Ponferrada - getting credentials late/early? // and future Invierno enquiries maybe

[Mettchen]

Hola amigos,
I am tentatively planning (nothing that can't be cancelled yet) Camino Invierno in January

My first question is - I know I'll be able to get/buy credentials in Ponferrada - but do any of you know how late/early in the day?

Flights to Spain are apparently not so frequent in January (as during summer ) so will most likely only arrive in Ponferrada around 11pm from Madrid. Because I am arriving so late then I am also not planning on the municipal albergue.

My first day walking will only be around 20k so I dont have to start super early ...but do any of you know where I will either be able to get a set of credentials late in the evening or fairly early morning in mid-January?

I was contemplating ordering from Ivar - but due to well deserved holiday they don't ship orders till the 7th and I therefor doubt it will arrive in time.

As you can tell - I am planning well in advance

Thanks in advance, merry Christmas and buen camino,
Mette

 

[domigee]

I'd try and contact Albergue Guiana and ask them. They close very late (midnight?) and sell a few things for the Camino, I was able to buy walking poles there. They might have credentials.

Web:
www.albergueguiana.com(link is external)

 

[Mettchen]

I'd try and contact Albergue Guiana and ask them. They close very late (midnight?) and sell a few things for the Camino, I was able to buy walking poles there. They might have credentials.

Web:
www.albergueguiana.com(link is external)

Awesome! Thanks. I'll do that



...also good to know about the poles, in case mine gets confiscated on the way (hope not!!!)

 

[henrythedog]

Have a look on Gronze.com.

Under ‘services’, you’re looking for ‘Expiden la Credencial’ with a € next to it. That indicates credenciales for sale.

 

[wisepilgrim]

I seem to remember a souvenir shop selling them. But the municipal albergue is open year round and surely have them. And the start of the Invierno is right next to the muni.

 

[Mettchen]

Have a look on Gronze.com.

Under ‘services’, you’re looking for ‘Expiden la Credencial’ with a € next to it. That indicates credenciales for sale.

Oohh great tip. I've spent hours in Gronze over the years, but never knew that detail was there... might be my limited Spanish and that I dont translate the website

 

[Mettchen]

I seem to remember a souvenir shop selling them. But the municipal albergue is open year round and surely have them. And the start of the Invierno is right next to the muni.

Thanks a bunch - I was more concerned that I wouldn't be able to buy one there at say 11:30pm or early morning before I start my first stage.

But great tips all three - thanks. Think Im almost ready to buy the plane tickets now...


...and I can start to pray to the weather gods for decent weather

 

[domigee]

Have a look on Gronze.com.

Under ‘services’, you’re looking for ‘Expiden la Credencial’ with a € next to it. That indicates credenciales for sale.

I had never noticed that!
Looks like only the parroquial albergue sells them then, they open at 6 am.

Albergue San Nicolás de Flüe - Servicios

Albergue San Nicolás de Flüe de Ponferrada (León). Servicios del Albergue

www.sannicolasdeflue.com

 

[cnxjo]

I am planning to start in early Feb. So far having trouble securing lodging between Villavieja and Sobradelo. Would appreciate knowing your arrangement for lodging. Thank you.

 

[Desert Bruce]

I worked at the donativo albergue San Nicolás de Fue in Ponferrada last May as hospitalero. We had credentials available for sale. The door opens at 06 in the morning and the pilgrims are gone by 08 when the door is locked for cleaning till 1pm.

 

[Takahiwai]

I am planning to start in early Feb. So far having trouble securing lodging between Villavieja and Sobradelo. Would appreciate knowing your arrangement for lodging. Thank you.

I stayed in Hotel Medulio in Las Medulas, and Hostal La Torre in Puente de Domingo Florez, in March this year. Both fine.

 

[cnxjo]

Hotel Medulas closed till 7 Feb and Hostal La Torre fully booked by business group the same week

 

[drgalvin]

Hola amigos,
I am tentatively planning (nothing that can't be cancelled yet) Camino Invierno in January

My first question is - I know I'll be able to get/buy credentials in Ponferrada - but do any of you know how late/early in the day?

