Wildlife on the Camino Madrid

[Lorcan Sirr]

Hola. I was thinking of doing the Camino Madrid shortly (i.e. end of this month) and in doing some research am finding photos of things like horses and bulls (bulls!) along the route. I have not desire to meet bulls (I've seen what they can do in bullfights) so was wondering from people's experiences how likely is it to encounter such beasts along the way??

LS

 

[Al the optimist]

In a word - No. Yes there are some cattle around but they are no problem and usually behind a fence when not being driven towards you by a farmer. I have also found myself in faced by sheep being driven by a shepherd. Horses keep themselves to themselves, just ignore them. Whatever you do don't feed the horses! Wildlife on the Camino tends to start at Sarria with some partying a bit!

 

[Lorcan Sirr]

Al - that's the answer I was looking for. Just like other routes then it seems. I live in Spain and have seen what these 550-700kg bulls can do when just mildly irritated, never mind annoyed! Thinking of starting before end of this month. . .have left trusty rucksack in Ireland though so might have to shop beforehand.

Thanks for that.
LS

 

[Rebekah Scott]

I walked from Segovia two weeks ago, and was pleasantly surprised at the amount of wildlife I saw on the Camino Madrid. I saw deer, lizards, a big black snake, a Least Weasel, and a wild pig, as well as many kinds of birds, including elusive Great Bustards and many cuckoos. One of the highlights on the Madrid is a farm full of black pigs -- dozens of piglet escapees ran joyfully through the underbrush, squealing and snorting. Not "wildlife," but a lot of fun!

 

[Lorcan Sirr]

That sounds lovely. And it definitely constitutes 'wildlife'...

 

[Phillypilgrim]

Hog farm on Camino de Madrid!

 

[Lorcan Sirr]

Hog farm on Camino de Madrid!

Is that a business plan or an actual thing? !

 

[Pelegrin]

I have been walking Sierra de Madrid for more than 30 years and never encountered a brave bull.
In Madrid province there are some cattle farms that raise bulls for bullfights but all of them are protected with fences and have visible warnings.
I have found tame bulls only in two ocassions, but I had no problems with them. Carrying a pole is useful to set a barrier between you and the animal.

 

[Al the optimist]

Oh they exist!

 

[KinkyOne]

Hola. I was thinking of doing the Camino Madrid shortly (i.e. end of this month) and in doing some research am finding photos of things like horses and bulls (bulls!) along the route. I have not desire to meet bulls (I've seen what they can do in bullfights) so was wondering from people's experiences how likely is it to encounter such beasts along the way??

LS

Hola, Lorcan!

It's almost impossible to meet a bull outside the fence in Spain (and other EU countries for that matter also). They are far too dangerous farmers could allow that. Those few cows roaming around you might saw in one or two of my photos taken before Navacerrada were completely harmless.

Mentioned black pigs farm is located shortly after Penaflor de Hornija.

Ultreia!

 

[Lorcan Sirr]

All good. Thanks for all the replies. I hope to emerge ungorged then where the only bull I encounter is on a plate or in a story.

LS

 

[Phillypilgrim]

Frisky pig action.

 

[VNwalking]

And then there is this (to be precise...it's on the Francis in Galicia...).
Cute. But I was glad for the fence.

 

[Lorcan Sirr]

I came across this piece of wildlife. Had my sticks close to hand at all times. Thankfully it seemed preoccupied so I was able to sneak by...

 

[Marcus-UK]

I have been walking Sierra de Madrid for more than 30 years and never encountered a brave bull.
In Madrid province there are some cattle farms that raise bulls for bullfights but all of them are protected with fences and have visible warnings.
I have found tame bulls only in two ocassions, but I had no problems with them. Carrying a pole is useful to set a barrier between you and the animal.

Off subject a little - But while touring rural Andalucia, encountered a bull that took exception to the front end of a Morgan. It blocked the road gored a policeman who happened along. The policeman found a local farmer (aged 70 plus) who wrapped the bulls tail round its back leg and tipped it over with no effort. In this area the bulls roam wild and can be territorial.

 

[Angelo]

Nice photos!