Day 30: Villafranca del Bierzo to Las Herrerías via Ruta Dragonte | Camino Frances 2019

[@terrymchugh7605]

I have been on the Camino 5 times and never ever met anyone crazy enough to do the Dragonte. So very well done young lady. Much as I love your videos, I dont think this one will inspire me to try that. You are amazing

[@IllGetThere]

Lol, it’s definitely not for everyone, but truly a beautiful trail! 👣

[@my-camino]

I enjoyed watching your video so much! I walked the Frances in 2010, parts in 2011 & 2012 and a part of the Norte in 2015 where I met the love if my life who is my husband now. At the moment we started to prepare our next camino for may 2023 to show our little girls where mum + dad met. :D Your videos help me to remember how the way looked like exactly, thanks so much for bringing great flashbacks! Buen camino!

[@reed0199]

Very Scenic Ruta this whole day stage. Thank You. I have not seen this Ruta before

[@ThePhantomMajor]

Thank you for showing the Dragonte ... something to consider!

[@IllGetThere]

Thanks so much for watching!! I would do it again in a heartbeat!

[@banitesscruz9771]

It's 5:38am, Aug 5 2021, in Hong Kong. For over a week now I've been starting my day with your videos and the sunrise always gets me. It's cool that they let you stamp your own passport (6:55) Nice village but does anyone still live in there. Sorry about your lens but you're so cute hahaha (17:52). Ok, I think I'll bring a spare phone just in case something like this happens. The Hungarians are lovely especially the daughter, she's like a litte girl whose excited and curious about every little thing. That was fun (30:33) The old ladies with the animals are so cute (32:12) I guess you just have to take whatever they serve you. Stay healthy and safe. God bless!

[@IllGetThere]

I’m so happy you are enjoying the videos!! Enjoy the rest of your virtual Camino! 👣

[@davidmendiola972]

We stayed at the alburgue next door. We had a very nice and filling meal next to the fireplace. You have outdone yourself with this video. It’s excellent.

[@IllGetThere]

Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed your stay! I think I was still a tad hangry after my hike, lol. On any other day, it probably would have been fine! 👣

[@susanv5346]

I walked this in Spring of 2019. Thank you for the beautiful video and reminder of that day!

[@IllGetThere]

I hope to return to walk in the Spring one day. I can only imagine the beautiful landscapes as the earth awakens from the winter months! Thank you so much for watching and Buen Camino!

[@jorgewagnerstreani626]

Good morning young pilgrim thanks for another step on the Camino de Santiago. Almost getting there. Success. God bless you and your family. Thank you.

[@IllGetThere]

Thank you!!

[@rebeccalemont6807]

Buen camino! We just found your videos and are following you on your Camino Frances. My hubby and I did the Camino Portuguese in 2018, just the part from Tui to Santiago. You should consider this Camino as well. We are planning a Camino Frances in 2021, depends on Covid. We are enjoying your sights, comments and impressions. Also, really enjoy your church visits. Gracias Peregrina!

[@IllGetThere]

Thank you so much for watching! Glad you’re enjoying the videos. I would love to do the Portugese one day. My heart is also calling me to do the Norte. 😊 Be well and Buen Camino! 👣

[@lindamarlow4756]

Thanks for your post. Brought back many memories of one of my all-time favourite days of walking the various Camino routes in Spain and Portugal. I loved the Dragonte! I walked, with my husband, during late spring of 2018.

[@IllGetThere]

That’s wonderful! It was such an amazing day and I loved it so much. Be well and Buen Camino! 👣

[@willywortel1452]

I didn't know this Ruta Dragonte, but it looks amazing !!!

[@IllGetThere]

It is fantastic and was one of my most favorite days on the Camino. Beautiful, indeed.

[@johnduncan9749]

Nice detour! The views and fresh air was well worth the huffing and puffing:)

[@IllGetThere]

100%!! The mountains are my happy place. 👣

[@maryurquidez5850]

Wow, had a couple of rough days, your video put a smile back.

