Connection from O Cebreiro (or Samos) to Invierno?

[diesel]

Hola,
Is there a walking route connecting the Frances route to the Invierno route AFTER O Cebreiro?

Walking the Frances I love the ascent to, and stay in O Cebreiro and would like to visit Samos (which I have not done) - but would like to deviate off the Frances before Sarria and join the Invierno for a quieter entry into Santiago DC.

I can manage long daily distances if required and can probably walk the road network but was wondering whether there were any walking trails for a safer and more pleasant transition. My preference will be to walk.

Any suggestions really appreciated.

 

[Lindsay53]

Hello diesel, looking at my camino maps and google there does not appear to be any dedicated walking tracks, the only route I can see is the LU651 road from just east of Hospital on the Frances to Quiroga on the Invierno.

 

[J Willhaus]

Hello diesel, looking at my camino maps and google there does not appear to be any dedicated walking tracks, the only route I can see is the LU651 road from just east of Hospital on the Frances to Quiroga on the Invierno.

Looks like there is a a bus several times a day from Sarria to Montfort de Lemos on Monbus, so yes.

 

[diesel]

Hi Lindsay
Thanks - I was hoping there might be something in the way of local pathways but suspected the terrain in that area may not lend itself to to many options.

I have read a couple of blogs of people trying to walk from Samos to Monforte de Lemos using the roads and they ultimately resorted to bus/taxi because the verge was too exposed to passing traffic.

Many thanks for looking and responding.

 

[peregrina2000]

I was hoping there might be something in the way of local pathways but suspected the terrain in that area may not lend itself to to many options

Ah, ye of little faith. Wikiloc to the rescue. Take a look at these tracks.

https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/125-camino-ruta-de-o-cebreiro-folgoso-do-courel-monforte-de-lemos-track-completo-111200317/photo-71617082

The author has a lot of pictures and a huge narrative explaining the walk. I have only skimmed it, but he describes how he put this route together and then describes it. I joins the Inivierno, I think, in Salcedo, which is a little before Pobra de Brollón, so you would actually be on the Invierno a stage before Monforte. It’s all in Spanish but google will translate.

One other thing I would say about Wikiloc tracks is that you should feel free to ask a question — there is a “comment box” down at the very end of the photo stream. I routinely ask people questions about their tracks and have to say I have never been disappointed.

I can’t vouch for this route, but everything I see looks promising.

 

[diesel]

Ah, ye of little faith. Wikiloc to the rescue. Take a look at these tracks.

https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/125-camino-ruta-de-o-cebreiro-folgoso-do-courel-monforte-de-lemos-track-completo-111200317/photo-71617082

The author has a lot of pictures and a huge narrative explaining the walk. I have only skimmed it, but he describes how he put this route together and then describes it. It joins the Inivierno, I think, in Salcedo, which is a little before Pobra de Brollón, so you would actually be on the Invierno a stage before Monforte. It’s all in Spanish but google will translate.

One other thing I would say about Wikiloc tracks is that you should feel free to ask a question — there is a “comment box” down at the very end of the photo stream. I routinely ask people questions about their tracks and have to say I have never been disappointed.

I can’t vouch for this route, but everything I see looks promising.

Looks very interesting - many thanks - I will grab a cafe and look in detail.

 

[trecile]

I have no idea if it's actually doable, but mapy.cz came up with this route

 

[Anhalter]

I have no idea if it's actually doable, but mapy.cz came up with this route

Just from looking at the pic and no further research: This looks, for a good part, like walking the Ruta Dragonte backwards and then turning more to South. Having walked the Dragonte, it was quite remote and not well marked. I would have absolutely been lost without GPS. Doing it backward, likely even more complicated. Turning south to even less marked trails... that seems like a proper challenge. Also, those mountains in the area are not to shabby.
I guess not impossible, but not easy for sure.

Wouldn't it be the easier option to walk Cebreiro to Pedrafeita and take a bus from there to Villafranca or Ponferrada and just start from there?

 

[roving_rufus]

Can I suggest a different alternative- head north to Pedrafita and the Via Kunig? It's definitely quiet! It's well marked though few albergues but pensions.

 

[Keyser]

We took the bus from Sarria to Montfort last May.

 

[MikeJS]

Just from looking at the pic and no further research: This looks, for a good part, like walking the Ruta Dragonte backwards and then turning more to South. Having walked the Dragonte, it was quite remote and not well marked. I would have absolutely been lost without GPS. Doing it backward, likely even more complicated. Turning south to even less marked trails... that seems like a proper challenge. Also, those mountains in the area are not to shabby.
I guess not impossible, but not easy for sure.

Wouldn't it be the easier option to walk Cebreiro to Pedrafeita and take a bus from there to Villafranca or Ponferrada and just start from there?

Maybe, but mapy.cz gives a gps route and is very easy to follow and use.

 

[trecile]

Maybe, but mapy.cz gives a gps route and is very easy to follow and use.

And you can download the map for offline use.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Can I suggest a different alternative- head north to Pedrafita and the Via Kunig? It's definitely quiet! It's well marked though few albergues but pensions.

YouTuber Sara Dhooma has walked the Via Kunig in the last year. @diesel could check out her vlog.

 

[caminka]

Ah, ye of little faith. Wikiloc to the rescue. Take a look at these tracks.

https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/125-camino-ruta-de-o-cebreiro-folgoso-do-courel-monforte-de-lemos-track-completo-111200317/photo-71617082

The author has a lot of pictures and a huge narrative explaining the walk. I have only skimmed it, but he describes how he put this route together and then describes it. I joins the Inivierno, I think, in Salcedo, which is a little before Pobra de Brollón, so you would actually be on the Invierno a stage before Monforte. It’s all in Spanish but google will translate.

One other thing I would say about Wikiloc tracks is that you should feel free to ask a question — there is a “comment box” down at the very end of the photo stream. I routinely ask people questions about their tracks and have to say I have never been disappointed.

I can’t vouch for this route, but everything I see looks promising.

I remember a while ago, perhaps in 2010 or 2011, there was a GR route from O Cebreiro down the valley of the river Lor to Ponte da Barxa. Perhaps this fella's route follows its course (if it still exists).

 

[caminka]

I remember a while ago, perhaps in 2010 or 2011, there was a GR route from O Cebreiro down the valley of the river Lor to Ponte da Barxa. Perhaps this fella's route follows its course (if it still exists).

It was (is?) GR 8 Gran ruta do Rio Lor. Here: https://es.wikiloc.com/rutas-senderismo/gran-ruta-do-rio-lor-11509830.

 

[caminka]

Walking routes around Samos: http://www.concellosamos.es/portal_...layout=p_95_contenedor_ayto_samos.jsp&level=1.

This one could be your start route: http://www.concellosamos.es/portal_...dResi=3&language=es&codMenu=953&codMenuPN=140.

 

[gerardforde]

Hi Diesel
Last October I walked from Samos to Monforte de Lemons. Like yourself, I didn't want to miss O Cebreriro, so I veered off the Frances about a km after Samos. It was about a 35 km walk to Monforte, along quiet lanes and trails and it was probably my favourite day on the Camino.
I made a map of the route I took and posted it here.

Samos to Monforte de Lemos - Connecting the Camino Francés with the Camino Invierno - Epic Camino

The last 100 kilometres of the Camino Francés are often much maligned. After nearly 700 kilometres of walking from Saint Jean Pied de Port, the sudden

epiccamino.com

Best of luck. Arriving into Santiago is so much more special when on the Invierno.