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Thank you, Kanga!You are walking in deep winter so crowding on the last 100km will not be a problem. With only 16 days I would normally start from Astorga, with that beautiful hike up to Rabanal, Foncebadon and through El Acebo and then down into the glorious valley of the nightingale. Then the iconic trek up to O Cebreiro. Some of the prettiest places and landscapes and definitely magical. Only trouble is that in January you may have snow and ice through those sections. I see you are from Los Angeles - are you prepared for a winter trek?
ponferrada - muxia or villafranca - muxia, or even o cebreiro - muxia; depends on your stage distances and if you sneak an extra day in SdC.Hello all,
I'm a lurker and rarely post, but would deeply appreciate some suggestions. My friend and I are walking the French Way starting Jan 1 and we have until approx Jan 15 (maybe a few days longer).
The obvious thing to do would be to count backwards and start at the furthest possible point (we want to go all the way to Muxia -- that's for sure), but we are also open to skipping around a bit (I know that offends purists, but time is a factor).
This will be my first trip out of the US since I was 19 (I'm 49 now), and seeing and experiencing Spain (scenery and culture) is as important to me as the walk itself.
Obviously, we are going to do the last 100 km sequentially, but I'd be interested in hearing thoughts on if it would be better to just start as far from Santiago as we can, time allowing, and walk a continuous stretch, or whether it would be better to start in say, St Jean or somewhere else interesting, walking a bit, then busing and resuming further down the Camino.
I've been researching interesting things along the way, but I know that the interesting things and most magical places/experiences don't always show up in tourist guidebooks.
Any thoughts appreciated.
Faith
Hello all,
I'm a lurker and rarely post, but would deeply appreciate some suggestions. My friend and I are walking the French Way starting Jan 1 and we have until approx Jan 15 (maybe a few days longer).
The obvious thing to do would be to count backwards and start at the furthest possible point (we want to go all the way to Muxia -- that's for sure), but we are also open to skipping around a bit (I know that offends purists, but time is a factor).
This will be my first trip out of the US since I was 19 (I'm 49 now), and seeing and experiencing Spain (scenery and culture) is as important to me as the walk itself.
Obviously, we are going to do the last 100 km sequentially, but I'd be interested in hearing thoughts on if it would be better to just start as far from Santiago as we can, time allowing, and walk a continuous stretch, or whether it would be better to start in say, St Jean or somewhere else interesting, walking a bit, then busing and resuming further down the Camino.
I've been researching interesting things along the way, but I know that the interesting things and most magical places/experiences don't always show up in tourist guidebooks.
Any thoughts appreciated.
Faith
Let it go,once you land use your instincts. If this is a pilgrimage for you just relax & let it flow.Thank you, everyone! I'm so torn by wanting to do some of the beginning that I've been picturing (starting at St James' Gate, seeing St Jean, the bridge at Navarra) and wanting to walk one continuous stretch. Not to mention I tend to have decision paralysis... still considering...
Thank you, everyone! I'm so torn by wanting to do some of the beginning that I've been picturing (starting at St James' Gate, seeing St Jean, the bridge at Navarra) and wanting to walk one continuous stretch. Not to mention I tend to have decision paralysis... still considering...
Thank you, everyone! It occurs to me that the best starting point midway through might be Ferro -- that might be nicely symbolic and a good psychological beginning. Looks like it's 211 miles from Ferro to Muxia, so that's probably just about right.
So what would be the closet thing to starting at Ferro? I'm guessing taking a bus or train to Ponferrada and then hiring a taxi or Uber to drive to Ferro?
I deeply appreciate suggestions -- I suck at travel planning and am starting to get decision fatigue.
Warmest,
Faith
PS -- Thank you, Kanga. I did know about Rt. Napolean being closed, but wasn't quite sure if the alternative was a good starting walk or not. Seems wise to wait till another time for St. Jean.
Maybe Cruz de Ferro? The Iron Cross. Which is not a village or town or starting point, and not a drop-off point for any public transport. It is the highest point of the Camino (slightly debatable, the telecom towers round the bend are slightly higher), and it is between Astorga and Pontferrada. So Astorga or Pontferrada make more sense.
Instead of starting at the Cruz de Ferro why not back up a wee bit and start at Foncebadon?
Try emailing some albergues there to ask about picking you up. Or here is the web for RadioTaxi service in Ponferrada. Try their email link to ask for prices.
http://www.radiotaxiponferrada.es/
Happy research and Buen camino!
but it's where we want to start.
Why?
Highest point of Camino @ 1490m ,
Middle of winter could [ more than likely will ] give you the following........ fog , rain , mist with nothing to see .
The next 27km will be dangerous as its all rocks on the decent into El Acebo then Molinaseca.
Its bad enough in the good weather .
If you want to take in the culture and scenery as stated start in Ponferrada and spend a few extra days in SDC once you return from Muxia.
It will be a very "torturous" first day starting at Cruz and any misplaced step could end the trip there with sprains or worse.
For the symbolism, obviously.
Have lived and hiked in winter conditions for many years. Appreciate the warning, but iimmune to (and wearied by) the "doom and gloom" weather info.
For the symbolism, obviously.
Have lived and hiked in winter conditions for many years. Appreciate the warning, but iimmune to (and wearied by) the "doom and gloom" weather info.
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