Two injuries and rescues on the descent to Molinaseca

[Bradypus]

A local news website has reported that rescue teams including a helicopter were called out twice yesterday within a couple of hours to treat and recover two pilgrims injured in falls on the descent towards Molinaseca on the Camino Frances.

Auxilian a dos peregrinos heridos tras sufrir caídas en el Camino de Santiago en Molinaseca

Los servicios de emergencias y la Guardia Civil colaboran para atender a dos personas de 68 y 70 años con brechas en la cabeza.El Centro Coordinador de Emergencias de la Junta de Castilla y León coordinó el auxilio a dos personas que sufrieron caídas este martes en zonas de difícil acceso d

www.bierzodiario.es

 

[David with new Kit!]

I know that path well, its a beast, even when its dry.

 

[GaTeach]

Arriving in Molinaseca, I sure felt like I had accomplished something big. Right up there with the Zubiri descent.

 

[Keyser]

Could not agree more.

 

[Isca-camigo]

I've walked it in December, January, and at other times through the year, it's not worth sticking to the Camino in some weather conditions however when it's the right conditions it's one of the best stretches. If you are not sure check with the locals or the Albergue for the day ahead. The road before Acebo to Molinseca adds about 3 or 4 km.

 

[t2andreo]

That is why I always practice discretion and use the road to walk down from Cruz de Ferro - against the flow of traffic of course. The older I get, the less I am interested in temping fate. It is running after me, and advancing with each year, anyway.

 

[BROWNCOUNTYBOB]

We've hiked CF four times and the stage from El Acebo to Molinaseca is brutal. We're hiking next fall and will take a taxi from El Acebo to Molinaseca to avoid the stress and safety risk. Bob

 

[sillydoll]

We stay on the trail until Riego de Ambros. From there we change to the road and it is about the same distance as on the trail. You can see pilgrim high above you negotiating the trail, then they come down and cross over and go down on the other side. Walk facing the oncoming traffic and you'll be fine.

 

[AnneMarie1]

We've hiked CF four times and the stage from El Acebo to Molinaseca is brutal. We're hiking next fall and will take a taxi from El Acebo to Molinaseca to avoid the stress and safety risk. Bob

I took the road last year for that stretch, on the advice of the people at the albergue. Glad I did. It was bad enough just getting to El Acebo.

 

[Blister Bill]

Came down in a blizzard in 2018. Very grateful for poles and boots !

 

[GaTeach]

Came down in a blizzard in 2018. Very grateful for poles and boots !

I'm in awe...

 

[henrythedog]

Came down there in February 2015 for the first time in very heavy snow. The Guarda Civil wouldn’t let anyone leave El Acebo until the snowplough went through and just said ‘follow that’. I’ve bern through several times and never done the off-road route.

 

[travelgirl409]

I’m probably weird because that stretch from Cruz de Ferro to Molinaseca was one of my favorite parts of my Camino. I was alone on n the quiet and took it slowly—just loved the solitude.

 

[Saint Mike II]

Arriving in Molinaseca, I sure felt like I had accomplished something big. Right up there with the Zubiri descent.

Hola: I would say that the Molinaseca descent is far more serious than Zubiri. At Molinaseca its around 1000 metres (3300 ft) in less than 10km. When its wet it is (imho) very dangerous and very unforgiving. Having cycled the road from Cruz de Fero I would recommend against walking down that road. Best option - just take your time and rest whenever the hips/knees/ankles are under stress. Cheers

 

[dougfitz]

Hola: I would say that the Molinaseca descent is far more serious than Zubiri. At Molinaseca its around 1000 metres (3300 ft) in less than 10km. When its wet it is (imho) very dangerous and very unforgiving. Having cycled the road from Cruz de Fero I would recommend against walking down that road. Best option - just take your time and rest whenever the hips/knees/ankles are under stress. Cheers

I agree, and the figures bear that out. Looking at the descent into Zubiri, it is about 4.7 km long and drops 355m, with a maximum downhill slope of -21.5%. Going down into Molinaseca from the top of the ridge after Manjarin to the start of the bridge is about 11.1 km, a descent of 945m and the maximum downhill slope is 30.3%. That is much more challenging.

 

[Rita Flower]

I walked as much as I was able and then took the road. I loved this section for its solitude and incredible views to adjacent valleys but also needed to take care of the body in the final sections.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I’m probably weird because that stretch from Cruz de Ferro to Molinaseca was one of my favorite parts of my Camino. I was alone on n the quiet and took it slowly—just loved the solitude.

Exactly my experience. I absolutely loved walking the beautiful trail in spring, but then my weather was perfect. I'm sure I'd have hated it in wet rain.

 

[DoughnutANZ]

We stay on the trail until Riego de Ambros. From there we change to the road and it is about the same distance as on the trail. You can see pilgrim high above you negotiating the trail, then they come down and cross over and go down on the other side. Walk facing the oncoming traffic and you'll be fine.

I have done that bit twice. The first time I stopped in El Acebo for the night and didn't think that that piece of trail was that bad.

Last year I did it from Rabanal and the bit beyond Riego de Ambros was much more difficult as I was getting tired by then and it was starting to get late because I stopped along the way for a couple of hours for a picnic and to acknowledge the memory of a special friend.

