For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here. (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation) |
---|
It seemed to go on forever on my first ascent. I timed it the second time, and it took 21 minutes! Perception can really distort reality!The short climb onto the mesteta after Castrojeriz
Every time I do it, I swear I will take a taxi the next time. So far, I have stayed on my feet, but ...The steep, rocky descent from el Acebo to Molinaseca
I had exactly the same experience, although I think the weather played a part as well. It was much cooler second time.falcon269 said:It seemed to go on forever on my first ascent. I timed it the second time, and it took 21 minutes! Perception can really distort reality!The short climb onto the mesteta after Castrojeriz
That's a pity because without the rain and mud that is one of my favourite sections of the whole Camino. If I knew I was going to die tomorrow I'd ask for my ashes to be spread there. It's one of those places where you can't see a single building, road, car etc for miles! (Except the wind farms in the distance). Buen Camino!wayfarer said:Our most challenging day was between Hornillos del camino and Hontanas.
SabineP said:For me too the steep, rocky descent from el Acebo to Molinaseca and also the walk after Villafranca Montes de Oca to San Juan de Ortega : those pines and pines...etc...and pines. I will take the bus from Villafranca to Burgos next time.
Anniesantiago said:I think that decline into Molinaseca is difficult for most folks. In September, it was so windy it literally would knock you off your feet coming down into Acebo.
Having said that, has anyone here ever stayed in Acebo? Seems like a cool little village.
Yes! On the stage into Leon there's a dreadful bridge that they are apparently wanting to replace but haven't. I hate any kind of bridge, and my walking buddies laughed at me. However even they started running at that bridge just to get over it as quickly as possible. It has no handrails or any kind of restraint at some points.jpflavin1 said:The most dangerous part of the walk is crossing the bridge on the outskirts of Leon.
Acebo is great! When we were there (spring 2011) it was great weather, fantastic views etc, but the albergue was full. They sent us down to a house towards the end of the village and it was great. We had a semi-private room that looked a bit like a prison cell, but what do you need? Beautiful village, and I think quite unique along the Frances. Buen Camino!Anniesantiago said:Having said that, has anyone here ever stayed in Acebo? Seems like a cool little village.
jpflavin1 said:Descent into Molineseca is steep but you just have to be careful. Could be more challenging if raining.
Having walked several times the Camino Francés from Roncesvalles to Santiago de Compostela, challenges varied according to the weather and one's physical conditions. For example, the Alto de Mostelares (after Castrojeríz) was a tough ascent on one occasion (midday heat, walking from Hontanas) and a "piece of cake" on another (starting from Castrojeríz, rested, early morning in fresh, dry air).sillydoll said:... Which were yours? [...]
MCVet said:I don't remember exactly where it was, but there was a stretch where you walk by a military base and you climb up to a plateau on very rocky grounds, and then it's flat for a while. I believe there's also a large cross up there and when I went through, it had a mosaic labyrinth made of rocks. Anyhow, that was a rough part because you go up on extremely rocky ground and down on similar ground. There were a lot of tiring and tough days but for some reason that part *really* sticks out in my mind.
Just before the descent into Astorga?climb up to a plateau on very rocky grounds, and then it's flat for a while. I believe there's also a large cross up there and when I went through, it had a mosaic labyrinth made of rocks.
I'm wondering if you are also talking about Molinaseca by the way you describe the decent, river, swimming area. Do the other posts above sound like the same place?
Just before the descent into Astorga?
"Seeing it is not the same as being there."Astorga, other than it was another one of those cathedral towns where you see it seemingly from the moment you start that day and then arrive some 10 hours later lol.
I did that once from El Acebo, and it was continuous, gentle down. I was using my MBT rocker bottom boots, which are not great on slippery rocks. However, the last part took a substantial detour, over a kilometer probably. That stuck in my mind, so I took the marked route the next two times in normal boots, and hated it as much as ever! There is one canyon that is a very nice view. The rest: not so much.If anyone finds the rocky path difficult, the road is a good alternative
So much so that for two days she couldn't walk because of knee problems :mrgreen:annakappa said:... the descent from The Monastery of San Juan de la Peña was definately the worst descent that I have ever done on the Camino.
Yes. I seem to be unusual in that I love downhill sections and dislike uphills (I'm a smoker, so maybe that's whyajp said:... if you go on to Finisterre; the path down to Cee from San Pedro ( a few kms after Oliviera) is steep, winding, wet, muddy and slippery with vegetation. I did it on a rainy day in late October and found it probably the most difficult descent of all, slipping and falling in the mud a couple of times, the hiking poles were not much help. A warm room and a couple of stiff drinks in Cee repaired the damage quickly!
