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I think it was RENFE solving a problem that did not exist, or existed somewhere else. With only a few trains a day, pilgrims were not in grave danger on the old at-grade crossing. For a few years it was possible to dodge the fences and use the old path (carefully, of course; Look Both Ways Before Crossing; railroad crossing, look out for the cars, can you spell that without any R's?), but then they beefed up the fences at additional cost, and now the unmoving treadmill is mandatory unless you walk the road (which I do now!).I remember it well and not fondly!!
I looked for that path but could not see it thos time....I was aware of it when I walked here in 2013.....thos time, I did notice that all the fences were new ones and there did not appear to be any way around them at all.On my first Camino, there were two local schoolgirls ahead of me as I approached the "Torture Tower". They turned off to the right on a path through the little field about 50 meters before the overpass. I was surprised, when half way up the overpass, to see that they were already on the road at the other side. I have used this path several times since, most recently two months ago. I also enjoy the curious looks from the Peregrinos who passed me shortly before the overpass.
Just for interest here....I noticed on both my caminos that a lot of Pilgrims referred to this particular bridge as"The Jolly Green Giant" - I rather like both names.Whilst trying to navigate to the Chocolate Museum in Astorga (lovely place to visit) I saw "Peregrino Torture Tower" marked on Google Maps and was totally intrigued. Turned out to be the railway crossing! You can find it here: https://goo.gl/maps/xz4xwj9WDj82 along with 12 reviews. Made me smile, has anyone found anything else fun in Google Maps?
Google is not real vigorous on standards for user input. If it isn't obscene, you probably could name it anything you want. It is unclear why it would be name in English and not Spanish!! Maybe I can change the name of the Pyrenees to "Fred."Just for interest here....I noticed on both my caminos that a lot of Pilgrims referred to this particular bridge as"The Jolly Green Giant" - I rather like both names.
The first time I encountered it, on 2015, a friendly vagrant showed me a way to avoid it. Last year, however, the authorities had comprehensively blocked that short cut.Whilst trying to navigate to the Chocolate Museum in Astorga (lovely place to visit) I saw "Peregrino Torture Tower" marked on Google Maps and was totally intrigued. Turned out to be the railway crossing! You can find it here: https://goo.gl/maps/xz4xwj9WDj82 along with 12 reviews. Made me smile, has anyone found anything else fun in Google Maps?
Lol..lolGoogle is not real vigorous on standards for user input. If it isn't obscene, you probably could name it anything you want. It is unclear why it would be name in English and not Spanish!! Maybe I can change the name of the Pyrenees to "Fred."
I looked for that path but could not see it thos time....I was aware of it when I walked here in 2013.....thos time, I did notice that all the fences were new ones and there did not appear to be any way around them at all.
We called this The green mile when we crossed it.Ha, ha! It's my favourite bridge on the Camino Francés.
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Just to cross one single railway line:
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Jill
Having done the Cathedral rooftop tour (and highly recommend it) the route up was clear (in comparison to Sacre Couer) and recent tower climb in Brugge. I saw the bridge as one of the beautiful idiosyncrasies of the Camino, and as detailed in responses, it is one of many we enjoyed.The first time I crossed that overpass I had to wait for another peregrina so that I could take her arm to walk with me. I am pleased to say that on my second camino I not only crossed the Peregrino Torture Tower on my own, but also the two, or is it three, overpasses into Leon and the bridge into Portomarin with low water, all on my own. Who knows, next Camino I might be brave enough for the Cathedral rooftop tour!
IF google-maps-satellite is up-to-date, a path seems still to be there:
I remember this.Ha, ha! It's my favourite bridge on the Camino Francés.
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Just to cross one single railway line:
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Jill
I've always wondered how many committees and sub-committees the plans for this were discussed at, and then who eventually thought it was the best solution to a fairly simple problem. Or perhaps it was designed, discussed and approved during a single evening of tapas and vino tinto
Aha! So, humour is in the blood of Great Danes!When I crossed that bridge, I came to think of the Danish satirist Storm Petersen who was famous for making “inventions” that made simple things very complicated:
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My daughter, who hates bridges even more than me, would call it "the Bridge . . . . of Death!"Since the Peregrino Torture Tower, sometimes known as the Tower of Joy, has a name, is there a name for the bridge to Portomarin?
First time I held a young German pilgrim's hand to help her get across; second time I looked up and watched a cloud (prayed?); third time when the water lever was really low and I stared at the asphalt bridge deck the road side of the crash barrier thinking how pretty the stones looked. They last time I was so tired I just stumbled my way across.When on the Portomarin bridge, do not look down. Try to focus on the approaching stairway on the other side. You still have to climb higher, albeit on dry ground using either a road or the stairs, once you get to the other side. Look up at the church on the hill. Do anything to avoid looking down.
It also helps, if you are walking with others, or even nearby others, to engage them in a walking conversation, sing along, bitch-fest....ANYTHING to distract you from the fact that you are doing something that frightens you.
