Cercedilla to Segovia 30km

Had a late lunch (1630) in Cercedilla yesterday as nothing near the Hostal and I was not sure if the ones in town would serve dinner. Left at 0730 and got to the Hostal at 1400. Great walk today and quite tough. I even had to stop a few times for a rest. Certainly matches some of the harder days on the Norte and Olvidado. Just about straight uphill from the Hostal for about 8km to the highest point of about 1800m. The first half is simple enough as it is either by the road or on forest tracks. Then you get to the first of the wonderful Roman bridges and onto an ancient road. I’m sure it was flat when built but if has degraded somewhat over the years. It gradually gets steeper and more degraded until you are mostly scrambling over small rocks. Really pleased to see the top. From there it was mostly downhill through pine forests and then meadows as you get nearer to Segovia. Fortunately, until the last 7kms or so it was primarily in the shade. Staying at Hostal Don Jaime I y II which is right in the centre and near to the Camino. Off to AirBnB at Nieva tomorrow, about 35kms but it should be less hilly. Anyone stopped in Villeguillo recently?  Is there somewhere to eat?

Colmenar to Cercedilla 36 kms

 The storms and rain stayed away and all was great last night. Opted to eat at the hotel which proved to be a good choice. A bottle of wine and a bottle of water plus a 3 course meal with coffee was only 16 euros.   It was a great walk today. Left at 0730 and arrived in  Cercedilla at 1500. Recorded as 36kms. Route out of Colmenar Viejo is well marked and follows a grit and granite tack for most of the way to Manzanares de Real. Mostly easy walking with a few scrambles. Had 2nd breakfast in MdR at Hostel La Pedriza. Coffee and a lovely chunk of tortilla. Got here just before 1030. Rest of the route was well marked but could have done with more shade. There was some talk in previous threads about avoiding the big loop in the road after Navacerrada and using the GR route instead that cuts across. When I walked there today there was a Camino arrow just after the big restaurant where you cross the M-601 that took a path to the left and cut a big section off. Even better it had a fair bit of shade. Photo from Mapy.cz attached. Staying in the Hostal Longinos tonight ready for the high trek tomorrow to Segovia. 

Off to Colmenar Viejo about 27kms

 Left the hotel on the outskirts of Madrid at around 0730. It was dry and warm at the start but probably nearer 26 degrees c by the time I stopped. The route out was marked but not reliably. I do wish they would stick to the simple yellow arrows as then you know what to look for. I used Mapy.cz and Wikiloc to navigate. Once the suburbs ended and I got ink to the more open space the markings were much better. The official markers, Mapy.cz and Wikiloc all showed the same route until near the end of the open area just before you get back near to the road and railway. At this point the arrows had been remarked and showed a different route to my maps. However, a quick check showed the old route was closed so now you just go the other side of the rail line. Rest of the way into Tres Cantos was straightforward. I did not stop to detour into Tres as I intended to stop on the route to eat my lovely fresh roll with tuna and olive oil. After the short break I headed off towards my day’s destination. A well marked route that crosses a river about 11 times. All crossings had the normal stone blocks as stepping stones but a few were missing. Luckily, I only lost my balance once. However, glad I was not there a week or so ago when they had torrential range. You can still see the scars in the landscape. Arrived at the Grand Hostel El Chiscon in Colmenar Viejo just after 1300. Must say it was bigger and grander than I expected. I plan to eat on the Hostel tonight as there does not seem to be much else in the immediate area and it popular at lunch. Off to Cercedilla tomorrow. It’s 1500 and I can hear thunder and lightning close by. I hope it’s all gone by tomorrow. 

Madrid Day 1. 11 September 23

 Camino Blog

Started well with the flight being on time. Landed in terminal T4s which meant a short ‘train’ ride to the exit. Found the way to the RENFE station ok and managed to negotiate the ticket machine with no major hiccups!  Expected to get line C1 to Chamartin and the change to C4 for Sol. However, when I got off at Chamartin it turns out there are works going on so I could not change lines there. Found out I should have stayed on the first train until Nuevos Ministerios and then changed for Sol. At least I found my way in the end. Then a short walk to Iglesia Santiago y San Juan Bautista and a wait until 1800 for it to open. Turns out there is a Camino marker and map for the Camino in the square outside the church now. After getting my credencial stamped at the church I had a short 10 km stroll to my first nights accommodation along the Camino at Hostal Royal Begona. I mostly followed a Wikiloc track as the Camino passes within about 200m of the room. It was a simple enough stroll, although I am no fan of cities. Saw a couple of other Camino markers on the way but nothing consistent. Off to Gran Hostal El Chiscón at Colmenar Viejo tomorrow. 

 Amended the plan slightly now as I intend to go to Iglesia Santiago y San Juan Bautista from the airport for the formal start of the camino then head about 8km out from Madrid to my first night’s accom which reduces the next day’s distance to about 27km to Colmenar Viejo. Next day will then be about 35km to Cercedilla. Then off to Segovia which is about 30kms. After that I will see how things feel!

 Flight now booked for 11 Sep and then off to Tres Cantos on 12 Sept. Credential ordered and detailed planning started - booked the first few nights accom as far as Segovia then I will wing it from there as I get a better feel for how my body is!

Camino Madrid??

 My last camino was the Oct 19 when I walked the Camino Olvidado to Buiza, then the San Salvador to Oviedo and finally the Primitivo to SdC. 

Now looking for a new adventure and considering starting on the Camino Madrid then walking the first part of the San Salvador that I missed last time and then onto the last bit of the Olvidado that I again missed last time. After that I will need to decide to either repeat the Invierno that I walked in 2017 after the Sureste or the end of the Frances which I have probably walked part of around 5 times. As always, I have read through the various Camino Madrid threads and am well used to using the likes of Wikiloc and Gronze. 

It is likely, that I will not start until Sept 23 as I am busy in spring and it will be too hot after that. I am hoping that there will be a few people posting on here before Sept so I can see what the latest accommodation options are…...

Let the planning commence. Flight booked for Sept 11