Dragonte Route

[RemysMimi]

I don't know if this is the place to ask this question, but here goes. If not, please let me know where.

If I take the Dragonte Route out of Villafranca, is there a trail that leads down to Trabadelo or will I have to walk it the entire way? My plan is to meet a friend in Trabadelo for the evening and then restart the Dragonte the next day.

TIA

 

[FourSeasons]

I’ve not walked the Dragonte but did the option to the right out of Villafranca, it was amazing. It will take you directly down into Trabadelo.

From my map I do see the possibility to get to Trabadelo from the Dragonte from San Fiz de Seo with some back tracking. Then take the same way back to Dragonte. Buen Camino!

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

I’ve not walked the Dragonte but did the option to the right out of Villafranca, it was amazing. It will take you directly down into Trabadelo.

From my map I do see the possibility to get to Trabadelo from the Dragonte from San Fiz de Seo with some back tracking. Then take the same way back to Dragonte. Buen Camino!


View attachment 166221

I’ve not walked the Dragonte but did the option to the right out of Villafranca, it was amazing. It will take you directly down into Trabadelo.

May I make a correction? Nevermind, I will anyway.

It will take you directly [up to Pradelo and then] down into Trabadelo.

Remember the up part.

 

[FourSeasons]

May I make a correction? Nevermind, I will anyway.

It will take you directly [up to Pradelo and then] down into Trabadelo.

Remember the up part.

Was the correction really necessary? As the map shows a “direct” green dotted line to Trabadelo. The “up” and “down” could have easily been added without making me feel I needed to be corrected.

I agree, the incline as the optional trail veers off to the right from Villafranca is intense. Then it levels out quite nicely, very peaceful. Then after Pradelo the decent is very, very steep. There is a caution symbol on the map indicating where this is.

Have you walked the Dragonte? I wonder how steep it is.


August 7, 2019
Villafranca below.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Was the correction really necessary? As the map shows a “direct” green dotted line to Trabadelo. The “up” and “down” could have easily been added without making me feel I needed to be corrected.

Please accept my apologies. The tone in my head was light banter and I see that it didn't work. It wasn't the "directly" that made me respond but the combination of "directly down". That was a tough uphill and we ran out of water. I wanted to issue a warning but I didn't do it right.

Have you walked the Dragonte? I wonder how steep it is.

I have not. The profile in Brierley's guide, the purple profile, makes it look horrible. Plenty of people complain about the steepness of the approach to O Cebreiro and parts of the Dragonte are much steeper. And the total ascent looks like 1,000 meters before even reaching the route up O Cebreiro. It looks like a very tough day indeed.

 

[jalluisi]

Was the correction really necessary? As the map shows a “direct” green dotted line to Trabadelo. The “up” and “down” could have easily been added without making me feel I needed to be corrected.

I agree, the incline as the optional trail veers off to the right from Villafranca is intense. Then it levels out quite nicely, very peaceful. Then after Pradelo the decent is very, very steep. There is a caution symbol on the map indicating where this is.

Have you walked the Dragonte? I wonder how steep it is.


August 7, 2019
Villafranca below.
View attachment 166238
View attachment 166239

We took the variant out of Villafranca and it was beautiful. Thanks for sharing pics.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I have not. The profile in Brierley's guide, the purple profile, makes it look horrible. Plenty of people complain about the steepness of the approach to O Cebreiro and parts of the Dragonte are much steeper. And the total ascent looks like 1,000 meters before even reaching the route up O Cebreiro. It looks like a very tough day indeed.

I have that Brierley guide and was scared away, too, although it looked intriguing, and like it could be an adventure of sorts...for someone else.
I have read a year+ ago that someone has done a pretty good job of installing better markings to help with not getting lost. I think I recall reading of dog issues on that path, too, but not sure.
I'd like to read a few replies from some fearless members who have walked that diversion (deviant) route.