That's how I remember it Allan! Buen Camino!Al the optimist said:Totally agree about downhill before Cee. Alone and walking in mist it was time to be cautious about finding the right way. I'm sure I did, but I remember a steep and very boulder section with difficult footing where it would have been easy to twist an ankle or trip. Did I go the right way?
allan
ausmarko said:The most challenging for me, but also the best day of the Camino was the section from Villafranca to Herreias via the challenging three peak mountain route. 10 hours on a hot day but so rewarding in that it was the only day that the path was not easily defined and navigation was required. Sharing with four other people made the day a joy in shared discovery and pain and passed through little villages not readily frequented by pilgrims. Rest stops and a picnic stop with my companions and the occasional comical meeting of disorientated pilgrims appearing from circuitous dead end trails made this day an endurance test but the most rewarding of the Camino Frances. We decided a hotel room at the end of the day was richly deserved and a great meal and late start the next morning topped off a great but hard day on the Camino.
Completely agree with the drop to Zubiri! It was wet, steep and a long day! My Mrs had twited her knee so ever step down hurt and the exuberance of the day before had worn off some! Think she also suffered what we runners call "The Wall" where your body runs out of Glycogen energy! But we got off the hill, re-fuled, rested well and never looked back! Every day after was like a blessing and our bodies grew stronger for every hill to follow and valley to drop into! Buen CaminoI have been reading a blog and some of the comments made me remember how challenging I've found some of the paths on the Camino. Which were yours?
Her blog posts:
Viskarret to Zubiri - Thank God for trekking poles. No, I mean literally, thank God for trekking poles. Because I don´t know that I would have made it to Zubiri without them. Terrain: Difficult (Rumor has it, it is one of the most difficult days of the Walk because of the steep decline into Zubiri.)
Zubiri to Arre - Today was the toughest day yet.
Other challenging sections for me were:
The descent from the Alto de Perdon (I twisted an ankle on the river boulders and suffered for days afterwards!)
The long, hard slog into Burgos
The short climb onto the mesteta after Castrojeriz
Walking about 1.5 days out of Leon next to a highway.
The steep, rocky descent from el Acebo to Molinaseca
The climb up to O Cebreriro
The rocky, rooler-coaster path to Triacastela
where is that bridge?Yes! On the stage into Leon there's a dreadful bridge that they are apparently wanting to replace but haven't. I hate any kind of bridge, and my walking buddies laughed at me. However even they started running at that bridge just to get over it as quickly as possible. It has no handrails or any kind of restraint at some points.
At least this year they'd closed that dodgy footbridge out of Portomarin, because it was a nightmare! There's a perfectly good road bridge nearby with little traffic.
Buen and safe Camino!
I stayed there in 2012 and had a wonderful stop at Meson El Acebo, nice terrace and good restaurant. I walked down the hill from Cruz de Ferro after leaving Rabanal on clear cool moring, I can't image doing that descent from Cruz de Ferro in the rain, it would be a killer.I think that decline into Molinaseca is difficult for most folks. In September, it was so windy it literally would knock you off your feet coming down into Acebo.
Having said that, has anyone here ever stayed in Acebo? Seems like a cool little village.
where is that bridge?
That was also a difficult morning for me, but mainly because I had a mini migraine the evening before and, predictably, felt both exhausted and completely removed from the people I was walking with. Battling internally with a throbbing headache and desperately trying to push my body through the relatively short climb was agonising, even more so because at this time, and possibly the only time throughout the entire 800 km, I felt completely alone, even though I was walking with 7 people who I'd quickly formed close bonds with.Pretty sure that was in between Ages and Burgos, not sure of the name of the area though. That walk sticks out particularly to me because it was uncharacteristically (for my camino) FREEZING that morning!
That's so true also for me was the 10pm - 6am constant snoring. Everything else was pure joy.My most challenging section...the bus ride away from Santiago after I have finished.
I thought I had replied but thank you - very reassuring - and thank you for all your threads I readVillarente but new bridge installed 2013. In the past we pilgrims walked on a narrow medieval bridge at Villarente in frightening competition with on-coming contemporary lorry traffic. The traffic usually won. In 2013 a dedicated pedestrian-only bridge was added. What a relief it was late last autumn to gently stroll along this elegant wooden way without fearing being hit or run over!
The most challenging day to me was the Napoleon route from SJPdP to Roncesvalles. It took almost 8 hours and I was exhausted.
The most dangerous part of the walk is crossing the bridge on the outskirts of Leon.
The climb out of Castrojeriz is steep but a short well maintained road. This is best done in the morning. The sunrise view from here is spectacular.
Both times I have slogged through rain and mud to Hontanas. A difficult walk in wet conditions.
I like stopping in La Faba, so I detour of the road on the walk to O'cebreriro. This is a steep winding rocky path to a beautiful small Albergue maintained by Germans.
Descent into Molineseca is steep but you just have to be careful. Could be more challenging if raining.
I also dislike the slog into Burgos. Tried two different routes.
Ultreya,
Joe[/QU
I had the same thought. Bridge? Leon? But i think they were talking about an old bridge that nobody uses anymore or that is gone.
There is a new footbridge now which is completely safe
Yes I spent the christams and new years about 2 weeks in total in el acebo. It is a favorite of mine. I remember thinking the decent into Molinaseca was really tough during my first camino but I did it daily for most of a december, up and down. It is completely different isolated but after a long stretch with tired legs and not being familiar with the terrain, I believe that was the hardest day. I also felt the descent into triacalista from cebriero was a tough day. I prefer uphill any day.I think that decline into Molinaseca is difficult for most folks. In September, it was so windy it literally would knock you off your feet coming down into Acebo.
