Anyone planning to walk the Camino Mozarabe from Malaga in October or November?

[KayVee]

Hello, I live in Malaga and was thinking of walking the Camino from Malaga at least upto Cordoba (or possibly until Merida). I haven't yet reached out to the Amigos of Mozarabe to figure out if albergues would be open etc (and the situation being so fluid). My timing is flexible - I can spare 20ish days sometime in October or November. Is anyone else planning to walk the route around this time, and if yes, would you be interested in a walking buddy? And others who've walked the route before, any tips?
Thanks in advance.

 

[AZgirl]

Hello, I live in Malaga and was thinking of walking the Camino from Malaga at least upto Cordoba (or possibly until Merida). I haven't yet reached out to the Amigos of Mozarabe to figure out if albergues would be open etc (and the situation being so fluid). My timing is flexible - I can spare 20ish days sometime in October or November. Is anyone else planning to walk the route around this time, and if yes, would you be interested in a walking buddy? And others who've walked the route before, any tips?
Thanks in advance.

I'm planning for then but not until 2021. I'd love to have a walking buddy, or to follow along virtually from here if you walk this fall.

Ash

 

[Deleted member 73526]

Hello, I live in Malaga and was thinking of walking the Camino from Malaga at least upto Cordoba (or possibly until Merida). I haven't yet reached out to the Amigos of Mozarabe to figure out if albergues would be open etc (and the situation being so fluid). My timing is flexible - I can spare 20ish days sometime in October or November. Is anyone else planning to walk the route around this time, and if yes, would you be interested in a walking buddy? And others who've walked the route before, any tips?
Thanks in advance.

Unfortunately I don’t have any info about the Malaga route at this time.
Please do contact the association in Malaga and let us know the situation. If it’s like the other branches of the Mozarabe, the municipal albergues will be closed and private ones mostly operating.

 

[Harington]

Hello, I live in Malaga and was thinking of walking the Camino from Malaga at least upto Cordoba (or possibly until Merida). I haven't yet reached out to the Amigos of Mozarabe to figure out if albergues would be open etc (and the situation being so fluid). My timing is flexible - I can spare 20ish days sometime in October or November. Is anyone else planning to walk the route around this time, and if yes, would you be interested in a walking buddy? And others who've walked the route before, any tips?
Thanks in advance.

That's exactly when I was planning to walk that route (or part of it), but I think the situation is too volatile at present. I'm in the UK, and of a certain age, so insurance could be expensive. But, then, worse next year after the end of the transition period!

 

[camino_rooky]

We finished in Cordoba last year and had planned on continuing from Cordoba to Merida this year. We have flights booked for October but have no idea if we will be able to travel due to Covid restrictions. It's not looking likely at the moment as Spain is not on the green list for travel from Ireland .

 

[KayVee]

Hello all, thank you for all your responses. I finally managed to go meet with the amigos of the Mozarabe here in Malaga yesterday. (FYI: they are open from 7-8.30pm on Tuesdays at Calle Republica Argentina 9). As some of you pointed out, municipal albergues are closed and are not expected to reopen for the rest of the year. So the only accommodation option is private albergues (I don't know if there are many of those on this route) and hotels/pensions.

I still haven't decided whether to do this is October or not..but definitely up for it if I can find a walking + room cost-splitting buddy. And my timing can be flexible - anytime in October or November (or even December).

PS: The amigos are super-nice people. It was just so heartening to go and spend some time with them. But it intensified my camino itch

 

[Sara_Dhooma]

I still haven't decided whether to do this is October or not..but definitely up for it if I can find a walking + room cost-splitting buddy. And my timing can be flexible - anytime in October or November (or even December).

I need to complete the Malaga Mozarabe from Cordoba to Merida at some point. (Well, and also one stage from Almeria - and the connection from Jaen)

After meeting with the amigos, do you happen to know if budget accommodations are possible from Cordoba to Merida this autumn?

 

[Deleted member 73526]

do you happen to know if budget accommodations are possible from Cordoba to Merida this autumn?

I've been following a friend online - He started in Cordoba and is now on the Via de la Plata (Cañaveral).
From Cordoba to Merida, all Municipal albergues are closed. Private albergues (e.g. the Estación albergue in Campanario) are open but there aren't many of those. You can still find hotel type accommodation in the towns on the camino, so it is doable but prices are out of reach for the truly budget pilgrims.
Once you are on the Via de la Plata, you have a few more private albergues (e.g. Cañaveral and Embalse de la Alcantara). And, to my friends surprise, even some municipal albergues (e.g. Aldea de Cano) are operating. But I think that may be the exception rather than the rule.

