SPLIT: Scenic Route or Road Route

Camino Frances

To end of camino
298.4

La Virgen del Camino

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SPLIT: Scenic Route or Road Route

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Valverde de la Virgen

When you get to the Basilica de la Virgen del Camino you will cross the busy road and continue on a small access road. In 300m you are presented with the choice between two routes. The painting of yellow arrows here is confusing, and there is zero official signage to indicate your options. Distances are indicated from La Virgen del Camino to Puente de Órbigo where they converge.

‌The SCENIC ROUTE - 27 KM

This variation is called the Scenic Route, and it adds < 3km to your journey. It is considerably more pleasant and there are now plenty of services and albergues along the way. To follow this route turn left onto a dirt track.

‌The ROAD ROUTE - 24.6 KM

The official camino route is often called the Road Route due to its proximity to the road. It is the shorter of the two and offers little to no peace from the traffic. To take this route continue straight.

City Map

Comments

3. September 2023 - 20:55

All Caminos App User

Can anyone tell me if the scenic and road routes are marked as to which is which? On the map it looks like the road route is the north one but hard to tell. I’m heading out of Leon tomorrow morning early and like to be prepared. Gracias!

19. May 2023 - 11:50

Camino de Sant…

Although not next to a buddy road this route is rough on feet due to being mostly on paved road. 😔

6. April 2023 - 16:49

Camino de Sant…

There was a map and then when paths separated signs in each direction

I took the scenic route and it was pleasant. Not sure why people complained? Not the petite walk off the Camino but perfectly fine.

27. March 2023 - 9:44

All Caminos App User

Both routes lead to Santiago :)

28. October 2022 - 0:14

Camino de Sant…

I took the road route and it was very hard for your feet

3. October 2022 - 17:14

Camino de Sant…

Took the road route 3 October 2022. I started at about 7:30 AM. Most of it is a separate trail parallel to the busy highway. The traffic noise didn't pose a problem as I was listening to podcasts via an earbud. I had no issues finding breakfast or lunch. A good portion of the trail, maybe 20% was surprisingly easier on my feet, better than the gravel roads that constitute most of the Camino.

2. October 2022 - 18:46

Camino de Sant…

I walked the alternate route today. Generally glad that I did. So few walk it as they appear to be influenced by the above comments. Only thing I did not like was the stretch between Villar de Mazarife and Villavante. Sunday made it more difficywith no stores open. Certainly was peaceful.

22. September 2022 - 15:43

Camino de Sant…

The scenic route is along dirt roads or alongside paved country roads and there are multiple towns where you can get food on the route. Cars do go by fast but there aren’t very common, I would recommend this route over walking beside a highway, it was quite peaceful!

15. August 2022 - 12:41

Camino de Sant…

I made the mistake of taking this route. Despite the other comments, nothing could be worse than the road route. Walking alongside busy highway, walking through rubbish, toilet paper and dead animals for 20+ km. Mostly industrial area and when you hit a town they look like ghost towns. Scenic route would definitely be better than this.

6. June 2022 - 17:35

Camino de Sant…

Aside from two 2-3 kilometer stretches, this route is a long, shadeless walk on a paved road in flat farmland. There is not even a shoulder to walk on for many kilometers. Even on a comfortable early June day, our feet were miserable from the long sidewalk walking out of Leon and this long slog on a boring asphalt road. Some comments praising this route appear to be from cooler months.