Marking on the Lana 2013

[Kevin F. O*brien]

Hello everyone. Planning time again. Peter Robins has some wonderful maps for this Camino and they will be used, but does anyone know how good the marking on this route is these days. I crossed it near Alpera on the Levante in the spring of 2012 and the marking seemed to be very good. I'm most interested in the marking between Alpera and Cuenca if anyone can help me there.
Thanks.
Kev

 

[peregrina2000]

Hi, Kevin,
Once again, you are going to be the trail-blazer, which is great so I can just follow in your footsteps soon after you check it out and post all the necessary information!

I don't know much about this route, but I can tell you that Alejandro (of Bodenaya albergue fame on the Primitivo) told me he walked from Cuenca to Burgos in Jauary 2012 in about two weeks. He said the marking is very good, there are no albergues, but there are always pensiones or hostales when you need them.

Are you planning to walk from Alicante to Burgos? I am confused about the difference between the Camino de la Lana from Alicante and the Camino del Sureste from Alicante. Mundicamino shows them both, so they must ultimately diverge but they seem to be similar from Alicante.

Good luck with finding the info you need, keep us posted. Buen camino, Laurie

 

[Kevin F. O*brien]

It was a very pleasant surprise to see your comment Laurie, Happy New Year!! I found a website posted by a cyclist called amigosdealbacete, or something in that line. They describe the route very well and seem to have used a GPS, because they are so detailed, i.e. carry on for five hundred yards and turn left etc. etc. I will get a print out and then go through it all to make sure I have understood. I think the webaddress was on one of the posts made by Zinatli.
To answer your other question. Yes the Sureste seems to wind about a bit. It starts in Alicante and joins the Levante for a while at Almansa, and later on at El Toboso. It stays with the Levante until the other side of Toledo, joins it again at Medina del Campo and then veers off sharply to finish at Tordesillas. At least that is my experience of it. Again, be very careful to turn LEFT from the Santiago church leaving Medina del Campo, don't follow the large yellow arrow under the railway on your right. If you do you will be on your way to Tordesillas as happened to us, Peter and Rebekah!!
All the very best to you and yours,
Kev

 

[Kevin F. O*brien]

One more thin Laurie. The gentleman from the Primitivo remembers correctly. Its about 12 days from Alicante to Cuenca and about 14 from there to Burgos. I found out that the marking north of Cuenca is good, but am a bit doubtful about marking before that town.
Best,
Kev

 

[peregrina2000]

Hi, Kevin,
I can ask some folks on the Spanish forum if they have any info. I did find references to a problem north of Cuenca, in a town called Villaescusa de Palositos. According to the complaints, some person or entity has cut off access to this abandoned town -- some pictures and text here:

http://www.villaescusadepalositos.es/im ... liza01.pdf

http://www.villaescusadepalositos.es/index.htm

And here is a Spanish website that seems to have information on the stages from Alicante:
http://www.decuencaasantiago.org/rutala ... icante.php

Buen camino, Laurie

and p.s, as soon as I get my guidebook from Valencia, your note about leaving Medina del Campo will be the first one I pencil in!

 

[Kevin F. O*brien]

Thanks for those websites Laurie. The one I have already is http://www.dealbaceteasantiago.es/
There was a big disucussion here in the autumn (see note from David) while we collected signatures for a petitition against the closing of that road to Palositos. They got enough signatures and the petition has been submitted. Haven't heard anything since so it will be interesting to find out whether the gate is open or not. A cursory reading reveals that the only fuente that day is on that route . Hmmmm.

Best,

Kev

 

[peregrina2000]

Hi, Kevin,
As I was just starting my computer clean-up for the New Year, I came across a link I had saved -- a blog in Spanish from the Camino de la Lana, from 2007 so maybe outdated. But just in case it can help you, here's the link:

http://www.mariocalvo.eu/RUTA%20DE%20LA ... talana.htm

Actually, this guy has blogs for a fair number of the more remote caminos: http://www.mariocalvo.eu/

Buen camino, Laurie

 

[Kevin F. O*brien]

Yepp, looks good Laurie. Thanks. I've just been reading Mario's account and will proably spend a lot of time practising Spanish while I read. This account is recommended for anyone else who may be interested. I haven't quite made up my mind, but it will be either late Spring or early autumn this year, with hopefully, helpful comments after completion. It would be lovely to see more people using these less popular routes.
Thanks again.
Kev

 

[peregrina2000]

Hi, Kevin, here's one more option.

