Mozarabe from Almeria 13th February

steve cole · Jan 28, 2019

Hi
I start my next Camino on 13th February from Almeria to Cape Finesterre should take about 45 day. I walk alone, but like the company at the end of the day. It would be good to connect with fellow pilgrims.

Feel free to drop me a line

. My Instagram is steve1963cole. This will be my 6th Camino since September 2016 .

Buen Camino

Carel5 · Jan 28, 2019

There are reports from me and others in the first items of this forum. Some information is outdated as the Mozarabe gets more popular and there are some new albergues. The Amigos of Almeria are very helpful, and I advice you to consult their website and to contact them before you start because they warn the albergues that you are on your way. Just one urgent advice: be prepared for cold weather. Buon camino Steve.

steve cole · Jan 28, 2019

Carel5 said:
There are reports from me and others in the first items of this forum. Some information is outdated as the Mozarabe gets more popular and there are some new albergues. The Amigos of Almeria are very helpful, and I advice you to consult their website and to contact them before you start because they warn the albergues that you are on your way. Just one urgent advice: be prepared for cold weather. Buon camino Steve.

Thanks my friend, I have seen the website and downloaded everything via the Drive App. I will call each morning for the next albergue

. Cold weather? How cold , did Camino Frances in January last year and that was a nippy at times.

Your advise is most welcome

Martyduc · Jan 29, 2019

walking alongside of the Sierra Nevada last March had cold headwinds straight off the snow ,,,and even some flurries of snow on 2 days ,,, but a beautiful Camino,,, tho 45 days to finesterre is very fast ,,, with rest days i took 80 days ,,, tho meet others doing it in about 60 days !!! Enjoy ,,,oh and on the Mozarabe had 2 seperate weeks of no other Pilgrims at all,,,so Merida on the vldp was quite a shock ,,,good shock !!!

Deleted member 73526 · Jan 29, 2019

Beatrice walked Almeria to Finisterre in 40 days last year, so it's doable if you enjoy walking big stages.

If that's your style, you might consider starting your trip at Cabo de Gato - That will allow you to walk the full "diagonal" across Spain. If you stay at Jorge Sagara's home/albergue near Almeria airport, he would probably drive you down to the cape to start your Camino (ask him in advance). He is also happy to collect pilgrims from the airport and provide advice about the route. His contact details are in the Guia published by the association.

Beatrice's stages: Almeria - Merida in 18 days
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/stages-and-photos-almería-to-merida-in-18-days.58743/

Beatrice's stages: Merida - Santiago in 20 days
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...a-to-santiago-de-compostela-in-20-days.58744/

At that pace, there's a good chance that you'll meet people along the way. Folks like me, who cover roughly half that distance per day, can find themselves a day or two behind or ahead the next pilgrims all the way to Merida.

As Martyduc said, the winds off the Sierra Nevada, some of the highest peaks in mainland Spain, can be chilly at this time of year. The Camino itself rises from sea level to >1,300m at Alquife and just before Quentar.

Carel5 · Jan 29, 2019

steve cole said:
Thanks my friend, I have seen the website and downloaded everything via the Drive App. I will call each morning for the next albergue . Cold weather? How cold , did Camino Frances in January last year and that was a nippy at times.

Your advise is most welcome

Some days I walked against a strong and cold wind. Very cold was the albergue in Hueneja, where I slept in my merino and used two blankets, and still felt cold. I presume that in February it will still be colder than in April, so take some warm clothes, extra layers, and so on.

Lavdrum · Jan 29, 2019

Hi Steve,
I walked Almería to Merida last October. Weather was excellent for the most part. The pilgrim Albergues will usually be without hospitaleros and often the number you ring is the Ayuntamiento so don’t leave your phone call til the afternoon as the phone may go unanswered! I was often alone in the Albergues. They are mostly well equipped.
The amigos in Almeria are very much on the ball but their remit only runs up to Granada. After that point the associations are not as active but the route is generally well marked-I found the stage leaving Granada poorly marked though.
After Granada the olive plantations seem to be interminable and somewhat monotonous but the Mozarabe is a beautiful Camino overall.
Buen Camino!
John.

steve cole · Jan 29, 2019

Martyduc said:
walking alongside of the Sierra Nevada last March had cold headwinds straight off the snow ,,,and even some flurries of snow on 2 days ,,, but a beautiful Camino,,, tho 45 days to finesterre is very fast ,,, with rest days i took 80 days ,,, tho meet others doing it in about 60 days !!! Enjoy ,,,oh and on the Mozarabe had 2 seperate weeks of no other Pilgrims at all,,,so Merida on the vldp was quite a shock ,,,good shock !!!

Thanks for that, I will take care his innto account, I travel with 30lt ruck sack , try to keep the weight down to less than 10kg, will have light weight warm clothes (layers) but hopefully when I get to Merida beginning of March spring should be on its way

steve cole · Jan 29, 2019

Lavdrum said:
Hi Steve,
I walked Almería to Merida last October. Weather was excellent for the most part. The pilgrim Albergues will usually be without hospitaleros and often the number you ring is the Ayuntamiento so don’t leave your phone call til the afternoon as the phone may go unanswered! I was often alone in the Albergues. They are mostly well equipped.
The amigos in Almeria are very much on the ball but their remit only runs up to Granada. After that point the associations are not as active but the route is generally well marked-I found the stage leaving Granada poorly marked though.
After Granada the olive plantations seem to be interminable and somewhat monotonous but the Mozarabe is a beautiful Camino overall.
Buen Camino!
John.