Having said that, has anyone here ever stayed in Acebo? Seems like a cool little village.
That's what we get for having a Forum Tip's post that teaches people to use the search function.@APilgrim3393 I think you are responding to a post from 2014! Which just goes to show that some things never change.
I like going down to Molinasecca as well (although cautiously to start with). I once in bad weather did part of the early bit on the road. Reaching Acebo gives a sense of achievement doesn't it? I have always enjoying that first café! Last time I stayed in Acebo at the albergue attached to the Hotel at the end of the village and really enjoyed it. Made me wish I had packed swimming trunksI would be more like tyrrek in that I like the downhill sections and I really enjoyed the decent into Cee, it was a warm sunny day and the views were spectacular, loved it, also the decent into Molinaseca, loved that.
I was thinking the same thing!Great to see back Al.
Thank you. Most kind.I was thinking the same thing!
Al, you were one of the key contributors on the forum that I appreciated when I first started lurking in 2014.
Does ANYONE make it past that cafe?We never made it past the cafe at the old bridge, met some friends there and stayed around the corner.
Great to see back Al.
I like going down to Molinasecca as well (although cautiously to start with). I once in bad weather did part of the early bit on the road. Reaching Acebo gives a sense of achievement doesn't it? I have always enjoying that first café! Last time I stayed in Acebo at the albergue attached to the Hotel at the end of the village and really enjoyed it. Made me wish I had packed swimming trunks
I have stayed at that lovely hotel twice in the albergue section...wonderful, and the bathrooms/shower areas were quite posh, considering. The pilgrim meal they served was lovely, too.I frequently take a rest day there! We stay in a private room, beautiful large outdoor patio and lovely vistasI Yes there is an outdoor pool but we have never have been there when it was open-maybe this September, if we all get vaccinated by then? Food is descent. Love the place.
so familiar, I did it about everyday fir two to three weeks in dec of 2018. a great Christmas thanks to eppy and the people of el acebo to ponferrada gratitude.Interesting, cuz I loved the walk up to El Acebo and also loved the beautiful walk with the blue flagstone natural path down to Molinaseca the next morning, but then I do not have any knee issues...so far.
1) Up to Acebo...
2) Down to Molinaseca
View attachment 90800View attachment 90802
Me, once. I was on a mission to meet up with someone in Ponferrada, and I knew if I stopped it would be hard to start again. But that olace by the bridge sure is a nice place to stay; I did that too, once.Does ANYONE make it past that cafe
I stayed in el acebo one month over Christmas and everything was closed but this is my favorite village on the Camino. The walk from there to Ponferrada was part of my weekly ritual and from el acebo to molinaseca was almost a daily thing. The decent down is harder than coming back. And in December, with no cars, the road was even easier as it winds around and the sights are beautiful. If you stay in el acebo for any amount of time, you will find yourself looking from above the clouds looking down below them to ponferrada area. The locals in el acebo were the greatest. I stop here every time molenaseca is also a favorite of mine. Buen Camino Jhon JazsWayI think that decline into Molinaseca is difficult for most folks. In September, it was so windy it literally would knock you off your feet coming down into Acebo.
Having said that, has anyone here ever stayed in Acebo? Seems like a cool little village.
3. Your confidenceI think a lot depends on.......
- Your state of health / fitness.
- How far you walked that particular day (leg strength and energy remaining)
A walk up a hill. If you are having difficulties, walk slower.St Jean to Orisson.
I walked down in heavy rain, starting from Roncesvalles. I have never understood why some people have difficulties with this stretch.Down to Zubiri
I took my time and watched my footing, no problemo.* Down from Alto del Perdon *
I stayed in El Acebo and never noticed any problems.Down through El Acebo to Molinaseca.
1st time
I walked from Molinaseca and by the time I got to the tricky bits towards the bottom I was feeling tired and so this time around I walked very purposely through the tricky bits but had no real problems except wanting it to finish.2nd time
Another walk up a hill.Up to O Cebreiro
I'm not sure if you were responding to JabbaPapa's post that immediately preceded yours. If you were, you might have missed that he was not talking about El Acebo to Molinaseca but rather the reverse, uphill on the way back.Oh, El Acebo to Molinaseca... fun memories.
First time in the rain. Actually liked it. Well, maybe not "liked" but also not "hated" it. But i started in Foncebadon this day.
Second time, bone dry. Had some kind of allergic reaction to something (pollen?) and spent most of that stretch with burning/watering eyes. Not fun if you don't see where to place your foot. It likely did not help that my day started 28km before El Acebo in St.Catalina...
And i have more cases like this. I guess for me it is the combination of a section that is "harder than average" with myself being "weaker than average" (for example from fatigue or allergies).
I’ve done it in reverse too, on my bike by road. I thought it would never end.The hardest section I've found is uphill from Molinaseca to El Acebo. There are some tricky bits that are not too bad going downhill with a stick, but uphill in the other direction are blue murder !!
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?