First of all, it is necessary to take into account these recommendations to carry out the road, all caution is good.
It all began when the news of the discovery of the saint's remains by the bishop of Iria Flavia became known. It was a fact that since then turned the city of Santiago de Compostela into a pilgrimage hub. The church and the protection of the Templars made the faithful from all over Europe follow the Camino - also called the Milky Way - converging after passing the Pyrenees through Somport and Roncesvallesin Puente la Reina. The route that connects these two towns with Santiago de Compostela is known as the French Way.
CAMINO DE SANTIAGO FROM MADRID
The one we present to you begins in Madrid and connects with the main route in Sahagun. The route that we will discuss here starts from Paseo de las Alamedillas, in the neighborhood of Fuencarral. From there, following a path that goes towards the Colmenar road, we will reach the overpass that crosses it. In it, we will see the first yellow arrow on the path. Further on, we will cross the M40 and the railway line to arrive, after passing through the Goloso stop, at the town of Tres Cantos.
In this town, we will look for the Chopera del Arroyo de la Tejada, to continue along the livestock road that crosses it and that after 8 kms. will take us to Colmenar. Once there we will go to Pilar de Zaragoza Street. In its vicinity we will locate the ravine that will lead us to Manzanares el Real. On the way you cross the Manzanares River and then continue along a livestock trail to the Valderrevenga farm. 2 km away. From the farm we will take a branch that goes up to the right and then goes down until we reach the town.
Just at the entrance - before crossing the river - we have to turn left and take the path that will take us, following the red and white signs of the GR-10 and passing first through the Parque Natural de la Pedriza and the town of Navacerrada, until Cercedilla, the next destination of our trip.
Leaving Manzanares we pass through the entrance to the Pedriza Natural Park, which we will border for quite a few kilometers. Then we will arrive at Matalpino. From this town we will leave through the Vista Real urbanization and continue along the GR (Great Route) until we enter Navacerrada, where we will go to the town hall , which is in a square. From there comes a street on the right that returns to the GR and through Abel Street, takes us in the direction of Cercedilla. In this other municipality we look for the Plaza Mayor to continue along Avenida del Generalísimo and then along Capón Street. We follow the street until we leave the town and reach the Roman Road, which will take us in just over an hour and a half to the Puerto de la Fuenfría .
From there, continuing along the wide forest track, where sometimes we will see remains of road and other times we will step on asphalt, we will arrive in a slight descent to Segovia. We will leave this wonderful city along the Paseo de San Juan de la Cruz, we will pass through the Puerta de Santiago and we will head towards the plain of the Eresma River >.
At this point in the trip we will have already realized the importance of not having put superfluous things in the backpack (it should not exceed 7 or 8 Kgs. per person). Until Sahagun - ten days from Madrid - there are no hostels but we will not have problems if we ask for accommodation in churches or town halls. Another alternative is to put a light tent or a bivouac cover in your bag and sleep in the open. The issue of meals is resolved in bars, restaurants and with supermarkets and food stores.
In conclusion: we will avoid overloading ourselves. Spare clothes and changes will be the majority of our luggage. We must not forget to bring a cap, sunglasses and sun protection. Personal hygiene supplies and a towel are also necessary, as well as a map of the area that we are going to visit until reach Sahagun, where we will connect with the French Way, perfectly signposted until it reaches the city of Santiago de Compostela.
Leaving Segovia with the Alcázar on our left, we will head towards Zamarramala. In this town we will look for the church street and from there, we will go towards the cemetery, which we will skirt on the right. Later we will pass under the ring road to continue, at the first fork of roads that we will find, on the one on the right and at the second on the one on the left, which will take us to the town of Valseca. On the outskirts of the main square, where the town hall is, we will take Los Huertos street to leave the town in the direction of the municipality of the same name. We have to continue, approximately one kilometer from the exit, along the main path that turns right at the point where we find a carved stone.
You enter Los Huertos on the road that comes from Hontanares del Eresma and when you arrive it turns left and disappears. We have to continue along the path that replaces it and that goes to the Hermitage of Our Lady and then towards the Segovia Medina del Campo railway line. We cross the road and follow it until km 19.4 where a bridge will allow us to cross the Eresma River. 500 meters later we will turn right towards a pine forest that we will cross later along the path that, leaving on our left, will take us to Añe, a municipality that we must leave along the Armuña highway. We will go for it to Pinilla Ambroz. Here, from the town church, we will take a track that leads toSta. María la Real de Nieva.
The stages of the route do not have established kms or routes between towns. Therefore, the hiker will be the one who plans them depending on the time they have and their own energy. Until Sahagun we can coincide the end of each stage with the towns along the route, to find accommodation and/or have a hot dinner. However, once you reach the French Way, problems of this kind disappear and those derived from overcrowding begin. /strong>.
In any case, you must walk 7 or 8 hours a day to cover a correct route at each stage.
, where we will connect with the French Way, perfectly signposted until it reaches the city of Santiago de Compostela.
Leaving Segovia with the Alcázar on our left, we will head towards Zamarramala. In this town we will look for the church street and from there, we will go towards the cemetery, which we will skirt on the right. Later we will pass under the ring road to continue, at the first fork of roads that we will find, on the one on the right and at the second on the one on the left, which will take us to the town of Valseca. On the outskirts of the main square, where the town hall is, we will take Los Huertos street to leave the town in the direction of the municipality of the same name. We have to continue, approximately one kilometer from the exit, along the main path that turns right at the point where we find a carved stone.
You enter Los Huertos on the road that comes from Hontanares del Eresma and when you arrive it turns left and disappears. We have to continue along the path that replaces it and that goes to the Hermitage of Our Lady and then towards the Segovia Medina del Campo railway line. We cross the road and follow it until km 19.4 where a bridge will allow us to cross the Eresma River. 500 meters later we will turn right towards a pine forest that we will cross later along the path that, leaving on our left, will take us to Añe, a municipality that we must leave along the Armuña highway. We will go for it to Pinilla Ambroz. Here, from the town church, we will take a track that leads toSta. María la Real de Nieva.
The stages of the route do not have established kms or routes between towns. Therefore, the hiker will be the one who plans them depending on the time they have and their own energy. Until Sahagun we can coincide the end of each stage with the towns along the route, to find accommodation and/or have a hot dinner. However, once you reach the French Way, problems of this kind disappear and those derived from overcrowding begin. /strong>.
In any case, you must walk 7 or 8 hours a day to cover a correct route at each stage.
