Via De La Plata, Confusing Signpost Before Alcuéscar

[geraldkelly]

I got some information from a recent pilgrim about misleading signposting on the Via shortly before Alcuéscar.

16km from Aljucén you come to a point at the top of a rise where the Via veers right. Here there is a prominent sign which points left (see photo) for Albergue Turístico Los Olivos. As you can see in the photo there is also a Via de la Plata sign pointing left. This is incorrect, the Via goes RIGHT at this point to bring you straight to Alcuéscar.

 

[notion900]

I got some information from a recent pilgrim about misleading signposting on the Via shortly before Alcuéscar.

16km from Aljucén you come to a point at the top of a rise where the Via veers right. Here there is a prominent sign which points left (see photo) for Albergue Turístico Los Olivos. As you can see in the photo there is also a Via de la Plata sign pointing left. This is incorrect, the Via goes RIGHT at this point to bring you straight to Alcuéscar.

There are some arrows pointing right in the photo. Someone should have a word with the albergue owner, who is clearly responsible for the misleading sign.

 

[Kiwi-family]

We got caught out there. A local told us to go left. A little later a cement truck driver urged us on too.
My instinct was screaming this was wrong BUT there were the distinctive VdlP bollards along the route so it seemed right. Eventually the path became a track and there were cobwebs and no footprints even though lots of other pilgrims had gone before us.
Googlemaps to the rescue. We had overshot Alcuescar. We really wanted to stay at the monastery so we backtracked cross-country. Even found some of that water and mud @MarkLee manages to avoid.

Still not sure about all the concrete bollards - I thought perhaps we would be back on that route tomorrow, but no, we set off in a completely different direction.
They remain a mystery and our nice short 19km day turned into a respectable 25km!

 

[Hikoi]

I also went left - fooled by the signs, which seemed to be a cynical re-routing of the Camino to lead pilgrims to the hostel. I arrived there and asked at the gas station whereabouts the monastery was, only to be told it was some kilometers away, along the road. I was so annoyed I double quick timed to the monastery. The route march burned off my anger - and a few litres of sweat too! The hospitalero at the monastery told me they frequently alter the signs...

 

[Saint Mike II]

I remember that sign was like that back in May 2013 - and yes it is all down to the albergue owner. I had been advised the night before about it - and I think it was also in A. Raju's guidebook that I obtained from CSJ. I think other guidebooks have also picked up on this phony diversion. Cheers

 

[LesBrass]

I remember this spot clearly too... I'd read a few accounts before I arrived at the junction and knew that I should ignore the signs and keep walking down the hill. I'm glad we did as folks arriving later told us they added an hour or more to their journey following the signs.

Here's my photo from last October...

 

[Paddy Brock]

I remember this spot clearly too... I'd read a few accounts before I arrived at the junction and knew that I should ignore the signs and keep walking down the hill. I'm glad we did as folks arriving later told us they added an hour or more to their journey following the signs.

Here's my photo 6 from last October...

View attachment 32979

Thanks guys and girls for the good advice ,,,,,,,will remember to keep walking down the hill to the right . Much appreciated

 

[Deleted member 12253]

I got some information from a recent pilgrim about misleading signposting on the Via shortly before Alcuéscar.

16km from Aljucén you come to a point at the top of a rise where the Via veers right. Here there is a prominent sign which points left (see photo) for Albergue Turístico Los Olivos. As you can see in the photo there is also a Via de la Plata sign pointing left. This is incorrect, the Via goes RIGHT at this point to bring you straight to Alcuéscar.

Aggressive signs to go for hostal. Very clear by signs that camino goes right.

 

[notion900]

I saw an official distance sign just before the massive hill up from the reservoir to Grandas de Salime, and someone had written 'mentira' (lie) next to the number of km. Next person past this pesky albergue sign should pull out a marker pen....