Flights to Spain are apparently not so frequent in January (as during summer ) so will most likely only arrive in Ponferrada around 11pm from Madrid. Because I am arriving so late then I am also not planning on the municipal albergue.

My first day walking will only be around 20k so I dont have to start super early ...but do any of you know where I will either be able to get a set of credentials late in the evening or fairly early morning in mid-January?

I was contemplating ordering from Ivar - but due to well deserved holiday they don't ship orders till the 7th and I therefor doubt it will arrive in time.

As you can tell - I am planning well in advance

Thanks in advance, merry Christmas and buen camino,
Mette

I was hospitalero in the pilgrim hostel, Albergue San Nicolás de Flue, in Ponferrada. Hospitaleros are resting and doing other tasks until early afternoon. Great place to stay on your first night. You can get the credencial there.

 

[drgalvin]

Awesome! Thanks. I'll do that



...also good to know about the poles, in case mine gets confiscated on the way (hope not!!!)

By the time pilgrims get toward the end of their trip, they're just carrying those walking staffs. They are baggage rather than a needed implement. Not worth it for the couple of times they are a help.

 

[trecile]

By the time pilgrims get toward the end of their trip, they're just carrying those walking staffs. They are baggage rather than a needed implement. Not worth it for the couple of times they are a help.

I use my poles (not a staff) for almost every kilometer on the Camino. They assist me in many ways other than the obvious uphills and downhills.

 

[domigee]

I use my poles (not a staff) for almost every kilometer on the Camino. They assist me in many ways other than the obvious uphills and downhills.

I am not sure I could have walked all those many kms without my walking poles!

 

[domigee]

I am planning to start in early Feb. So far having trouble securing lodging between Villavieja and Sobradelo. Would appreciate knowing your arrangement for lodging. Thank you.

Casa Socorro in Las Medulas. I don’t know if it is open in Feb. , doesn’t say on Gronze. I’d ask them.
Lovely place btw

 

[Mettchen]

By the time pilgrims get toward the end of their trip, they're just carrying those walking staffs. They are baggage rather than a needed implement. Not worth it for the couple of times they are a help.

Each to their own - I have thoroughly enjoyed my hiking poles on my previous caminos. Besides helping my joints and balance and overall support - they also help my fingers from swelling up and when it’s cold my hands get warmer quicker when hiking with poles.

I probably could walk without them, but I’m pretty my knees and ankles etc. appreciate them as much as the rest of me

But they are not for everyone - and that’s fine

 

[Mettchen]

I was hospitalero in the pilgrim hostel, Albergue San Nicolás de Flue, in Ponferrada. Hospitaleros are resting and doing other tasks until early afternoon. Great place to stay on your first night. You can get the credencial there.

Thanks @drgalvin and @Desert Bruce for both suggesting San Nicolas de Flue, but at both Wise Pilgrim (app) and Gronze it says it closes at 22/22:30 and I would only arrive at 23:00… so I followed the suggestion from @domigee and contacted Albergue Guiana who confirmed that I can get in late - and also get credentials. Should the credential fail, I am sure from you all - that I can find one in the morning.

Thank you all - looks like my beds are sorted, so now I just need plane tickets and a bus ticket

 

[Mettchen]

Local busses on Sundays?
Does any of you know if google maps is reliable when looking for local bus / public transportation options? Or is there really nothing on Sundays? (I really wouldn't be that surprised if there is not)

I have over-ambitious stage of 35+ km from Quiroga to Monforte de Lemos and would like to shorten it by taking a bus 7-15 km in the beginning, the middle or the end. Breaking the stage into two is not really possible due to a fixed deadline in the other end. But if no busses run, maybe a taxi.

I’ll ask at my albergues too - but thought I would ask you for suggestions as well.

Gracias

 

[domigee]

Thanks @drgalvin and @Desert Bruce for both suggesting San Nicolas de Flue, but at both Wise Pilgrim (app) and Gronze it says it closes at 22/22:30 and I would only arrive at 23:00… so I followed the suggestion from @domigee and contacted Albergue Guiana who confirmed that I can get in late - and also get credentials. Should the credential fail, I am sure from you all - that I can find one in the morning.

Thank you all - looks like my beds are sorted, so now I just need plane tickets and a bus ticket

Woohoo!

