Ferrol to Neda. . . Pedestrian walkway alongside the train-track causeway?

[Deleted member 67185]

In Brierley's guide, he describes three basic alternatives for crossing over the Rio Ferrol on the way to Neda. One of those he describes as "via a tranquil pedestrian walkway. . .alongside the railway.

Looking at Google Maps satellite view I cannot see it. Has anyone used it or seen this walkway?

 

[Bradypus]

Haven't used it personally. I do know from local news reports and postings on the Facebook Camino Ingles group that it has been closed for a number of months for repair work. I have not heard of it being reopened recently.

PS. I do not think my friend Johnnie Walker would mind my repeating the information he posted to the Facebook group about the rail bridge. I think the reason you have not seen it is that it runs underneath the railway line!

"
Leaving Ferrol - this question of bridges and shortcuts!
Some pilgrims wishing to shorten the journey to Pontedeume have taken the main road bridge across the estuary to Fene. This is not recommended - it isn't part of the designated route, it is a MAIN ROAD apart from the effect on the mileage - and it is horrible!
Rather many Spanish pilgrims over the years have been using a pedestrian bridge across the estuary which runs under the railway bridge 9 kms from Ferrol. The directions are below and it is clearly marked on the attached map. The views of the estuary are stunning from this pedestrian bridge at the end of which you arrive at Neda Railway Station. Here you have the choice of turning Left to go to the Albergue at Neda or continuing on the route. If you continue on to Pontedeume the total mileage between Ferrol and Pontedeume is 23 kms.
The walking directions in the CSJ Guide to the Camino Inglés are as follows:
"Proceed down, under the bridge and round to the left to the beautiful Parish Church of San Martin de Xubia, which is derived from a 12th Century Benedictine monastery. 9 kms.
A Cruceiro and large modern statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus make a nice resting place here, in the shade of trees, with an interesting Information Board about another Camino (that of San Andrés de Teixido, which starts hereabouts and goes to the northern coast of Galicia – this explains the red and white arrows).
Here there are two options: follow the route to the left, via the Albergue at Neda; or take an alternative route (shorter by 6km) across the water by a pedestrian bridge running alongside the railway track bridge.
Alternative route – Proceed downhill on the minor road between the Sacred Heart statue and the Church and graveyard, and take the path to the Left before the tunnel under the railway bridge. Follow this path, pedestrian bridge, then path again – with the railway line on your right – across the water until it reaches Neda station. Just before the station turn Left, then Right to rejoin the route below (see Page 40: “uphill on a track below a retaining wall supporting the motorway”). "

 

[Deleted member 67185]

Haven't used it personally. I do know from local news reports and postings on the Facebook Camino Ingles group that it has been closed for a number of months for repair work. I have not heard of it being reopened recently.

Thanks for filling in the gap.

 

[miguel_gp]

Map showing location of this footpath. Not sure though if it has re-opened yet.

 

[Maggie Y]

Excellent map .Thanks

 

[naplesdon]

I did the longer walk a few years ago. BTW a visit to the naval museum should be on you "must do" list.
Franco was born in Ferrol and he gave the navy and the navy base great homage. There is a scale model of the Bismarck and a German U-boat replete with all the insignia. Not exactly PC.

 

[andycohn]

In Brierley's guide, he describes three basic alternatives for crossing over the Rio Ferrol on the way to Neda. One of those he describes as "via a tranquil pedestrian walkway. . .alongside the railway.

Looking at Google Maps satellite view I cannot see it. Has anyone used it or seen this walkway?

I was curious myself, so I emailed the tourist office in Ferrol. They said they didn't know, but referred me to the Alcade (mayor) of Neda, which is at the far side of the railroad bridge. He responded promptly to my question, and said that the walkway by the railway is all now open.

 

[Deleted member 67185]

I was curious myself, so I emailed the tourist office in Ferrol. They said they didn't know, but referred me to the Alcade (mayor) of Neda, which is at the far side of the railroad bridge. He responded promptly to my question, and said that the walkway by the railway is all now open.

Cool. . . Thank you for taking the time to get that information, Andy

 

[Deleted member 43780]

I did the longer walk a few years ago. BTW a visit to the naval museum should be on you "must do" list.
Franco was born in Ferrol and he gave the navy and the navy base great homage. There is a scale model of the Bismarck and a German U-boat replete with all the insignia. Not exactly PC.

Good comments!

Yes, the naval museums (there are two — one Spanish Navy and the other commercial shipping) are well worth the visit.

I did the long way around. No train track walker path.

At the time (three years ago), was told by many not to do the train tracks short cut.

Stayed in Pension Hotel in Pontedeume

Aburgue was not recommend.