If you use facebook, there is a page for Camino Amigos of the Lana: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Amigos-de ... 1602217985

Lots of nice pictures there -- I learned that the Lana passes through Santo Domingo de Silos, what a treat!

Buen camino, Laurie

 

[peregrina2000]

And Kevin,
There's one more facebook page -- this one for the AACS -- the Amigos del Camino de Santiago de Cuenca (so it's not a Camino de Lana page, it's the general Santiago Amigos in Cuenca page). but it was suggested to me that most of the participants are from Cuenca, so either page would be a good place to post your questions.

http://www.facebook.com/AACSCuenca

 

[peregrina2000]

Hot off the presses -- the Camino de la Lana in the province of Guadalajara is now completely marked. Pictures and text here: http://correodelcamino.blogspot.com.es/ ... -lana.html

Great news for the intrepid pilgrims!

 

[dutchperegrino]

Hello Kevin,
I'm looking for information for the ruta de Lana and I found the following webpage, for the alberges along the route: http://www.caminosantiago.org/cpperegri ... talana.asp
Perhaps this information will help you?

 

[Kevin F. O*brien]

To Dutch Peregrino. Thanks very much. I've printed out your list and put it together with other info received from the "Amigos" in Cuenca. Laurie (Peregrina 2000) has also sent some useful links. The way it looks now I'll probably be starting in late August. I will try to make a note or two along the way, which may be of assistance to others later on. Thanks again for the info.
Best,
Kevin

 

[freescot]

http://www.the-raft-of-corks.com/bl...-ruta-de-la-lana-gpx-files-maps-places-sleep/

Some information on Alicante - Cuenca and other bits of the blog. Day by day GPS routes for download. The marking is excellent and support from Amigos fantastic.

 

[peregrina2000]

So, Kevin, I'm sorry we've lost contact. Have you walked the Camino de la Lana? You know I love to follow in your footsteps.

 

[Julio Santiago]

Hi, Kevin,
I can ask some folks on the Spanish forum if they have any info. I did find references to a problem north of Cuenca, in a town called Villaescusa de Palositos. According to the complaints, some person or entity has cut off access to this abandoned town -- some pictures and text here:

http://www.villaescusadepalositos.es/im ... liza01.pdf

http://www.villaescusadepalositos.es/index.htm

And here is a Spanish website that seems to have information on the stages from Alicante:
http://www.decuencaasantiago.org/rutala ... icante.php

Buen camino, Laurie

and p.s, as soon as I get my guidebook from Valencia, your note about leaving Medina del Campo will be the first one I pencil in!

Good morning Laurie (it is 10h45 am in UK now)
I am very pleased by the link you indicated regarding Ruta de la Lana. Very precise podometer like (road book) indications. I am building my route with Google Maps and combined with these pages found in (decuencaasantiago.org/ruralana...) will be terrific.
Thank you so much for signalling this gem,

 

[peregrina2000]

Good morning Laurie (it is 10h45 am in UK now)
I am very pleased by the link you indicated regarding Ruta de la Lana. Very precise podometer like (road book) indications. I am building my route with Google Maps and combined with these pages found in (decuencaasantiago.org/ruralana...) will be terrific.
Thank you so much for signalling this gem,

Hi, Julio, looks like our camino interests are similar. I haven't walked la Lana, but it's on my list. It looks like it may be three or four years before I get to it, assuming my aging body holds up! My dreams for next year include either the Baztan and the Portugues from Viseu (strange combo I know) or the Vdlp starting in Granada or Malaga. It'll just depend on how many weeks my family will let me go wandering!

So, I'm sure your experience on the Lana will be helpful to me and others who come after. Are you panning this for next year? Buen camino, Laurie

 

[Julio Santiago]

Hi, Julio, looks like our camino interests are similar. I haven't walked la Lana, but it's on my list. It looks like it may be three or four years before I get to it, assuming my aging body holds up! My dreams for next year include either the Baztan and the Portugues from Viseu (strange combo I know) or the Vdlp starting in Granada or Malaga. It'll just depend on how many weeks my family will let me go wandering!

