Mozarabe at Easter

[ofer ofer]

Hi
I am planning to walk in easter Almeria to granada or granada to cordoba..
Which is more recommended?

 

[Deleted member 73526]

I recommend Almeria to Granada for the variety of landscapes (desert badlands to Sierra Nevada foothills), good network of albergues, friendly association, the little-known city of Guadix, and ending on a high note with the beautiful walk into Granada.

The section from Granada to Cordoba has less variety but it offers spectacular views on the climb to Moclin, endless olive groves, the pretty town of Baena, the city of Cordoba (a Unesco world heritage site, like Granada). If your main criterion is walking through beautiful scenery, I think the Almeria to Granada section is the winner.

As with most Caminos, there are less than perfect bits on both routes. Perhaps you appreciate the best bits more when you have spent some time pushing through the ugly bits? From Almeria, your first couple of days is heavy going on dry riverbeds. From Granada, the stage from Granada to Pinos Puente is ugly beyond the city center and the route into Cordoba is dull until you reach the Roman bridge.

 

[ofer ofer]

Thank you very much.
Yes..that I need to decide..cities or beautiful nature?
I thought I will also see easter events..
And blooming flowers..where?

 

[Deleted member 397]

I recommend Almeria to Granada for the variety of landscapes (desert badlands to Sierra Nevada foothills), good network of albergues, friendly association, the little-known city of Guadix, and ending on a high note with the beautiful walk into Granada.

The section from Granada to Cordoba has less variety but it offers spectacular views on the climb to Moclin, endless olive groves, the pretty town of Baena, the city of Cordoba (a Unesco world heritage site, like Granada). If your main criterion is walking through beautiful scenery, I think the Almeria to Granada section is the winner.

As with most Caminos, there are less than perfect bits on both routes. Perhaps you appreciate the best bits more when you have spent some time pushing through the ugly bits? From Almeria, your first couple of days is heavy going on dry riverbeds. From Granada, the stage from Granada to Pinos Puente is ugly beyond the city center and the route into Cordoba is dull until you reach the Roman bridge.

Oh yes that "climb" to Moclin...for some sections i thought ladders would be useful!

 

[Deleted member 73526]

Yes..that I need to decide..cities or beautiful nature?

Well, Granada and Cordoba and Merida are world-class gems that people travel from far to visit. But I also love the old center of Almeria with its huge fortress (the Alcazaba) and the charming city of Guadix with its Roman remains, cave dwellings and beautiful Cathedral. I can't think of another city like it.

I thought I will also see easter events..

All of the large cities will have significant festivities. For Granada or Cordoba, you will certainly need to book your accommodation in advance because there is no dedicated pilgrim accommodation in those cities.

And blooming flowers..where?

Depends on the date, I guess. On the Almeria route you'll see flowers around the Sierra Nevada in Spring. Unfortunately you will be too late to see the gorgeous blossoms of the almond trees.
After Granada, the hills are covered in the olive groves. Around the olive trees, farmers do their best to remove any plants that might deprive the olive trees of nourishment. So I guess that's not such a flowery path.

Oh yes that "climb" to Moclin...for some sections i thought ladders would be useful!

Hmm. I can't recall any place on the climb from Olivares to Moclin that would benefit from having ladders.
Perhaps you're thinking of the steep rocky ascent out of Alboloduy? I understand that the association has improved that somewhat but some people may find it too challenging. One pilgrim with a prosthetic leg explained to me that he can only manage the steep rocky path when his prosthetic is on one side (I forget if it's left or right) - so switching back and forth on the way up required him to crawl half of the time. These are the kind of accessibility challenges that people without disabilities just don't anticipate unless we listen to disabled people. Since hearing this, I keep in mind that some people need to bypass that climb by taking the carretera.

 

[ofer ofer]

I recommend Almeria to Granada for the variety of landscapes (desert badlands to Sierra Nevada foothills), good network of albergues, friendly association, the little-known city of Guadix, and ending on a high note with the beautiful walk into Granada.

The section from Granada to Cordoba has less variety but it offers spectacular views on the climb to Moclin, endless olive groves, the pretty town of Baena, the city of Cordoba (a Unesco world heritage site, like Granada). If your main criterion is walking through beautiful scenery, I think the Almeria to Granada section is the winner.