[@IllGetThere]

I’m glad to hear it cheered you up a bit! Wishing you a brighter week and a Buen Camino. 👣

[@marycarlson1393]

I'm always so excited when I see you've posted another Camino video! Your videos were my escape at the beginning of a Covid! Thank you for taking us along for the ride 🙏🏼

[@IllGetThere]

Thank you so much for continuing to follow along! 🙏👣

[@markdonovan1540]

Great video showing the alternative route, which is quite a detour to the traditional route I took. It takes you through more varied countryside and some traditional mountain villages of the El Bierzo region. It takes you quite high up and then comes back down again, which I would avoid in order to save energy for the much bigger climb to O Cebreiro, but as you stopped in Las Herrerías that would give you time to recover before the next big hill.

[@IllGetThere]

Thank you for watching! Yes, this one was off the beaten track but not so backcountry. Easy enough to follow and gave me a chance to enjoy the quiet trail. Beautiful walk. 👣

[@markdonovan1540]

@@IllGetThere My cousins live in Villafranca del Bierzo, there is an annual race to Dragonte from Villafranca called Dragomán which usually takes place in November. Our family is from a small mountain village to the North West of Villafranca del Bierzo, I've been visiting family there ever since the 60s. It's changed a lot over the years, and the Camino de Santiago is an importante source of income for many local business. But I only remember noticing pilgrims in Villafranca from around the 90s, when there were very few pilgrims passing through and only one albergue there at the time: Ave Fenix near "La Puerta de Perdón".

[@IllGetThere]

Mark Donovan Oh, wow!! That race must be for the elite!! I can’t imagine running it, but I know there are many trail runners and ultra-marathoners who live for that! Amazing!! Thank you for sharing about your family! It’s a beautiful place and you are so lucky to live there!

[@FranLopezV]

Just to say: Thank you for all your detours... Buen Camino

[@IllGetThere]

Glad you enjoy them! Buen Camino! 👣

[@alanlandy11]

Lovely hike! Will definitely do it if I ever get back there again

[@IllGetThere]

Thank you so much! I hope you can return, as well! Be well and Buen Camino! 👣

[@walkingexercise5375]

Thanks for these videos! I am restarting my fitness/wellness journey with walking and these videos are like a weekly motivational check in!

[@IllGetThere]

So glad these can help! Wishing you the best on your journey!!

[@philiptobin1540]

Love switching on and finding message that you are back with latest section of the Camino.I was not aware of the detour you took and loved the scenes you captured.As ever,thank you for posting and I await the next piece of magic.

[@IllGetThere]

Thank you so much! It’s not as well-travelled but well worth the effort!

[@francesplazabashark7148]

Beautiful and thank you! Been waiting for this and next one! Planning of doing solo, the alternate route might get me lost even with GPS! 😀 Stay safe Rachelle 🙏❤️. Thank you ❤️

[@IllGetThere]

Thank you so much for following along! The Dragonte is wonderful. Buen Camino! 👣

[@eustaquiofeixobeitialarran1003]

I will definitely doing this route when I walk the Camino! Is so nice. You and Efrén González are my favorite Camino vloggers! Also, you should consider become a horror movie director. The shot of walking in the dark with flashlight and when you open door to enter rest area could be out of a horror movie lol. When you open door I expecting something to jump out 🤣

[@IllGetThere]

Haha!! I hate horror movies! 😂 And I’m glad no one jumped out at me when I opened the door!!! Thank you so much for your kind words. I’m happy to share my experience on the Camino because I got so much insight from vlogs like Efrén’s!! His videos are beyond amazing. Thank you, again, for watching and I wish you a Buen Camino and a fantastic adventure along the Dragonte! 👣

[@evertdyk]

This was an amazing track you did! Big achievement! Looking forward to your climb to O Cebreiro. can't wait to see it! Thanks again😊

[@IllGetThere]

Thanks so much!

[@jorgewagnerstreani626]

Bom dia jovem peregrina obrigado por mais uma etapa no Caminho de Santiago. Quase chegando lá. Sucesso. Deus abençoe voce e sua família. Obrigado.

[@Peoriahiker]

I’m doing this route tomorrow

[@joramos1952]

The detour you took to Dragonte, was it an option route? Looks like quite a distance was added to the usual route? Wow! Awesome job making it through the peaks and truly rural paths. Your vlogs are very inspiring. Thank you so much. Stay safe.

