Sheffield James
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This may help as its my ‘planning folder’ for this camino. https://www.dropbox.com/sh/mdwd90tntrgra3w/AACcd8AdKw7lG4tT1IIoFwT7a?dl=0Hey James, I heard of the Camino Viejo, the "Old Way" before. It apparently connects Pamplona to Vitoria and further on Aguilar de Campoo and La Robla. Check out gronze.com for more details. It should allow you to dodge the Frances by opting for Del Norte, de San Salvador and Primitivo. Can't make any predictions about albergues though.. Buen Camino!
Hey, James, if you are in Le Jardin de Muruzabel Albergue, please give my grateful regards to the owners - it was such a lovely place to say.I’m going to study your contributions in detail over dinner tonight in Muruzábel
Hey, James, if you are in Le Jardin de Muruzabel Albergue, please give my grateful regards to the owners - it was such a lovely place to say.
This may help as its my ‘planning folder’ for this camino. https://www.dropbox.com/sh/mdwd90tntrgra3w/AACcd8AdKw7lG4tT1IIoFwT7a?dl=0
@VNwalking, you’ve certainly uncovered some gems for me. I’d really like to save the google docs for reading offline, but my iPhone won’t allow me to do this because (I think) it is a pdf file. Do you or any other clever folk on the forum know if/how it can be done?James, yes, you're right, and it's not the Baztanes, but the Viejo.
I can help a little maybe, because it's on my radar - but unfortunately not with specifics.
But here are some links that may be useful:
http://xacopedia.com/Viejo_Camino_de_Santiago
http://elreynodelospalabros.blogspot.nl/
I had a bunch of bookmarks to posts here on the forum but they vanished in the 'upgrade.'
Hang on, I'll have a look and post anything I find.
Edit: Bingo. Here it is: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/viejo-camino-de-santiago.7585/#post-138545
and:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B8FAqCOf35zAZHYxTzZMaHNhSjg/edit
That sounds like lots more planning than many people do, James. May you go with ease, and please do let us know how it goes. And if you drop into one of those camino rabbit holes where everything begins to look or act strange, maybe send a PM to the several people here who have done this!I hope to do some ‘Live from the Camino’ posting over the coming weeks, if only to serve as a case study in why not to undertake a camino without proper planning.
It the accommodation and gps info that covers the route from Bilbao to Ponferrada on the Camino Olvidado. See the routes here - http://www.rayyrosa.com/loscaminosHi MikeJS, this dropbox info looks very comprehensive, but I must confess I’m still trying to get to grips with it. Am I correct in thinking the information will be of use to me when the Bilbao and Pamplona routes join at some point?
More likes than there are words for, Ender!!! Muchas, muchas, gracias!Hola, soy Ender.
Hace 2 semanas terminé la señalización por Burgos.
El año pasado termine la señalización de toda la parte de León con sus variantes.
Puedo dejaros una pequeña guía que estoy elaborando pero que aún no esta finalizada.
Seguro que os a servir para hacer este precioso camino.
@VNwalking, you’ve certainly uncovered some gems for me. I’d really like to save the google docs for reading offline, but my iPhone won’t allow me to do this because (I think) it is a pdf file. Do you or any other clever folk on the forum know if/how it can be done?
Hi, I’m approaching Puente la Reine on the Aragonés + my wish is to continue to SdC without going the Francés route.
Does anyone have a view about whether Pobes or La Puebla de Arganzón is the end of day destination on the Camino Viejo after leaving Vitoria-Gasteiz? I’ve seen both mentioned, but don’t know which is more authentic. ¡Gracias!
The Baztan is roughly parallel to the VI, but well to the East; it starts in Bayonne and ends in Pamplona.ruta del tunel /camino de baztan/ vasco interior
As promised, here is my first report ‘Live from the Camino Viejo’. I know I’ve expressed gratitude for the sage advice and guidance you’ve all given me recently, and I now hope you’ll be similarly forgiving if it seems as if I’ve not taken much of it on board.