For me, the sweet spot is not trying to tackle the part after Riego de Ambros when tired as it requires more concentration.

If there is a third time then I plan to stop for the night in Riego de Ambros (the albergue there gets good reviews on Gronze) so that I am fresh when I walk the next bit.

 

[Barbara Whelan]

We've hiked CF four times and the stage from El Acebo to Molinaseca is brutal. We're hiking next fall and will take a taxi from El Acebo to Molinaseca to avoid the stress and safety risk. Bob

Hello Bob - did you and your wife walk the Camino in September/October 2021? I think our paths crossed on the next day out of Molinaseca. We hope to retrace our steps this time next year too. Best wishes

 

[MikeyC]

The road has quite a few blind bends so I remember swapping sides at times for better visibility, both ours and drivers'.
I eventually tied a red buff to my hiking pole and had that hoisted high and pointing out as a signal to drivers.
Next time we may revert to the path though that'll depend on the weather.

 

[Lindsay53]

I made the descent from Cruz de Ferro to Molinaseca today. The path was rough, washed out and slippery from the recent rain ( no rain today apart from a few drops) and after El Acebo I decided to take the road as I recall the path is even dodgier after that. Little traffic and I made good time even though the road was longer. My knees also thanked me.

 

[CA_Pilgrim]

A local news website has reported that rescue teams including a helicopter were called out twice yesterday within a couple of hours to treat and recover two pilgrims injured in falls on the descent towards Molinaseca on the Camino Frances.

Auxilian a dos peregrinos heridos tras sufrir caídas en el Camino de Santiago en Molinaseca

Los servicios de emergencias y la Guardia Civil colaboran para atender a dos personas de 68 y 70 años con brechas en la cabeza.El Centro Coordinador de Emergencias de la Junta de Castilla y León coordinó el auxilio a dos personas que sufrieron caídas este martes en zonas de difícil acceso d

www.bierzodiario.es

I remember that part of the Camino well. I tried using the path for a half mile or so in the misting rain after the Iron Cross and then too the advice of some friends that did it the day before. I cut over to the road and walked the shoulder. It's a little bit longer but less of a chance of falling. There wasn't a lot of traffic, but I was wearing a black poncho. I learn my lesson that day, go with bright color rain gear!

 

[ScouseKeith]

A local news website has reported that rescue teams including a helicopter were called out twice yesterday within a couple of hours to treat and recover two pilgrims injured in falls on the descent towards Molinaseca on the Camino Frances.

Auxilian a dos peregrinos heridos tras sufrir caídas en el Camino de Santiago en Molinaseca

Los servicios de emergencias y la Guardia Civil colaboran para atender a dos personas de 68 y 70 años con brechas en la cabeza.El Centro Coordinador de Emergencias de la Junta de Castilla y León coordinó el auxilio a dos personas que sufrieron caídas este martes en zonas de difícil acceso d

www.bierzodiario.es

I’ve advised so many pilgrims to take the road instead. It’s easier on the legs and feet and quicker. Is it really worth the risk of injury.

 

[robertatascot]

The knees and ankles give no sympathy...

 

[ScouseKeith]

I made the descent from Cruz de Ferro to Molinaseca today. The path was rough, washed out and slippery from the recent rain ( no rain today apart from a few drops) and after El Acebo I decided to take the road as I recall the path is even dodgier after that. Little traffic and I made good time even though the road was longer. My knees also thanked me.

I walked the Camino path twice to molinaseca then the third time I twisted my ankle and gashed my leg in the fall, never walked it again, my last two Caminos I’ve taken the road for safety.

 

[NZDianne]

I have done that bit twice. The first time I stopped in El Acebo for the night and didn't think that that piece of trail was that bad.

Last year I did it from Rabanal and the bit beyond Riego de Ambros was much more difficult as I was getting tired by then and it was starting to get late because I stopped along the way for a couple of hours for a picnic and to acknowledge the memory of a special friend.

For me, the sweet spot is not trying to tackle the part after Riego de Ambros when tired as it requires more concentration.

If there is a third time then I plan to stop for the night in Riego de Ambros (the albergue there gets good reviews on Gronze) so that I am fresh when I walk the next bit.

This is that stretch that I did in April 2024 on a freezing wet day. Reminded me of tramping in New Zealand. Great experience but I was delighted to arrive in Molinaseca.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

There is a trail that is a nice alternative to take to get from Reigo de Ambrós to Molinaseca. Use the forum search feature to look for posts containing Puentes de Malpaso. To get down to the most important posts confine that search to posts by @peregrina2000.

 

[Kanga]

In good weather, particularly in spring when the wild flowers are out, the path is one of the most beautiful parts of the Camino Francés, but also the most difficult. I have always walked it, despite my age and bad balance, but I take it very slowly, at a real snails pace, and use my sticks. It’s the thought of what those sharp rocks would do to my aged bones that keeps me upright! It can be broken up into short distances - good accommodation at Foncebadon, El Acebo and Riego de Ambros.

 

[Marianne Hansen]

Arriving in Molinaseca, I sure felt like I had accomplished something big. Right up there with the Zubiri descent.

Me too. I've survived that descent twice without injuries. It was a killer.