I know it is easy to say, but harder for someone with a fear of heights to accomplish.
I would normally suggest taking a taxi from the last albergue or village to bypass the sketchy part. But as Portomarin is within the 100 km minimum walking distance to qualify for a Compostela, hopping a ride would technically be disqualifying for that purpose...just saying...
Hope this helps.
Thinking about it, the two times I've used the bridge it's only been pilgrims on it, no locals. Image dated 13 September 2017.I just pulled it up on Google Earth. The imagery is from 2018. I conclude that the path remains.
Perhaps someone who is there now, or who will be approaching Astorga soon, can verify our assessment?
As an FYI, the RIGHT turn off the Carretera de Leon, heading towards Astorga, onto the side street has a large red painted panel on the masonry wall for "Legumbres Ct. Maragato" with a black right-pointing arrow under it. Turn RIGHT onto this side street.
The footpath that goes off to the LEFT is no more than 30 meters from the intersection. The footpath proceeds through the brush (not really a field) directly to the area to the right (North ?) of the blue safety fence. There are no yellow arrows that I can find in the images... But you can plainly see where you want to be.
Once over the track, make a sharp LEFT turn to return to Carretera de Leon. I assess that this detour will take less time, and less effort that the Pilgrim Torture Tower. I am not fond of the up-up-up over then down-down-down... Remember, once you get into Astorga, getting to the albergues and hotels involves a rather steep walk up the steep escarpment the city is built on.
Summing the detour up, coming off the Carretera de Leon, you make a right, followed by a left, walk about 100 meters over the tracks, then make a sharp left to return to the Carretera de Leon.
If you DO try this, Do PLEASE be careful when crossing the tracks...
Hope this helps.
Whilst trying to navigate to the Chocolate Museum in Astorga (lovely place to visit) I saw "Peregrino Torture Tower" marked on Google Maps and was totally intrigued. Turned out to be the railway crossing! You can find it here: https://goo.gl/maps/xz4xwj9WDj82 along with 12 reviews. Made me smile, has anyone found anything else fun in Google Maps?
Whilst trying to navigate to the Chocolate Museum in Astorga (lovely place to visit) I saw "Peregrino Torture Tower" marked on Google Maps and was totally intrigued. Turned out to be the railway crossing! You can find it here: https://goo.gl/maps/xz4xwj9WDj82 along with 12 reviews. Made me smile, has anyone found anything else fun in Google Maps?
Unfortunately, I was having foot problems so took a bus into Leon and food poisoning a few days later meant that I taxied into Astorga from Santbanez. Sorry, not sorry, I missed these!
But I made up for it. Having a fear of water, just walking next to the canal heading to Fromista, and then having to cross over, freaked me out. I crossed the Portomarin bridge by keeping my eyes straight ahead and counting my steps-“One, Two, One, Two...” When I got to dry land I cried.Plenty of excitement!
So definitely no fond memories - very very hot day and what an end to the day!!I remember it well and not fondly!!
You might be right. Anything steeper than 10% would probably be too hard for wheelchairs.One kilometre to get 100 meters .....
(well, it felt like it)
The Google Map that shows the short fence is from 2013. I know the fence was extended in a later year, but the locals are resourceful and do not like the ramp any more than pilgrims. They probably have established another crossing. Still, it is easiest to join the road just before the ramp and walk the route through the roundabout up into the city. I did that in February (and did not look for the other shortcut, so it may be there). It is as short as the old "local" shortcut, and a couple hundred meters shorter than the ramp.Or you can cut across the tracks like most of the locals do. You can’t miss the well trident path.
Whilst trying to navigate to the Chocolate Museum in Astorga (lovely place to visit) I saw "Peregrino Torture Tower" marked on Google Maps and was totally intrigued. Turned out to be the railway crossing! You can find it here: https://goo.gl/maps/xz4xwj9WDj82 along with 12 reviews. Made me smile, has anyone found anything else fun in Google Maps?
I, too, hate high bridges. Each time that I have walked the Camino Frances one section that I have particularly dreaded and even feared involves crossing varied bridges just before entering Leon. 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. Luckily in 2012/2013 a dedicated pedestrian-only bridge was added. What a relief it now is to gently stroll along this elegant low wooden way without fearing being hit or run over!
Closer to Leon amidst industrial sprawl a recent pedestrian bridge carries pilgrims high above the auto-route. When I got there in 2010 the wind was so terrific that at first I could NOT MOVE! Seeking help but seeing no other pilgrim I backed down the ramp and calmly walked into a nearby car showroom. After I explained that I needed assistance to cross the slightly astonished but very elegant manager put on his coat and took my arm. Eventually we both made it across, wind-blown and breathless! With a casual 'Adios' he further added that he had never walked the Camino and if it was all like this crossing he certainly never would! ...Now whenever I have successfully crossed this bridge I smile in great relief!!
