Camino Estrecho, Tangiers, Cadiz, VDLP and Sanabres.

[WalkingInGers]

I am preparing my second Camino and plan to leave for Malaga on March 5th. I have an acquaintance there and hope to see him and his wife for a night or two.

I am flying from Toulouse to Madrid and then to Malaga. The plan is to reach Algeciras by bus, remain there one or two nights and then undertake to walk the CAMINO ESTRECHO to CADIZ starting in early March. From there, it is Sevilla, Merida, Salamanca, to reach the Sanabres and Santiago de Comnpostela. .

I have two quiestions.

My first question is: Has anyone walked from Algeciras to Cadiz via TARIFA? I can’t seem to find anyone on the Forum who has walked this Camino.

Any recommendations?

Given that TARIFA and TANGIERS (in Morocco) are only a one-hour ferry ride away, I am inclined to visit the city and also Chefchaouen (called the blue city). This last is located about a two-hour drive away from Tangier. Ferry services take 1 hour to cross the Strait of Gibraltar.

My second question concerns visiting Tangier. Should I take a day trip or stay a night or two there? Do you have any personal recommendations?

 

[Stephan the Painter]

I think @islandwalker has done walks in that region or knows where to find the information.

And I know nothing about it but Tangiers sounds interesting…..

 

[BarbaraW]

I travelled to Tangiers from Algeciras and thought it was well worth an overnight stay (or two). Particularly because we stayed in a historic riad in the old centre, run by a local family and with a fantastic breakfast. I can't find the name of the place we stayed but Riad Ider looks similar.
You need the FRS ferry which goes to the old port in Tanger Ville. It leaves from Tarifa and when I travelled, a few year ago, there was a free bus transfer from Algeciras. Other ferries dock at Tanger Med which is 52k down the coast and you don't get the great sea approach to the city. The FRS ferry itakes an hour. More info at www.seat61.com/Morocco.htm and www.frs/es/en

 

[WalkingInGers]

I travelled to Tangiers from Algeciras and thought it was well worth an overnight stay (or two). Particularly because we stayed in a historic riad in the old centre, run by a local family and with a fantastic breakfast. I can't find the name of the place we stayed but Riad Ider looks similar.
You need the FRS ferry which goes to the old port in Tanger Ville. It leaves from Tarifa and when I travelled, a few year ago, there was a free bus transfer from Algeciras. Other ferries dock at Tanger Med which is 52k down the coast and you don't get the great sea approach to the city. The FRS ferry itakes an hour. More info at www.seat61.com/Morocco.htm and www.frs/es/en

A Riad sounds great…as have stayed years ago in Fez, Rabat, Meknes, etc. One day or two days? Leave my backpack in Tarifa or Cadiz? After that return, I plan to do some serious walking…LOL in southern Spain.

 

[BarbaraW]

Having looked some more I'm pretty sure we stayed at Riad Arous Chamel.

 

[WalkingInGers]

Having looked some more I'm pretty sure we stayed at Riad Arous Chamel.

I will look at various RIADS in Tangiers. Thank you.

 

[islandwalker]

That sounds like a wonderful plan! We have walked a lot in that area and are glad to answer any questions you might have. Here are some thoughts:

The Asociación Gaditana Jacobea has Camino Estrecho tracks on Wikiloc. https://www.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/user.do?id=2094521

Algeciras to Tarifa 33 km Mostly sand and gravel tracks. Possible to stay overnight in El Bujeo (campground and cabins) or El Pelayo (Youth Hostel)

https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/camino-del-estrecho-1a-etapa-algeciras-tarifa-13779800

Tarifa to El Lentiscal 18 km. If you time it so you can do the stretch between Valdevaqueros and Las Palomas along the beach at low tide, it is much nicer than walking along the A route for that stretch.

https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/playas-de-tarifa-los-lances-valdevaqueros-punta-paloma-y-bolonia-p-n-del-estrecho-cadiz-77896878

Beyond Las Palomas, I would follow the official track (ie, not on the beach) to El Lentiscal.

https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/camino-del-estrecho-2a-etapa-tarifa-el-lentiscal-13781757

The Baelo Claudia Roman ruins at Bolonia (El Lentiscal) are a highlight of this section. If you can plan for several hours to explore them, I'm guessing you would find it worthwhile. Closed Mondays.

