One of the most beautiful stages of the Camino Frances

[Leon RSA]

Although it was a tough stage, the stage to O Cebreiro is so beautiful. This was today exactly a year ago.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Yes, it is very beautiful! Both times I walked it I had perfect weather...sunshine and coolish/warm temperatures in early May. Thanks for refreshing my memories with your pictures.

 

[Leon RSA]

Yes, it is very beautiful! Both times I walked it I had perfect weather...sunshine and coolish/warm temperatures in early May. Thanks for refreshing my memories with your pictures.

Having said it is a beautiful stage, so is most of the route. Glad it triggered good old memories

 

[Icacos]

Thank you so much for this, @Leon RSA. I had to taxi this stage - because of various reasons - so it is delightful to read some of what I missed, plus some of your interactions with fellow pilgrims. Actually, the taxi dropped me off at Albergue la Escuela in Laguna, where we were booked for the night and which you mentioned had been your intended accommodation. I spent several delightful hours in that little village watching the resident dogs vying for their self-determined turf supremacy, and keeping out of the way of cattle farmers going through the one narrow street taking their charges to pasture, all the while watching out for my camino companions who were trekking up the hill.

I will never forget the sight - and thunder! - of the cattle charging off the road down the steep, narrow path which was obviously familiar to them. I thanked my lucky stars I hadn’t decided to go exploring that trail and been met by them barrelling their way down that narrow path.

Dessert at Albergue la Escuela. I've forgotten the name of that delicious cheese, but it's a specialty of the area.

 

[Cayou]

The first 10K not so fun, unless you like guardrails and highways .... the balance is wonderful.

 

[Camineiro]

The first 10K not so fun, unless you like guardrails and highways .... the balance is wonderful.

Hi Cayou,

next time try the camino duro, which turns off to the right shortly after passing the bridge in Villafranca. A short steep ascent and you will be high above the valley, guardrails and highways.
Very beautiful alternative.

Just continue climbing the ramp on the right side.

It will rejoin the camino frances in the village of Trabadelo.

 

[Icacos]

Hi Cayou,

next time try the camino duro, which turns off to the right shortly after passing the bridge in Villafranca. A short steep ascent and you will be high above the valley, guardrails and highways.
Very beautiful alternative.

Just continue climbing the ramp on the right side.

It will rejoin the camino frances in the village of Trabadelo.

Looking now at Brierley’s, that’s the route I had planned to try if I had been able to walk.

 

[Cayou]

Hi Cayou,

next time try the camino duro, which turns off to the right shortly after passing the bridge in Villafranca. A short steep ascent and you will be high above the valley, guardrails and highways.
Very beautiful alternative.

Just continue climbing the ramp on the right side.

It will rejoin the camino frances in the village of Trabadelo.

We actually walked up it for about 1/2k the night before. Absolutely on our list!

 

[Leon RSA]

Hi Cayou,

next time try the camino duro, which turns off to the right shortly after passing the bridge in Villafranca. A short steep ascent and you will be high above the valley, guardrails and highways.
Very beautiful alternative.

Just continue climbing the ramp on the right side.

It will rejoin the camino frances in the village of Trabadelo.

If you look in the top left hand corner on page 1 of my attached document, you will see a hyperlink called "Route". Click on that and you can see on Google Maps the route I followed, .

Not too sure if that is the same route you referred to
Camineiro, but I loved the walk and enjoyed the scenery very much.

 

[JudeD]

Thank you, lovely memories. I was there on the 17th August (49th wedding anniversary) last year and they were preparing St Maria church for a wedding later that afternoon so I lit a big fat red candle for my dear husband RIP

 

[alexwalker]

For me personally, the walk from Hornillos del Camino to Hontanas, with a coffee/beer break there, then San Anton, where there has been an outdoor cafe in recent years, and then on to Castrojeriz and the end of the day, enjoying the views over the valley with some refreshments in (another) outside cafe, is a highlight day for me.

 

[Harland2019]

I have tried to decide upon my favourite day but having reviewed them all it has proved impossible. However I have been able to decide upon my favourite overnight stays, whilst some of the large cities have wonderful cathedrals to visit my favourite two were Calzadilla de la Cueza for being able to sit and watch the sun go down in peace and quiet and O Cebreiro for the views.

 

[jsalt]

my favourite two were Calzadilla de la Cueza for being able to sit and watch the sun go down in peace

Wow! It's one of my favourite places too. There is absolutely nothing there . . . . but every time I go through something memorable happens . . .

 

[Leon RSA]

Thank you, lovely memories. I was there on the 17th August (49th wedding anniversary) last year and they were preparing St Maria church for a wedding later that afternoon so I lit a big fat red candle for my dear husband RIPView attachment 81708View attachment 81710

What a peacful and relaxing way to sit down with your momories of a lifetime shared with him. God bless you.

 

[VNwalking]

Beautiful/favorite days on the Camino Frances...
At least 10 come immediately to mind for their own delicious reasons. Like with one's children, you can't choose.

What I can say is that on any camino, my favorite day is the first one, and my least favorite day is the last one, no matter how beautiful they are or aren't.

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

My favourite on the CF is the walk from SJPdP to Roncesvalles. ❤

 

[Lexicos]

For me personally, the walk from Hornillos del Camino to Hontanas, with a coffee/beer break there, then San Anton, where there has been an outdoor cafe in recent years, and then on to Castrojeriz and the end of the day, enjoying the views over the valley with some refreshments in (another) outside cafe, is a highlight day for me.

How on earth do you get to do so many Caminos??

 

[alexwalker]

How on earth do you get to do so many Caminos??

Patience.

 

[LesR]

Hi Cayou,

next time try the camino duro, which turns off to the right shortly after passing the bridge in Villafranca. A short steep ascent and you will be high above the valley, guardrails and highways.
Very beautiful alternative.

Just continue climbing the ramp on the right side.

It will rejoin the camino frances in the village of Trabadelo.

i took that route in 2018 - the hardest day in three caminos.... and I loved it!