As with most Caminos, there are less than perfect bits on both routes. Perhaps you appreciate the best bits more when you have spent some time pushing through the ugly bits? From Almeria, your first couple of days is heavy going on dry riverbeds. From Granada, the stage from Granada to Pinos Puente is ugly beyond the city center and the route into Cordoba is dull until you reach the Roman bridge.

 

[ofer ofer]

Hi
From almeria to granada..any problems of food?obstacles?
Recommended sleeping places along the way?

 

[NorthernLight]

Hi
From almeria to granada..any problems of food?obstacles?
Recommended sleeping places along the way?

If you use the search function in the top right corner, for ‘Almeria’ you should get results for this Mozarabe route. Some of those threads have lists of the resources on the route and links to the webpage of the Friends of the Camino group that support this section. I found a helpful list of services this way.

 

[lindam]

I recommend Almeria to Granada for the variety of landscapes (desert badlands to Sierra Nevada foothills), good network of albergues, friendly association, the little-known city of Guadix, and ending on a high note with the beautiful walk into Granada.

The section from Granada to Cordoba has less variety but it offers spectacular views on the climb to Moclin, endless olive groves, the pretty town of Baena, the city of Cordoba (a Unesco world heritage site, like Granada). If your main criterion is walking through beautiful scenery, I think the Almeria to Granada section is the winner.

As with most Caminos, there are less than perfect bits on both routes. Perhaps you appreciate the best bits more when you have spent some time pushing through the ugly bits? From Almeria, your first couple of days is heavy going on dry riverbeds. From Granada, the stage from Granada to Pinos Puente is ugly beyond the city center and the route into Cordoba is dull until you reach the Roman bridge.

Thank you for sharing this comparison, Raggy. I am planning to walk this route in the spring of 2021 and this gives me food for thought!

 

[jpflavin1]

Hi
I am planning to walk in easter Almeria to granada or granada to cordoba..
Which is more recommended?

It depends on what you are looking to get out of your Camino.

Almeria to Granada is well supported by the local Association and a bit more challenging.
Granada to Cordoba will allow you to see a couple of spectacular Spanish cities. (I agree Moclin climb most challenging day)

Arid climate with rolling hills and Olive groves until you get nearer to Cordoba.

That said, Easter might be busy and create difficulty finding accommodation. Almeria to Granada, with Association support, might be the better choice??

Ultreya,
Joe

 

[ofer ofer]

Hi
What is the association support?

 

[Deleted member 73526]

Hi
What is the association support?

The Camino Association in Almeria, which was awarded the Elias Valiña prize in 2019, has established and maintained a network of albergues, marked the way, and provides a personal welcome to every pilgrim who starts in Almeria.
During your walk on this route, these angels provide the key codes to allow you to enter the albergues. They keep in touch via WhatsApp - especially if you are solo. They are ready to offer support to pilgrims who need it. This can mean bringing an extra mattress to an albergue when there’s a bubble of pilgrims, bringing a meal to help a pilgrim during epiphany when stores and restaurants were closed for a few days, taking pilgrims who had medical problems to the hospital and visiting while they were there, even visiting a pilgrim to keep them company when they felt so low that they were at the point of giving up.
I think everyone who walks this way is touched by their kindness.
Get in touch with them via Facebook before you arrive in Almeria.

Hi
From almeria to granada..any problems of food?obstacles?
Recommended sleeping places along the way?

Details of the albergue network are in the guide which is regularly updated by the Almeria association.
Food - Sundays and holidays can be a bit inconvenient because stores are closed. On trading days, stores close for a few hours in the afternoon, right around the time that the hungry pilgrim rolls up.
Other challenges - Climate is brutal in the summer. Riverbeds are hard to walk on. There is significant elevation gain. Locals don’t speak much English. Bars and restaurants don’t have sparkling water. The pool at the Rioja albergue hasn’t been cleaned. There’s a stone in my boot. I can’t get that song out of my head...

 

[Bad Pilgrim]

Hmm. I can't recall any place on the climb from Olivares to Moclin that would benefit from having ladders

Whaaat?? I might as well use a harness, ropes & a helmet next time on that stretch...!

But I was also exhausted from previous adventures that day.

 

[ofer ofer]

Hi
Do you know if any special events in easter in granada
Or cordoba if i decide this part?

 

[C clearly]

Hi
Do you know if any special events in easter in granada
Or cordoba if i decide this part?

Ah, yes. Easter. And the hotel bed competition.

