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<P>Note that there are two routes between Leon and Hospital del Orbigo. The traditional route follows the highway and is somewhat shorter, but there is also a "walkers route" slightly to the east that follows farm roads and trails through an agricultural area. When the weather is good, the "walker's route" is much more pleasant. The routes split at the hideous (in my eyes at least) basilica at Virgen del Camino. The rural route heads to the left across the highway and downhill, passing for a few hundred meters though some suburban development and new highway construction (Spain's national pasttime) then goes through several small villages and up onto a plateau which is largely unpopulated. Later the Camino passes into more developed farmlands, and there are several villages with bars and at least one refugio between Leon and Hospital. The routes reconnect near Hospital's famous bridge. The CSJ guide describes both routes.!
<BR>As an aside, I found the walk from central Leon to Virgen to be unpleasant, about 6 kms through nondescript industrial suburbs, so last autumn I opted for a taxi (bus service is available on weekdays, but I was leaving Leon on Sunday) and began to walk at Virgen. <BR><BR><BR></P></DIV>
<DIV>E. O. Pederson</DIV>
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<DIV>Seattle, WA</DIV>
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<DIV></DIV>>From: Pekka Ketola <PEKKA.KETOLAaNOKIA.COM>
<DIV></DIV>>Reply-To: Road to Santiago Pilgrimage <GOCAMINOaPETE.URI.EDU>
<DIV></DIV>>To: GOCAMINOaPETE.URI.EDU
<DIV></DIV>>Subject: Re: Introduction
<DIV></DIV>>Date: Tue, 1 Oct 2002 13:25:11 +0300
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>Hi!
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>I returned from that same target few days ago.
<DIV></DIV>>
<DIV></DIV>>You need at least 11 day if you are in a hurry (~30 km/day), but I propose having at least two weeks time to enjoy, communicate and stay on the path, and to heal your feet.
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<DIV></DIV>>The first day after Leon is a bit frustrating - you have to walk long strethces by larger roads, and there is not much to see, expect other peregrinos. After that the rest of the walk is beautiful.
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<DIV></DIV>>You get easily to Leon by train. I also learned that Iberia has a flight connection to Leon from Barcelona.
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<DIV></DIV>>Pekka
<DIV></DIV>> > -----Original Message-----
<DIV></DIV>> > From: ext David Newton [mailto:nstn1755aCA.INTER.NET]
<DIV></DIV>> > Sent: 01 October, 2002 13:14
<DIV></DIV>> > To: GOCAMINOaPETE.URI.EDU
<DIV></DIV>> > Subject: Introduction
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> >
<DIV></DIV>> > I hope to walk from Leon to Santiago next April - time constraints
<DIV></DIV>> > prevent a longer journey. I shall be seventy by then but
<DIV></DIV>> > reasonably fit
<DIV></DIV>> > and would like to do this before time's winged chariot gets too near.
<DIV></DIV>> > Practical advice will be appreciated. I expect to be travelling alone.
<DIV></DIV>> > David Newton.
<DIV></DIV>> >
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