 

[KayVee]

Hi @Sara_Dhooma the amigos said to budget upwards to 30 euros a night since the municipal albergues are closed and (atleast on the Malaga- Cordoba) stretch, there seem to be very few private albergues. I’ll be doing my research on the current status and cost of accommodation on the route (hopefully in the next few days) and will share back anything I find.

 

[KayVee]

Hi @Sara_Dhooma the amigos said to budget upwards to 30 euros a night since the municipal albergues are closed and (atleast on the Malaga- Cordoba) stretch, there seem to be very few private albergues. I’ll be doing my research on the current status and cost of accommodation on the route (hopefully in the next few days) and will share back anything I find.

I meant “upwards of 30 euros (likely 40 euros)” ...fat fingers

 

[Deleted member 73526]

It never hurts to ask if there is a pilgrim price. You can often find a hostal or pension that will offer rooms to pilgrims for less than 25 Euros.

FYI - I read on one blog yesterday that the albergue in Merida itself is operating.

 

[Sara_Dhooma]

I meant “upwards of 30 euros (likely 40 euros)” ...fat fingers

The Canadian currency exchange rate to Euro is .
Definitely too pricey for a budget solo walker at the moment.

20-25 Euros is more reasonable for a bed.
Better yet - a tent!

 

[P Rat]

It never hurts to ask if there is a pilgrim price. You can often find a hostal or pension that will offer rooms to pilgrims for less than 25 Euros.

FYI - I read on one blog yesterday that the albergue in Merida itself is operating.

For our first camino and after reading someone's (not you Raggy) advise on Pilgrim Prices, we did just that on one of nights. LOL. Never again. The look we got, and the response (same price, at least not higher haha) made sure we never did that again. TBH, coming from Australia, the prices seemed quite cheap anyway. And after the lock down I definitely wouldn't think of asking for a cheaper price. But I realise not everyone has that luxury...

 

[Deleted member 73526]

The look we got, and the response (same price, at least not higher haha) made sure we never did that again. TBH, coming from Australia, the prices seemed quite cheap anyway. And after the lock down I definitely wouldn't think of asking for a cheaper price. But I realise not everyone has that luxury...

I am really sorry to hear that someone made you feel embarrassed to ask about a pilgrim discount. If someone in business acts like it's vulgar to discuss money ... I don't think they should be in business.

 

[KayVee]

I finally decided I'll indeed walk the Camino Mozarabe from Malaga later this month, but only to Cordoba to protect my pockets. Have a friend who'll walk with me until Antequera. I could find decent accommodation all along except in one stretch - Villanueva de Algaidas or Cuevas Bajas. All hotels/pensiones I could find were way off the Camino. If anyone has recommendation or places they've stayed in (the stretch between Antequera and Lucena), do let me know.

 

[islandwalker]

I could find decent accommodation all along except in one stretch - Villanueva de Algaidas or Cuevas Bajas. All hotels/pensiones I could find were way off the Camino. If anyone has recommendation or places they've stayed in (the stretch between Antequera and Lucena), do let me know.

Have you seen the thread where @amancio talks about the places he stayed on his recent walk? His list looks very useful.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/just-back-from-málaga.66095/

Amancio stayed in Hostal Chovi in Villanueva de Algaidas.
Two more ideas, if that doesn't work:
Cartaojal Cortijo Carrillo - double or twin room - a little beyond Cartaojal, but the camino goes right by it
Cuevas Bajas Casas Las Canteras - cabana actually in Cuevas de San Marcos, but maybe they would pick you up? Or you could use a taxi shuttle from Villanueva de las Algaidas and back? They say a two night minimum, but maybe would be willing to do one night?

 

[KayVee]

Thank you @islandwalker - I hadn't seen @amancio's post. I found Hostal Chovi with some google-sleuthing and they said they will have a bed for me. So accommodations at all set now. Here's to hoping that I don't get lost or too lonely.

 

[Jo Philpott]

I'm on the verge of booking a ticket. How does one find out which alberges are open?

 

[KayVee]

I'm on the verge of booking a ticket. How does one find out which alberges are open?

Which Camino are you planning to walk? The albergue situation seems to be different depending on the Camino (and whether it is a municipal albergue or a private one)

 

[KayVee]

Hello all, I got back yesterday after doing the Malaga - Cordoba stretch over the last 8 days. It was a beautiful but solitary route. The accommodations turned out to be fine (and generally clean and of good quality). I have included the list of places I stayed in below. I thought of continuing on to Merida, but with the new 'state of alarm' in Spain, and given that I was getting tired of my own company, decided to return from Cordoba.