I arrived in Pamplona on Sunday last, after completing a journey from Lourdes, along stretches of the Piémont and Arlés routes + the Camino Aragonés. My first task in town was to purchase a road map covering the Camino Viejo towns and villages, and the only one for sale in Caminoteka (?sp) is OK as far as it goes, but is lacking any detail for off-road walking. For info, the map scale is 1:400 000.
My second task was to ask the hospitalero at the Jesus y Maria albergue how I might leave the city in the direction of Vitoria-Gesteiz the following morning. He supplied a town map that showed a quick and easy exit route, which basically involves walking down by the side of the tourist office and Ayuntemiento, following the curve of the river past the “cable” bike-lift, then crossing the Puente Cuatrovientos and straight out of town in the direction of the Berriozer suburb, and Vitoria-Gestiez. The road of town is so straight and straightforward you’d struggle to take a wrong turn.
I looked constantly for possible options to leave the main national road but saw none until the 12km marker post. I have to admit I don’t mind road-walking. I can enjoy the scenery in the distance while making steady progress; the best of both worlds. True, there was some fast moving traffic on the road, but the safety margins were wide and I felt satisfied that my high-vis jacket offered me extra protection against the speeding trucks.
The 12km marker post came close to the exit for a roadside village on the right-side called Salsuzi (?sp). I could see a wide gravel path leading out of the village in the direction I was heading. I took the path and soon after it started to diverge away from the national road whilst still heading in the same general direction. I asked a local if the path continued to Irutzun, my lunchtime destination, and he said it did. He made it clear that the path would soon rise to the right, before a series of minor switchbacks on the other side. When reaching the bottom, he said it was important to ignore the left and right paths and, instead, to take the narrow path directly ahead. It was short and steep, which resulted in me struggling to keep my balance while making the brief ascent. The path to Irutzun was generally fine thereafter, but for the fact I encountered a series of signs blocking access due to ‘works in progress’. The first time coincided with there being an exit to the national road via a corrugated iron tunnel and, fortuitously, it meant I came across a fuel station with a restaurant attached, at which I could take my first stop of the day. At a convenient point, I rejoined the path and circumnavigated another diversion due to a damaged viaduct I was meant to cross. The third and final obstacle appeared just outside Irutzun, where I think the works were being done to upgrade the path itself. So, a good deal of road-walking in a beautiful landscape in the early part of the day, with the opportunity to get off the asphalt surface more and more as the morning turned to early afternoon.
Irutzun was a good place to stop for lunch. It sits at the opening of a wide valley flanked by high sierras. On a beautiful sunny day that it was, the first impressions were quite breathtaking. The town was clearly a Basque town, as evidenced by an almost complete absence of Castilian Spanish on shop fronts and signage.
I had reserved a bed in a Casa rural (Casa Irigoien) in a place called Heriberri / Villanueva de Arakil. It was a pretty random choice beyond me thinking Irutzun would be too short a distance for me on Day 1.
After lunch, I followed the national road to Vitoria-Gestiez until I arrived at a village called Etxarren. I could have continued the 6-8kms to my destination, but I saw a sign for Hiriberri that looked as if it would take me on a back-route, which would be a more agreeable finish to the day than simply continuing further on the asphalt. What a disaster!! Initially, I crossed the railway track and the river, ending up at a lovely, old chapel dedicated to our good friend Santiago. However, the only way to get to Heriberri / Villanueva de Arakil was to follow a GR route up the mountainside to then drop down into the village (a bit like climbing the roof of the house and entering via the chimney rather than walking up the path and through the front door!). I got awfully lost several times, and at one point I took a fateful decision that led me on a mountain road almost all the way back to Irurtzun! I got to my end of day destination at 7.45pm, almost 3hours longer than it should have taken.
Today (Tuesday) was a cool, misty day with very little of yesterday’s beautiful scenery in evidence. All the walking was done on the road, beginning with quite pleasant secondary and tertiary roads, but increasingly it involved the national road (NA 2410) which weaved alongside the Autovia. I made little effort to seek alternative routes, partly because of yesterday’s fiasco, partly due to the drabness of the day and partly because I think the great wilderness awaits me after leaving the Pamplona to Vitoria-Gesteiz transport corridor.
