Starting in Burgos

[Irishwalker]

I intend to walk from Burgos to Astorga this easter. Did SJPP to Burgos last easter and Astorga to Santiago the easter before. I arrive at Burgos Rosa da Lima train station very early, 5.50, Sunday 17th April. Does anyone know how to get to the Camino from the train station? Especially at that time on a Sunday morning! The only station in my guide book is the old one south of the river, nearer the Camino but now closed. No details on the new station. Help! Thanks.

[HuskyNerd]

Burgos is very quiet on Sunday mornings. You'll want to have some food in your pack as you may not have an open store or bar/cafe available until later in the day. In fact, you may want to wait until a store (or the cathedral store) opens so you can get your credencial stamp showing you started this camino in Burgos.

As with many cities it can be hard to find the Camino markers among the urban clutter. I'd suggest you go from the train station straight to the Burgos Cathedral. From either of the squares below you'll notice a road that is behind and above the ground level of the cathedral. Head for this road by walking to the left of the cathedral by the Meson el Cid Hotel and you'll start to see the arrows there. The Camino flows off to the left (west) on this road. Buen camino!

[Covey]

In a lot of the larger towns and cities they place Camino signs on the sides of buildings, but in the old town part of Burgos on the way out there is usually a lot of rebuilding going on and you will often find the Way marker plaques hidden behind tarpaulins and scaffolding. As most head out at dawn or before, it is easy to miss the way. From the park onwards, there are metal scallop shell markers let in to the pavement to show the way.

[HuskyNerd]

Covey, you inspired me to check it out on Google Street View and it was fun to see what GSV can do. I started at the north side of the Burgos Cathedral and "walked" along Calle Fernan de Gonzalez and what should appear but a blue/yellow scallop marker right on the side of the Meson El Cid Hotel? The next one is a couple of blocks away on the convention center/Abba Hotel (right side of the road). So hopefully one or both of these will be visible if Irish walks west on Calle Fernan de Gonzalez.

Other question: Covey, when are you going to post your photo for the enjoyment of the masses? I was hoping you'd be inspired by my Sticky on photo posting and we'd soon see your mug!

[nandy61]

Oh my! What a near-disastrous day I had last June trying to get to the Burgos train station. Walked for a full hour trying to find it, only to be told that it was closed! Not believing this local fellow, i kept walking only to discover a virtual ghost town of a train station. Closed, boarded up and fenced in. I then ran to the tourist office (near the cathedral) to find out where the new train station was located and how to get there. With little time left to me I scrambled to get a cab to take me there before the car rental office closed (was picking up another pilgrim in Bilbao) At any rate, here's the scoop: the new train station is just that- NEW. It looks like a modern airport terminal and it is a good 6-8K or so outside of the town. There is a bus that runs back and forth from downtown Burgos (where one easily finds the camino near the cathedral) but I don't know if it will be running that early in the morning. I would think there would be a few taxi drivers out there waiting for fares, but then again, it is Spain! At the very least you could just walk out of the terminal, turn right towards the city, head towards the spires of the cathedral, and start your Camino right there!

[Irishwalker]

Thanks for the tips. Yes, nandy61, I had a similar experience last year in Burgos trying to return home! Eventueally got a bus to the new train station. Will probably take your advice and it there is a taxi waiting will hop in. Otherwise will head for the cathedral spires! Will deffo bring some food with me! Thanks again.