So, I'm sure your experience on the Lana will be helpful to me and others who come after. Are you panning this for next year? Buen camino, Laurie

Yes in 2016 I am preparing for two mutually exclusive Caminos. Portugal from Faro to Santiago or La Lana from Jalance (in Almansa region) that is the home land of my ancestors, then from Burgos walk north a couple of days to join Olvidado at Aguilar de Campoo then Ponferrada to discover Invierno and finish in Santiago...
I am still working, hence only 28-30 calendar days during my yearly break for me to start a Camino and finish it... Hence 1000 to 1150 km overall distance in one Pilgrimage is the limit.

La Plata is tough, I had some extreme experience at the Mirador del Calvario in my second day in 2013, temperatures around 45 degrees (Celsius) ! From Malaga or Granada must be quite a spectacle, Granada region is so beautiful.
Kind Regards,

 

[LTfit]

Hi Lana walkers,

I'm reopening this thread. Has anyone walked this route (Alicante-Cuenca) recently? Would especially like to know about albergues as my budget doesn't allow for pensions or casa rurales and most likely will be walking alone.

Thinking about walking the first part around Semana Santa (starting a week before).

Any info/help would be appreciated.

Cheers
LT

 

[Julio Santiago]

Good evening LT, I have planned to walk Camino de la Lana next 2016 year. I have recollected information on routes and accommodation. This is a route with little transit (less than Levante that already resembles to a desert!), hence quite tricky to ensure every day will find you in an albergue or cheap hostal. But I think I gathered enough potential places that in the end density is barely acceptable if not brilliant. I have planned to embark a small tent in case! Never done before... All my planned routes for 2016 (Lana+Olvidado+Invierno) plus the accommodations locations are in my Garmin BaseCamp data base (to download in my Garmin hand-held GPS); if you have this navigation environment I could drop my routes on your mail.
Bon courage LT!
Julio

 

[LTfit]

Gracias/merci Julio! I am not sure that it can get any quieter than my Mozárabe camino where I met no one! And during the Levante only 1-2.

Would love to have your information but I don't have a Garmin or any other gps instrument. Hmmm any other way to get the info?

 

[Julio Santiago]

Hmmm, I will find something certainly on how to export what you could re-use. Just a side note, my route starts in Jalance (next halt is Casas Ibañez) en-route to Burgos then Olvidado then Invierno.
Bon courage LT
Julio

 

[LTfit]

Super! Quite a combo you have planned Julio.
Bon soir et à bientôt.
LT

 

[peregrina2000]

LT, I once played around with this Camino a bit, because Alex (the former hospitalero at Bodenaya on the Primitivo) raved about it to me. There is a guy whose name is Luís, I think, who is in Cuenca and very much involved in the marking, lists of albergues, etc.

I remember Alex telling me that the marking got much better after Cuenca, but that was in 2011.

Start here, you´ll see a lot of info. http://www.dealbaceteasantiago.es/IndiceCaminos-11.html

I think I found a way to reach them on the main page: http://www.jacobeo.info/index.php

I am trying hard not to be jealous, you are SO lucky! Laurie

 

[VNwalking]

I have nothing to contribute but will be lurking here with a lot of interest...will be walking the tail-end of the Lana beginning some time in semana santa.
Thank you in advance everyone for whatever pearls of wisdom you contribute (and to you, Laurie, for your inquiring mind)!

 

[LTfit]

Thanks for the links Laurie! Completely forgot - I actually know the Luís you're talking about! Met him 2 years ago walking year end into Santiago. In fact he arrived a few days ago in Zamora after walking the Levante. Just realized that I also met a GP in Alpera who helped us out when we slept there. He is also an amigo in the local association. A funny side note: he joined us for a drink in a local bar and left a sign on the door of the centro de salud: you can find me at so and so bar! A patient actually came looking for him! Only in Spain.

Anyway no need to be jealous - nothing decided yet.