Thank you john for your advice

steve cole · Jan 29, 2019

Raggy said:
Beatrice walked Almeria to Finisterre in 40 days last year, so it's doable if you enjoy walking big stages.

If that's your style, you might consider starting your trip at Cabo de Gato - That will allow you to walk the full "diagonal" across Spain. If you stay at Jorge Sagara's home/albergue near Almeria airport, he would probably drive you down to the cape to start your Camino (ask him in advance). He is also happy to collect pilgrims from the airport and provide advice about the route. His contact details are in the Guia published by the association.

Beatrice's stages: Almeria - Merida in 18 days
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/stages-and-photos-almería-to-merida-in-18-days.58743/

Beatrice's stages: Merida - Santiago in 20 days
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...a-to-santiago-de-compostela-in-20-days.58744/

At that pace, there's a good chance that you'll meet people along the way. Folks like me, who cover roughly half that distance per day, can find themselves a day or two behind or ahead the next pilgrims all the way to Merida.

As Martyduc said, the winds off the Sierra Nevada, some of the highest peaks in mainland Spain, can be chilly at this time of year. The Camino itself rises from sea level to >1,300m at Alquife and just before Quentar.

Thank you Raggy, lots to take onboard, starting from the sea sounds like a good Idea. I arrive late at bus station on 12th, booked a youth hostel ( not a youth mind you) but it's near the sea

. I am in contact with Camino amigos in Almeria so that helps. I did the VDP in Sep/Oct last year so from Merida I know what to expect. Hoping it will take no longer than 3weeks to get to Mirida?

Cheers

Steve

DSouthard · Mar 3, 2019

Carel5 said:
There are reports from me and others in the first items of this forum. Some information is outdated as the Mozarabe gets more popular and there are some new albergues. The Amigos of Almeria are very helpful, and I advice you to consult their website and to contact them before you start because they warn the albergues that you are on your way. Just one urgent advice: be prepared for cold weather. Buon camino Steve.

Could you post the Amigos of Almeria website address?
Another question: I have a guide from Almeria (PDF) but it doesn't contain any information on albergues. Is there an albergue associated with the cathedral or nearby? Do you have a recommendation on where to stay the night before heading out?

Carel5 · Mar 3, 2019

DSouthard said:
Could you post the Amigos of Almeria website address?
Another question: I have a guide from Almeria (PDF) but it doesn't contain any information on albergues. Is there an albergue associated with the cathedral or nearby? Do you have a recommendation on where to stay the night before heading out?

This is the website of the Asociación Jacobea de Almería- Granada Camino Mozárabe .

CAMINO MOZARABE DE SANTIAGO DE ALMERIA a GRANADA. PREMIO ELIAS VALIÑA 2019

Blog sobre el Camino Mozárabe de Santiago

www.almeriajacobea.es

And this is their guide. It is in Spanish but the albergues and their phone numbers are easy to find.

GUIA ALMERIA MERIDA ETAPAS NOVIEMBRE 18.pdf

drive.google.com

There are also GPX-tracks on their site.

The first night I stayed in Hotel Perla in the centre of Almeria, but there is also a Youth Hostel (Albergo Juvenil).

Anyhow, it is good to contact the Amigos. They are very helpful in finding accomodation or to solve any other problem.

After Granada there are more routes than the one in this guide. There is an alternative route from Pinos Pente which avoids a river crossing.

Deleted member 73526 · Mar 3, 2019

DSouthard said:
Could you post the Amigos of Almeria website address?

The association Facebook page is more up to date than its website. I recommend visiting It rather than the website for the latest guides etc.
https://m.facebook.com/CaminoMozarabeDesantiagodealmeriagranada/

February-March 2019 edition of the guide to albergues is here (and on Facebook)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cAiQ0sUh_9F3Xnx8kuh3tCVP87rxWyhr/view

DSouthard said:
Do you have a recommendation on where to stay the night before heading out?

If you want central accommodation by the cathedral you can find a hotel / hostal / airbnb On the usual comparison sites. On my first visit, I used some Marriott points to stay at the AC hotel near the church of Santiago (a short walk from the cathedral on the Camino route).

The youth hostel is near to the bus / railway station on the south east of the city, I think. The other option listed in the guide is Jorge Sagarra‘s place -

My recommendation is to stay at Jorge Sagarra‘s home (Molina de aguafresca) near the airport. Jorge has rooms for pilgrims on the ground floor. He will meet you at the airport, tell you all about the route and provide you with a credential, provide dinner and breakfast, and drop you off at the cathedral in the morning. There’s also a bus route from the main road near his house to downtown Almeria.

steve cole · Mar 3, 2019

In Almeria I stayed at youth hostel, 15 euro with big breakfast. The guide is updated every month . It's accurate between Almeria and Granada. But from Granada not so not great , there are blogs and info on Ivar that are more up-to-date.