I have been re-writing the Invierno guide to incorporate changes suggested by this past summer's pilgrims. I am having a hard time figuring out the part around Alto de Faro. Since I walked it several years ago, my memory is kind of fuzzy on the specifics. Here is what I have pieced together, mainly from KinkyOne and my own notes, but I'm not sure I've fit all the pieces back into the correct spot. Thanks in advance if you can help out.
8.3km Penasillas
There is another peto de ánimas here. Penasillas offers a fountain of cold spring water. The wise pilgrim will fill up here for the long climb up a timbering road toward the Alto de Faro shrine. There is also a bar here, but pilgrims have found it closed at mid-morning. Others have reported going through early in the morning with quite a few loud barking loose dogs. Waymarking is quite good, both up and down.
The next five kms steadily ascend to the Alto de Faro. Eventually you reach an asphalt road with a monolith and a spring on the right. Clear cutting has confused the trail in parts, but it is not too difficult to follow.
5km Alto de Faro
Atop this tall mountain is a beloved regional shrine, considered the geographical center of Galicia province. A shady picnic area and spring offer refreshment after the climb; from there stout hearts may want to make the final ascent to the top, where the shrine is located, along a manicured Way of the Cross that is traditionally done in bare feet. Some pilgrims recommend staying on the pavement for the ascent. You will return to this point to continue on the Camino. If you do not want to go up to the church from here, go right from the water basin and through the forest for about 20 m and you will see the Camino again.
From the picnic area, the marked Camino leaves the tarmac on the right beyond the picnic area, and parallels windmills on a limestone access road with lovely views back to Chantada. Six km further on, the path meets pavement again, turns left, and crosses a bridge over the big Lalín-Chantada highway. Here you pick up yellow arrows again, but look carefully at the stone marker – someone has chipped loose the mortar and reversed the arrow, pointing you left, along the highway that leads directly into Rodeiro. That is the CC-53.
The CC-553, carries traffic to the shrine from Rodeiro. Tired pilgrims may want to follow the road down into town, 8 kms on. Note, though that this option gets a strong negative reaction from some pilgrims who took it. They say the roads get confusing, there are no arrows, and it is generally a bad idea.
If you have stayed on the Camino, you will walk by many windmills. A granite waymarker shows the Camino de Invierno off to your left. This pretty path passes El Pazo de Camba and the friendly hamlet of Leboro, where two useful bars fuel the final push into Rodeiro, with its restaurants and accommodation.
8.3km Penasillas
There is another peto de ánimas here. Penasillas offers a fountain of cold spring water. The wise pilgrim will fill up here for the long climb up a timbering road toward the Alto de Faro shrine. There is also a bar here, but pilgrims have found it closed at mid-morning. Others have reported going through early in the morning with quite a few loud barking loose dogs. Waymarking is quite good, both up and down.
The next five kms steadily ascend to the Alto de Faro. Eventually you reach an asphalt road with a monolith and a spring on the right. Clear cutting has confused the trail in parts, but it is not too difficult to follow.
5km Alto de Faro
Atop this tall mountain is a beloved regional shrine, considered the geographical center of Galicia province. A shady picnic area and spring offer refreshment after the climb; from there stout hearts may want to make the final ascent to the top, where the shrine is located, along a manicured Way of the Cross that is traditionally done in bare feet. Some pilgrims recommend staying on the pavement for the ascent. You will return to this point to continue on the Camino. If you do not want to go up to the church from here, go right from the water basin and through the forest for about 20 m and you will see the Camino again.
From the picnic area, the marked Camino leaves the tarmac on the right beyond the picnic area, and parallels windmills on a limestone access road with lovely views back to Chantada. Six km further on, the path meets pavement again, turns left, and crosses a bridge over the big Lalín-Chantada highway. Here you pick up yellow arrows again, but look carefully at the stone marker – someone has chipped loose the mortar and reversed the arrow, pointing you left, along the highway that leads directly into Rodeiro. That is the CC-53.
The CC-553, carries traffic to the shrine from Rodeiro. Tired pilgrims may want to follow the road down into town, 8 kms on. Note, though that this option gets a strong negative reaction from some pilgrims who took it. They say the roads get confusing, there are no arrows, and it is generally a bad idea.
If you have stayed on the Camino, you will walk by many windmills. A granite waymarker shows the Camino de Invierno off to your left. This pretty path passes El Pazo de Camba and the friendly hamlet of Leboro, where two useful bars fuel the final push into Rodeiro, with its restaurants and accommodation.
