Olvidado detour at La Robla?

[Arctic_Alex]

As I had to trash my VdlP plans for this spring, I am still looking for a short walk to ease the pain .... and I ended up considering the Salvador. I know Leon from walking the Francés and Oviedo from walking the Primitivo, so starting point and finish feel a bit like being on home turf .

However, I would like to extend the Salvador a (tiny) bit. So I got this idea to turn east in La Robla and follow one of the Camino Olvidado alternatives reverse all the way to Boñar and from there the other Olvidado route via Vegacervera to Buiza back on the Salvador.

I wonder however, what would I then miss out on the stretch from La Robla to Buiza?
Also, I heard that the food situation North of Buiza is kind of sparse and it is advised to buy provisions in La Pola, exactly on that stretch that I consider to skip.

Any advice from those who maybe know both the Salvador and the Olvidado? Ideas? Thoughts? Are those stretches of the Olvidado worth the hassle?

 

[peregrina2000]

Are those stretches of the Olvidado worth the hassle?

I had to look at a map to piece this together, but now I get it. So, you would go León to La Robla - Boñar - Vegacervera - Buiza and then continue back on the Salvador. (Robla to Boñar is actually “backwards” on the Olvidado, but you need to take that backtrack to get to the starting point of the Vegacervera alternative, at least that is how I see it).

Boñar-Vegacervera -Buiza are some of the days of real mountain beauty on the Olvidado. La Robla-Boñar not so much. I think that if you want a taste of what is in store for you if you walk the Olvidado, this is a good way to dip your toes in the water so to speak.

La Robla to Buiza is a lot of asphalt (but it does have the selfie moment with the wolf up on the mountain) and is not the prettiest part of the Salvador, IMHO, so I think it’s a good trade. And the closure of the café/bar at the Buen Succeso Ermita means that you can’t get an astonishingly good pincho of tortilla there anymore, so it’s one less thing you will miss!

In terms of stocking up, Boñar has plenty of shops. There is a Día in Ciñera, which is not far from Buiza on the Olvidado. So I think you will be fine in terms of buying food.

Sounds like an interesting idea, and I am sure you will not regret the day in or out of Vegacervera, they are both wonderful.

 

[Arctic_Alex]

I had to look at a map to piece this together, but now I get it. So, you would go León to La Robla - Boñar - Vegacervera - Buiza and then continue back on the Salvador. (Robla to Boñar is actually “backwards” on the Olvidado, but you need to take that backtrack to get to the starting point of the Vegacervera alternative, at least that is how I see it).

That is exactly what I meant. Sorry, it was all so clear to me as I was looking at a map. But just put into a long row of words does not help visualization for those reading it.

Boñar-Vegacervera -Buiza are some of the days of real mountain beauty on the Olvidado. La Robla-Boñar not so much. I think that if you want a taste of what is in store for you if you walk the Olvidado, this is a good way to dip your toes in the water so to speak.

That was what I was hoping for ... as I cannot afford a whole Olvidado this year in terms of time off.

In terms of stocking up, Boñar has plenty of shops. There is a Día in Ciñera, which is not far from Buiza on the Olvidado. So I think you will be fine in terms of buying food.

I was a bit unsure as there are not many shops to be found on Google Maps in the area. But it is helpful to hear from someone who has actually been there on the ground.

Thanks for taking the time