Las Medulas near Ponferrada- Possible alternative route or day trip?

[camino.tati]

Does anyone know if there is an alternative route going through Las medulas or if there is a bus to get there in order to spend the day there? It would take too long to walk there and back to the camino frances.. Any information on this area would be appreciated It looks beauutiful in the photos!!

 

[peregrina2000]

I have walked from Ponferrada to Las Medulas, but that was because I walked the Camino de Invierno, which goes from Ponferrada south of the Camino Frances. You couldn't walk there and back in a day, but you could walk there, spend the night there (I can give you names of places to stay) and walk back to Ponferrada the next day. You would also have the advantage of being able to visit the pretty amazingly perched castle of Cornatel, which is along the way.

If you are interested in the Camino de Invierno, it is a beautiful, well-marked, solitary alternative to the Camino frances. There's a section of this forum dedicated to it, you can get ideas on stages, etc.

I think Las Medulas is a UNESCO world heritage site. What I learned in the museum I visited there is that it's what left of the mountains after the Romans blasted water through them and made the mountains explode and give up their gold. So these are essentially mountain innards. In spite of such an ignominious origin, it is an imposing kind of site. You can walk up to a ridge on the southern side and get an amazing view from afar, and you can also take some of the many trails through the area, weaving around the stumps that are left.

There is some good elevation gain, two major ascents from Ponferrada, one up to the castle, then you descend and then go up again to As Medulas. So it's not an easy walk, but it is a great walk! Buen camino, Laurie

 

[mspath]

camino.tati,

As Laurie mentioned Las Medulas were indeed inscribed as a World Heritage site by Unesco in December 1997. Here is the official listing with historic info and pictures.

While in the Ponferrada area do NOT miss this remote 10th century church, Santiago de Penalba. Originally part of a monastery this is a Mosarabic gem and a protected Spanish landmark.

Margaret Meredith

 

[camino.tati]

camino.tati,

As Laurie mentioned Las Medulas were indeed inscribed as a World Heritage site by Unesco in December 1997. Here is the official listing with historic info and pictures.

While in the Ponferrada area do NOT miss this remote 10th century church, Santiago de Penalba. Originally part of a monastery this is a Mosarabic gem and a protected Spanish landmark.

Margaret Meredith

Thanks for mentioning this! I would love to visit this remote village and monastery! Would you suggest getting a bus there and back for the visit??

 

[mspath]

Only the church remains from the Santiago de Penalba monastery and a tiny village. You can get bus info from the Ponferrada tourist bureau.

There also seems to be a Santiago Calitrava bridge in Ponferrada (or a good copy ) and a sleek contemporary energy museum Ene. National Energy Museum.

MM

 

[wayfarer]

Thank you peregrina2000 and Margaret for clearing that up for me. I visited Las Medulas this summer in the campervan. When I saw the yellow arrows I had no recollection of having walked through there, they even seemed to be going in the wrong direction. It is a beautiful place and well worth a visit but you would need a day to explore. It might be a good place for a stopover. Also a good alternative to the Saria section.

 

[Laliibeans]

I hadn't heard of this place until this thread. Thank you for mentioning it! It looks amazing.

 

[jennysa]

We were there in May this year. We took a taxi for a five-hour visit and he was able to drive us around to the main view site, which is awe inspiring. It is definitely worth a visit if you have time, but it is off the beaten track.

 

[peregrina2000]

I agree with wayfarer that you need at least a half day to visit Las Medulas-- there's a little museum with lots of good information, and kms of paths that give you great views. Wayfarer has a good shot from below, here's one from above:



And for anyone tempted to walk from Ponferrada, either to start the Camino de Invierno, or as a detour, here's a shot of the castle you pass on the way. all in all, it's a very nice walk from Ponferrada -- it feels so good to have some ups and downs after all those days on flat!

 

[peregrina2000]

Only the church remains from the Santiago de Penalba monastery and a tiny village. You can get bus info from the Ponferrada tourist bureau.
MM

Oh, Margaret, Santiago de Penalba is a place I've wanted to visit for a long time. You can walk there from El Acebo, apparently there is a way to continue on from Santiago de Penalba to Ponferrada. And there is also a circuit trail, the Valle del Silencio, that looks to be stunning, as it takes you past some old caves occupied by hermit monks, and the like. Rebekah is lucky enough to have done this alternative, and here are a few more threads for anyone whose interest is piqued. Next time I'm on the Frances at El Acebo, I am DETERMINED to get to Santiago de Penalba!!!

http://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/wonderful-b-b-in-acebo.15388/
http://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/advice-on-starting-from-el-acebo.10959/
http://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/las-médulas.9600/