Astorga to Molinaseca

[Pathfinder89]

I’m wondering what the Frances route looks like this week between Astorga to Molinaseca. Has anyone on this forum been walking it recently? Are Albergues open and is the route good? We will be heading that way in a day or two.

 

[AlexBoots]

I walked it recently. Was aiming for El Acebo and was disappointed to find no albergues open just a fully booked hotel. There was only the one municipal open in Molinaseca. A lot of albergues are still closed. Weather was good though. A little snow up on O Cebreiro but you can bypass it with the road.

 

[Pafayac]

I walked it on October 2023. There were no problems. Convento de Foncebadon is not bad, but there are other albergues in the village.
Why are you in a trouble about this Camino segment ?

 

[Pathfinder89]

I walked it on October 2023. There were no problems. Convento de Foncebadon is not bad, but there are other albergues in the village.
Why are you in a trouble about this Camino segment ?

I’m seeing snow on the mountains west of Astorga and wondering about road. And also wondering about accommodations— no responses to emails inquiring about reservations. Some Albergues might not be open contrary to what the Wise pilgrims app says.

 

[stevepjq]

I stay at Hostal San Nicolas in Molinaseca all the time - I just checked and they are open for business. A really nice couple own this place and its super.

 

[lt56ny]

I can't say what the weather will be and by what you have said it does not seem bad at all right now. There are open albergues in Rabanal del Camino and Foncebadon. If they do not answer your emails, try whatsapp and call. It is pretty easy. When it comes to the weather, going up towards Cruz de Ferro I would follow the advice of the hospitaleros or the locals whether or not you have any question about the weather. Always good to ask when you are going into higher elevations. Molinaseca shows 3 open albergues. Check to make sure they are open. I have walked in the lowest of seasons, winter and never had a problem finding an open albergue.

 

[wynrich]

We walked the last half of the Frances in March year before last and found many many albergues and hotels were closed. Wherever we called, they would tell us they would not open until Easter which was April 17 that year.

 

[asl]

I stay at Hostal San Nicolas in Molinaseca all the time - I just checked and they are open for business. A really nice couple own this place and its super.

The San Nicolas is a true gem!!

 

[AlainC]

If you need to, you can go an additional 7Km to Ponferrada where a lot of albergues will be opened. The parroquial albergue , San Nicolas de Flue does not take reservation but there will be plenty of beds at this time of the year.

 

[kathyandthomas]

We have stayed at the Hostal el Palacio. Very nice, decent restaurant. Currently showing $64/night on Booking.com

 

[Pathfinder89]

I can answer my own question now.
I walked from Astorga to Foncebadon on March 18 and to Ponferrada on March 19.
The path above Rabanal is rocky and often flooded by melting snow runoffs. It’s a careful walk and trekking poles are very helpful. There are a few patches of snow left along the path.
From Cruz de Ferro down to Molinaseca also has lots of wet spots and mud.
Only two Albergues were open in Foncebadon on March 18. More will open next week. Molinaseca is also receiving more pilgrims.

 

[Walkingat70]

I’m wondering what the Frances route looks like this week between Astorga to Molinaseca. Has anyone on this forum been walking it recently? Are Albergues open and is the route good? We will be heading that way in a day or two.

I left Astorga on 07 April 2022 for Foncebadon. We had the wind in our faces across the plain and the last 6 km to Foncebadon was uphill. There are 3 - 4 hostels in Foncebadon. I stayed in the Convento and the room was good. There is a hostel in the centre of the village where most pilgrims congregate which was apparently quite good.

There are two large white farm dogs who roam the village after the cattle get put away. They love human company and playing with them in the early hours was one of the highlights of my Camino.

The walk on to Molinaseca is rugged and there are a few places there.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

There are two large white farm dogs who roam the village after the cattle get put away. They love human company and playing with them in the early hours was one of the highlights of my Camino.

 

[digger]

I’m wondering what the Frances route looks like this week between Astorga to Molinaseca. Has anyone on this forum been walking it recently? Are Albergues open and is the route good? We will be heading that way in a day or two.

I walked all of that last week-all good. The San Javier albergue near the cathedral is still closed but all else was fine. Snow at Foncebadon was interesting and many (including me) chose to walk down on the road edge because the path was very slippery.
Strongly recommend Albergue de Santa Maria on the way out of Molinaseca.
Snowing again right now on O Cebreiro
Buen Camino, Digger