Here are a few tips re accommodation/ other things on the route:
1) Even if you find the acco on booking.com, if you call them and make the booking directly, most of them will offer a pilgrim discount. Essentially they pass on the % that booking charges to you (atleast 15%).
2) You can call or send them a mesg via facebook or via their email. It might take them a couple of days to respond, but I found everyone super-responsive.
3) The townhalls (ayuntamientos) along the way were also very helpful. I'd messaged a few of them to see if they'd suggestions on where I could stay, and they always responded with ideas.
4) Carry lots of water, especially on the first few stretches, and on any 10k+ stretches. There's nothing but endless olive groves and fields and no fountains to refill water.
5) Download the GPS tracks from the Malaga Mozarabe amigos' website. It is excellent. Between the GPS tracks and the excellent signage, it is hard to get lost (even for an 'orientationally challenged' person like me).
6) You can get a credencial from the amigos. They're open in-person on Tuesdays only at 7pm, but are super-helpful if you call or message them.

Here's the acco list of where I stayed.
1. Day 1 - Almogia: La Posada de Almogia (not on Booking.com. I got their contact from the townhall). Almogia doesn't have too many options. I saw another hostal, but it was closed. There is a B&B, Casa Sarandy a few miles away. I was in touch with them, and they were super nice, and offered to pick me up from Almogia and drop me back.
2. Day 2 - Villanueva de la Concepcion: Apartamentos Villa Torcal (on Booking.com). Excellent.
3. Day 3 - Antequera: Hotel Manzanito (on Booking.com). Excellent location, and good value for money.
4. Day 4 - Villanueva de Algaidas. Hostal Restaurante Chovi (not on Booking.com, found them on Google, and contacted them via facebook). Room was updated and very comfortable.
5. Day 5 - Lucena. Hotel Al-Yussana (on Booking.com). Room was just ok, but location was excellent.
6. Day 6 - Baena. Hostal Los Claveles (on Booking.com). Room was good, location again was very good and quite near the Camino so finding my way out of the city was easy.
7. Day 7 - Castro del Rio. Pension Casa Antonio (on Booking.com). Very camino-friendly. Even had a stamp! (a rarity on this camino) and quite close to the Camino arrows out of town.
8. Day 8 - Santa Cruz. Hostal Casa Jose (on Booking.com). Again super Camino-friendly.
9. Day 9 - Cordoba. I didn't stay, just took the train back to Malaga.

Day 5 was long - from Villanueva de Algaidas to Lucena. Almost 40kms. but there were no options along the way in Cuevas Bajas or Encinas Reales (I checked). Cuevas Bajas has an albergue that's closed.

Thanks again everyone for all your help! More details on my blog, if anyone's planning to walk this route, and of course, I'm happy to answer any q's. Buen Camino!

 

[islandwalker]

Hello all, I got back yesterday after doing the Malaga - Cordoba stretch over the last 8 days. It was a beautiful but solitary route. ... More details on my blog, if anyone's planning to walk this route, and of course, I'm happy to answer any q's. Buen Camino!

Thanks for the informative write-up and for taking the time to put in the very useful accommodations info. Now I'm getting ready to enjoy your blog with all those beautiful photos!

 

[SabsP]

Hello all, I got back yesterday after doing the Malaga - Cordoba stretch over the last 8 days. It was a beautiful but solitary route. The accommodations turned out to be fine (and generally clean and of good quality). I have included the list of places I stayed in below. I thought of continuing on to Merida, but with the new 'state of alarm' in Spain, and given that I was getting tired of my own company, decided to return from Cordoba.

Thanks again everyone for all your help! More details on my blog, if anyone's planning to walk this route, and of course, I'm happy to answer any q's. Buen Camino!

Wonderful blog!! Thank you.
One day....one day...

 

[Ekelund]

Hi KayVee

I'm planning a Camino from Malaga to Cordoba this October and I came across your blog. It is a great write up, wonderful reading. I love your sense of humor!
All the best to you!

 

[KayVee]

Hi KayVee

I'm planning a Camino from Malaga to Cordoba this October and I came across your blog. It is a great write up, wonderful reading. I love your sense of humor!
All the best to you!

Thanks so much. If I can be of help with any planning, pls don’t hesitate to ask