 

[domigee]

Local busses on Sundays?
Does any of you know if google maps is reliable when looking for local bus / public transportation options? Or is there really nothing on Sundays? (I really wouldn't be that surprised if there is not)

I have over-ambitious stage of 35+ km from Quiroga to Monforte de Lemos and would like to shorten it by taking a bus 7-15 km in the beginning, the middle or the end. Breaking the stage into two is not really possible due to a fixed deadline in the other end. But if no busses run, maybe a taxi.

I’ll ask at my albergues too - but thought I would ask you for suggestions as well.

Gracias

No idea, I'd ask the albergues, they'll know.
I did walk with someone who took a taxi for part of the stretch (not that one ) so it is feasible ;-)

 

[Charrito]

Local busses on Sundays?
Does any of you know if google maps is reliable when looking for local bus / public transportation options? Or is there really nothing on Sundays? (I really wouldn't be that surprised if there is not)

I have over-ambitious stage of 35+ km from Quiroga to Monforte de Lemos and would like to shorten it by taking a bus 7-15 km in the beginning, the middle or the end. Breaking the stage into two is not really possible due to a fixed deadline in the other end. But if no busses run, maybe a taxi.

I’ll ask at my albergues too - but thought I would ask you for suggestions as well.

Gracias

There are three busus from Quiroga to Monforte de Lemos, and they all run every day (the bus stop is directly opposite Hostal Quiper). One leaves Quiroga at 08:32, the next at 15:32, and the last one at 22:33.

Here's a suggestion (I did this a few years ago): walk from Quiroga to Pensión Pacita in Barxa de Lor, have a great meal with José and José Luís (you would need to contact them beforehand), then walk back down the road to A Labrada (around 400 metres) and pick up the bus there (it passes at 15:50, and you'll need to flag it down).

By doing this, you avoid the steep (although beautiful) climb up to Castroncelos and you miss out on the great albergue in A Pobra do Brollón.

The whole stage is, as you say, around 35 kms, but it can be done. The last 12 or 13 kms from A Pobra do Brollón to Monforte de Lemos are pretty straightforward, with just one short climb.

Transporte Público de Galicia

www.bus.gal

 

[Charrito]

Origen: A RUA E.A. (A RÚA)

Destination: MONFORTE E.A. (MONFORTE DE LEMOS)

Pensión Pacita C.B. to Labrada

maps.app.goo.gl

(from Pensión Pacita to the bus stop in A Labrada)

 

[Mettchen]

Origen: A RUA E.A. (A RÚA)

Destination: MONFORTE E.A. (MONFORTE DE LEMOS)

Pensión Pacita C.B. to Labrada

maps.app.goo.gl

(from Pensión Pacita to the bus stop in A Labrada)

Thanks a bunch for both replies and suggestion

 

[Charrito]

Thanks a bunch for both replies and suggestion

You're welcome. If there's any other info you need please don't hesitate to ask. I've walked the Invierno around a dozen times, so I reckon I know most of the stages pretty well!

 

[Takahiwai]

Origen: A RUA E.A. (A RÚA)

Destination: MONFORTE E.A. (MONFORTE DE LEMOS)

Pensión Pacita C.B. to Labrada

maps.app.goo.gl

(from Pensión Pacita to the bus stop in A Labrada)

I loved that place - Pensión Pacita, not the bus stop! - and felt like I would be quite happy to stay there forever, with a never-ending supply of good books.

 

[Charrito]

I loved that place - Pensión Pacita, not the bus stop! - and felt like I would be quite happy to stay there forever, with a never-ending supply of good books.

Hahahaha! The Pensión is such a wonderful place, and the people are so friendly. It's incredibly peaceful, and the hospitality and food are both ecellent. I hope you tried the truchas!

 

[Takahiwai]

Hahahaha! The Pensión is such a wonderful place, and the people are so friendly. It's incredibly peaceful, and the hospitality and food are both ecellent. I hope you tried the truchas!

Alas, truchas were not on the menu, but the friendly man who lives just on the other side of the bridge told me that I must try the home-made wine and orujo, and they went very well with (and after) the steak, chips, and salad dinner that I wolfed down!