Simperegrina
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Frances 2023-24, Portugues Central, Invierno 2024
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this alternative route branches off at Boimorto. We took it but weren’t impressed - little if interest, lots of road walking and no albergues.The last possible place you are joining the Frances will probably by at the airport.
In 2017 this have been my last towns before ScC.
Boimorto - Monte dos Campos, Monte do Vilar, Traitosende, Lugar do Río - Santiso - A Esquipa - As Quintas - Cimadevila - Aeropuerto de Santiago de Compostela (Lavacolla) - San Paio - A Lavacolla – Vilamaior - Camping Monte Do Gozo - San Marcos - Monte do Gozo - Santiago de Compostela
Check on GRONZE the doted way.
You are right, but no other pilgrims.
Good on you, we think alike!I would just go to Arzua and power through the rest of the Frances. I went from Arzua to Lavacola in one day and I was prepared to keep going if I didn't get a bed. I would have went to Monte do Gozo. From Arzua it is just two short stages of less than 20 km each to get to Santiago. From Arzua I did 29 km to Lavacolla. I would start out early because it seems that the high school kids only hike in the daylight. If you start in the dark, that gives you more time to hike without the high school kids, then it takes them a while to catch up to you. If you are in shape because you've done all of the Norte, you should be fine with powering through the last 40 km.
They must have had some bad experiences with pilgrims/guests since I stayed there in 2019 because I don't remember such restrictions. It was a very nice place to stay. I had a private room with one bed with shared bath.July last year I split off in Boimorto, (signposted). I stayed at Twin Pines in Goimil, nice rooms, (just three beds in each) very clean, pleasant garden, average food. You can either call or book them on booking. Most reports on the place are average, because they literally charge for every little thing - you pay for the wine by the glass for example. And there is a distinct lack of trust: everything but your breakfast needs are removed from the fridge overnight!
Possibly, @ratherbefollowingflechas reported :They must have had some bad experiences with pilgrims/guests since I stayed there in 2019 because I don't remember such restrictions. It was a very nice place to stay. I had a private room with one bed with shared bath.
I guess they've replaced the fridge (no lock)and they simply remove everything. And I got two cups of coffee, with sugar and milk, so things are improving. My experience with the sello was the same.Overall, it is a lovely place, but you will be charged for everything, including wine with dinner. Breakfast was super grim and is listed exactly on the fridge. Plain white bread, warm juice, coffee without milk or sugar, and measured to be one cup per person. The juice is warm because they lock the refrigerator overnight - which is what left the bad taste in my mouth... The total lack of trust that pilgrims would steal from them. You will also not get your sello until after dinner and you have settled your bill...
July last year I split off in Boimorto, (signposted). I stayed at Twin Pines in Goimil
I'm really bad at remembering names.. but I hopped from Norte to Primitivo, then at Lugo, hopped over to Camino Norte through Camino San Roman (I think that is name) and then in Sobrado d. Baamonde???), there are 2 options, ... Most do the option to the left... I do option to the right and end up with 1 night on CF (near O Pedrouza?) and into Santiago early next morning.Am on the Norte rn, looking to walk into SdC the morning on Sun 23 Jun. I have read of a way of avoiding joining the Frances till SdC’s airport perimeter, but I can’t easily find any directions or guides when I search. Any help - much appreciated…
Walked it. Easy to follow. After Biomorto there is a split, marked with the arrows. There is another split later again taking you to the French. If you keep following the arrows to the right you come onto the French Camino at the end of the runway at Lavacolla. Good luckAm on the Norte rn, looking to walk into SdC the morning on Sun 23 Jun. I have read of a way of avoiding joining the Frances till SdC’s airport perimeter, but I can’t easily find any directions or guides when I search. Any help - much appreciated…
This situation can usually be avoided by leaving later in the morning if possible. And/or not staying in popular end stage towns.The only day I did not enjoy it was the day walking out of Portomarin when there was a conga line up the first hill and then a huge queue at the first cafe (but not the second!).
Agree, but I also stayed in Palas de Rei, Arzua, Melide and O Pedrouzo, all stage towns. I left only slightly earlier each day but did not encounter anything like the conga line, just a steady trickle of pilgrims to begin with and later I often walked alone. The whole 'last 100km' experience was nothing like as bad as I had feared. Maybe I was between waves.This situation can usually be avoided by leaving later in the morning if possible. And/or not staying in popular end stage towns.
I know of 2 Brazilian ladies who powered through from Arzua right into SdC.
I swear... I must've been in some Twilight zone. I ABSOLUTELY do NOT remember any long stretch beside the highway!The first part of the way to Lavacolla this morning was really rather nice, whereas the long stretch beside the busy highway till the airport just requires a head down-get on with it approach.
Oh it definitely goes alongside the highway for a while! I had yet another reminder of how similar aspects of Spain can be to New Zealand there - logging truck after logging truck flying along the highway!I swear... I must've been in some Twilight zone. I ABSOLUTELY do NOT remember any long stretch beside the highway!
... I left O Pedrouso around 8AM. Although the morning started clear and sunny the fog started rolling in shortly thereafter and I was passing the airport by 9:00AM in complete fog (I could see folks walking next to me of course but not the planes; if it wasn't for the roar of the engines on the runway I wouldn't have even known that I was walking next to the airport) But I was on a path not next to any highway at all....
What about skipping over to the Ingles and coming a completely different way? I’ve thought about that..Am on the Norte rn, looking to walk into SdC the morning on Sun 23 Jun. I have read of a way of avoiding joining the Frances till SdC’s airport perimeter, but I can’t easily find any directions or guides when I search. Any help - much appreciated…
That's what I'm planning on doing, the next time I'm on the Norte.What about skipping over to the Ingles and coming a completely different way? I’ve thought about that..