I ended up this evening at a truck-stop at Olaza /Olazagutia, 2kms from the biggish-looking town of Altsasu-Alsasua. It’s not The Savoy, but it has comfortable rooms and on-site food and drink options. Unfortunately, my phone app says I’m 45kms from my next ‘albergue’ accommodation booked at the private albergue nr the cathedral in Vitoria-Gasteiz, which indicates I have a long and punishing day ahead of me. An appropriate time to sign-off for the evening, methinks!
n.b. As you can see, I’ve forgotten how to make this an official ‘Live from the Camino’ report. Will someone please remind me? Thanks!
Buen Camino, James it sounds like quite the adventure!
And those wikiloc links are another wonderful gift - thank you, Caminka! Bookmarked.
Only one (sorry to be pedantic) quibble, but to avoid confusion:
The Baztan is roughly parallel to the VI, but well to the East; it starts in Bayonne and ends in Pamplona.
thank for a detailed description of your adventures on camino viejo, james! I see the old GR21 to irurtzun is still somewhat functioning, baring the tunnel and the viaduct.
I loved staying in the casa rural in hirriberi.
I am sorry you had to stick to the big roads so much. I guess the pdf files still don't work for you.
I can post further description here if that will help you? for after miranda de ebro, perhaps?
from salvatierra onwards you should be on a well-waymarked ruta del tunel / camino vasco interior which is off main roads and leads to puebla de arganzon with an albergue.
after puebla, I would advise you to follow ruta del tunel to miranda de ebro, taking care not to go left after estavillo in the direction of santo domingo de la calzada. after that, the route now approaches miranda from the east via some dolmens and passes by the albergue juvenil. call ahead as they have two two-week periods of closure per year. they have a microwave with plates and cutlery but no stove, if you are inclined to cook.
and don't forget to enquire about that footbridge across river ebro into banos de sobron for the next day or you will have to backtrack all the way to larrazubi.
my wikiloc tracks from 2012. note that I don't stick reverently to waymarked routes if there is something interesting just over there. I also happily change from one to another, if I feel so inclined. they will get you there, though.
miranda de ebro - banos de sobron (the broken footbridge is here!)
https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/camino2012-122-miranda-de-ebro-banos-de-sobron-21019390
banos de sobron - quintana de martin galindez
https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trai...s-de-sobron-quintana-martin-galindez-21020131
has an albergue.
quintana de martin galindez - trespaderne
https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/camino2012-124-quintana-martin-galindez-trespaderne-21024273
frias is spectacular, sleep here if you can.
trespaderne - quintana de valdevieso
https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/camino2012-125-trespaderne-quintana-de-valdevieso-21102426
has two albergues, one juvenil usually filled with groups and one private. insist on a dorm room (they wanted to sell me the most expensive double first).
quintana de valdevieso - pesquera del ebro
https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trai...tana-de-valdevieso-pesquera-del-ebro-21103048
I ditched GR 99 del ebro here and short-cutted on a beautiful old stone road directly to pesquera to join the ebro again.
pesquera del ebro - orbaneja del castillo
https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trai...quera-del-ebro-orbaneja-del-castillo-21433123
spectacular day. very nice casa rural abuelo with a kitchen in a spectacular setting.
orbaneja del castillo - polientes
https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/camino2012-128-orbaneja-del-castillo-polientes-21434689
polientes - villanueva de la nia
https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/camino2012-129-polientes-villanueva-de-la-nia-21435429
villanueva de la nia - aguilar de campoo
https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/camino2012-130-villanueva-de-la-nia-aguilar-de-campoo-21436186
a surprisingly straightforward route from the ebro to aguilar, but with a dangerous crossing of a major road.
after that, you are on camino olvidado which should be well waymarked.
@caminka, I am finding your route details extremely helpful in guiding my own, so thank-you once again.
You will be interested to know that the footbridge over the Ebro is still down. The guy in the tourist office told me that the Burgos and Basque authorities still need to come to a shared view about what to do with their shared bridge. He went as far as to show me a YouTube video clip that shows its actual collapse. Have you seen it?