 

[LTfit]

Update: just had contact with Luís and he is going to send me a CD-ROM with all the latest info.
Once I have relevant info with pass it on.
Cheers
LT

 

[Julio Santiago]

Good evening LT, I am interested by the latest La Lana info. I have compiled and made my own guide for my La Lana 2016 and will be happy to make sure I am not missing newest accommodation opportunities...
I can pass you my notes if it may be of some interest, Amiga del Camino.
Julio

 

[LTfit]

That would be great Julio. I will do the same as soon as I receive the information.
Gracias de antemano.

 

[Bad Pilgrim]

I'll come by from time to time here... I thought I hade decided for Norte-Primitivo but now the Lana caught my eye... I really prefer the Southern caminos... miam miam...

The link that Laurie posted with the stages of the Lana is written in the same style as the Sureste Guide I always rave about - I bet it's the same author, which would be a good thing.

/BP

 

[Julio Santiago]

Hi LT, I am wondering if we have not being walking on the same Camino Sanabrés sections in June/July 2015. I remember a Dutch Peregrina, firstly met at Laza (I was there the 9-July-2015) and at Xunqueira de Ambia the day after.
The Camino is a village at sometimes...
Good evening Amiga del Camino,
Julio

 

[Julio Santiago]

I'll come by from time to time here... I thought I hade decided for Norte-Primitivo but now the Lana caught my eye... I really prefer the Southern caminos... miam miam...

The link that Laurie posted with the stages of the Lana is written in the same style as the Sureste Guide I always rave about - I bet it's the same author, which would be a good thing.

/BP

Hello Bad Pilgrim! (There is no bad Peregrino, we all have our Apostol to make us good boys and girls!)
Do not miss el Primitivo (that you still have to discover), and if I may give my opinion, the Salvador is largely worth the effort as well.
Amigo del Camino, have a good evening
Julio

 

[Bad Pilgrim]

Hello Bad Pilgrim! (There is no bad Peregrino, we all have our Apostol to make us good boys and girls!)
Do not miss el Primitivo (that you still have to discover), and if I may give my opinion, the Salvador is largely worth the effort as well.
Amigo del Camino, have a good evening
Julio

Arrgh, I've heard good things about the Salvador as well. I don't know what to choose anymore........... :OP

 

[LTfit]

@Julio Santiago it looks like we missed each other by a few days. I arrived in Laza on July 4th, arriving in Santiago on July 10th.

@Bad Pilgrim the Salvador and the Primitivo is still on my list for this summer.

 

[Julio Santiago]

Amigos del Camino:
Just to make sure (this is a call for information) : any thing new on la Lana ? I am starting it on 6th June 2016 and will probably be using a fresh/trusted source information drawn from a number of sites around; but but just in case ...
Kind Regards,
Julio Santiago

 

[MikeandMaite]

Amigos del Camino:
Just to make sure (this is a call for information) : any thing new on la Lana ? I am starting it on 6th June 2016 and will probably be using a fresh/trusted source information drawn from a number of sites around; but but just in case ...
Kind Regards,
Julio Santiago

Hi,
We're planning to go 27th Sept this year. Just started gathering info and would be grateful if you share your experience. We've chosen to start from Valencia, joining Lana 2 in Monteagudo.
Kind regards
Mike

 

[Julio Santiago]

Hi M&Ms!
For La Lana, I warmly recommend this site, they have the best and fresher information http://elcaminoderequena.blogspot.co.uk/
I have downloaded all this, as I am leaving from Gatwick on the 5 June to start from Requena on the 6th to Santiago via Camino Olvidado and Invierno. I'll let you know when I'm back.
Late September is not good, days are too short. I usually walk 40, 45 and sometimes 50km a day hence need long days...
Feliz Camino
Julio

 

[VNwalking]

Buen Camino, Julio!
I intended to only touch the Lana for an eyeblink--SantoDomingo de Silos to Covarrubias--but actually by mistake ended up walking on the GR82 instead. It was a glorious morning. Then from Covarrubuas, I went over to Mambrillas de Lara and continued on the St Olav and am very glad I did. Check out this if you haven't already...it was fabulous:
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...thic-jewel-south-of-burgos.36974/#post-352154
At your pace you could walk the St Olav to Burgos in a day and a half or 2 days...it was quite beautiful.