I think it was RENFE solving a problem that did not exist, or existed somewhere else.
No, but I've noticed that Texan sparrows look a lot like cows.Has anyone else noticed that the name of our beloved Peregrino Torture Tower has been removed from Google Maps?
Do you know if they fly over peregrino torture towers, Rick?No, but I've noticed that Texan sparrows look a lot like cows.
. If they do then I'm going to need a much bigger hat...Do you know if they fly over peregrino torture towers, Rick?
PWhilst trying to navigate to the Chocolate Museum in Astorga (lovely place to visit) I saw "Peregrino Torture Tower" marked on Google Maps and was totally intrigued. Turned out to be the railway crossing! You can find it here: https://goo.gl/maps/xz4xwj9WDj82 along with 12 reviews. Made me smile, has anyone found anything else fun in Google Maps?
last year as we were approaching Astoria we met a local women and she offered to give us the tour of Astoria by a local. The first things she showed us was a short cut over the tracks without going over the Torture Tower. It is on the right before you get to the sign pointing to the steps to the Tower. You go through some bushes and there is a path where you step over the tracks. It was very cool.Whilst trying to navigate to the Chocolate Museum in Astorga (lovely place to visit) I saw "Peregrino Torture Tower" marked on Google Maps and was totally intrigued. Turned out to be the railway crossing! You can find it here: https://goo.gl/maps/xz4xwj9WDj82 along with 12 reviews. Made me smile, has anyone found anything else fun in Google Maps?
Super annoying and way over engineered. I do remember this well.Ha, ha! It's my favourite bridge on the Camino Francés.
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Just to cross one single railway line:
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Jill
But bicycle and wheelchair friendly!Super annoying and way over engineered. I do remember this well.
Good point!But bicycle and wheelchair friendly!
I doubt that it's over engineered - apart from the ugly pad foundations it all looks quite minimalist but I will concede it's not elegant.Super annoying and way over engineered. I do remember this well.
Here's a Google Maps street view of the 'alternative' path. You can move the viewpoint to look back toward the tower and get an orientation of the 'bypass'
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@42.4...4!1s9YgUCizapR9te4r7REKPIQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
There are bits of the Camino that aren't that well trodden!Oh, and I need to give credit to Jeff Crawley's post above which made me curious enough to try and get a close up look at the 'bypass'. Thanks, Jeff
Have crossed the bridge two times. On second occasion saw some adventurous Pilgrims choose to walk across tracks. Barely missed oncoming train. It is for Safety.Whilst trying to navigate to the Chocolate Museum in Astorga (lovely place to visit) I saw "Peregrino Torture Tower" marked on Google Maps and was totally intrigued. Turned out to be the railway crossing! You can find it here: https://goo.gl/maps/xz4xwj9WDj82 along with 12 reviews. Made me smile, has anyone found anything else fun in Google Maps?
Ha, ha! It's my favourite bridge on the Camino Francés.
View attachment 43420
Just to cross one single railway line:
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Jill[/QUOTE
Ha, ha! It's my favourite bridge on the Camino Francés.
View attachment 43420
Just to cross one single railway line:
View attachment 43421
Jill
And when you get to the top you can see the worn path that the locals use to cross the tracks!Whilst trying to navigate to the Chocolate Museum in Astorga (lovely place to visit) I saw "Peregrino Torture Tower" marked on Google Maps and was totally intrigued. Turned out to be the railway crossing! You can find it here: https://goo.gl/maps/xz4xwj9WDj82 along with 12 reviews. Made me smile, has anyone found anything else fun in Google Maps?
I always think how much fun/terror a skateboard would be here.Ha, ha! It's my favourite bridge on the Camino Francés.
View attachment 43420
Just to cross one single railway line:
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Jill
I also remember the old way Falcon and was disappointed it had been closed off last time I walked into Astorga.I think it was RENFE solving a problem that did not exist, or existed somewhere else. With only a few trains a day, pilgrims were not in grave danger on the old at-grade crossing. For a few years it was possible to dodge the fences and use the old path (carefully, of course; Look Both Ways Before Crossing; railroad crossing, look out for the cars, can you spell that without any R's?), but then they beefed up the fences at additional cost, and now the unmoving treadmill is mandatory unless you walk the road (which I do now!).
There is another one on the Camino Ingles to cross the highway. During construction it was not possible to walk the highway shoulder, but when it is done, it probably will be possible to avoid it and head straight to the river's bank.
Believe me, I'd sooner cross that bridge than try to cross a railway track any other way at the end of a long and tiring day walking.Whilst trying to navigate to the Chocolate Museum in Astorga (lovely place to visit) I saw "Peregrino Torture Tower" marked on Google Maps and was totally intrigued. Turned out to be the railway crossing! You can find it here: https://goo.gl/maps/xz4xwj9WDj82 along with 12 reviews. Made me smile, has anyone found anything else fun in Google Maps?
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