‌ALTERNATE ROUTE from Villafranca to TRABADELO, VIA PRADELA +1.7km

Was safe and break from climbing!

There's a long section of what seems to be new sidewalk coming out of Villafranca. The road route seems quite safe, and is well shaded.

The only time since Saint John that I got lost
Its beautiful however locals put wrong arrows to mislead you to their bars and its super easy to loose the track.

The app red trail took me into fields as the tracks disappear I found my self having to drop onto the road near the top to get my bearings. Basically felt I was lost for a while. It does seem odd to me that an app I paid for doesn’t keep the app up to date.

Hot weather not the time to take this alternate route. Climb is ok but the additional travel time and distance to a ghost town. No food, no Albergue, no drinks. Few residents but not happy to see pilgrims. The descent is poorly sign posted and the descent into Trabadelo is a poor service track, the sign leading to the last 500m is difficult and muddy with over grown weeds. I was second guessing myself along this route.
The traffic noise for the first section of the route is noisy but views well worth it. A mixed bag response for a mixed route.

Other than the first steep bit not that hard. no where near as challenging as o cebreiro anyway. Longer than stated though. WP has Cacabelos to las Herrerias as 28.5 on regular route so if add the 1.7 should be just over 30km. My garmin said it was 32.5 this way. So was long day and llamas closed but water tap in the town on left as you enter if needed. Highlight of CF for me

The mountain path is just gorgeous. Solitude, peace, views, etc. about 6miles to pradela and there was nothing there. No cages open, including Llamad. Then 45 walk down road totrabadelo. Pretty in spring. If you go this route -follow clear signs to pradela and then take the road to left in town in order to leave. Google maps will help

Think of it as a hike and not a walk. Like others say, the first part of the trail is steep but doable if you go slow, it then becomes less steep and rolling hills. The views are pretty. The chestnut trees show up around mile 5. I would bring at least 1.5 liters of water since there is nothing out there. Do not follow the red dots near the end - it takes you to an unkept trail and I got lost - perhaps bad with direction but the trail to me disappeared. There are two forks in this section. The first fork I went to the left and it was good. Second fork go towards the town and not following app

Once you encounter crossroads in the chestnut orchards, do not follow the red dots on the Wise Pilgrim map. It may send you expeditiously to Trabadela, and not at all near Predela, or it may get you lost and in trouble with a farmer. The WP dots send you into unmarked territory under the chestnut trees and you will need to have a good sense of direction and little aversion to trespassing to find your way through. Instead, follow the yellow signs that point to Pradela, or pick your way through the orchards on visible vehicle tracks tending toward the right when in doubt early and to the left when in doubt later.

The alternative route is so beautiful!!!!
If you feel like climbing a little bit, please take this route. It’s mainly a climb in the beginning.

It’s not a dangerous hike but be aware that there aren’t a lot of people around. So I wouldn’t go there in the dark.

Also the albergue lamas is just amazing, very kind people and lots of lovely animals

Take the mountain route - and when you do, stay at albergue Lamas.
It’s a detour, yes. But it’s enjoyable all the way.
For us, the trail was clearly marked. There’s only really one road to follow. Some say it’s brutal. Depends on your physical condition and shape. We didn’t find it to rough. It around 450 meters of elevation, but on solid path. If you enjoy inclines and elevations, just go for it.
We continued on after Villafranca as most beds were full, and didn’t regret it. Our best night in an albergue, with just the best hostesses.

Follow the arrow to the right straight after the bridge, yes it’s steep and you need a little “mountain goat” in you but seriously it’s worth it. It has to be one of my most favourite days, once you get up there the views are sensational and it really flattens out with a few undulating kms. As you stroll along you walk amongst the chestnut trees and when you stop in Pradala at the Albegue you have to try the chestnut cake, it was amazing, coffee was also excellent and the hosts just beautiful. I would do this alternative route again in a heart beat.

We had a short day planned so took the mountain. Directly after you cross the bridge it’s to your right. It took us about 3.5 hours with a 30 min stop. Took it slowly and had a sandwich at the top. Well worth the views. We started at 9.30 so a perfect time where we felt fresh. There are flat parts also. Spoke to people in Trabelo when we arrived and they commented the road was like walking on a treadmill… boring.

This was the most difficult climb of the Camino other than O’Cebreiro and day 1 out of St Jean to Roncesvalles. We had 2,300 feet of climb for the day (including the entire day, ‘not’ just the alternate route). But I would definitely do it again. It was beautiful, with forests and above-the-treeline segments. The very beginning is up a super steep small street that looks like a back alley - it ‘is’ the right way. Ignore the lady cautioning you to go back.

I’m pretty certain that whoever wrote the May 9 post saying it was easy was on something different than this route.

Also, it’s easy to miss the turn-back late in the route, which will take you to Pradela. That’s OK; adding an extra Km to go there is a good thing - homemade smoothies and treats.

If you have good weather, I recommend the alternative route up to Pradela. The climb is steep but short, and the views from the trail as you climb out of Villafranca are gorgeous. The Albergue in Pradela has homemade baked goods, fresh OJ, and Coffee. 10/10 would recommend.

I think the most recent poster was talking about a different route??? This was difficult, the ascent seemed to go on forever. The initial views were great and walking amongst the pine trees was lovely but I’m not sure it was worth the effort, and there was definitely a lot of effort. Perhaps better than walking along the road?? The descent was steep but not as difficult as Molinaseca. If you like a challenge go for it, if not, this is no walk in the park.

The climb up only lasts 300 or so meters, then levels out. Beautiful views, shaded tree lines, Chestnut tree orchards. The trail is along a wide forest service dirt road. It’s not single track. It’s not hard and very rewarding. The decent isn’t bad at all. Apparently the negative reviews are from people who have never walked more than from their couch to the fridge. The trail is well marked, just follow the red line on this app and you’ll have no problems. Go straight through the orchard instead of turning right to the village. You’ll run into the paved road and see the cut in the guardrails where the trail continues down. Peace of cake.

or if you plan staying in Pradela

You get magnificient views, for a massive climb. The descend from Pradela is not marked well and just too steep.

The alternative route called Camino Duro just after the bridge leaving Villafranca is BRUTUAL!! Nice view from the top but next time just send me a postcard. Trail in Wise Pilgram is not well marked at top near the albergue. The climb up is steep and challenging, the decent is worse. Not worth it in my humble opinion.

The views are great but don’t be fooled. It’s a very steep incline and it keeps on going and going. Then you get tricked by arrows to a town and albergue off the track adding to more and more kilometres.
If you start fresh in Villfraca maybe it will be ok.. but not if you start in Cacabelos. Take the road path- it follows a river and it’s much much easier and quicker.