When it comes to Spanish walking there are few people more knowledgeable than my Spanish friend Juan Holgado. I had fallen in love with Spain when I walked across it in 2011 on the way to Budapest so when Juan suggested that I have a look at the GR1 I jumped at the idea. Juan has just about walked every Spanish long distance trail and rates the GR1 as the countries best. I did it for the first time in 2012 and after subsequent trips in 2013 and 2014 have now written the first comprehensive guide to the route for Cicerone. This page is designed to answer some basic questions about Spain's best long distance walk and keep readers up to date with its development.
What is the GR1 Sendero Histórico?
What's
What's the countryside like on GR1 Sendero Histórico?
What is 'Históric' about the GR1?
What's the accommodation like on the GR1?
How do I find my way on the GR1?
Some GR1 Q & As
A GR1 Radio Interview
Accommodation Updates 2023
GR1 Updates to the description
On the GR1 with Rebecca and Barry
New Zealanders on the GR1
A Norwegian on the GR1
A guest blog from Stephen Mulvey
A Dutchman on the GR1
If there are other
Spain's Sendero Historico: The GR1: Northern Spain - Picos to the Mediterranean (Trekking)
http://www.johnhayeswalks.com/2015/11/finding-your-way-along-gr1.html
This is a good guide to a good walk. Recently completed Section 1 and enjoyed it immensely. The guide worked well. The accommodation recommended was great. The maps suggested were spot on. The especially helpful tip was to install the Rangefinder App with downloaded kebabs GPS maps. These were excellent - always knew exactly where we were within metres. Thank you John for the obvious care and attention to detail.
ReplyDeleteHi John
DeleteSo pleased you enjoyed it. Section 1 is perhaps the most challenging from an accommodation point of view so it's great to hear that you were able to make it work. I'm also getting lots of feedback from the accommodation hosts telling me that the extra business from GR1 walkers is very welcome.
Please feel free to share you comments on Amazon!
John
Greetings
ReplyDeleteIm planning on doing the gr1 and sureste next year. The sureste finishes at benavente. It looks like puerto tarna is a very small village, is there a more convenient town that is accessible on the gr1 from benavente?
I've ordered your book so maybe getting to puerto tarna is addressed
Thanks
Kevin
Ps..just finished the via francigena which i heartily recommend
Hi Kevin
DeleteGetting to the start of the walk is discussed in the guide. From Benavente you can get the train (I think or bus) to Oviedo and then a train and a bus to the nearest accommodation. The last bit, up to the pass itself (Puerto Tarna is just a pass) needs a taxi.
Lots of different places to start the walk - one option for you would be to catch the narrow gauge train from Leon which takes to close to various points along the route.
When you get the book, have a look and if you have any questions then I'll try to answer them.
Also check for updates on the this blog, both route and accommodation updates.
John
Thanks john
DeleteWill check updates for accommodation..always an important consideration!
Looking forward to doing this route.
Kevin
Just to the other side of Puerto Tarna is Redes Nature Reserve (Parque Natural). For me is one of the most beautiful areas in Asturias for walking. Less rocky than Picos de Europa offers nice walkings along forests and gorges. Actually it should´t be difficult to reach Caso (Campo de Caso, Campu Casu in local spelling) from Oviedo. From Caso to Tarna you can get a taxi I suppose. You also can you to Tarna from León. I suppose thereís still buses to Riaño from León. From Riaño to Tarna I think you have a stretch of this route, or at least there´s a walk up to Puerto Tarna. Miguel from Santiago
ReplyDeleteWe've just walked to Liguerra de Cinca with a booking and we're told that we had to walk back to Mesón de Cinca. They accommodation in Liguerra seem to be purely a wedding venue now?
ReplyDeleteHi Sin
DeleteSorry to hear about the extra walking. It's amazing that they didn't honour the booking. Have just looked at the website and it looks new with a fresh emphasis on weddings. It may be that they have changed there business approach which would be a shame. I'll update the section in the blog on GR1 accommodation. Many thanks for letting me know. Enjoy the rest of your hike. John
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI am walking the part from riglos tot graus at the moment and am enjoying it immensely, so beautiful and quiet. I just game from liguërre and they still offer accomodation and campsite with bungalows, at meson. But from there you can also get a bus to ainsa (around 6 pm) and a bus back early in the morning. 15 minutes drive. Ainsa is a pretty town with bars, restaurants, hotels, hostals, shops,..
