Sanabres in the spring

[Raithby]

Hello...flying Toronto to Porto..bus to Chaves Portugal and hiking north to Verin next April. Verin to Ourensa along the Sanabres route...I imagine it will be very quiet that time of year. Anyone who has done this route and has suggestions or comments...I am all ears! Thanks kindly.

 

[Raithby]

I should clarify...Verin to Ourensa through Xinzo de Limia and Allariz...not through Laza.

 

[Deleted member 397]

My only comment would be...take warm clothes. In 2016 i was on the vdlp and by september i was around mombuey. Me and the swedish couple i was with all bought gloves and i wore my t shirt,shirt,fleece,scarf and rain jacket trying to get warm. Spring could well be like that too

 

[Donna Sch]

Take secateurs. If the markers are like they were between A Gudiña and Verín in 2015, there will be many tiles behind overgrown bushes.

 

[Deleted member 73526]

That's an uncommon route. I would expect Chaves to Verin to Ourense to be very quiet at any time of year - even when the rest of the Sanabres is busy.

There is a chance that you might meet a couple of pilgrims who walked the Camino Zamorano Portugues. The last stage of that route (from Segirei to Verin) goes through the eastern edge of Chavez district. And you may find some pilgrims who start their journey in Verin. I've met some people who take the bus to a starting point at the edge of Galicia.

Camino Zamorano Portugués | Camino de Santiago | Gronze.com

El Camino Zamorano Portugués es una variante de la Vía de la Plata por Sanabria; arranca en Zamora, y recorre las comarcas escasamente pobladas de la Tierra del Pan, Alba y Aliste, entrando en la región portuguesa de Trás-os-Montes hasta la ciudad de Bragança, conocida como la “pequeña Ávila”...

www.gronze.com

From Ourense you'll join the mainstream of pilgrims who start there. April should be quite popular, especially Holy Week (April 5-12. 2020). During Holy Week itself, you may find things quite busy from Ourense onwards.

 

[Raithby]

I did find a forum about this travels by lovingkindness from 2010. He/she walked this route from Verin to Ourensa in 3 days...I am going to take a bit more time. There appears to be an Albergue in Villa Del Rey and in Sandias that may be newer than 2010...all looks lovely.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/camino-portugues-de-la-via-de-la-plata-along-the-way.9022/

 

[Deleted member 73526]

Sounds about right.
FYI - In Allariz, I have read that the old monastery albergue is no longer in operation. I think the various online guides should have up to date info. on this and other albergue openings / closures.

 

[Raithby]

Thanks...yes I see there is no albergue in Allariz. Looks like a pretty little town so I will likely get a hotel for the night.

 

[Raithby]

Found a really fine thread on the route I will be taking...the details I was looking for...yahoo.

Caminho Português do Interior Etapa 12 Verín - Villaderei (Vila De Rei) *CPI*

Caminho Português do Interior Etapa 12 Verín - Villaderei (Vila De Rei) *CPI* Hiking trail in Verín, Galicia (España). Download its GPS track and follow the itinerary on a map. Levantamos às 6:45, o primeiro acordar pela hora española. Rumamos em sentido contrário ao trilho do dia, para chegar à...

www.wikiloc.com

 

[RodlaRob]

Hey Raithby ..... depending on your April dates, might see you along the way!
Am walking mid-March 2020 to 9th April 2020.... Walking camino combination :
...Camino Teresiano ... then into Salamanca
...Camino Torres (bus to Ciudad Rodrigo) then only to Lamego. Have walked Torres to Santiago before 2016.
... Bus to Porto to meet a friend
... then bus to Chaves to finish el Camino to Santiago!

 

[alipilgrim]

Hey Raithby ..... depending on your April dates, might see you along the way!
Am walking mid-March 2020 to 9th April 2020.... Walking camino combination :
...Camino Teresiano ... then into Salamanca
...Camino Torres (bus to Ciudad Rodrigo) then only to Lamego. Have walked Torres to Santiago before 2016.
... Bus to Porto to meet a friend
... then bus to Chaves to finish el Camino to Santiago!

Hey RodlaRob!

I'm also hoping to walk the Camino Teresiano, starting March 23rd, Avila > Salamanca. Have you looked into accommodation yet for this route?

I'm planning to follow Elle's stages (www.pilgrimagetraveler.com/day-one-camino-teresiano.html) and therefore stay in Fontiveros on Day 2. As there's no albergue there, the only choice is private accommodation and the two places I found online don't have any availability during my time, therefore I'm assuming they're closed for low season. I haven't yet called the other places as my Spanish is not fluent - have you looked into this at all?

 

[Pinker to]

I walked this leg of the Sanabres about five years ago.
Sad to know that the monastery in Allariz run by the cloistered nuns is no longer operative.
Anyway, the town is a picturesque spot not to miss.

I stayed in Verin, nice town with an outstanding albergue.
Next day I had my break in Viladerei that seemed to have another nice albergue, but decided to push on to Sinzo that had no specific lodgin for pilgrims at that time.
I stayed overnight in a budget accommodation, and good value for money.

On the down side paths were quite neglected and overgrown, as it is not so trodden route, don’t know current conditions though.

Enjoy your southern branch of the Sanabres that joins the Portguese interior.

 

[RodlaRob]

Hi Ali.....thanks for the update.
Only accommodation i have booked so far, is in Avila on the 19th March. Looks like i should research this a bit. I normally don't book in advance when walking & take what the camino offers...but maybe this time some preparation needed!

 

[alipilgrim]

Hi again RodlaRob,

I emailed several places and finally got a response from the ASOCIACION DE LA CUNA AL SEPULCRO regarding accommodation in Fontiveros (Day 2): "
You can book your accommodation for March 25 in a rural house in Fontiveros.
Send a message or call the telephone number 0034636037955.

Thanks for doing this Teresa route. Good way"

Hope this helps... Ali

 

[RodlaRob]

Hi Ali
I'm working on Elle's notes as well. She mentions casa rural la fonte (probably the same one). Thanks for your update on Fontiveros.
I intend to find out as much about accommodation as i can in Avila before i leave, as i don't have a mobile sim card, only wifi where i can get it....and according to Elle, wifi is sparse indeed!

Planning on 4 days to Alba de Tormes.

 

[RodlaRob]

Ps.... for future notes, we should post under Camino Teresiano as all this has little to do with the Sanabres!

 

[alipilgrim]

You're right but unfortunately there isn't a Forum for that yet. I'll post under "Other Pilgrimage Routes"...