Leaving Molinaseca

[1BreathAtATime]

Tomorrow I head to Albergue Alea in Ponferrada. It's not in the main town, but rather to the east a bit. I see that after Molinaseca there is an option to continue along 142 or to head further south past Campo. From what I'm reading the southern route is longer but nicer. I don't see anything telling me how much longer and based on the location of Alb. Alea, I wonder if just sticking along 142 or the northern route would be wiser. Any opinions out there from anyone who has perhaps stayed here before? Thanks! Buen Camino

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

I'm not a fan of walking along highways but I think I would walk it based on this map showing the two Camino variants.

 

[LynnT]

I walked along the highway several years ago. I recall being on a sidewalk most of the way. If you do go this way, correct me if I am wrong.

 

[CarolamS]

I've walked both routes and much prefered the route past Campo. Slogging along urban pavements is hard-going! However if it's significantly shorter I'd certainly take the pavement route.

 

[naplesdon]

I arrived at Alea walking on the paved road.

 

[KiwiJohn]

I preferred the longer route. The distance is rather short, so just take your time.
Go well!

 

[Giorgio Braga]

The route past Campo is definitely worth the walk, scenic and lovely

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Tomorrow I head to Albergue Alea in Ponferrada.

I know you've already started and this is too late but I decided to play around with Mapy.cz a bit this morning (it's 7:20 here now). The Southern route from the track divergence point through Campo to Albergue Alea is twice as long as the northern route, 3.6 miles versus 1.8 (or 5.8 km versus 2.9).

 

[1BreathAtATime]

I know you've already started and this is too late but I decided to play around with Mapy.cz a bit this morning (it's 7:20 here now). The Southern route from the track divergence point through Campo to Albergue Alea is twice as long as the northern route, 3.6 miles versus 1.8 (or 5.8 km versus 2.9).

Wow! I ended up on the shorter route, all paved.... Body aches and hips hurt. No idea if 3 extra km possibly would have been better. Either way, I'm hear now. Gracias!

 

[Jodean]

Yeah, I ended up on that longer route cause some other pilgrims told me it was almost the same distance. It wasn't. It isn't very scenic either and there were no places to stop for a drink or snack. The day just seemed to go on forever.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

I ended up on that longer route cause some other pilgrims told me it was almost the same distance.

Brierley's guidebook says that the difference in distance between the two routes to the castle is 0.9 km. However taking the southern route to Albergue Alea instead of the castle means you have to go further north and then head back to the east, thus the extra distance.

 

[Giorgio Braga]

Yeah, I ended up on that longer route cause some other pilgrims told me it was almost the same distance. It wasn't.

Was the scenery or anything along the route even worth a little bit of that de-tour?