Thanks for your posts. I am enjoying reading them, whileDay 11 (Thurs): Aguilar de Campoo (2kms max)
I don’t know if staying a second night counts as a rest day, or simply being credited for some of the excessive kms undertaken yesterday, but I think I needed it. The town has a lovely, busy feel to it and plenty of character, plus a castle I couldn’t bring myself to climb up to for a look around. The day was also great for doing very little out of respect for my suffering feet and a still improving back strain.
I booked a hotel room in Cevera de Pisuerga tomorrow evening, so maybe I can try to find an off-road route to enjoy more leisurely.
Thanks for your posts. I am enjoying reading them, while
I will not be following in your footsteps as I am far from having your stamina!
you pack some really long days, @Sheffield James!
a second days definitely counts as a rest day, and much appreciated by all the muscles, bones and other organs, I am sure.
I am a bit jealous you went through oña! I saw pictures, had a detour planned, but then opted out of it.
oh man, I would love that postacard.
you are now definitely on camino olvidado which should be at least adequately waymarked, so that you can reduce main road walking to a minimum.
the albergue in guardo is close to where camino leaves the town, up the hill. you turn left at a roundabout with a little wooden booth which is supposed to be the turismo (was closed in 2012). buy your provisions in the centre.
I couldn't got the albergue on the phone when I was there. these are the phones from their web new site: 979 043 008 || 693 448 184 || 664 495 334.
the friendly couple I stayed at in guardo advised me against sleeping in the cheapest pension/hostal in the centre.
are you thinking of taking the mountain route after boñar? I would be most interested in your comments (for this guide: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/guide-to-olvidado.52042/).
buen camino!
Hi James, when you enter guardo the albergue is on the other side of town. In the distance you can see a a blue "building" and a smaller red "building. This is approximately in the direction of the albergue. Go down the hill.The Main Street is extremely straight.Follow it up to the other side, then ask for directions. It's easy to find from there. As Caminka said buy your food in the supermarket in the center. It's 12 euros and if you want breakfast it is an extra 5 euros.
In Puente Almuhey within a few hundred yards of entering the village the albergue is together with the Correos and the Town Hall. They are new small buildings set back on the right hand side. The key is in the town hall or in the bar El Duende De Carricuende. The bar is a long way down the Main Street on the right hand side. No price was mentioned. It was a Sunday.
Hi James, when you enter guardo the albergue is on the other side of town. In the distance you can see a a blue "building" and a smaller red "building. This is approximately in the direction of the albergue. Go down the hill.The Main Street is extremely straight.Follow it up to the other side, then ask for directions. It's easy to find from there. As Caminka said buy your food in the supermarket in the center. It's 12 euros and if you want breakfast it is an extra 5 euros.
In Puente Almuhey within a few hundred yards of entering the village the albergue is together with the Correos and the Town Hall. They are new small buildings set back on the right hand side. The key is in the town hall or in the bar El Duende De Carricuende. The bar is a long way down the Main Street on the right hand side. No price was mentioned. It was a Sunday.
That is what I thought, too, about El Gran Caminante's route. Reminds me to finish it...I am loving your diary. My current Camino is a mix of shorter days. The Norte for a while, Boadilla today which I am sure you will remember from the Pig Dig, then the Canal de Castille to link up with the Camino Madrid to see Oliver inPuente Duero and a visit to Reb and Paddy. You are following a lot of the route in her recent translation The Geat Walk Westward. Ultreya
James, I don't know where you are now but here is now some brief information I think will help you. In Bonar there is NO Albergue Juvenil.2 hotels 25 Euros including breakfast.@omicko, I appear to have thanked you in the wrong place, so let me thank-you a second time for your most helpful advice:
How great to get home to find that I can pick up with your Olvidado posts right at Aguilar de Campoo. You know, I thought that Bilbao to Aguilar was not the very best of the Olvidado. Lots of asphalt, etc. But from Aguilar on, wow! Have you seen the little guide that Susanna and I wrote up after our 2014 walk? Lots of it may be out of date by now, but I have gotten emails from a couple of people who found it on the Spanish Olvidado web site and said it was helpful. https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/resources/camino-olvidado-from-bilbao-to-ponferrada.254/
Looking forward to following you! Buen camino, Laurie
I am loving your diary. My current Camino is a mix of shorter days. The Norte for a while, Boadilla today which I am sure you will remember from the Pig Dig, then the Canal de Castille to link up with the Camino Madrid to see Oliver inPuente Duero and a visit to Reb and Paddy. You are following a lot of the route in her recent translation The Geat Walk Westward. Ultreya
Noted and much appreciated, @omicko!James, I don't know where you are now but here is now some brief information I think will help you. In Bonar that is no Albergue Juvenil.2 hotels 25 Euros including breakfast.