To be serious... I would expect both cities to have extensive activities, processions, etc., every day during Semana Santa (the week preceding Easter Sunday). Google can help, but you don't really need to plan your attendance for the street activities. For everything else, admission will be in great demand and I would also expect hotel and albergue beds to be very scarce, so would definitely recommend reserving them in advance for either city.

 

[ofer ofer]

AND between cities on the camino?

 

[C clearly]

AND between cities on the camino?

Special events? All towns will mark Easter in some way.
Accommodation? All lodgings within about 30 km of Granada and Cordoba are likely to be busy.

 

[ofer ofer]

Thank you

 

[Deleted member 73526]

Whaaat?? I might as well use a harness, ropes & a helmet next time on that stretch...!

But I was also exhausted from previous adventures that day.

I expect you’re being “funny” like the last person who joked about ladders ... haha
For the sake of clarity I reiterate that the walk from Olivares to Moclin is an uphill walk on good footpaths. At no point is climbing equipment required.

 

[Ghislaine]

Thank you

In case you’re not aware, there is also a great facebook group of the friends Camino Mozarabe via de la plata. They have a lot of great tips and information, You can connect with them.

 

[Dilbin]

Hi
I am planning to walk in easter Almeria to granada or granada to cordoba..
Which is more recommended?

Hi. Not trying to dissuade you or anything. I'm walking from Malaga on March 24th. Have a good printout of stages from caminomozarabedemalaga.com with route, Alberques and phone numbers etc plus Magwood has a fantastic blog with all her stages. Just something for your consideration. Either way Buen Camino.

 

[duncanwhyte]

What impact does Easter have on the Camino? Can I expect to continue or have to hold up somewhere?

 

[Dilbin]

Not too sure but from experience with Spanish holidays you may have difficulty finding accommodation. When you arrive maybe book ahead as you go and all will be ok.

 

[ngm]

Hi
I am planning to walk in easter Almeria to granada or granada to cordoba..
Which is more recommended?

Hi Ofer..you will not be disappointed, either of this two.. But I would do the way from Granda..and I think we had some contact before ? ( NitGu)

 

[duncanwhyte]

Not too sure but from experience with Spanish holidays you may have difficulty finding accommodation. When you arrive maybe book ahead as you go and all will be ok.

Ok thanks.

 

[duncanwhyte]

Special events? All towns will mark Easter in some way.
Accommodation? All lodgings within about 30 km of Granada and Cordoba are likely to be busy.

So is it best to sit out the festival, by finding a nice stay over? Would the more remote albergues still function unhindered? I imagine that the pace would change from Palm Sunday onwards.

 

[Deleted member 73526]

So is it best to sit out the festival, by finding a nice stay over? Would the more remote albergues still function unhindered? I imagine that the pace would change from Palm Sunday onwards.

Ideally, I think most people would like to stay in Granada and Cordoba since these are such beautiful cities and the festivities are certainly worth seeing if you can. So booking ahead would be best.
I think "sitting out" in a remote albergue is a fall back plan if you find yourself unable to secure a room in Granada or Cordoba. The municipal albergues are for pilgrims only. Private albergues (like the one in Quentar - before Granada) can get booked up.

 

[JudiJay]

It depends on what you are looking to get out of

That said, Easter might be busy and create difficulty finding accommodation. Almeria to Granada, with Association support, might be the better choice??

Ultreya,
Joe

I can only speak for Santa Semana in Córdoba but the procession through the streets and into the Mosque-Cathedral was an awe-inspiring experience. We had a good position close to the Cathedral doors but anywhere along the route would be spectacular. Even if you can't find accommodation in the Old Town it is worth making the trip from accommodation nearby. My understanding, and I don't mind being corrected, is that there are processions every day of Holy Week covering different routes and schedules are available in most bars. They start in the afternoon and can run for 6 hours. Every city has processions but we were fortunate enough to be in this one hence the specific recommendation. My favourite moment was a young boy raising his hood and waving furiously to his mother in the crowd. Hey, Mum, ir's me! If like us you don't expect to be in Spain at Easter again, it would be a pity to miss this experience.

 

[duncanwhyte]

Ideally, I think most people would like to stay in Granada and Cordoba since these are such beautiful cities and the festivities are certainly worth seeing if you can. So booking ahead would be best.
I think "sitting out" in a remote albergue is a fall back plan if you find yourself unable to secure a room in Granada or Cordoba. The municipal albergues are for pilgrims only. Private albergues (like the one in Quentar - before Granada) can get booked up.

Ok thanks for the help.