[@IllGetThere]

Yes, there’s mention of Dragonte in the Brierly guide as well as the Village to Village. It’s become much more well-marked in recent years and it’s well worth the effort if you are used to hill walking and are prepared to bring all provisions. No albergues or bars along the way. But highly enjoyable and you’ll have the trail mostly to yourself! 👣

[@charliepearton9596]

Wow.. I don't even know this route..

[@IllGetThere]

It is a treasure! 👣

[@simoneschmidt7084]

Thanks for all your videos, they are very helpfull! Which app did you use to see which way to go? Or did you have an actuel map with you? :D

[@IllGetThere]

Thank you so much!! I didn’t follow a gps track for the Camino except for the Dragonte. Per the suggestion of the FB group “Friends of Dragonte”, I download TrailSmart and loaded the section for the Dragonte. I also had the turn by turn instructions for reference in addition to the track. Even without, the route is now pretty well-marked, just note that the signs are different from the typical blue/yellow shells-look for the white/green/black signs with town names. There are also still yellow arrows. One of my favorite days on the Camino!! So quiet and peaceful and beautiful! Buen Camino! 👣

[@IllGetThere]

I should say that you can use the gps track for the entire Camino Frances on TrailSmart. It’s excellent. Many pilgrims also use Buen Camino app, but I like TrailSmart as it shows your actual location in relation to the actual trail.

[@m.d.9970]

Hey Cool you meet Mikael Barreira, the one with the funny Instrument 🥳

[@IllGetThere]

Oh!! He was so nice and helpful! And what a cool instrument! That was an amazing welcome at the albergue after such a long day! 😊

[@PierooriginalItaly]

I love you video 😍👍🏻

[@IllGetThere]

Thank you!

[@showeyes]

Oh Hungarians! The 1st Hungarians in your videos. In July 2020 I took the Hungarian Camino but it was just 9 days.

[@IllGetThere]

Is there a camino from Hungary? Oh, what an adventure that would be! Buen Camino!!

[@showeyes]

@@IllGetThere Buen Camino. It's not too old. Only several years old. It leads from Budapest to Vienna, Austria.

[@IllGetThere]

@@showeyes Wonderful! I have been to Budapest and remember it well. I bet the walk to Vienna is amazing. Thank you, again, for sharing in the spirit of the Camino!

[@showeyes]

@@IllGetThere You are welcome! I saw 36 parts of your videos. I learnt a lot and I like your personality very much. God Bless You!

[@gjbs55]

Samr route we took in 2018 enroute to Ambesmestas

[@traveller9292]

I've walked 3 times and didnt know about this detour

[@IllGetThere]

It’s fantastic!!! Highly recommend-just be sure to have your map/gps track and instructions downloaded beforehand. No albergues or bars along the way, so you need to be prepared for the whole day. 👍

[@traveller9292]

@@IllGetThere a leisurely stroll first thing in the morning to La Faba, hope you slept well LOL

[@IllGetThere]

Traveller Lol, I did enjoy the most wonderful homemade yogurt, granola, and juice in La Faba. The “stroll” was not so “leisurely”. 😂

[@traveller9292]

@@IllGetThere is the camino in your blood now, is it calling you back?? So many of us experience this, except for covid I would have walked again this year

[@IllGetThere]

100%.

[@joseGonzalez-le1tl]

Hola quiro decir que eso no es villafranca eso es corullon

[@gjbs55]

Back in 2018 it wasn’t paved

[@robingore]

You dropped your camera and broke it? Oh no!

[@IllGetThere]

I had a 3rd party wide angle lens for my phone and I accidentally kicked the tripod while it was attached. It all worked out fine, but I still miss that lens!!

[@ihmen]

That fried egg had a dead fly in it. Lmao 11 euros for 4 slices of ham and a tiny plate of rice with ketchup and dead insects on top. Remind to me to never visit this country.

[@IllGetThere]

Lol, it wasn’t dead. And you get used to the flies. It’s a beautiful country.