In Vegacervera there is Camping El Chalten.10 Euros plus 2 Euros for Breakfast. Recommended.Call Pablo on 686045743.Bars and a Tienda
In Buiza there is an albergue 5 or 6Euros. One bar probably only open in the afternoon.Call 987597031
In La Magdalena- Call Guadalupe on 685920895.Albergue for Peregrinos. It's being reformed.Tiendas and Bars. There is a Churreria opens at 6:30 in the morning. ( Probably 7 is more accurate).
Ditto! When did you walk the route?In Riello there are Bars.
In Vegarienza there is in Albergue para Peregrinos.Donativo.Call Estella on 680799927. One Bar with basic food.
In Fasgar there is a Albergue para Peregrinos.8 Euros. One Bar .NO FOOD.
Call Rosi on 607027949
Great to see you and Paddy, today! You’re mentioned in dispatches, ie., in my latest post. Hasta September!!James, there is now a municipal thermal spa in Guardo, and there´s a fine pizzeria in town, too, run by genuine Italians! Send me a ping when you get close, I will try to get up there and we can have a bite and a natter!
Hiya Caminka, I did the Mountain Route from Bonar. I started in Bilbao. When I return home and get some time I will update the Forum with my information.Cheers Mick.
It should be obvious by now that I don’t plan far ahead. If you can give me brief reasons for taking and not taking the mountain route, then I’ll let you know what path I’ll be taking.
I left Bilbao on the 2nd of May.Ditto! When did you walk the route?
James the Mountain Route is fantastic ,in my opinion not easy, but the effort is well worth the views.Suerte,Mick.@caminka, send me a PM with your address and I’ll post it to you with the greatest of pleasure.
Thanks for the advice re Guardo: noted!
It should be obvious by now that I don’t plan far ahead. If you can give me brief reasons for taking and not taking the mountain route, then I’ll let you know what path I’ll be taking.
What exactly do you mean “not easy”? I don’t mind the physicality so much as the likelihood of getting lost and/or dangerous terrain.James the Mountain Route is fantastic ,in my opinion not easy, but the effort is well worth the views.Suerte,Mick.
Hi @caminka, I’m not familiar with the name camping El Chaltén. I think @omicko and I are talking about Camping Las Hoces de Vegacervera. It is located on a side road opposite the bar he has mentioned in his response to you. A quick check of the internet shows the address at Calle La Ranera S/N, C.P. 24836, Vegacervera. Two telephone numbers are listed as: 987591598 + 616409678everything duly noted and corrected in the guide, @omicko and @Sheffield James. where is camping el chaltén in vegacervera?
Agreed! BTW, Cafe Bar Velez was a nice place to have an end-of-day drink. I’m sorry if it was closed when you were in town. Are you still on the road?Well Caminka, the simplest way for me to say this is, enter the village and In the Cafe Bar Velez ask for directions.The Camp is only a few hundred metres away and very easy to find.The Camp is very well known as is Pablo.Phone him on the number I gave in this forum. (In the Asociacion Leonesa Guide from Guardo his number has a wrong digit). I do not have a mobile with internet access so it's very difficult to write information.So when I get home and have time I can, ojala, remember some helpful information for the forum.Suerte Mick.
