Albergue Picotaa

[Elaine M]

lToday we are walking from Negreira to Albergue Picota which we understand is a little bit off the Camino. We’ve been told there is an alternative Camino route which will take us via A Picota. Does anyone know how well this alternative route is marked? At what point should we be leaving the main Camino route?

 

[Davey Boyd]

lToday we are walking from Negreira to Albergue Picota which we understand is a little bit off the Camino. We’ve been told there is an alternative Camino route which will take us via A Picota. Does anyone know how well this alternative route is marked? At what point should we be leaving the main Camino route?

Didn't know there was an Albergue in A Picota, only a hotel Casa Juro.

Easiest way is to proceed until you get to the village of Abeleitroas. The Way goes straight through the village. You need a left turn in Abeleitroas to A Picota near the bus shelter. I don't know how well it is marked, but the road goes straight from Abeleitroas to A Picota so should be signposted. It is approx 2.9 km off route.

The alternative route is called the Castro Opcion, that could be complicated, best go via Abeleitroas in my opinion.

Brierley states they may send a courtesy car to pick you up if you ask.

Hope this helps
Davey

 

[stratophile]

The marked path branches from the hamlet of Vilar do Castro, where the main Camino path turns sharply to the right. This is shortly after the hamlet of A Gueima, which is a bit after Santa Mariña. I saw the markings recently at the turnoff but I haven't followed it myself yet.

 

[Davey Boyd]

The marked path branches from the hamlet of Vilar do Castro, where the main Camino path turns sharply to the right. This is shortly after the hamlet of A Gueima, which is a bit after Santa Mariña. I saw the markings recently at the turnoff but I haven't followed it myself yet.

Yes that is the Castro Opcion, looking at the map I still think it is easier and less complicated to turn left at the bus stop in Abeleitroas.

 

[stratophile]

I agree. The new variant is supposed to be attractive, though. I'll try to walk it next spring to check it out.

 

[Davey Boyd]

I agree. The new variant is supposed to be attractive, though. I'll try to walk it next spring to check it out.

I just checked a newer guide. You are right. Wise Pilgrim says 'for the alternative route via A Picota, turn left at the km 44,146 marker in Vilar de Castro'.

In my old guide the variant route did not pass through A Picota directly, but that was before there was an albergue there.

 

[Elaine M]

Didn't know there was an Albergue in A Picota, only a hotel Casa Juro.

Easiest way is to proceed until you get to the village of Abeleitroas. The Way goes straight through the village. You need a left turn in Abeleitroas to A Picota near the bus shelter. I don't know how well it is marked, but the road goes straight from Abeleitroas to A Picota so should be signposted. It is approx 2.9 km off route.

The alternative route is called the Castro Opcion, that could be complicated, best go via Abeleitroas in my opinion.

Brierley states they may send a courtesy car to pick you up if you ask.

Hope this helps
Davey

thank you - we are at the albergue now and it is very pleasant, clean and central - just opposite Juro which is where I stayed last time.

 

[Elaine M]

Dear all - so we set off from Negreira about 7am and we ended up taking the new variant route, which was well marked with green arrows and stone way markers with a green pilgrim symbol - quite pleasant but still quite a trudge after a long day. However I think this particular stage is always going to be a long one whichever way you do it - after bearing left to follow the variant, we had to go up to the highest point, ending up right at the foot of some windmills which was quite spectacular in some ways then there was a pleasant downward path into A Picota itself. The new albergue is very pleasant, very central. Unfortunately my companion has developed a very large blood blister on her second toe so we are now working out how best to deal with that in the light of the remainder of our planned camino. Thank you all for your replies and buen camino!