The places are very inexpensive. So enjoy it.

Grew up in Ferrol. As a child remember Franco coming into Ferrol.

You can see his birth place / childhood home. Not much to see.
It is about two blocks from where our home was.

 

[thetimman]

I used it last year, in a very heavy wind— quite exciting! A welcome relief, too, as the first stage to pontedeume measured a bit longer than the guide indicates.

In Brierley's guide, he describes three basic alternatives for crossing over the Rio Ferrol on the way to Neda. One of those he describes as "via a tranquil pedestrian walkway. . .alongside the railway.

Looking at Google Maps satellite view I cannot see it. Has anyone used it or seen this walkway?

 

[crackmrmac]

Perhaps there next Thursday .

 

[KinkyOne]

I would suggest to walk around the estuary to albergue de Neda (which is actually in Xubia, 2km before the Neda). I haven't walked the bridge variante but walk to Xubia was very nice although through suburbs and on tarmac quite a lot. But you have nice church (that someone already mentioned) on the way and beautiful old mill on the river in Xubia (if you stay on the main road and don't take the walkway). Albergue de Neda is almost isolated from the rest of the village (which has all the infrastructure) and although a bit soulless it's nice especially in warm weather enjoying that vast lawn between the building and the start of the estuary.

 

[peb]

another short cut option is to walk over the N-651 bridge from Ferrol to Fene. There is a crash barrier between you and the road.

As @thetinman says, the stage from Ferrol to Pontedeume is long, especially for a first stage (assuming you are not staying in Xubia or Neda for the night).

If you take either of the two short cuts, you still walk 100km from Ferrol to Santiago, and still qualify for a compostela.

 

[Deleted member 67185]

another short cut option is to walk over the N-651 bridge from Ferrol to Fene. There is a crash barrier between you and the road.

As @thetinman says, the stage from Ferrol to Pontedeume is long, especially for a first stage (assuming you are not staying in Xubia or Neda for the night).

If you take either of the two short cuts, you still walk 100km from Ferrol to Santiago, and still qualify for a compostela.

Thanks. Although popular for folks to stop there, the Neda stage is just too short a walk for me. Even going the entire regular route through Neda, the distance from Ferrol to Pontedueme is about my usual average for my pace.

 

[Ian Afloat]

Crossed the estuary on the rail bridge today so definitely open. The first third or so is below the track and the rest then runs along side.

 

[Deleted member 67185]

Crossed the estuary on the rail bridge today so definitely open. The first third or so is below the track and the rest then runs along side.

Thanks for posting the information, Ian.

 

[Pelegrin]

To be precise the rail bridge is between Naron (not Ferrol) and Neda.

 

[munsterlaura]

hi all
i am hoping to do the camino de ingles in sept. our time is very tight and we were wondering is it well signposted to take the bridge from ferrol to fene and onto pontedeume as a short cut.
i would appreciate all advice and feedback

 

[Richard of York]

Today I cut over the footbridge by the Neda albergue, missing out the top of the ria and the 100km bollard. I wish I'd known I could've cheated further by following the railway track. Hey ho, do research before not after.

 

[Corned Beef]

Today I cut over the footbridge by the Neda albergue, missing out the top of the ria and the 100km bollard. I wish I'd known I could've cheated further by following the railway track. Hey ho, do research before not after.

Como planificar o Camiño Inglés - Camino Inglés

Como planificar o Camiño Inglés e aproveitar o teu tempo ao máximo para facer unha experiencia única no camiño de Santiago Inglés

www.caminoingles.gal

 

[miguel_gp]

hi all
i am hoping to do the camino de ingles in sept. our time is very tight and we were wondering is it well signposted to take the bridge from ferrol to fene and onto pontedeume as a short cut.
i would appreciate all advice and feedback

Map showing location of this footpath. Not sure though if it has re-opened yet.

View attachment 54219

The route across the railway bridge branches off from the main route at the Monasterio de San Martin do Couto. Here is a link to StreetView of the junction. You can use StreetView to walk down to the beginning of the path across the bridge.

From the point by the monastery above, follow the minor road downhill between the Sacred Heart statue and the church/graveyard and take the path to the left just before the tunnel under the railway bridge. The path becomes a pedestrian bridge and then a path again, with the railway line always on your right. One across the water and just before Neda station turn left on to Av. Castelao, and after approx. 200m turn right onto Rúa Camino Regueiro, to re-join the main route.

 

[Corned Beef]

There seems to be two parts to this bridge. The rail bridge itself and then the grey (presumably pedestrian) bridge. This seems to be a works access bridge so engineers can survey the structure from below.

A Streetview view from the road bridge. A recent pic of it would be useful if anyone is going that way.