Well Caminka, the simplest way for me to say this is, enter the village and In the Cafe Bar Velez ask for directions.The Camp is only a few hundred metres away and very easy to find.The Camp is very well known as is Pablo.Phone him on the number I gave in this forum. (In the Asociacion Leonesa Guide from Guardo his number has a wrong digit). I do not have a mobile with internet access so it's very difficult to write information.So when I get home and have time I can, ojala, remember some helpful information for the forum.Suerte Mick.
Hi @caminka, I’m not familiar with the name camping El Chaltén. I think @omicko and I are talking about Camping Las Hoces de Vegacervera. It is located on a side road opposite the bar he has mentioned in his response to you. A quick check of the internet shows the address at Calle La Ranera S/N, C.P. 24836, Vegacervera. Two telephone numbers are listed as: 987591598 + 616409678
Hi @caminka, I’m not familiar with the name camping El Chaltén. I think @omicko and I are talking about Camping Las Hoces de Vegacervera. It is located on a side road opposite the bar he has mentioned in his response to you. A quick check of the internet shows the address at Calle La Ranera S/N, C.P. 24836, Vegacervera. Two telephone numbers are listed as: 987591598 + 616409678
Hi Sheffield JamesDay 20 (Sat): La Magdalena - Fascar (~46kms)
My accommodation was approximately 1km before La Magdalena, so after breakfast of the dreaded Churros, I walked to the town and then the short distance on to Canales. I must have missed an arrow directing me left once there because I was soon out of town and on the carretera towards Riello. When I realised this, I decided not to retrace my steps as I thought I’d make quicker progress this way, especially with the long day ahead of me. Even though I did manage to re-join the camino track shortly before Riello -at Oterico-, I think I saved a couple of kms and up to an hour in time compared to following the official path. Let’s put it down to serendipity!
From Riello onward, the rest of the day was spent alternating between road and country tracks over largely flat terrain. The amount of road-walking was probably greater than that of the off-road sections, and this was exacerbated on two occasions when the tracks where impassable due to flooding.
The day’s walk was characterised also by the number of villages on the route, often with just a few kms between them. Many had at least one bar, so it was easy to find refreshments when required.
The final 15kms to Fascar passed through a lovely valley that seemed, to me, to go on forever. The village is so remote, I’d seriously consider it as a hideaway should I ever find myself on Interpol’s most wanted list! At one point, I lost sight of the arrows and found myself crossing fields close to the riverbank. While I knew that heading West would lead ultimately to my destination, I did get trapped - literally, on one occasion - by lots of barbed wire and electric fences. Sticking closer to the carretera would have been a safer course to follow.
I’d arranged to stay at Rosi’s albergue (tel: 607027949), but she wasn’t around when I arrived. The French and Spanish pilgrims I’ve mentioned before were insIde with the only key, but they dIdn’t hear my knocking, and so quite a few of the locals in the bar next door mobilised themselves to help me gain entry. The excitement of that 15-20 minutes far exceeded anything served up later in the Real Madrid vs Liverpool Champions League Final.
The albergue is modern with 10 beds and proper cotton sheets. There’s a kitchen with a microwave and coffeemaker(coffee supplied), but note there is nowhere to buy food in the village. Rosi lives elsewhere in the village, yet she’ll come and fInd you for the €8 charge and to stamp your credencial.
Day 21 (Sun): Fascar -Igūeña (18.5kms)
With no prospect of any food for almost 12kms, breakfast comprised Rosi’s coffee, some bread left by the aforementioned departed pilgrims, a carton of orange and a cereal bar. Come to think of it, it was a more satisfying desayuno than I’ve had on many previous mornings!
The day’s walk began with a stiff -for me- mountain climb for an hour or so. The view at the highest point was truly spectacular, however: a panoramic view of the lush Campo de Santiago/Campo de Martin Moro valley with snow-fringed high mountains as its extensive backdrop.
After dropping into the valley, the track worked its way through another long, steeply-sided, wooded valley with the fast-flowing Rio Boeza showing the way. The ground underfoot was very rocky, which slowed progress and, taken together with the earlier ascent, may well account for the comparatively short day in terms of kilometre distance.
