Better way into Ponferrada?

[peregrina2000]

Some (maybe most) people who walk the Olvidado want to detour off and go straight to Ponferrada on the last day rather than continuing on the official route, which joins the Francés at Cacabelos. I went all around the reservoir and then through some forest land, finally coming ito Columbrianos and then on to Ponferrada.

But I have read that there is a better, off-road way. This way involves going from Congosto to San Miguel, and there getting on the trail “Senda de los Canteros.” This is supposedly off-road, very pretty, and takes you right into Ponferrada. I found these wikiloc tracks, so all you have to do is find your way from Congosto to where the trail starts, which is about 4 km. Shouldn’t be too hard.

Senda de los Canteros (Ponferrada-San Miguel de las Dueñas)

Senda de los Canteros (Ponferrada-San Miguel de las Dueñas) Mountain Bike trail in Ponferrada, Castilla y León (España). Download its GPS track and follow the itinerary on a map. Bonita ruta que parte prácticamente de la ciudad: El track está cogido desde la Glorieta del Cine, en Ponferrada, y...

www.wikiloc.com

Hope someone gives it a shot! Buen camino, Laurie

 

[peregrina2000]

And just having looked at the map, it seems to me that this alternative would also get you in a much better position to visit Santo Tomás de las Ollas, which @alansykes was lucky enough to visit.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/help-me-get-alun-to-santiago.62715/#post-754960

Also looks like it is shorter, though the longer alternative I took also got me in to Ponferrada quite early.

 

[VNwalking]

Anyone thinking of walking both the Olvidado and the Invierno needs to bookmark this post! (Done.)
Thanks Laurie!

 

[FSP]

Thank you for posting this info I think it will make a big difference for many of us headed to the Olvidado. I see wikiloc has a number of entries on this trail some are hiker listed and others for mountain biking. They have some nice pictures posted and it looks beautiful. Looks like local hiking clubs start at the pilgrim albergue in Ponferrada and do it as a loop. They rate it 5 stars! Looks well signed as well. I'm just wondering since this was first posted has anyone done it that can give us a report.
Frank

 

[caminka]

I included this variant in my olvidado guide from 2018. look towards the end of the text where there are two variants, one directly to ponferrada and one via santo tomas de las ollas.
unfortunately I walked the main road in 2012 because I didn't know this lovely path existed.

 

[Magwood]

Thanks @peregrina2000 will take this route later this year.