Pilgrim Guides to Spain #1: The Camino Francés - updates to the 2010 edition

We'll use this page to pass on changes that pilgrims have reported since the publication of the latest edition in January 2010. We'll be especially glad to hear of refugios you find unexpectedly closed, or indeed open!

 

Recieved from Robert Harrison, July 2010:

Page 3. The St. Jean municipal refuge has considerably more than 25 places.

Page 6. The Roncesvalles refuge has overflow accommodation in trailers on the way into town.

Page 7. The entry about the refuge in Larrasoana is inaccurate. The refuge there is the same one that I stayed in 2001. It has a kitchen in the basement and nice facilities. There is an overflow area with facilities that were reported to be poor. There is also a rural commerce, a small store in the basement of a local house, that opens at five.

Page 11. The Parroquial Albergue is closed. The cost of Albergue Maralotx is now 10 Euro.

Page 13. After the Monasterio de Irache there are two ways to proceed, both are way marked. The right way is on a nice path through the woods, but might be muddy in rain. The left route is mostly on a broad path near the motorway. It eventually goes under the motorway (the signage at this point is not clear), but the arrows start again at the next intersection.

The Oasis refuge in Villamayor is highly recommended. It is also now 20 Euro DB&B.

Page 14. The Parochial Albergue has 18 mattresses and is highly recommended.

Page 17. The refuge in Ventosa is now 8.50. Nice kitchen. Music for wakeup at 6. It recently moved locations and now one should follow the arrows on the left as they enter town. There is still a map at the edge of town with the old location being shown.

Page 19. The refuge at Granon does not refuse pilgrims.

Page 21. The refuge at Tosantos does not refuge pilgrims. There is also a nice hermitage above the town.

The refuge at San Juan de Ortega does not open until 1400.

Page 22. The Albergue el Pajar now has two parts, the one already listed in the guide and the ‘casa roja,’ which is 5 euro and has a kitchen.

Page 23. The Albergue Jacobeo in Burgos has 160 places. It has a microwave and sitting area, but no actual kitchen facilities.

Page 27. Arroyo de San Bol is just a refuge, there is no actual town there. I received good reports about the refuge.

Page 28. The refuge at San Nicolas does have several mattresses for overflow. There is also a bathhouse out back with facilities and electricity. Preference given to late arrivals. There is also a feet washing ceremony and outstanding hospitality is an understatement.

Page 32. The refuge at Ledigos is now 6 Euro.

Page 34. The refuge at Bercianos is a DB&D. There is a service after dinner. There are only a couple toilets though.

Page 35. On the Calzada de los Peregrinos route there are now bridges over the streams.

The refuge Amigos del Peregrino is now 5 Euro and might offer medical help.

Page 39. Right as you leave Virgen del Camino there is a sign with information about both routes, the information on the sign is not accurate with regard to the distances between the towns. The distances in the guidebook are accurate. The actual split in the route is about 150 m further on and clearly marked. The walkers route is very beautiful.

Page 40. Refuge Albergue de Jesus has a pirate ship, mushroom kingdom and pool in the front yard.

The Parish refuge in Hospital de Orbigo is now 5 Euro and has 5 showers.

Page 42. The first refuge listed in Astorga is a public, not a municipal refuge. It is right at the entrance to town. It is 5 euros a night, has many small rooms, a good kitchen and is open all year. The old municipal refuge is no longer open.

Page 44. The way out of Astorga is not well marked. There are few arrows, but they are in the necessary places. Once out of the city proper, it is not uncommon to walk for close to a k without seeing an arrow.

Page 47. in Foncebadon the first refuge that is listed is a DB&B donativo. Nice wardens. Overflow on matts. Highly recommended. At the end of the town.

The remains of the old church are visible on the left as you leave the village. There is one arch left.

Page 52. The description of the two routes is not entirely clear. The routes only diverge between Villafrance and Tradabelo. The high level route is a couple K longer, but extremely beautiful and very few pilgrims take this route. Be careful around Pradela as the route there is not clearly marked. There is a bar there and the owner lives next door. I heard reports of a third route, but was unable to find any further information about it.

Page 53. The refuge in Ruitelan is now 6 Euro, doors locked until 6:00, music for wakeup. There is a nice hermitage on the hill behind the village. Ask for directions.

Page 54. There is also a refuge vegetariano towards the end of La Faba, follow the camino signs. Donativo.

Page 56. Fonfria is 3K after Alto de Poio. 8 euro for dormitory accommodation. Nice sitting area.

Page 59. The Xunta refuge at Ferreiros is now 5 Euros. The kitchen has basic equipment.

Page 61. The Fuente de Peregrino refuge in Ligonde is highly recommended. It is DB&B donativo. There are 10 beds and approximately 10 cots for overflow. In good weather the communal dinner might be outside under the trees. A film about the life of Jesus is shown in the afternoon.

Page 64. Albergue Ultreia is now 10 Euros. Large dorm, small kitchen - burner - with plates and utensils. Nice hospitalera.

Page 69. Albergue Acuario is now 10 Euro for the first night and 9 for the second. There is a nice sitting area, plates, microwave and fridge. Open from 9 am to midnight. The hospitaleros are nice and might offer a small drink upon arrival. They organize trips to Finisterre.

There is no Xunta refuge in Santiago.