 

[FourSeasons]

Please accept my apologies. The tone in my head was light banter and I see that it didn't work. It wasn't the "directly" that made me respond but the combination of "directly down". That was a tough uphill and we ran out of water. I wanted to issue a warning but I didn't do it right.


I have not. The profile in Brierley's guide, the purple profile, makes it look horrible. Plenty of people complain about the steepness of the approach to O Cebreiro and parts of the Dragonte are much steeper. And the total ascent looks like 1,000 meters before even reaching the route up O Cebreiro. It looks like a very tough day indeed.
View attachment 166257

Apology accepted, thank you. This is where one of those emoji's would have come in handy. I didn't get the banter, obviously.

Yes, the guide shows a rollercoaster of a trail for Dragonte. Better suited for the more adventurous and the mightily fit. Would I take the option to the right again, yes, if I was feeling a burst of energy, yes. It was much better than walking along side the road and not a pilgrim in site.

 

[FourSeasons]

I have that Brierley guide and was scared away, too, although it looked intriguing, and like it could be an adventure of sorts...for someone else.

I'd like to read a few replies from some fearless members who have walked that diversion (deviant) route.

I too thought it to be too much and kind of scary. I am looking forward to reading any adventures of those who have braved the Dragonte. They don't refer to it as a dragon for nothing.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

They don't refer to it as a dragon for nothing.

Exactly! I'd thought the same thing, although I always looked at Brierley's map showing the Dragonte a little wistfully. My big regret is not walking the Pradela variant; it looked so steep and high when I looked up from the road below. Unfortunately I saw no photos of its beauty either time I walked the Frances a number of years ago to encourage doing it and didn't know what I was missing.

 

[FourSeasons]

Exactly! I'd thought the same thing, although I always looked at Brierley's map showing the Dragonte a little wistfully. My big regret is not walking the Pradela variant; it looked so steep and high when I looked up from the road below. Unfortunately I saw no photos of its beauty either time I walked the Frances a number of years ago to encourage doing it and didn't know what I was missing.

The Option is very steep in the beginning. If you have any sort of knee, back, foot issues, I would skip it. I was literally using my hands (nearly walking on all fours) during the steepest part. It doesn't last long but it's a dozy. If I can do it, just about anyone can. Then there's the decent as you leave Pradela. It seemed to go on forever just like most stages do at the end of the day. Just be mindful and take your time, keeping any knee concerns in mind. I hope one day you'll get to experience it. It was truly one of the best parts for me. On top of the world, solo, just me and my walking partner Jesus. It doesn't get any better than that.







Pradela

 

[lt56ny]

Please accept my apologies. The tone in my head was light banter and I see that it didn't work. It wasn't the "directly" that made me respond but the combination of "directly down". That was a tough uphill and we ran out of water. I wanted to issue a warning but I didn't do it right.


I have not. The profile in Brierley's guide, the purple profile, makes it look horrible. Plenty of people complain about the steepness of the approach to O Cebreiro and parts of the Dragonte are much steeper. And the total ascent looks like 1,000 meters before even reaching the route up O Cebreiro. It looks like a very tough day indeed.
View attachment 166257

I don't think you had anything to apologize for to begin with. But that is just me.

 

[stevepjq]

The Pradela route is wonderful!! And as others have stated, you come out right at Trabadelo. When you arrive in the little village of Pradela, definitely stop at Albergue Lamas for a refreshment/sandwich. They are wonderful people who own it. They make some trinkets and purchasing something brings them great joy!

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Apology accepted, thank you. This is where one of those emoji's would have come in handy.

Yep. The problem was that my mind starts shutting down at 7 and I posted at 6:55. I guess I'm going to have to readjust my posting schedule.

 

[FourSeasons]

I don't think you had anything to apologize for to begin with. But that is just me.

Yes, it must be just you. I didn't feel I needed to be corrected and I spoke up about it. Rick was gracious enough to acknowledge this, I appreciate being heard by him. It's not always a dog eat dog world out there.