The path became more flat and even on the approach to Colinas del Campo, where sadly the only bar was closed. This meant another 7kms without a refreshment stop to complete the day’s stage. Once again, the woodland path tracked the valley bottom until it reached the small town of Igūeña.
I paid for a bed in the modern Albergue del Catoute, situated just over the bridge after entering the town. The owners also run the Restaurante La Playa (tel: 987519517; 636968047; 629251182) directly across the road, from which the albergue is managed. My room had four beds and cost only €6 per person. Bed linen is provided, along with the expected bath and shower facilities. There is nowhere to hang clothes to dry, nor is there a kitchen or sitting room. The assumption must be that all rest and relaxation will be done in the bar.
All in all, a muy bonito stage, made more so by the partial success of the sun’s efforts to shine on the route!
Ender asked me to clarify about the campgrounds. In Vegacervera there is a “Camping de Vegacervera” and a youth hostel (Albergue Juvenil) named “El Chalten”, which takes pilgrims. Pablo runs the albergue, and his phone is 686 045 743.The camping is expensive because you have to take the whole bungalow for 75 €. The Albergue has a bungalow with 2 or 3 bunks and the pilgrim price is 10 € and 2 € for breakfast.
HOLA "PEREGRINOS del CAMINO OLVIDADO", I'm now back home and have access to the internet. In Vegacervera a couple of the customers in the Cafe Bar Velez contacted Pablo for me. He is very well known. They told me he was in a meeting at the town hall. A few of the locals used the word "camping" and pointed in the direction of the site as the crow flies. 5 minutes later Louis, one of his employees,met me at the bar and took me to the site by crossing the little bridge in front of the bar and following the road as it bends to the left. Within a few minutes you see a large Barn on your right and just after the barn you can see the campground with all the wooden cabins. At the entrance there was a board listing all the outdoor pursuits you can do here. One of the names was espeleología which I didn't know (caving). I couldn't see any recognisable names at the entrance of the camp so I asked Luis what they call this place. He said El Chalten. Louis is one of the outdoor pursuits instructors and was very helpful to me. That day there was a group of children on a Outdoor Pursuits course combined with speaking English. English had to be spoken at meal times. " If they speak Spanish the teachers will take away a knife then a fork then a spoon etc." said one of the teachers of English. This teacher had a Received Pronunciation accent of the BBC from the 1950's. He was Spanish.
Pablo told me in Camping Hoces de Vegacervera you slept in tents or wooden cabins but you had to rent the whole thing. His place is Albergue El Chalten.The bottom line is phone him on 686045743 and sleep in a standard pine cabin for €10 per night and €2 for breakfast, which I arranged to have at 7:30 in the morning and enjoyed.
Don't worry you don't have to do any of the outdoor pursuits.Cheers Mick
Hola "Peregrinos del Camino Olvidado", I'm now back home and have access to the internet. In Vegacervera a couple of the customers in the Cafe Bar Velez contacted Pablo for me. He is very well known. They told me he was in a meeting at the town hall. A few of the locals used the word "camping" and pointed in the direction of the site as the crow flies. 5 minutes later Louis, one of his employees,met me at the bar and took me to the site by crossing the little bridge in front of the bar and following the road as it bends to the left. Within a few minutes you see a large Barn on your right and just after the barn you can see the campground with all the wooden cabins. At the entrance there was a board listing all the outdoor pursuits you can do here. One of the names was espeleología which I didn't know (caving). I couldn't see any recognisable names at the entrance of the camp so I asked Luis what they call this place. He said El Chalten. Louis is one of the outdoor pursuits instructors and was very helpful to me. That day there was a group of children on a Outdoor Pursuits course combined with speaking English. English had to be spoken at meal times. " If they speak Spanish the teachers will take away a knife then a fork then a spoon etc." said one of the teachers of English. This teacher had a Received Pronunciation accent of the BBC from the 1950's. He was Spanish.
Pablo told me in Camping Hoces de Vegacervera you slept in tents or wooden cabins but you had to rent the whole thing. His place is Albergue El Chalten.The bottom line is phone him on 686045743 and sleep in a standard pine cabin for €10 per night and €2 for breakfast, which I arranged to have at 7:30 in the morning and enjoyed.