Great idea, John.That's what I'm planning on doing, the next time I'm on the Norte.
I'll continue along the coast on the Ruta Del Mar (?) until Ferrol and then follow the Ingles.
When I last did the Norte, 2 years ago, I only spoke to a few pilgrims during the evening as all the municipal albergues were closed so when I reached Arzua I found it hard to cope with the large number of pilgrims I saw there. I had intended doing the last 40kms in two days but I just couldn't wait to get away from the crowds so I did it in one go. 40kms wasn't that abnormal for the Norte so it wasn't a problem.
My plan for next year is to do the Catalan and join the Frances, either at Logroño or Burgos and then join the Invierno just so I can avoid those crowds. I prefer the quiet routes.
Some people get irritated with me when I suggest that you power through the last 100 km of the Frances. But that's what a fair amount of people actually do.I had intended doing the last 40kms in two days but I just couldn't wait to get away from the crowds so I did it in one go. 40kms wasn't that abnormal for the Norte so it wasn't a problem.
In this case, coming from the Norte there is another option that completely avoids the Francés until Lavacolla (which is exactly what @Simperegrina did). No "powering through" necessary.Some people get irritated with me when I suggest that you power through the last 100 km of the Frances. But that's what a fair amount of people actually do.
Dick Bird took the other option and wasn't impressed. He said there was little of interest, and a lot of road walk. So, yes, you can completely avoid the CF until Lavacolla, but going to Arzua and powering through is a perfectly good option. So, is switching over to the Ingles. So, yes, those are all viable options. If you really want to avoid the CF until the end, take the road walk option. But perhaps the person needs to reevaluate what they are hiking. If they want to avoid crowds, going to Santiago is not the way to do it.In this case, coming from the Norte there is another option that completely avoids the Francés until Lavacolla (which is exactly what @Simperegrina did). No "powering through" necessary.
Dick Bird took the other option and wasn't impressed. He said there was little of interest, and a lot of road walk. So, yes, you can completely avoid the CF until Lavacolla, but going to Arzua and powering through is a perfectly good option. So, is switching over to the Ingles. So, yes, those are all viable options. If you really want to avoid the CF until the end, take the road walk option. But perhaps the person needs to reevaluate what they are hiking. If they want to avoid crowds, going to Santiago is not the way to do it.
It is certainly feasible. But the vast majority certainly can't do it and don't want to do it. It does not necessarily correspond to the idea of pilgrimage.Some people get irritated with me when I suggest that you power through the last 100 km of the Frances. But that's what a fair amount of people actually do.
Simperegrina did not take the Frances through O Pedrouso, but the alternative as described before. So no Twilight zone for you .I swear... I must've been in some Twilight zone. I ABSOLUTELY do NOT remember any long stretch beside the highway!
... I left O Pedrouso around 8AM. Although the morning started clear and sunny the fog started rolling in shortly thereafter and I was passing the airport by 9:00AM in complete fog (I could see folks walking next to me of course but not the planes; if it wasn't for the roar of the engines on the runway I wouldn't have even known that I was walking next to the airport) But I was on a path not next to any highway at all....
You do what you want, but my advice is perfectly good. If I wrote down on this forum that water was wet, I'm sure there would be someone to disagree with me.Ahem. I will certainly give due consideration to your advice when I starting planning my 5th, 6th and 7th Caminos to Santiago.
And disregard it.
The PCT, AT and CDT are National Scenic Trails and are very beautiful. They are considered the most scenic trails in the U.S. I would never suggest that they be powered through, or that's what they are for. There are some sections that it would be diligent if you make good time. For instance on the Pacific Crest Trail there is a stretch where there is 9 days worth of hiking between resupply points. If you do that stretch too slowly you will run out of foodIt is certainly feasible. But the vast majority certainly can't do it and don't want to do it. It does not necessarily correspond to the idea of pilgrimage.
This is what the PCT, AT and CDT are for.
@Simperegrina already made a decision and arrived in Santiago last weekIt looks like it’s a $9 bus ride from Vilalba to Ferrol and the Ingles, if you don’t want the crowd or the Road walking past the airport.
Thanks everyone. Took the split in Biomorte yday and stayed in Twin Pines. The 10km along the road to the B&B was fine. The first part of the way to Lavacolla this morning was really rather nice, whereas the long stretch beside the busy highway till the airport just requires a head down-get on with it approach. Or a walking companion with whom you can chat - which is what I had. We saw no other pilgrims today from leaving Twin Pines, until the airport perimeter. Amazing! No one else opted for max Frances avoidance. Seeing pics other Norte people were sending me, having started from Arzúa this morning, the contrast seemed surreal.
We can still argue, though.@Simperegrina already made a decision and arrived in Santiago last week
I respectfully disagree.You do what you want, but my advice is perfectly good. If I wrote down on this forum that water was wet, I'm sure there would be someone to disagree with me.
If I am going to Arzua (and I think I already quipped about it in earlier post) I am SOOOO getting laden with QUESO that I am NOT even put-putting through.Dick Bird took the other option and wasn't impressed. He said there was little of interest, and a lot of road walk. So, yes, you can completely avoid the CF until Lavacolla, but going to Arzua and powering through is a perfectly good option.
I'm from Wisconsin, So, yes I know about cheese. But I didn't knowI mean, come ON, you should KNOW all about CHEESE, right?
All we would need is beer and it would be like we were back in Wisconsin!!!!So.... (saying it in-good-humor spirit) if you slow down and stop to smell that cheese ....
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