Can I get a Bus/taxi between Castillblanco de los arroyas and Almaden de la Plata

[backiej]

I'm walking the VdlP for the first time in July/August and I had not done enough research on the weather. I konw that I will not make 30kms in temps of 35+ so I wondered if i could get a bus on this and other longer parts of VdlP. I know that will sound offensive to some but I must consider my health at all costs.

Thanks

Jackie

[HuskyNerd]

The Alsa bus (www.alsa.es) does run to Castillblanco, but not to Almadén. Wikipedia says there's no public transport to Almadén, so you may be stuck with taking a taxi for all or part of this stretch. Best to ask when you get to Castillblanco for any suggestions. Don't be ashamed of taking a taxi or bus or train!
Buen camino!

[backiej]

Sandy, what would I do without you.

[geraldkelly]

The day between Castilleblanco and Almaden is particularly difficult because it's long, it's mostly road and there's a steep hill to climb right at the end.

If I every do this part again I would do the following: start walking from Castilleblanco but stick my thumb out whenever a car passed. If someone stopped I'd take a lift from them as far as the point where the Via leaves the road and then walk from there, which would make it about 10km. If nobody stopped I'd continue on the road all the way to Almaden simply because the road goes around that big hill.

On a general note I think it's important that people understand that in many places there is no public transport alternative to walking. So, unless you're comfortable walking 30km, the Vía de la Plata isn't really for you and you might be better off having a go at the Camino Francés.

Ger

[backiej]

Thank you for your reply Ger even if it is rather late. We completed our walk from Seville to Santiago on 8th September. You are quite right hardly any buses along the route but on this stretch we did take a taxi to the park gates and walked to AdeP from there.

I'd like to say thank you for your guide as well which we often found useful because our book was very out of date.

Best wishes

Jackie

[grayland]

The Alsa bus (www.alsa.es) does run to Castillblanco, but not to Almadén. Wikipedia says there's no public transport to Almadén, so you may be stuck with taking a taxi for all or part of this stretch. Best to ask when you get to Castillblanco for any suggestions. Don't be ashamed of taking a taxi or bus or train!
Buen camino!

Sandy..
How can I check on bus service between stages on the VdlP? I am trying to determine the extent of transportation along the route for an individual who will not be able to walk much due to severe foot problems but wants to accompany the others.
Alsa.es just does not seem to have any connections between the stages...or I am just doing it all wrong. Ran into this on the CF and had no problem checking the service but no luck here.

[HuskyNerd]

Thanks for the question. While I could answer Jackie's question with some research I don't really know that much about bus service on the VdlP outside of the one bus I took to get to my starting point in 2010 -- the Alsa bus from Madrid to Puebla de Sanbria.

When I've been asked a bus-related question that a quick visit to the www.alsa.es site won't answer I then go to local info about the town and/or its Wikipedia site. Often there's info there about what bus line services the town. Once I get the name of the bus line I then go to its website and see if it lists schedules and stops. That's worked on a few other locations on different caminos, too.

One helpful thing to know about the VdlP is that the train runs through the same valley once you get into the Sanabres region (this is of no help on the Astorga branch, of course). This means that several towns are train accessible as Renfe winds its way to Ourense and then Santiago itself. That may be of some help to the person you're assisting as they reach the last 1/4 or so of the VdlP.

Wish I knew more about the buses. Sorry!

[backiej]

Hello Grayland

how far along the VdlP do you intend to go? How far is the person with severe foot problems able to walk? In July there was a bus from CB to AP but it ran about five in the afternoon (weekdays) There is also a taxi and in July it cost 25 E to the park and 40E to AP. There were a couple of buses in the morning (weekdays) from Monasterio to Fuente de Cantos. There's a bus from FC to Zafra and quite a few from Zafra to onward stages. There were buses from Torremejia to Merida and lots from Merida.

These buses are usually on weekdays only.

I hope this helps a little. If I can be of any more assisitance please let me know

Jackie

[geraldkelly]

Hi Grayland

Forgive me if this isn't a helpful suggestion, I was just thinking about possible solutions for your friend and I was wondering if they would be able to cycle? If so you could buy a cheap bike in Seville (possible second-hand). You wouldn't need anything fancy because they'd only be cycling the same distances you'd be walking. They might have to follow a slightly different route to you some days but it wouldn't be a problem as long as you got some decent maps. On the Via hostels don't really make a distinction between walkers and cyclists (as far as I know).

Ger