Villafranca del Bierzo to O Cebreiro - Pradela route

hikerat1 · Mar 17, 2023

Any Help on route selection: I am considering taking the mountain route (Pradela) when leaving Villafranca del Bierzo, and Brierly book advises a reroute is planned and that the signage is difficult to find and there are many routes once on top of the mountains. Any advice about the trail markings and if it is OK finding your way, and/or about a relo track to make it quicker?

Thanks

trecile · Mar 17, 2023

It's been a few years since I took that option but I don't remember signage being a problem.
And if you use a Camino app with GPS the alternate route should be on it. I know that it's in the Buen Camino app.

mspath · Mar 17, 2023

hikerat1,
For several earlier forum posts re the mountain route drop the term Pradela into the blue search box at the upper left of this page.
Enjoy your research and Buen camino!

Jaime Carrollo · Mar 17, 2023

I turned left and walked up the hill to take the Dragonte route. It was beautiful for many reasons and will really allow you to get into yourself. However, if you like well marked trails, coffee shops and people, then Dragonte may not be as rewarding for you. In that case, go right along Pradela and avoid the center path along the highway.

stevepjq · Mar 17, 2023

It is easy-peasy. Immediately after the bridge leaving Villafranca, there is an upward slope to the right. That's it! Once on the path, you can't get lost. Keep going. Be sure to stop for a bite at Albergue Lamas - a nice family runs it and has a few sandwiches and beverages to offer. From Pradela, Trabedelo is short a short hike down the mountain

trecile · Mar 17, 2023

stevepjq said:
Be sure to stop for a bite at Albergue Lamas - a nice family runs it and has a few sandwiches and beverages to offer

I had the best sandwich there which included fresh tomato and lettuce from their garden!

rojasa · Mar 17, 2023

Lovely, challenging walk. No issues with signage that I remember (2021)—it’s just the one path that goes uphill to the right, after the bridge, as described above. And huge for the family de albergue Lamas! When the husband saw me limping he offered to drive me to Casa Susi, when he was done with his chores. What to do but accept the gift?! Had a wonderful salad while I waited, looked out over the gorgeous Bierzo, and a friendly conversation in the car. Would stay there next time if I could… Buen camino!

Annette london · Mar 17, 2023

hikerat1 said:
Any Help on route selection: I am considering taking the mountain route (Pradela) when leaving Villafranca del Bierzo, and Brierly book advises a reroute is planned and that the signage is difficult to find and there are many routes once on top of the mountains. Any advice about the trail markings and if it is OK finding your way, and/or about a relo track to make it quicker?

Thanks

We walked this way last year, and every time in fact
no problem finding the way and it’s a beautiful path
a very short detour to albergue Lamas at Pradela made a great walk even better
its well signed and can be seen from the crossroads

C clearly · Mar 17, 2023

hikerat1 said:
I am considering taking the mountain route (Pradela) when leaving Villafranca del Bierzo

I am curious that this is called the "mountain route" since the Dragonte option seems more mountainous.

I walked the Pradela route a few years ago, and found the signage at that time to be a bit confusing. However, I never felt lost because the valley must stay on your left, you can often see Trabadelo, and eventually you will emerge at the road. (At least that is what it felt like to me.)

trecile · Mar 17, 2023

Jaime Carrollo said:
I turned left and walked up the hill to take the Dragonte route. It was beautiful for many reasons and will really allow you to get into yourself. However, if you like well marked trails, coffee shops and people, then Dragonte may not be as rewarding for you. In that case, go right along Pradela and avoid the center path along the highway.

C clearly said:
I am curious that this is called the "mountain route" since the Dragonte option seems more mountainous.

The Pradela route or as Gronze labels it Camino de la montaña is not the same as the Dragonte route.

There are three routes out of Villafranca del Bierzo.

