The historic paths that run through the Eastern Mountains of Leon

[davejsy]

Los caminos históricos que recorren la Montaña Oriental Leonesa

Diario de Valderrueda - El Camino Olvidado, la Ruta Vadiniense, el Camino Lebaniego Leonés, y otros senderos conservan siglos de historia y un importante patrimonio ...

www.diariodevalderrueda.es

A really interesting article for anyone who is a lover of this part of Spain, and some of the less trodden Caminos. It also seems to suggest some interesting slight variants; for instance on the Vadiniense:

- Stage 2B: Collado del Grillo Variant. This variation of the route takes us into the Lechada Valley, the valley of the seven glacial lakes, crowns the Collado del Grillo, and crosses Tierra de la Reina to reach Riaño.

The Lechada valley is a beautiful wild expansive valley. Also it seems to mention that from Boca de Huergano to Riano you pass through the Bosque de Hormas which is to the right of the road - I was always under the impression that the route followed the road although there are undoubtedly trails through there and they are magical woods.

 

[peregrina2000]

I was always under the impression that the route followed the road

Yes, it’s kind of a slog day and I had no idea there was a variant.

Wikiloc shows the Collado Grillo variant, with a stern heads up that it is challenging and without phone service.

https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/etapa-3-portilla-de-la-reina-riano-por-la-collada-del-grillo-89326545

When I walked the Lebaniego-Vadiniense, on the first long day from San Vicente to La Fuente I was glued to the side of the road. Some elderly residents told me that there were numerous off-road trails connecting the villages. They said these paths pre-dated the roads but the people marking the caminos took the more direct and flatter options. Since I walked, there has been some attempt to get people off the road, with a re-route through Cades. But I think the Camino is probably not the most scenic way to enjoy that part of Spain.