Inicio - Conjunto arqueológico de Baelo Claudia

The app Marine Traffic is a lot of fun to use to identify the many ships you will see passing through the Strait of Gibraltar.

‎MarineTraffic - Ship Tracking

‎MarineTraffic displays near real-time positions of ships and yachts worldwide. Using the largest network of land-based AIS receivers, the app covers most major ports and shipping routes. • View VESSELS ON THE LIVE MAP, search for ships, boats and seaports and see what's near you! • More than...

apps.apple.com

 

[Andre Peeters]

I walked the Estrecho 3 years ago.
Received very good information (albergues, etc.)
from https://www.asociacionjacobeacadiz.org/.
The landscape very diverse.
Did not meet any other pilgrim
Places like Tarifa, Tahivilla, Medina-Sidonia
were memorable.
In Tahivilla new albergue was opened 3 months before.
I was the 1st pilgrim to sleep in the albergue.
The alcalde and the locals
welcomed me...

 

[WalkingInGers]

That sounds like a wonderful plan! We have walked a lot in that area and are glad to answer any questions you might have. Here are some thoughts:

The Asociación Gaditana Jacobea has Camino Estrecho tracks on Wikiloc. https://www.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/user.do?id=2094521

Algeciras to Tarifa 33 km Mostly sand and gravel tracks. Possible to stay overnight in El Bujeo (campground and cabins) or El Pelayo (Youth Hostel)

https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/camino-del-estrecho-1a-etapa-algeciras-tarifa-13779800

Tarifa to El Lentiscal 18 km. If you time it so you can do the stretch between Valdevaqueros and Las Palomas along the beach at low tide, it is much nicer than walking along the A route for that stretch.

https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/playas-de-tarifa-los-lances-valdevaqueros-punta-paloma-y-bolonia-p-n-del-estrecho-cadiz-77896878

Beyond Las Palomas, I would follow the official track (ie, not on the beach) to El Lentiscal.

https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/camino-del-estrecho-2a-etapa-tarifa-el-lentiscal-13781757

The Baelo Claudia Roman ruins at Bolonia (El Lentiscal) are a highlight of this section. If you can plan for several hours to explore them, I'm guessing you would find it worthwhile. Closed Mondays.

Inicio - Conjunto arqueológico de Baelo Claudia

The app Marine Traffic is a lot of fun to use to identify the many ships you will see passing through the Strait of Gibraltar.

‎MarineTraffic - Ship Tracking

‎MarineTraffic displays near real-time positions of ships and yachts worldwide. Using the largest network of land-based AIS receivers, the app covers most major ports and shipping routes. • View VESSELS ON THE LIVE MAP, search for ships, boats and seaports and see what's near you! • More than...

apps.apple.com

You have given me so much information that I will have difficulty getting it all. Thank you

 

[WalkingInGers]

I walked the Estrecho 3 years ago.
Received very good information (albergues, etc.)
from https://www.asociacionjacobeacadiz.org/.
The landscape very diverse.
Did not meet any other pilgrim
Places like Tarifa, Tahivilla, Medina-Sidonia
were memorable.
In Tahivilla new albergue was opened 3 months before.
I was the 1st pilgrim to sleep in the albergue.
The alcalde and the locals
welcomed me...

I really look forward to walking all this way…the first camino that I found a great experience sombered me considerably in the last five days with so many people and the rain that did not let on. I like the solitude.

 

[WalkingInGers]

I really look forward to walking all this way…the first camino that I found a great experience sombered me considerably in the last five days with so many people and the rain that did not let on. I like the solitude.

That does not mean that I refrain from walking with everyone including BS artists, and I have met some in life and on the CF: the solution…figure out that they like talking off the top over their heads about everything and nothing and when tired, just say « Buen Camino » and take off.