equipment successes

• rain pants great to protect shoes from mud and water
• Injini toe sock liners and merino socks, no blisters except for in SDC when I wore just crocs for a day.
• Battery pack for my iPhone, heavy but meant I could leave it unattended charging and keep my phone safe.
• Merino T-Shirts its true they don't smell
• Wool beanie light and very useful
• gortex wide brimmed hat good for sun and rain
• Pacer poles, though I wonder if I would have been fine without any or just a stick
  
• Brierley Guidebook, removed pages as I went.
• Safety pins and a few pegs

Equipment fails

• head lamp never used
• raincoat, too heavy and retained the sweat. I would go back to my Ferrino Poncho and rain pants next time
• pocket knife, never used
  
• one too many LS shirts
• suncream/vaseline/chapstick always had long sleeves and pants and hat

 

[mspath]

frasert,

Glad to learn that all went well for you! Those undrground structures which were passed leaving Leon are wine bodegas used for both storage and at times serving vino tinto. Stopping at one if it is open can be a VERY joĺly experience.

MM

 

[frasert]

Bodegas.....now that makes sense
Thanks

 

[frasert]

Oh I forgot one big negative- cyclists !
Thanks to those who just gave a little ring to let me know you wanted to pass. But those idiots that thought it was ok not to show consideration and slow down and give a warning why don't you use the road. Especially the guy with an air horn that scared the proverbial out of walkers.