Long Term Parking Leon

[LesBrass]

What is it they say about best laid plans?

A year ago (A YEAR!) I booked cover for time off in September and October so that I could walk Madrid/San Salvador/Primitivo... this has not been a good year for us and I have been so looking forward to this walk. 2 days ago I learned that my cover can't 'cover' and I have 3 weeks not 5 . We've spend a couple of days trying to figure a plan for maximum walking for 18 days and we think we'll still do San Salvador and Primitivo... but we need to park somewhere in Leon.

So after my long intro... the parking at Leon station is 1€ an hour... so over 3 weeks it's pretty expensive! Can anyone recommend an alternative parking place for us that wont run into the 100s?

many thanks for any suggestions!

 

[peregrina2000]

Hi, LesBrass, So sorry to hear your news, but being able to walk the Salvador/Primitivo is not a bad consolation prize!

When I walked the Salvador way back when, a friend from Madrid drove up to walk with me and parked in a big lot in front of the Delegación Territorial de la Junta, which is right next to the river where the Salvador leaves along the side of the parador. I’ve attached a google maps shot. I also checked to see if it was still open for free parking, and I came up with this article that confirms that it is, and also describes more free parking places in León.

Aquí puedes aparcar tu coche gratis en León - ILEÓN.COM

Además del conocido parking a los pies de la delegación territorial de la Junta, existen hasta otros 10 más repartidos por el suelo de la capital leonesa, pero ¿dónde? Realizamos un repaso de todos los aparcamientos de estacionamiento libre en la ciudad con un mapa interactivo.

www.ileon.com

Buen camino, Laurie

 

[KinkyOne]

That's a very nice find, right at the beginning of Salvador

And @LesBrass if you need overnight stay before you begin Salvador (and if you don't want to splurge in Parador) there's pretty nice Hostal Don Suero just 5 minutes walk from the parking lot. CF is coming down that street to San Marcos in front of the Hostal. It has restaurante and bar but there are plenty others in vicinity.

od Junta de Castilla y Leon - Delegación Territorial de León (DT-LE) do Av. Suero de Quiñones

www.google.si

Buen Camino!

 

[LesBrass]

@peregrina2000 and @KinkyOne - that's a great find but I think we're now going to do the Ingles and Primitivo. The San Salvador was just a day too long (I did try to delete the post but couldn't see how to? sorry!)

I don't suppose you could find me a similar parking spot in Ferrol could you?

 

[Richard Ward]

I thought that Ingles from Ferrol took about as long to walk as the San Salvador, especially since you have to budget some additional transport time in there? Of course there is another reason to avoid San Salvador at the beginning of a Camino... ⛰🏔⛰

Which is exactly why I am planning to do your original routing of Madrid to San Salvador to Primitivo.

 

[peregrina2000]

Well, @LesBrass, I will agree with what @Richard Ward just said. Especially if you add in a day for travel, the Inglés plus Primitivo is not going to be any shorter than most people would take on the Salvador plus Primitivo. Inglés from Ferrol is about 110, Salvador is about 120. Gronze lists five stages for the Inglés. It’s been a long time since I was there, but I remember being essentially locked into those stages because of accommodations, but maybe that has changed and you will do it in 4. I think most people walk the Salvador in 4 or 5 days. It’s true that there is more elevation gain, but the terrain of the Salvador is absolutely stunning in several parts. The Inglés has the nice towns of Betanzos and Pontedeume, but my memory (again, things may have changed) was that I had to walk through a LOT of eucalyptus forests.

Actually, I am just trying to find a way to avoid having to look for free parking in Ferrol.

 

[LesBrass]

Oh my... now I'm confused!

I think we'd kind of settled on the Ingles and Primitivo but I have to say I like the idea of just continuing... keep on walking rather than getting a train (and free parking!)! I'll revisit the schedule and see how it fits. Certainly one of the reasons I wanted to walk the San Salvador was the amazing views; It just looks so stunning! I'll go back to my spreadsheet... although Gerry has become quite keen about the prospect of pulpo on the Ingles!

Thank you so much for these ideas and suggestions... I will revisit our plans... watch this space!