O Cebreiro - Linares alternative route

[pvh]

I'm in O Cebreiro at the moment and see that the Xunta Galicia sign on exiting the village gives two routes to Linares: a recommended route along the road or what looks like an alternative "higher" route.

Has anyone more information about which is better and why?

 

[mspath]

pvh,
The upper route is that described in the Gronze guide . You climb 100m. and continue through rolling hillside to Linares. The road route is along the edges of LU 633 and is much easier to follow in bad weather ie rain or snow. Also via the road you have splendid views to the north as you walk west.
Carpe diem and Buen camino!

 

[Marbe2]

pvh,
The upper route is that described in the Gronze guide . You climb 100m. and continue through rolling hillside to Linares. The road route is along the edges of LU 633 and is much easier to follow in bad weather ie rain or snow. Also via the road you have splendid views to the north as you walk west.
Carpe diem and Buen camino!

In the snow…one often has to walk on the edge of the road.

 

[CWBuff]

checking my FindPenguins map - it does seem to me that I went onto the trail...
I think all-in-all i was somewhat taken aback by the fact that tough as it was I did not find climb to O Cebreiro 'very painful' (started in Vega de Valcarce that morning) and me & 3 of my companions hoofed it up to Linares in good clip (IMHO)
6 am start, 7 am La Faba, 9 am La Laguna, 10 am - Welcome to Galicia sign, 11 am O Cebreiro, 1PM - Linar do Rei Albergue in Linares

 

[DoughnutANZ]

I have walked them both and prefer the higher route. It is not difficult.

 

[Mark Francis Auchincloss]

I have walked them both and prefer the higher route. It is not difficult.

Yes I agree, less traffic both cars and pilgrims too !

 

[GlasgowCamino]

Walked the higher route and it is very easy walking up through a forest with good views. The last 1.5km is on the road down in to Linares.

 

[pvh]

We walked the higher route today. Really beautiful, great views and very quiet (only saw 2 other pilgrims).

We also took the higher alternative between Alto do Poio and Fonfría.
Again really worth it, beautifully shaded by trees with great views and no sound of the road. Also no other pilgrims.

Both alternative routes were very easy too.

 

[Bob91]

I'm in O Cebreiro at the moment and see that the Xunta Galicia sign on exiting the village gives two routes to Linares: a recommended route along the road or what looks like an alternative "higher" route.

Has anyone more information about which is better and why?

I see your message was posted yesterday, so you likely already made your decision. Which route did you take? When I was there last November, I remember seeing the sign and didn't know which one to choose. I ended up walking the 'lower' route and was very pleasantly surprised. It is located a considerable distance above the road. It was well graded, shady, and quiet – a gem of a path. One day in the future when I am lucky enough to repeat the CF, I will again take the 'lower' route. I imagine it should be referred to as the intermediate route since it is well above the road and not along the shoulder of LU-633, which is a third option.
Buen Camino,
Bob

 

[RemysMimi]

I have walked them both and prefer the higher route. It is not difficult.

Totally agree!