 

[Julio Santiago]

Good evening Amigo del Camino,
I like doing long Caminos every year. I only have my annual leave, a big month each year, I have to return to work hence have no margin to deviate from my route...
I a sure I will be enchanted by la Serrania de Cuenca... wild and no one. Sounds like a Paradise for me.
Julio

 

[MikeandMaite]

Hi M&Ms!
For La Lana, I warmly recommend this site, they have the best and fresher information http://elcaminoderequena.blogspot.co.uk/
I have downloaded all this, as I am leaving from Gatwick on the 5 June to start from Requena on the 6th to Santiago via Camino Olvidado and Invierno. I'll let you know when I'm back.
Late September is not good, days are too short. I usually walk 40, 45 and sometimes 50km a day hence need long days...
Feliz Camino
Julio

Thanks Julio, this is just what we were looking for! Late September's fine for us as we don't do long distances like you or the phenomenal Basque. All the best for your Camino, we'd love to hear of your experiences.
Buen Camino
Mike and Maite

 

[MikeandMaite]

Thanks Julio, this is just what we were looking for! Late September's fine for us as we don't do long distances like you or the phenomenal Basque. All the best for your Camino, we'd love to hear of your experiences.
Buen Camino
Mike and Maite

We have just under two weeks to go before starting in Valencia. Would appreciate any recent personal information/experiences on the Requena-la Lana camino.
Mike and Maite

 

[Bad Pilgrim]

We have just under two weeks to go before starting in Valencia. Would appreciate any recent personal information/experiences on the Requena-la Lana camino.
Mike and Maite

Okay! So did you make it? I'm about to do this Camino in 2017 but I have to choose between starting in Valencia or in Alicante? I know about Alicante since before so I'd like to know what you thought about starting in Valencia!

Byyye

Bad Pilgrim

 

[MikeandMaite]

Okay! So did you make it? I'm about to do this Camino in 2017 but I have to choose between starting in Valencia or in Alicante? I know about Alicante since before so I'd like to know what you thought about starting in Valencia!

Byyye

Bad Pilgrim

Sorry for the delay…..Yes, we made it without any major problems and loved it all. The Requena section of the route (Valencia – Monteagudo de las Salinas) is absolutely fine but we’re unable to compare with the Alicante route, not having walked it. Once past Valencia the way mostly passes through agricultural land - orange groves to vineyards to almond orchards, but from Mira onwards it gets wilder. Waymaking is good and on the few occasions that we missed the arrows, the GPS tracks and instructions proved invaluable – see http://elcaminoderequena.blogspot.co.uk/. The Requena/ Lana is a very underused route and we only met one pilgrim and that was towards the end – perfect for us! The only real challenge is accommodation once you get onto the Lana section. It’s worth finding out ahead as to whether there is availability.
All the best and Buen Camino, Mike and Maite

 

[Bad Pilgrim]

Sorry for the delay…..Yes, we made it without any major problems and loved it all. The Requena section of the route (Valencia – Monteagudo de las Salinas) is absolutely fine but we’re unable to compare with the Alicante route, not having walked it. Once past Valencia the way mostly passes through agricultural land - orange groves to vineyards to almond orchards, but from Mira onwards it gets wilder. Waymaking is good and on the few occasions that we missed the arrows, the GPS tracks and instructions proved invaluable – see http://elcaminoderequena.blogspot.co.uk/. The Requena/ Lana is a very underused route and we only met one pilgrim and that was towards the end – perfect for us! The only real challenge is accommodation once you get onto the Lana section. It’s worth finding out ahead as to whether there is availability.
All the best and Buen Camino, Mike and Maite

Okay,

I've checked the maps. It's obviously shorter than starting from Alicante and I'm kind of in need of that - fewer stages, due to time constraint. I will find out more, thanks!!

/BP

 

[LTfit]

We (Laurie and I) are contemplating Alicante - Burgos this spring. Could someone who has walked it recently post their stages please. Around 30-33 km per day is my favorite distance although I am willing and able to do more. Would this be possible using mostly albergues?

Thanks for your help!

 

[Bad Pilgrim]

I haven't walked it yet, but will do this summer. I will try to combine a few caminos but I already know that I will start in Alicante and go to Burgos, then to another starting point.

I really want to know about the stages as well. Mundicamino says 23 if I'm not mistaken - I hope I can make it in 20. Anyone knows if 20 is possible? How free are we to divide them as we want?

/BP