 

[RemysMimi]

I’ve not walked the Dragonte but did the option to the right out of Villafranca, it was amazing. It will take you directly down into Trabadelo.

From my map I do see the possibility to get to Trabadelo from the Dragonte from San Fiz de Seo with some back tracking. Then take the same way back to Dragonte. Buen Camino!


View attachment 166221

Thanks for you reply and the picks. I have been training to do this. So I hope it works out.

 

[RemysMimi]

I’ve not walked the Dragonte but did the option to the right out of Villafranca, it was amazing. It will take you directly down into Trabadelo.

From my map I do see the possibility to get to Trabadelo from the Dragonte from San Fiz de Seo with some back tracking. Then take the same way back to Dragonte. Buen Camino!


View attachment 166221

So, it looks like there are 3 routes out of Villafranca. Interesting. I have been training for the Dragonte. I hope it works out.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Hi @RemysMimi, I'm not sure what month you plan on walking, but if you walk the Dragonte alternate path, I hope you will give a report on this forum when you finish!

 

[FourSeasons]

So, it looks like there are 3 routes out of Villafranca. Interesting. I have been training for the Dragonte. I hope it works out.

Yes, there are three different routes. #1 is along the road, pretty flat. #2 is the Padela, the one I took. #3 is the Dragonte, the one you will conquer. From the map Rick posted. The Dragonte is the one with the three mountains. It’s a doozy! I wish you all the best, you’ve got this!! And please as C Clearly suggested, update us with your adventure in slaying the Dragonte .


Oh, will you be taking the route from the Dragonte (backtracking) to Trabadelo?

 

[lt56ny]

Yes, it must be just you. I didn't feel I needed to be corrected and I spoke up about it. Rick was gracious enough to acknowledge this, I appreciate being heard by him. It's not always a dog eat dog world out there.

this whole discussion has gotten very boring.

 

[FourSeasons]

this whole discussion has gotten very boring.

Then go take a walk. Stop stirring the pot.

 

[Jaime Carrollo]

Yes, there are three different routes. #1 is along the road, pretty flat. #2 is the Padela, the one I took. #3 is the Dragonte, the one you will conquer. From the map Rick posted. The Dragonte is the one with the three mountains. It’s a doozy! I wish you all the best, you’ve got this!! And please as C Clearly suggested, update us with your adventure in slaying the Dragonte .


Oh, will you be taking the route from the Dragonte (backtracking) to Trabadelo?

I doubt you will have the energy to do any backtracking after doing the Dragonte. You can read my blog for my day on the dragon's back at caminodejaime.com Oct 4, 2022 entry.

 

[Anhalter]

You can walk along the road from San Fiz de Seo to the N-VI road (which the main route follows). Youll meet it a bit after Trabadelo, so with some decent timing you can meet your friend at that point. Or walk back to Trabadelo, but that seems rather pointless to me.
However bear in mind that you will likely take a lot longer to get to the "meeting point" than someone that starts in Villafranca at the same time and follows the "main" route.

Dont be scared to much of the Dragonte. It's comparable to the SJPDP-Roncesvalles section, minus the infrastructure. Exhausting, yes, but not impossible. Had a wonderful day there.

 

[caminoapp]

Having stumbled upon this thread late, I wanted to express my sheer love for the mountain variant, in fact it was one of my favourite days on the entire Camino. Of course, being rewarded with fresh juices and home-grown food in Albergue Lamas helps, but the views are genuinely amazing, and the quiet after the busy town of Villafranca is lovely.

 

[Anhalter]

Albergue Lamas

This albergue is not on the Dragonte route but on the "right-hand" alternative (while Dragonte route is to the left of the Valley). Also a beautiful variant in itself, but just to clarify, there are zero albergues/cafes/bars on the Dragonte so one must bring what is needed for the whole day.