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Yes definitely take this route if possible, it is beautiful. The cafe I think Howard mentions is also a little Albergue. It's a beautiful little quiet village surrounded by chestnut groves, and as mentioned the walk up there is beautiful, and I think the normal route is mostly along the busy road (I think, as I've not walked it).just after Villa Franco del Bierzo , there is an option to the right called the Pradela route that goes high on a Roman road that connects back at Trabadelo. It goes on the ridge line and offers great views on the main road route in the valley. I have walked it three times and one of my favorites. There is a village named Pradela that has a cafe.
Thanks so much—sounds wonderful!Hello , just after Villa Franco del Bierzo , there is an option to the right called the Pradela route that goes high on a Roman road that connects back at Trabadelo. It goes on the ridge line and offers great views on the main road route in the valley. I have walked it three times and one of my favorites. There is a village named Pradela that has a cafe. Also I would recommend that Albergue of La Faba on the hike to O’ Ceberrio. Of which you will see in the AM anyway after the crowds
Thank you! We will look forward to seeing this!Pictures that day. Worth the small detour. View attachment 164960View attachment 164961View attachment 164963
Thank you—your pictures are stunningYes definitely take this route if possible, it is beautiful. The cafe I think Howard mentions is also a little Albergue. It's a beautiful little quiet village surrounded by chestnut groves, and as mentioned the walk up there is beautiful, and I think the normal route is mostly along the busy road (I think, as I've not walked it).
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Don’t forget their signature chestnut cake!!Yes definitely take this route if possible, it is beautiful. The cafe I think Howard mentions is also a little Albergue. It's a beautiful little quiet village surrounded by chestnut groves, and as mentioned the walk up there is beautiful, and I think the normal route is mostly along the busy road (I think, as I've not walked it).
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I had to laugh about the 65+ ladies, and, yes, they are AGED 65+! I appreciate the warning on the steepness, as one of “my” ladies has a heart condition and I am already planning to avoid the most challenging ascents (such as the walk up O Cebreiro).I presume that yours is a group of ladies aged 65+, rather than a group of more than 65 ladies. If I am right, though the Pradela route is undoubtedly beautiful, and much quieter than following the major road (N-VI), it is very VERY steep in places (especially at the start. If your ladies are fit and warned, it is doable, but most walkers follow the road. (But probably because they are not aware of the Pradela route.)
I would recommand Vilar das Donas (Vilar de Donas on at least one roadsign), only about 1.3 km from the Camino Francés. A bit further off the CF is Pambre Castle, just after Palas de Rei, but check opening times before you go. It is 8 km from PdR, but 'only' 6 km from the CF, which is, of course, a 12 km detour.
Hi Chris—I didn’t receive any responses to my question about Carracedo. I did look it up online: https://www.turismocastillayleon.co.../monasterios/monasterio-santa-maria-carracedo. It looks beautiful and appears to have a museum about its history and monastic life. I also looked it up in my Brierly guide. It’s mentioned and Brierly says that it is a monastic complex with a royal palace. He also says it’s not on a detour that is way-marked, so I know nothing about the actual walking, although on the map, it looks like the best way is to make a round trip detour from Cacabelos (about 3 km each way.). If you find out anything more, or decide to visit it, please share with me!I’m curious about this, as I’ve never taken the detour.
Are there any views on making the detour after Camponaraya to visit Monasterio de Carracedo and then rejoining the main route again? Is it worth it? …and is it a road route from the main Frances Route and back to the Frances or a path/road mixture?
I see the responses to the original question, which are also interesting and known to me, but I’m also curious about Carracedo.
Thanks.
has anyone detoured to the Monasterio de Santa Maria de Carracedo, about 3 km south of Cacabelos?
Thank you so much! I will take a look and really appreciate your suggestion!I have never been to this monastery, but it looks like it would be a beautiful place to wander around. If I’m ever back on the Francés, I would love to go there, so thank you for the information!
Wikiloc has a route from Ponferrada to Villafranca that goes to the monastery and which does not involve backtracking. The route has a lot of pictures and textual description as well, so even if you don’t use the GPS you can get a lot of good information there.
Thank you for this and for the info that you have. The responses to you had wandered off-topic a bit, but yours and Peregrina2000’s replies are most helpful - thank you again.Hi Chris—I didn’t receive any responses to my question about Carracedo. I did look it up online: https://www.turismocastillayleon.co.../monasterios/monasterio-santa-maria-carracedo. It looks beautiful and appears to have a museum about its history and monastic life. I also looked it up in my Brierly guide. It’s mentioned and Brierly says that it is a monastic complex with a royal palace. He also says it’s not on a detour that is way-marked, so I know nothing about the actual walking, although on the map, it looks like the best way is to make a round trip detour from Cacabelos (about 3 km each way.). If you find out anything more, or decide to visit it, please share with me!
Oh, please let me know what it’s like! I ended up deciding to pass on Carracedo because the website says that it’s closed on Monday, which is the day we’ll be the vicinity. So now I have another reason to go back!Thank you for this and for the info that you have. The responses to you had wandered off-topic a bit, but yours and Peregrina2000’s replies are most helpful - thank you again.
I’ve walked the section beyond Astorga 9 times in the past over the years and I continue to discover new “gems”, places and delights. In April, I plan to include this detour.
Enjoy your Camino. My best wishes to you…
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