Today’s walk, although one of our shortest was the toughest. Much of the path was rock laden and washed out, very steep and the flies were brutal.
We climbed from Rabanal (3786 ft.) to Foncebadón (4717 ft). The Cruz de Ferro, the high point of the Camino Frances at 4933 ft., which we stopped short of, was achieved at the beginning of our taxi ride down the mountain.
For mere safety reasons based on prior walking experience (2015, 2017 for Molinaseca) and (2015,2017,2019, 2024) for Acebo) … today we skipped the walk from Foncebadón to Molinaseca. We also extended the taxi ride on to Ponferrada as a bonus, as today was planned to be a “rest day”.
Walking from our room to the main street up and out of Rabanal.Walking past the Posada de Gaspar, now closed. We stayed here on two previous caminos. Front door now bolted shut, signage gone, “CERRADO” on the door.A water fountain at the village exit.Flies swarmed us most of the walk up the mountain. 6-7 flies landing on Linda in this photo, another dozen or so flies buzzing around her eyes, nose and ears not caught by the photo.Jim used his mosquito net to successfully ward off the flies. Linda left hers at home, doesn’t like using it.For a while, we walked on a typical dirt path up the mountain.The path so steep, steps have been added.In and out of the forest on the way up,Lots of loose stones and cracked shale covered the path as we neared the top.Tundra and other higher altitude growth were more prevalent as we ascended to the nearly 5000 ft elevation.Loose rocks are sometimes a challenge for sandals and other footwear and the associated feet, ankles and knees.Openings in the trees revealed our progress to the top.Near the top, with the village of Foncebadon (pop. 13) just ahead.Finally made it to Foncebadon.Approaching El Trasgu, our breakfast stop and a favorite restaurant. We stayed at one of the rooms here in 2024.Having breakfast on the terrace, shaded by the metal tree at El Trascu store, restaurant, hostal.Looking down “main street” in Foncebadón.Waiting for the taxi.Scenery from our taxi ride over and then down the Irago Mountains.More spectacular scenery seen riding atop the Irago Mountains.The view from our taxi as we drove through El Acebo.
We arrived at Ponferrada Plaza hotel at 11:30 and were able to check in immediately.
We’ve stayed at the “Plaza” our past two caminos. It’s a typical hotel, not expensive and just a block off of the “non-traditional camino” path through Ponferrada.
We began walking this way in 2019. Instead of the traditional path, we continue walking past the drawbridge of the Templar Castle, down the hill, across the bridge and make a left onto Calle Camino de Santiago, which we follow all the way to Companaraya, where it merges with the traditional camino path.
All recovered from our earlier walk, we spent the rest of the afternoon getting our main meal in downtown Ponferrada at a familiar Thai restaurant, reading, blogging and just enjoying our “rest day”.
Jimandi 