PS This is not an encouragement to try it. Everyone needs to look after their own safety.

 

[SabsP]

The route across the railway bridge branches off from the main route at the Monasterio de San Martin do Couto. Here is a link to StreetView of the junction. You can use StreetView to walk down to the beginning of the path across the bridge.

From the point by the monastery above, follow the minor road downhill between the Sacred Heart statue and the church/graveyard and take the path to the left just before the tunnel under the railway bridge. The path becomes a pedestrian bridge and then a path again, with the railway line always on your right. One across the water and just before Neda station turn left on to Av. Castelao, and after approx. 200m turn right onto Rúa Camino Regueiro, to re-join the main route.

I felt very safe when I walked it.

 

[miguel_gp]

I will be there in 2 weeks time. I may have time to pop down and check it out but I'm carrying on to Xuvia at the end of the ria so won't have time to cross the bridge.

 

[Richard of York]

There seems to be two parts to this bridge. The rail bridge itself and then the grey (presumably pedestrian) bridge. This seems to be a works access bridge so engineers can survey the structure from below.

A Streetview view from the road bridge. A recent pic of it would be useful if anyone is going that way.

PS This is not an encouragement to try it. Everyone needs to look after their own safety.

I left the car in Ferrol so if I remember I'll go and investigate and take photos (Tuesday).

 

[Richard of York]

I finished the Camino Inglés today, so I went exploring back in Ferrol because the car was there.

You can indeed walk along the footbridge along the railway:

Get to the Mosteiro do Couto here. The camino sends you left. Go right. That's my car in the churchyard.



Then at the bottom of the hill before the railway archway


So as I walked down I thought it was all closed off with all the ironworks but no that's just sheep pen stuff, the right track is on the right.

So where does it go?


Hey this looks good, but I'm not going to walk it because I have to get the car to the other side. There was a guy with a dog who was walking down the hill as I walked up back to the car.



I met him again on this side. Sorry no pic.


So there we go. We can walk along the railway track. BUT... there's an even bigger cheat... I'm going to leave it for a bit because it's late here but one can walk along the FE-14 road to the south. I have pictures to prove it.

 

[Richard of York]

So here's the other way over the most southerly bridge of the three (four if you count the motorway).

Last picture first as on the eastern side there's a handy map showing how to do it. South is at the top which is confusing and it's only in Galician.



It says pedestrians keep right. We will anyway so no worries.

This photo is at the first arrowhead I've drawn on the picture above:



You can choose to go straight on to the highway sliproad (100m shorter) or turn right to follow a country lane. It looks like the access road to a naval facility but there's a sharp left opposite the gate.

Here's the beginning of the bridge, through a deserted petrol station.


The other end looks like this.


The X is where the sign is. It suggests you follow the cloverleaf under the road and up the other side. I suggest crossing to the left side of the road if the traffic allows.

Follow this straight road for another kilometre until you get to this point (the only café in Spain I've had to pay for crisps) where you intercept the camino once more.



So, this shortcut is 3.5km. Via the official route it's approximately 12.5km, so 9km saved!

 

[peregrinaTrish]

So here's the other way over the most southerly bridge of the three (four if you count the motorway).

Last picture first as on the eastern side there's a handy map showing how to do it. South is at the top which is confusing and it's only in Galician.

View attachment 126143

It says pedestrians keep right. We will anyway so no worries.

This photo is at the first arrowhead I've drawn on the picture above:

View attachment 126144

You can choose to go straight on to the highway sliproad (100m shorter) or turn right to follow a country lane. It looks like the access road to a naval facility but there's a sharp left opposite the gate.

Here's the beginning of the bridge, through a deserted petrol station.
View attachment 126145

The other end looks like this.

View attachment 126148
The X is where the sign is. It suggests you follow the cloverleaf under the road and up the other side. I suggest crossing to the left side of the road if the traffic allows.

Follow this straight road for another kilometre until you get to this point (the only café in Spain I've had to pay for crisps) where you intercept the camino once more.

View attachment 126149

So, this shortcut is 3.5km. Via the official route it's approximately 12.5km, so 9km saved!

Thanks for taking the time to share these details!

 

[Pathfinder075]

Wish I'd read this thread this morning before I set off.

I ended up, by some missing of arrows, walking down the main road all the way to Naron. By that point it was pointless to get back on the main route so I carried on to the Neda albergue on the main road.

 

[Corned Beef]

Wish I'd read this thread this morning before I set off.

I ended up, by some missing of arrows, walking down the main road all the way to Naron. By that point it was pointless to get back on the main route so I carried on to the Neda albergue on the main road.

Hm... you may need to change your handle.