Camino Levante (The Eastern Way) begins in Valencia on the Mediterranean coast. It is a 1,200 kilometer journey to Santiago de Compostela taking pilgrims through 5 regions; Valencia, Castilla La-Mancha, Madrid, Castilla y Leon, and Galicia. In addition, it passes through cities such as Albacete, Toledo, Avila and Zamora. In Zamora it intersects with Camino Via de la Plata and 2 days later connects in Granja de Moreruela to the Camino Sanabres which then takes one to Santiago. There are also several days in Don Quixote country which can be a highlight for Cervantes fans.
The Asociacion Amigos de Santiago Comunidad Valencia(http://vieiragrino.com/) offers an excellent app which is all we used to traverse the 850K from Valencia to Zamora.
With record numbers this year on the Camino, pilgrims are seeking alternatives to the Camino Frances. Be aware the headcount rises dramatically upon reaching Sarria. The good news is there are plenty of alternatives. In fact, 8 other Caminos with each offering a great Camino experience. Starting your Camino from Sarria can still be a …
8 Alternatives to Walking The Camino de Santiago From Sarria: Read More »
At La Cala Pilgrims Inn, on the Coastal Camino Portuguese in the small village of Oia. After resuming Camino Levante and walking 26 days we enjoyed a couple days in Santiago. We wanted to be somewhere quieter outside of a city somewhere in Galicia. Unexpectedly, some business dealings required us to go to Baiona on …
Albergueria to Xunqueira de Ambia to Ourense: We departed Albergueria with still cloudy skies. In fact, I dragged my fingertip on an outdoor table to find it coated with red sand from the Sahara. Before leaving I found my shell from 5 years earlier on the wall across from my dorm bed. The walk early …
Camino Levante/Sanabria Day 36-37 Albergueria to Ourense: Read More »
Kind Carmen from Hostel Carlos V gave us lift to train and walked us in to the big new station of the Express Train. Though it seems to be overkill as there are just a few people. We arrived in A Gudina a short half hour later and got off at another huge new station, …
Camino Levante/Sanabres Days 34-35 Puebla de Sanabria to Albergueria Read More »
Probably the coldest day today. The first part, 10K to Mombuey was on the high plains with little sun. A cold wind blowing into our faces sapped my energy. Took a tea break at Bar la Ruta one of the better bars. We decided to taxi to Asturianos and then walk the final 16K to …
Camino Levante/Sanabres Day 33. Rionegro to Puebla de Sanabria Read More »
On a cold day on the 31st day of the Camino Levante we arrived in Rionegro del Puente and made a beeline for Teo’s restaurant, Me Gusta Comer (I like to eat). Teo suggested we take a seat by the roaring stove fire and relax. Why not. Following his direction, after a 5 hour long …
Perhaps the Finest Meñu Del Dia on Camino Sanabres Or Any Camino: Read More »
Bussed on rainy day ahead from Zamora to Santa Marta de Tera to catch up with Camino buddy Mariska. Surprisingly we passed my Dutch friend a few hundred meters before we were left in the small plaza adjacent to Church of Santiago. Mariska and I had connected on FB yesterday, realizing we were close to …
Camino Levante Days 31-32. Camarzana de Tera to Rionegro del Puente: Read More »
One of the most special moments on The Camino is an unexpected, unplanned encounter with an old friends or Camino buddie. Having walked many Caminos it has happened repeatedly to me, so it doesn’t surprise me anymore when it happens. However, my latest Camino which I am walking now is Camino Levante, sometimes called “The …
Such a beautiful old town. Decided to take a rest day and come back and explore some more. Especially do a tour of the Cathedral. And then celebrate our completion of 800 kilometer Camino Levante with great local wine and Foie Gras. Though it is still 450 to Santiago via Camino Via de la Plata …
Reached Zamora which is the end of the Camino Levante. We connect here with the Camino Via de la Plata (VDLP) which starts 565 kilometers to the south in Seville. The Camino of “Solitude” proved to be an appropriate alias for Camino Levante as we completed its 850 Kilometers without seeing a single fellow pilgrim. …
Wow. This is a new experience. Saharan Sand Greying up the skies. As we walked on Tuesday of this week the forecast said sunny but disappointingly the sun never broke through. How surprising to learn it was the red sand of the Saharan blocking the warmth and light of the sun. Yesterday, March 17, I …
More high plains and the beautiful town of Toro. Walked around Toro taking sunrise photos. Toro is the center of the excellent Toro wine region. Tempranillo grapes. Unfortunately here on a Sunday when all the Bordegas are closed. Another good town to come back to for a few days as a tourist. Walking around the …
Hard to leave the cozy Convent accommodation but we are pilgrims so we trudge on as I hope my hamstring tightness eases up which may be wishful thinking as we walk on in the cold. At edge of town we came to a fork indicating Camino Sureste continued north and then northwest to Benavente on …
Camino Levante. Day 27 Medina del Campo to Nava del Rey Read More »
Walking out of Arevalo are some nice churches of course with storks nesting high up. At the far north end of town was one more well preserved castle. The Levante spans across lands that were hotly contested between the Christian and Moor armies hence all the castles. While we are now in March, the temperatures …
Camino Levante Day 25 Arevalo to Medina del Campo Read More »
Leaving Gotarrendura at 8:30 it was chilly with the wind blowing freely across the open plains. Finally after 12k we fortunately passed Bar Volente in Tiñosillos. In fact it was the only open bar today, and a nice one. A friendly bartender and a very good tortilla de patata. Afterwards, we walked out of town …
We departed Avila at 9 walking on pavement going up to cross and view back to Avila at sunrise. For pilgrims following in our footsteps, I would suggest coming up here at sunrise. It is only a 10-15 minute walk from albergue. The first 1/2 hour or so required walking on a not busy highway …
Why not stay an extra night in this beautiful old town, a World Heritage Site since 1985. We had a comfortable albergue to ourselves. Grateful for the adequate small space heaters as the old building is cold.Avila is the highest provincial capital in Spain at 1,130 meters. The cold seems to be wearing me …
Leaving San Bartolomé de Pinares it was still cloudy but fortunately the rain held off. The views back to San Bartolomé were beautiful with many blossoming almond trees. After following a paved road for a few K, we ascended into the mountains on a narrow rocky path a couple hundred meters. We then hit a …
Mika and I waited at the cozy Hotel El Castrejon hoping the rain would subside. The guide suggests a 37K walk but with the rains we will walk just 15 as there is a municipal albergue in San Bartolome de Pinares. Nearing 10 the rain slowed to a drizzle though it was cold. After walking …
Camino Levante Day 21 UP into the cold and rain. Read More »
We had been surprised at how mild the weather had been so far but when you undertake a Camino in February/March one risks cold wet weather so no complaints here. Ultreia! Onward. We left the cozy, though a bit chilly parish albergue at 8:30 for another walk in beautiful countryside. Descended to pine forest and …
Camino Levante; ‘Winter Returns’ Day 20 Caldosa to Cebreros Read More »