Hiking up O Cebreiro in the Rain

[lvf]

Hello, we’re looking at hiking up O Cebreiro on Monday, and it will be raining. We were wondering if it’s better to hike up the road when it’s raining, or is the trail safe enough? We hiked down from Cruz de Ferro yesterday, and we understood why many people say to take the road if it’s raining instead of the trail. Any input on going up O Cebreiro in the rain would be much appreciated!
Thanks!
Rick and Lucia Fletcher

 

[yvvv]

We (my wife and I, 60 years old) hiked up to O Cebreiro from Las Herrerias under heavy cold rain and in the early morning darkness last October. We took the trail, and would do it again. It was muddy for sure, but at no point did we feel it was dangerous. In my view, cars on the road, in dark and rainy conditions, would have been a much greater source of risks.

 

[Anniesantiago]

I've done the trail in light rain. It's a good track.

 

[davejsy]

We did it in rain and wind last October. Trail should be fine. You will get wet feet, but you will probably get that on the road too. Some parts provide shelter. Go steady, and even in the rain it is beautiful.

 

[alexwalker]

In bad weather I would take the road. I have never done that before. But now I am 70... The hike up there is in parts very steep and muddy. In good weather it is delightful. In bad weather it is bad.

 

[naplesdon]

I did it on horseback once in rain and sleet, it was not a pleasant way to do it but at least I got to the top about twice as fast as I could have walked it.

 

[Maurice Frank]

Last fall I was at the place where you go left for the trail or stay on the road. A local man saw me and told me to stay on the road because it would be safer in the rain. Barely saw any cars. A wet day but I made it safely. Next time I’d like to try the trail.

 

[CWBuff]

Yup, as many said - IMHO the trail is safe. Just take your time. The road.... well... as careful as YOU may be, sometimes wet road & cars dont exactly go well together....

 

[DoughnutANZ]

In bad weather I would take the road. I have never done that before. But now I am 70... The hike up there is in parts very steep and muddy. In good weather it is delightful. In bad weather it is bad.

I guess that our opinions are formed by what we are used to.

I am 70, going on 71 with reduced lung capacity due to scaring and the walk up to O Cebrerio is just a trot up a hill. It is not a big deal unless you are physically handicapped or walking with the use of a walker.

The trail is fine. It is an average 4.8% gradient.

 

[lvf]

Thank you all for your replies. We’ll just make our way slowly up the trail and do our best to stay safe. It’s been so beautiful so far, even in the rain. Our Altus Rain coats have been huge for keeping us dry!.

 

[David with new Kit!]

I've done it in the rain too.
I agree with the comments above.
If you are steady on your feet you will be fine.
BTW - Its a fantastic stop if you manage to get accommodation - Enjoy

 

[Scott Sweeney]

Ask MARSKA, she did it last October.

 

[Kathy F.]

Be not afraid.

 

[lovelyshell]

I did it in rain and it wasn’t that bad. It didn’t get so muddy that you would skip or get stuck. I think at the halfway point there is a little cabin where you can take a break from the rain. I could be wrong.

 

[Cathy G]

We (my wife and I, 60 years old) hiked up to O Cebreiro from Las Herrerias under heavy cold rain and in the early morning darkness last October. We took the trail, and would do it again. It was muddy for sure, but at no point did we feel it was dangerous. In my view, cars on the road, in dark and rainy conditions, would have been a much greater source of risks.

Hubby and I also hiked up to O Cebreiro last October in a wicked rain and wind storm! Like you, never felt it was dangerous.

 

[lvf]

Hello everyone . Just a live update from today… our hike up O Cebreiro. It was raining lightly when we started out and grew heavier. By the time we got to the trailhead vs the road outside of Herrerias, the entry to the trail had construction tape draped across the entry. We decided to take the hint and hike up the road as we weren’t sure if the high river had caused some damage on the trail. By the time we reached La Faba, it started to hail. We headed up the trail and encountered heavy sideways snow due to wind. It was beautiful and very cold. We were so thankful to have a room in O Cebreiro tonight as our shoes and clothes are soaked. We’ll be able to attend the Pilgrims’ blessing at 7:00. It’s still snowing up here right now! Buen Camino to all who are out here!!
Rick and Lucia

 

[walkingagain]

We just climbed from Astorga to Foncebadón yesterday and trail conditions were awful from Rabanal to Foncebadón. Besides the heavy snow falling - once you get 2 km outside Rabanal the trail becomes a full on stream and is completely flooded in huge puddles and ankle deep mud. No way not to get your feet completely soaked over and over again. Just go very slow, use your poles and enjoy the blooming pink and yellow flowers along the trail!!!! Even in the 0 degree C temperatures our wet feet were bearable as long as we kept moving. We didn’t take the road because the drivers were FLYING down the road and it looked much more dangerous than the trail.

 

[lvf]

We just climbed from Astorga to Foncebadón yesterday and trail conditions were awful from Rabanal to Foncebadón. Besides the heavy snow falling - once you get 2 km outside Rabanal the trail becomes a full on stream and is completely flooded in huge puddles and ankle deep mud. No way not to get your feet completely soaked over and over again. Just go very slow, use your poles and enjoy the blooming pink and yellow flowers along the trail!!!! Even in the 0 degree C temperatures our wet feet were bearable as long as we kept moving. We didn’t take the road because the drivers were FLYING down the road and it looked much more dangerous than the trail.

Thank you for sharing. We hiked down from O Cebreiro today to Triacastella. We walked to warmth and sunshine, and the scenery on the way down was magnificent! Buen Camino!!

 

[André Walker]

Walked up to O Cebreiro in 2011 and 2014, both times taking the trail. Very doable.
It's good to hear it's still raining: thankfully some things never change...

 

[MassNative]

We climbed up in the rain Oct 2022. The trail was no problem in the rain. Looked through all my photos of that morning, this was probably the worst:



Jim

 

[winewalker3]

We (my wife and I, 60 years old) hiked up to O Cebreiro from Las Herrerias under heavy cold rain and in the early morning darkness last October. We took the trail, and would do it again. It was muddy for sure, but at no point did we feel it was dangerous. In my view, cars on the road, in dark and rainy conditions, would have been a much greater source of risks.

Totally agree, we hiked in the heavy rain and heavy fog and loved every moment. It's all part of the camino experience. It was so foggy we weren't sure where the top was until we walked along side a rock wall and past the church entering the village!! All pilgrims were gathered in the bars warming and drying themselves before proceeding that day!!

 

[Gekkosan]

In bad weather I would take the road. I have never done that before. But now I am 70... The hike up there is in parts very steep and muddy. In good weather it is delightful. In bad weather it is bad.

My feelings exactly.