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Be aware there is quite a lot of railway construction between Zamora and Granja. Not a lot of direction markings but doable.
In the dry not too bad, in the wet that could be another matter altogether!!!
Regards
George
Attached is a jpeg of the construction along this section
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Anyone walking the VdlPat the moment who can give updates on the construction?
My Spanish is fairly basic, I understand "obras", but not "obras en licitacion" or "proyecto en redaccion". Can anyone help??
I walked the Sanabria Way five weeks ago. The FREEWAY construction is really bad north of Zamora. That just means walking on the carraterra a lot.
My big question was whether to do the Sanabria Way because of the High Velocity Rail construction. Answer: Yes, do the Sanabria Way.
The construction is happening BIG TIME with detours, especially after the Puebla de Sanabria. Again that means walking on the road a lot. That said, you ain't going to get lost sticking to the carraterra. Sometimes there just aren't many waymarkings. The carraterra aside, the trekking is absolutely the best part of the La Plata. So if I had it to do over again, without a doubt I would do the Sanabria Way rather than the route via the Camino Frances zoo.
This sign directed me onto the highway to walk many kilometers along the side of the road as I walked up to the top of the pass at Padornelo. Laurie, I think you are correct, over the years much of the disruption will heal, but it will take some years for that to happen. The folks who walk then will never know what it was like before, and except for an occasional train they will still be in awe of the Plata route.
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I wasn't completely accurate with my original comment, there are still detours on the Plata portion as you walk; for example the approach to the aubergue by Embalse where there are a couple of large bridges still being constructed. However, the detours just take you onto the road for a time and are just fine...of course this was where I had my only rain...a downpour coming in with heavy winds just 2 kilometers from the aubergue and no shelter. I was soaked in spite of my great poncho!
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Hi Manny D,I did the Via de la Plata/Camino Sanabres starting from Sevilla on July 9, 2014 and arriving at Santiago de Compostela on August 18, 2014, 41 days in all. The detours caused by the AVE railway constructions did cause me some concern especially in places where yellow arrows or Camino markers removed in the construction sites were not replaced. I did not see Camino markers at the approach to Granja de Moruelos, where one decides whether to continue the Via de la Plata to Astorga or take the Via de Sanabres to Ourense. Providentially there were kind people at that time and at that place who gladly pointed out the Camino path. What would have happened to me if I did not have anyone to ask for directions, especially on a Sunday?
I hope and pray that the "Amigos de Camino de Santiago" would coordinate with the people working with the AVE railway constructions so the detours, already inconvenient in themselves would at least be well marked and assure the pilgrim that he/she is still walking on the right path. As pilgrims, we all know the feeling of not seeing a yellow arrow or a Camino marker for quite a distance and the assuring feeling (a sigh of relief) in seeing one. I hope also that the suggestions and concerns I discussed with the hospitaleros regarding the Camino marker or yellow arrows would not fall on deaf ears. In fairness, some hospitaleros were truly very helpful in giving directions, recommendations and even alternative routes with regard to the detours. There seems to be a way after all in all this confusing detours!
Through it all throughout the Via de la Plata and the Camino Sanabres, it is just amazing how I have reached Santiago de Compostela with paths sparsely marked and well marked. That for me is a miracle in itself and for that I am truly grateful. In those instances and places where there are no Camino sign or markers, God sent people as angels to lead me to the right direction.
Blessings of a Buen Camino,
Manny D
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