That's a very helpful update Elke, someone thought that the hotel at Liguërre is now only open for weddings but the bungalows on the campsite look like a good option. Hope you having good weather, I'm in Seville at the moment and it's been raining for 24hrs.
DeleteThanks for the update.
Hi, we can offer some clarity re ligüerre de cinca - weekends from March to July inclusive are for weddings only but there is camping and bungalows in meson as elke says. We're here now though and struggling to be able to get meals as the restaurants at either cinca or meson aren't open today / tonight due to low numbers of people.
ReplyDeleteLilly
Thanks for the update Lilly, I'll include it in the accommodation list. Hope you managed to find some food and that the rest of the trip is going well. Enjoy the gorge tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteJohn
Hi there, getting ready to do the GR1. I've downloaded the IGN app + maps (free!) and am just looking for your GPX in the hope that I can add it to the IGN maps. You mention that "The GPX trail for the route is available for free download from the Cicerone website once you've bought the guidebook" and I have registered the book but can't see where to find the GPX - any ideas please? Muchas Gracias
ReplyDeleteHi Giles
DeleteThere is a helpful FAQ on the Cicerone blog that deals with this https://www.cicerone.co.uk//faq/view.cfm/faq/81
If that doesn't work let me know.
You definitely need the route, those Spanish maps are not much use without it.
Have a great trip and let me know how you get on
buen caminar!
John
Hi, John
ReplyDeleteJust got your latest Via del Plata adventure via Cicerone! I couldn't get the link to this working on your blogs pages so I'll come in here on the GR1 page. Well done - you two never stop! Debby and I have just got back from cycling the Danube (source to Budapest and loved it), followed by the Tour de Mont Blanc - busy but superb. I'm afraid we chickened out of your recommended Munich Venice walk - must be getting old.
Warm regards, Rob and Debby McColl, NZ
Great to hear from you again
DeleteDoesn't sound like you're getting old, so you're cycling as well. Maybe you'll have to do the Ruta Vía de la Plata.
Keep in touch
John
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI’m planning to walk the whole of the GR1 in April/May this year, but I just can’t decide in which direction to do it. I’m going to start in the first week of April and continue until I have to go home for about 5 days at the end of the month, and then go back and do the rest in May.
It seems that the most obvious is to follow the guidebook towards the mediterranean, but I’m concerned if there’s going to be snow/too much bad weather at the beginning. But on the other hand, I’m afraid it might be more difficult to follow the trail if I go from east to west. Do you have any advice on how to choose? I also have the opportunity to do it May/June, but June seems a little late, meaning too hot…
And about walking poles… I haven’t used them before, but are considering it. What are your thoughts about it? Apart from helping with the walking, they seem most attractive to me as a security against loose dogs.
And thank you for a great blog and guidebook.
Marie
Hi Marie
DeleteI had snow in March on one of the years when I was on the GR1 but it was exceptional and I think you would be very unlucky to get it in April. Generally speaking April/May is the perfect time to walk the GR1. In June it will be getting warmer and in some years (a couple of years ago in particular) it gets very hot, but it will vary and normally June is a good month for most of the walk.
In terms of following the trail I would recommend that you download the GPS trails and learn how to use Viewranger or similar on your phone, and if you use GPS the direction won't matter. It's very long trail and although I've tried my very best to provide accurate route instructions just using the guide for 1250kms is a challenge. I know one person who did it (http://tarjeinskrede.blogspot.co.uk/p/gr1-sendero-historico.html) but he did have have problems. For a brilliant report of someone who went from east to west have a look at this blog (https://wildpilgrims.com/2016/04/26/gr1-week-4-through-the-lost-landscapes-of-aragon/).
I'm a fan of walking poles and have used them for a long time. They are supposed to help spread the load but it's anyone's guess as to whether they do. Dogs in Spain can be intimidating but their bark is definitely worse than their bite and I can honestly say that in all the months I've walked in Spain that I've never been even nearly attacked by a dog. If you don't take poles the alternative defence is to threaten them with a stone and apparently that works.
Have a great trip and let me know how you get on - always looking for a guest blog!
John
Hi John,
DeleteThank you very much for the fast reply.
