Salamanca or Zamora start in October

[AML]

Was considering the Portuguese Interior this October, now changed my mind and will go Vdlp/ Sanabres. I read a lot that the section between Salamanca and Zamora is not so pretty and lot of road walking and some pilgrims skip this stage.
Would you recommend a Salamanca start or Zamora?

 

[SYates]

Salamanca is a beautiful city, I wouldn't miss it ;-) BC SY

 

[peregrina2000]

I would disagree with the road walking part, if my memory is right. It is true there is a lot of walking alongside the highway, but I think it is on a dirt path most of the way. The Salamanca -Zamora strech is one of those where you can easily choose two 20-something stages or two 30-something stages. And having just spent a short time in Salamanca, I would second SYates' opinion. Salamanca is beautiful. And only 1.5 hours from Madrid on the fast train.

 

[Threepeaks]

I agree with the SYates and peregrina2000 - don't miss Salamanca. In fact, plan to spend a couple of days and wander around the city. As for road walking - I recall a discussion over an evening meal that quite a few Pilgrims had been choosing to walk the road whenever it provided the shortest distance between stages. I never put that much effort into my plans and stayed the course - through the fields.

 

[Donna Sch]

Salamanca is my favourite city in Spain so far. The stage to El Cubo is a bit long but it is on dirt alongside the road and it just was a day for listening to audiobooks and music. The days between Salamanca and Zamora are not overwhelmingly memorable but they are not hideous either and I would not miss out on Salamanca or the entry to Zamora which is beautiful. If those days were less enjoyable for me it was because the heat was probably getting to me a bit in July and I think we copped our hottest days there.

 

[AML]

ok....i will begin in Salamanca then.
thanks

 

[Margaret Butterworth]

There is nothing to stop you taking the bus from Salamanca to Zamora! I did this recently and thought the Way looked rather boring and flat.