The most unpleasant descent I ever did on a camino

[Pelegrin]

I am in Castro Laboreiro as a tourist and today I did Castro Laboreiro to the Spanish border in Alcobaça to chech the signalling. After passing Portelinha there is an endless descent walking on wet stones because there are a lot of sources on the path. In the tourist office don' t give information about the caminho only about the paths that the Melgaço municipality has to do with it
The signalling was good.

 

[AlanSykes]

You are right that the going down from Castro Laboriero to the Spanish border is very difficult: many wet stones and narrow channels when I went that way in November 2022.



But I think the descent from Fasgar to Igüeña on the Olvidado is even more treacherous if the weather is bad:

 

[Pelegrin]

Someone thinking on doing this caminho should considerer to reserve. Today Castro Laboreiro is full. No room available.

 

[VNwalking]

But I think the descent from Fasgar to Igüeña on the Olvidado is even more treacherous if the weather is bad:

It's still astonishing that you went down that in such wet weather.

 

[peregrina2000]

Oh,yes, that was a very difficult descent - I had lots of water too. And one of my hiking poles broke, so I was really “up a creek.” But I made it.




Pictures never capture the descents, but this was a treacherous one.

But, @Pelegrin, did you see these guys? They were good for a few smiles.



I have to admit, that was not one of the Geira’s finest stages! But Castro Laboreiro is a nice place and the castle has some of the best views ever. Going in the opposite direction would give you much nicer walking. Campo de Geres - Lobios- Castro Laboreiro is wonderful!

 

[peregrina2000]

Someone thinking on doing this caminho should considerer to reserve. Today Castro Laboreiro is full. No room available.

Yikes — there are two or three fair-sized hotels in that town, no? I stayed in O Miradouro do Castelo and I think others have stayed in Castrum Villae.

Good heads up for anyone walking - since this is a touristy area, and not a pilgim area, places are going to fill up on weekends. I did meet several groups of walkers when I was there on a weekday in Sept. 2022, but no one had heard of the caminho.

 

[Pelegrin]

Yikes — there are two or three fair-sized hotels in that town, no? I stayed in O Miradouro do Castelo and I think others have stayed in Castrum Villae.

Good heads up for anyone walking - since this is a touristy area, and not a pilgim area, places are going to fill up on weekends. I did meet several groups of walkers when I was there on a weekday in Sept. 2022, but no one had heard of the caminho.

I arrived on Thursday from Madrid with no reserve and only found two nights in O Miradouro do Castelo ( cheap and good). Today I am in Melgaço for three nights. I didn 't get to the end of the treacherous path because couldn,t see the end (because the bushes) and had to walk back to Castro Laboreiro.Today I saw the end because I was there in Azoreira with my car. I saw water still at the end. On the rest days I have the intention to walk from Ferreiros ( Entrimo) to Ameijoeiras ( border) and from Covide to Portela do Homem ( border).

 

[LTfit]

But I think the descent from Fasgar to Igüeña on the Olvidado is even more treacherous if the weather is bad:

View attachment 177634

That descent was a b*tch even in good weather. It went just one and on and on. Of course it didn't help that I walked 2 stages that day into Igüeña.

 

[Pelegrin]

Today Pereira ( Entrimo) to around three kms past Ameixoeiria ( border). There is a fantastic strecht on the top surrounded by mountains. The signalling was very good. Yesterday I couldn' t do the stage from Campo de Geres because the area was collapsed by cars ( Sunday). Tomorrow back to Madrid. My impression is that this Camino must be doable by those who did the Primitivo without problems and it is worth it. The treacherous point could be avoided by walking the road.