Pavement on Via de la Plata

[PDO]

Hello to all! My husband would like to know how much pavement we will encounter on the Via de la Plata. we are starting from Merida and taking the Sanabres route as well. Just curious... Thank you, peace ,Pam

 

[peregrina2000]

Hi, PDO,
I have walked this route several times and don't have a memory of a lot of asphalt. There is of course some (I remember from Galisteo to Carcaboso was on road, and from Aldeanueva del Camino up to Banos de Montemayor is all asphalt and wearying), but overall I think it's not nearly as much as, say, the Norte.

Here's one great alternative for avoiding asphalt after CArcaboso. It also has the tremendous advantage of letting you visit the Arco de Caparra and its ruins (which now have a museum) as you come through them the first time. Then onto Oliva de Plasencia for the night. When you come back to the Arco the next morning, it will be very early and you wouldn't probably want to hang around and wait for it to open up. I would never do that stretch any other way, unless I was going to walk from Carcaboso to Aldeanueva without a stop, but that's just me. Some people like the Hostal Asturias off=camino stop just fine.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/galisteo-arco-de-caparra.7625/

 

[SYates]

I would, tentatively, say that there is more asphalt tarmac between Sevilla and Merida then from Merida onwords (when taking the Sanabres). Buen Camino, SY

 

[mmm042]

Hi.

As Laurie said, there is definitely some, but I didn't find it an overwhelming amount. Certainly you'll walk on a fair amount of pavement as you near/depart some of the larger cities (Caceres, Salamanca, Zamora, Puebla de Sanabria, Ourense, Santiago). And there are patches in between. But the majority is dirt or gravel.

Melanie

 

[MileHighPair]

We choose the VdlP because we had heard that there was less asphalt. We found it very acceptable. It is a beautiful walk, but somewhat long stages, so be prepared with water and snacks. See our blog for a few "pilgrim tips". Buen Camino.