Train tickets and weather

maryjaneflanagan said:

...
We plan to walk to La Virgen del
Camino that evening and stay there overnight.
The route appears to be alongside a busy road.
Is there an alternative quieter route?...

Click to expand...

maryhaneflanagan,

You must be VERY excited as the time for your departure nears!

Walking out of Leon is dreary. However, it is only 7 km to La Virgen del Camino and its extraordinary contemporary church. The town is named for a famous 15th century figure of the Virgin holding the dead body of Christ. Today the figure is in a splendid church designed in the 1960s by a Dominican monk, Francisco Coello a follower of the Brutalist style of Le Corbusier. Basically a glass box, giant stylized metal sculptures of the Apostles cover the west façade. Located on the Camino Frances at Av Astorga, 87, in the midst of chaotic suburb it is a superbly maintained architectural gem as well as a haven of peace. Be sure to visit it. The calm interior is splendidly lit with deep chrome yellow glass. ( see >> http://virgendelcamino.dominicos.es/webvirgen/)

Opposite the church you can either continue on the Camino Frances or pick up the peaceful alternative camino route going out of town slightly southwest towards Villar de Mazarife. It is very pleasant to escape the N120 highway noise and suburban sprawl while crossing wide flat plains up to V de M where there are several pilgrim albergues. From there the alternative camino goes on to Hospital de Órbigo where it rejoins the main Camino Frances.

Buen Camino,

Margaret Meredith

Downtown Leon to La Virgin del Camino is mostly along main roads. There are a few places where the route is diverted to quieter streets. The interesting sights include the hobbit holes.