Here's more info on the Dragonte route.

http://trekopedia.com/wp-content/uploads/Trekopedia-Guide-to-the-Ruta-Dragonte-v1.0-May-2018.pdf

Rick of Rick and Peg · Mar 17, 2023

I previously posted a map and pictures on how to get onto the Pradela route. Here's the map and pictures:

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/scenic-route-from-villafranca.72109/#post-970192

For the Pradela route take Calle Pradela up the hill after crossing the bridge leaving Villafranca. The main camino route passes the Albergue de la Piedra. To take the Dragonte route you take a left to cross a bridge before reaching that albergue.

howardd5 · Mar 18, 2023

hikerat1 said:
Any Help on route selection: I am considering taking the mountain route (Pradela) when leaving Villafranca del Bierzo, and Brierly book advises a reroute is planned and that the signage is difficult to find and there are many routes once on top of the mountains. Any advice about the trail markings and if it is OK finding your way, and/or about a relo track to make it quicker?

Thanks

I have done the Pradela route twice and the valley route twice . The Pradela route is wonderful any only a little harder. The views are stunning and it’s a Roman road. I did get a little confused in the grove at the top but keep walking west and it will appear. I would have liked to go the extra K on to the village of Pradela and I will next time . You can have a nice Albergue in La Faba and not go on the O’Ceberio. But I’ll say again go high it’s worth it

rogersoncharles1951 · Mar 18, 2023

hikerat1 said:
Any Help on route selection: I am considering taking the mountain route (Pradela) when leaving Villafranca del Bierzo, and Brierly book advises a reroute is planned and that the signage is difficult to find and there are many routes once on top of the mountains. Any advice about the trail markings and if it is OK finding your way, and/or about a relo track to make it quicker?

Thanks

Take the high road is scenic no problems you'll love it.

Bert45 · Mar 18, 2023

I took the Pradela route in 2016 and had no problems with signage. The first part (I can't remember how far or how long) is very steep. Incredibly steep! But after that it's not so bad. I tried the Dragonte route last year and got lost. I had to turn back. There was no signage after Villar de Corrales. But with GPS (which I don't use) you could be OK.

Boots67 · Mar 18, 2023

In October of 2022, I hiked the high route via Paradela and found the route fairly easy to navigate. Whenever I felt unsure, I would come across a camino marker that reassured me. I mainly relied on my common sense and followed the most logical path, keeping an eye out for the most prominent footprints. Near the highest point near the forest, I noticed wide fire breaks cut along the ridges, but I had no trouble finding the correct route into Paradela.

The stunning views along the way were worth the effort, and I savored the solitude as I did not come across another person during my hike. One of the highlights of the trip were the old chestnut orchards that I stumbled upon. Overall, it was a memorable and rewarding alternate.

I have attached a few photos to give you an idea of what to expect.

Camino Chrissy · Mar 24, 2023

Gorgeous pictures, Boots! In the past while walking the Frances twice, I have regretted not taking the detours to the Eunate church and the one to the Samos monastery.
Now I have a third regret. I remember crossing the bridge at Villafranca del Bierzo and seeing the option on the right. I'd already decided ahead of time I wasn't going to go Left on the Dragonte, so I looked to the Right and thought "No way do I want to climb that big hill either." Unfortunately I now see that was a big mistake.

peregrina2000 · Mar 24, 2023

I know this thread is about the Pradela option from Villafranca, but the maps posted above clearly show that there is a third option, the Dragonte route. So I thought I’d add a bit about it here. I have never walked the Dragonte route, but last fall tried to help a forum member get some more info. I found what looked like an excellent resource about it online here.

Wikiloc tracks are available, and I wouldn’t walk it without GPS. And just today I found another website that has a lot of info on the Dragonte option.

Looks like the Dragonte is more hard core, but it’s another option.

howardd5 · Mar 24, 2023

I have walked the Pradela route twice and recommend it as one of the high spots on the whole Camino . I spoke with some who walked the Dragonte route and she said it was rough and not marked well. She didn’t advise it to anyone .

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Villafranca del Bierzo to O Cebreiro - Pradela route

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