Don't worry you don't have to do any of the outdoor pursuits.Cheers Mick
l
Well James, in connection with your story about the "UK rock legend of the group The Who", since I've come home I have had an email from a Hospitalera telling me that some other Hospitaleras contacted her saying that Roger Daltrey from the group The Who was on the Camino, but since then they have checked my passport and found my real name. When I was much younger, once upon entering a pub a man told me I look like the man in the group The Who. I said to him "do you mean the good looking one (Roger Daltrey) or the one with the big nose (Pete Townshend)." He replied "the one with the big nose.." Ps I have never ever been a member of Facebook but I have a good idea how it got there. In 1970 The Who played a rock concert in Leeds, England which some people say is the greatest live rock album of all time.Suerte, Rodger D.
aha, ok. so it's the correct camping but inside this camping is a pilgrim cabin called albergue el chalten for which you need to call pablo (or stop in bar velez where they will make the call for you). four beds? does it have a kitchen?
HIYA CAMINKA, the site is called ALBERGUE EL CHALTEN. It is also an OUTDOOR PURSUITS CENTRE where the people doing the outdoor pursuits will use the facilities of the ALBERGUE EL CHALTEN. Pilgrims can stay there (as I am sure anybody else can ) as long as they pay the €10 and the optional breakfast for €2. The owner of ALBERGUE EL CHALTEN is Pablo. The telephone number for Pablo in the "Association Leonesa del Camino Olvidado a Santiago" guide has one incorrect digit in his mobile telephone number. Therefore I could not contact him. That is why In the Bar Velez I asked two girls to help me. He is very well known.The two girls tried to contact him. Eventually they found out he was in a meeting in the town hall. 5 minutes later Louis came and took me to the site. I asked him what it is called. He said EL CHALTEN. Louis is one of the outdoor pursuits instructors, he also made my breakfast in the morning after I had arranged a time with him. There are many cabins and about 100 beds in this Albergue.There is a big dining room with toilets.The kitchen is for the staff to prepare the meals.
YOU DON'T NEED TO KNOW THIS but I'm led to believe that Camping Las Hoces de Vegacervera is something TOTALLY DIFFERENT. ( Open only at the weekend but In summer everyday. You have to rent all of the tent or cabin.). Hope this might have helped a little.Suerte,Mick.
Thanks @Kaiur for the name of the drink. I’ll try to post a photo, though it won’t do it justice.The name of the drink is queimada that means burned (from galician queimar, burn)
Made with orujo blanco (white orujo)
@omicko, I nearly fell off my chair when I read about your ‘role’ in this hoax! The camino de santiago has had so many myths and legends over the centuries + RD on the Olvidado shall now surely take its place on the list.l
Well James, in connection with your story about the "UK rock legend of the group The Who", since I've come home I have had an email from a Hospitalera telling me that some other Hospitaleras contacted her saying that Roger Daltrey from the group The Who was on the Camino, but since then they have checked my passport and found my real name. When I was much younger, once upon entering a pub a man told me I look like the man in the group The Who. I said to him "do you mean the good looking one (Roger Daltrey) or the one with the big nose (Pete Townshend)." He replied "the one with the big nose.." Ps I have never ever been a member of Facebook but I have a good idea how it got there. In 1970 The Who played a rock concert in Leeds, England which some people say is the greatest live rock album of all time.Suerte, Rodger D.
I am happy to go with @omicko’s explanation of the nomenclature of Pablo’s place. There is a sign saying Las Hoces as you cross the little bridge and that’s what I followed until arriving at the accommodation. The property has a big Albergue sign at the entrance but other than that I saw nothing. I was billeted in a 10-bed chalet, with a table and chairs. There were no kitchen facilities I could access independently in the chalet, although I think they gave me permission to use the microwave in the main building to make myself a hot drink.aha, ok. so it's the correct camping but inside this camping is a pilgrim cabin called albergue el chalten for which you need to call pablo (or stop in bar velez where they will make the call for you). four beds? does it have a kitchen?
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