The Camino from Gibraltar

[Bobby G]

Hi! My wife and I propose to walk the VDLP next April but starting from Gibraltar. The friends of the Camino in Seville and Cadiz have suggested we follow the "Corredor Verde Dos Bahias" which goes from Cadiz down to Los Barrios (in the Bay of Gibraltar). The official position is that the route is open throughout its 94 kms but the blogs on YouTube etc suggest this is not the case. As there is nowhere to stay en route planning the logistics of this route is particularly important. Has anyone any experience of this stretch

[callum christie]

Bobby, have just joined this forum and interested in your question.

I used to live in the Campo de Gibraltar and have walked from Gib to Tarifa. From there you follow the coast up to Barbate stopping at Bolonia and Zahara. I'm in that area next week and will ask some of my pals from the local ecology group AGADEN what the access issues are up to Cadiz.

It would seem like your breaking new Camino ground here. I presume you are making for Sevilla in the first instance? sounds like you also speak spanish. if that's the case I can put you in touch with some folk on the ground.

Best wishes

callum
Frontier Holidays

[Bobby G]

Bobby, have just joined this forum and interested in your question.

I used to live in the Campo de Gibraltar and have walked from Gib to Tarifa. From there you follow the coast up to Barbate stopping at Bolonia and Zahara. I'm in that area next week and will ask some of my pals from the local ecology group AGADEN what the access issues are up to Cadiz.

It would seem like your breaking new Camino ground here. I presume you are making for Sevilla in the first instance? sounds like you also speak spanish. if that's the case I can put you in touch with some folk on the ground.

Best wishes

callum
Frontier Holidays

Callum,
Many thanks for your offer of help. I'm trying to go from Gibraltar to Finisterre starting in Gib and then walking north west to Puerto Real, there to link up with a relatively new camino route that goes from Cadiz to Seville and from there onto the Via de la Plata (all in one go!) Was hoping to go via Corredor Verde Dos Bahias which starts in Los Barrios. I was there a couple of months ago and found that the path is effectively blocked. Authorities in Los Barrios confirmed this. Trying to find a new route avoiding major roads. We have lived in the UK since 1977 but I was born in Gibraltar, my wife is Argentine and we both speak Spanish fluently. Any help or advice you can offer would be very welcome. Thanks. Robert

[callum christie]

Bobby, when I walk with groups on the GR7 from Tarifa to Ronda,we have to avoid the area leading up to Los Barrios because landowners have now refused entry to the public, on old rights of way.

That's why I wonder if you wouldn't be better following the Atlantic coastal path.

I'll ask my friends this weekend at Jimena, as we grill some chorizos outdoors to celebrate El Dia del Arbol, just what the access is like from Barbate/Vejer onwards.

regards

Callum

Frontier Holidays

[Bobby G]

Callum,
Maybe that's the way to go. I was trying for the shortest route. I understand that the Corredor Verde is open from Medina Sidonia to Puerto Real. If this can be established then maybe heading for Barbate/Vejer and then turning North to Medina Sidonia could be a solution unless there is a better route following the coast all the way to Cadiz.

As we are going all the way to Finisterre I don't want to add miles unless absolutely necessary. I'm 64 and the longest continuous walk I've done before is the length of the River Thames, some 213 miles, a couple of years ago. I did that walk for charity and raised a total of ?11500. See Walk for William I'm doing this walk also for charity and hope to raise ?20K. Had a look at your website. Looks good!

Chorizos and a glass of Rioja in Jimena sounds even better.

Cheers

Robert

[Bobby G]

Hi Callum,
Just wondered if any of your friends from Agaden had any ideas about a route from Tarifa to Cadiz? I attended the Confraternity of St James AGM last Saturday in London but couldn't find anyone who has walked from Gibraltar to Cadiz. Still struggling to find the best route. Help!

[jscholl]

I am very much with you on this. The extension of the VDLP route to the stele of Gibraltar is only natural. I know the Tarifa-Bolonia-Barbate-Vejer-Conil-Chiclana area quite well. Yet, I wonder if a more inland route would be the better choice: I am thinking of: Tarifa-Pedro Valiente-Santuario de la Luz-Facinas-Rio Almodovar-Casa de Arroyo Cuevas-Benelup Casas Viejas-Cortijo de las Cabarillos- Ermita de los Santos-Cortijo de Medico-Paterna de Rivera-El Chaparillo-Arcos de la Frontera-Cortijo de los Barrios-Cortijo de Esperillo-Palmar de Troya-Utrera-Hacienda de Granadillo-Dos Hermanos- Sevilla (192 km).

My question is: Have you done it in 2010? Which route did you take? How was it? I would appreciate any information on this extension leg. Would like to hike from Tarifa in April of 2012. I did the Camino Frances in April 2010 from St. Jean-Pied-de-Port all the way to Finisterra and Muxia. What a great expeience.

[Bobby G]

Hi! Yes , my wife and I walked from Gibraltar to La Coruna last year. We started on 17th April and finished in early July, rather the worse for wear! It was a fantastic experience. In answer to your question I suggest you read our blog (a lot of reading, i'm afraid, but equally lots of photos!) at Walk for William 2010 After that if you have any questions please let us know. We agonised over which route to take and decided the coastal one would be nicer.

[jscholl]

Hi, Bobby and Ana Maria,
I have gone through your postings. How wonderful, how awesome! Very informative. Great pictures. Great spirit and energy. Technically, what you write very effectively complements the 2004 "Walking the Via de la Plata" guide by Ben Cole and Bethan Davies (Pili Pala Press). Having hiked just by myself (in a group of one :-)) the whole Camino Frances from St. Jean-Pied-de-Port to Finisterra last year (in a holy year), I wonder how busy the Via de la Plata was when you did it. The Camino Frances was quite frequented even as early in the year as April 2010. However, there were stretches of complete solitude. Of course, it became very busy in Galicia (from O'Cebreiro onwards). Beyond Santiago de Compostela it again was the more quiet Camino that I have fallen in love with before. The Camino holds an unspeakable magic to those who take it. So, I have to return to encounter it again.
Thank you so much for sharing your blog.
Best wishes y buen camino de la vida. Jochen

[Bobby G]

Dear Jochen,
Very glad you enjoyed reading our blog. We walked from Gibraltar to Seville practically alone and found no other pilgrims doing the Camino (save for two guys who were training!). From Seville to Santiago the Via de la Plata was reasonably busy but never crowded. Day to day I don't think we ever got to see more than 20/30 pilgrims. We always found room in Albergues (some private) along the way. Ana Maria and I were planning another long walk this year but unfortunately the stress fracture on my left foot has still not healed properly and I am finding it painful to walk more than a few miles. Maybe next year. Do please keep in touch and let us know when you set off from Tarifa. Buen Camino. Robert