Albergue del Embalse de Alcántara (Casar de Cáceres to Cañaveral)

[AJGuillaume]

Back in 2020, whilst we were confined, my darling and I walked the Via de la Plata, virtually. Thanks to many veterans on this Forum, I was able to plan our Camino.

This year, 5 years later, we will finally be walking the VdlP, starting in Almería, and after spending two weeks as hospitaleros in Abla, we will walk all the way to SdC.

It is no secret that my darling and I are distance challenged slow walkers, my darling needs some certainty about where we will sleep, and the virtual VdlP plan was taking this into account. I returned to the thread, and I am now working through the various stages.

I have come to the first stage which is going to be a challenge for us: Casar de Cáceres to Cañaveral, 33.1 km.

The issue is that the Albergue del Embalse de Alcántara, which would have been a convenient stopping point, is not likely to reopen in the foreseeable future.

We have worked out options for this stage, but I just wanted to check with anyone who had recently walked whether the albergue was still closed, or if anyone had any other information about it.

Thank you!
Buen Camino

 

[Claudio60]

The albergue in embalse de alcantara is closed…
You have to walk for eight more km to arive in a little village….
It is better to book a room in advance,
Buen camino

 

[Corned Beef]

Closed 26 August 2023. Very hot that day so plenty of water if you are waiting for a taxi. Bar in Canaveral had the aircon going full blast which was very welcome.

 

[OzAnnie]

Back in 2020, whilst we were confined, my darling and I walked the Via de la Plata, virtually. Thanks to many veterans on this Forum, I was able to plan our Camino.

This year, 5 years later, we will finally be walking the VdlP, starting in Almería, and after spending two weeks as hospitaleros in Abla, we will walk all the way to SdC.

It is no secret that my darling and I are distance challenged slow walkers, my darling needs some certainty about where we will sleep, and the virtual VdlP plan was taking this into account. I returned to the thread, and I am now working through the various stages.

I have come to the first stage which is going to be a challenge for us: Casar de Cáceres to Cañaveral, 33.1 km.

The issue is that the Albergue del Embalse de Alcántara, which would have been a convenient stopping point, is not likely to reopen in the foreseeable future.

We have worked out options for this stage, but I just wanted to check with anyone who had recently walked whether the albergue was still closed, or if anyone had any other information about it.

Thank you!
Buen Camino

Hi AJ..
as others report. Albergue at embalse is closed for sure. No report of opening again short term either.
In March or April just gone (2024)..the hospi at casar de Cáceres helped us book a taxi (van) from casar — I think there were about 6 of us. Dropped us off on the highway nearest the embalse. It’s then across country .. Some walked on to Cañaveral ., my walking buddy at that point and I walked on further to Grimaldo..after having a coffee break at Cañaveral. The albergue at cañaveral looks nice. Btw - it was a very wet spring in 2024. .

If you want to ‘walk’ every step., you could walk from Casar to that ‘drop off point on highway at embalse & arrange to be picked up by taxi and brought back to casar …then do what we did the following day (taxi drop off to highway at embalse ).. and continue on to Cañaveral.
Sounds like another great walk coming up for you both in 2025. .
Buen camino
Annie.

 

[C clearly]

We have worked out options for this stage,

The options you described there look good. Personally, I would probably plan to walk further, to the side road that leads from the highway down to the closed-albergue. Probably the taxi driver would be able to suggest which pickup location is preferred.

you could walk from Casar to that ‘drop off point on highway at embalse & arrange to be picked up by taxi

That is what I would do. However, I would probably make the arrangement to go on to Canaveral rather than back to Casar. If you are not firmly committed to walking every step, that stretch from the Embalse to Canaveral is one of the more skippable pieces. You will just want to be clear and confident that you have the exact pickup spot identified at the turnoff to the Embalse, in order to communicate with the taxi company.

 

[Saint Mike II]

It’s a really pity that this purpose built albergue looks now to be lost to VDLP pilgrims. I stayed there back in 2013 and for me it was a real life saver, as a foot injury meant this was the end of my Camino. A number of reasons have been offered as to why this facility is closed among them is sewage disposal (leaking into the reservoir). If so, surely this issue can be overcome (with say a pump-out system)!