I started the GR1 last week, and is right now about an hour’s walk from L’Espunyola, staying the night in a lovely Airbnb house.
The weather have mostly been really good so far, and the walking nice. Have had some, hm, interesting dogs encounters, but actually thought it would be worse, so it haven’t spoiled anything.
I’ll send you an email when I’m done about accommodation and so on, think I’ll maybe have something useful to add. And about a guest blog, why not? We’ll se... I’m going back to DK in 13 days, so are just going to Graus, for now.
And btw, the GPS works perfectly, and although I’m going in the “wrong” direction, it’s nice to read about the next day in your guidebook, so thanks for both. So far the waymarking have been quite good, and some days I haven’t really used the GPS, so that’s nice.
Marie
Hi John. Do you know where I may be able to get info on GR15 - just north of GR1?
ReplyDeleteDear John- the book's great- we enjoyed the first section last June and are going back for more this year- from Olite to Bolea. Do you think going from Olite through to Gallipienzo in one day is do-able?
ReplyDeleteCouple of tips for the first section:
We also stayed in Los Riegos in Belerda at the beginning and found them very helpful- we stayed 3 nights and did some walks locally in the Parque Natural de Redes. The taxi driver you mention in the book, Rafael, can take you up into the higher mountains in his 4X4 and is incredibly knowledgeable about the area.
In Cervera de Pisguera the best food and atmosphere was at Taxus, the restaurant at the campsite. The bar is also a good place for a coffee/drink. You have to book for meals, it's very popular. 979 870 424.
The walk from C de P to Branosera is long- we took a taxi a few kms up the road towards Vanes- taxista Maria Angeles on 600 863 084 was lovely and a passionate advocate for the side-trip to go and see El Roblon, the old oaktree!
We had a good evening at Cueva del Coble with the irrepressible Jesus and Hostal Cholo was great value and did a really early breakfast so we made Reinosa for lunch.
That's where we left the GR1- we took the afternoon bus (towards Bilbao) to Quintinilla de Rebollar, where we stayed a few days at the absolutely delightful Posada Real El Prado Mayor. A beautiful house, great, good value food cooked and (much of it) grown by the lovely owner, Olga. There are lots of gentle walks in the area, as well as visits to cave systems in the cliffs, so it's a fine place to wind down and you can get to Bilbao by bus or (very slow) train.
Thanks again for the book, John.
Regards,
Gill
Hi Gill
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your comments, really nice and some great information. If you have any pictures I would love to turn it into a guest blog.
On the Olite question, yes it is possible, I suspect it will take a good 8 hours and you would have to blast through Ujue which is a shame. The walking is very easy.
Hi John- yes we have quite a few- can I email them to you? best wishes, Gill. As you will see the weather was mixed!
DeleteYes please - email address is amithefirst@gmail.com
Delete1030/5000
ReplyDeleteDear John, ici Cecilia Sanchez of Albergue El Condor in Paules de Sarsa on the GR1 route.
we are delighted to receive the walkers of the GR1 for our establishment
"El Condor" here in Paules de Sarsa, we would like you to send us an email to notify us of your arrival: infos@elcondor.es
or by phone at 0034 618828587 or 0034 974343095
www.elcondor.es
also to inform that the Albergue de Arcusa has closed its doors.
there is a change proposal of the GR1 by the Aragonese Mountaineering Federation, the GR1 will continue past Paules de Sarsa and then go to Almazorre, Barcabo, Abizanda and Samitier,
see link
.http: //www.fam.es/documentos/varios/709-c-somontano/file
Dear John, here is my husband Dany and me Cecilia to help if you need more information about the Gr1 in Aragon.
We will be very pleased to help you in any doubt, and do not hesitate to visit us.
we are in contact with the federation for any change in the GR1
receive a cordial greeting and see you soon
Cecilia Sanchez
I remember Paules de Dates really well, very beautiful and remote part of Spain. I hope that my guide is encouraging walkers to visit this special place
DeleteHi, John
ReplyDeleteWe often think fondly of our GR1 walk and our gratitude to you that we did it. One thing I often wonder about is how many people are now doing this wonderful walk. Have you any ideas of numbers? It's still one of our favorites.
We're planning to do the Andalusia Coast to Coast next April 2019. What are you up to walking wise?
Warm regards, Rob and Deb McColl NZ
Hi Rob and Deb
DeleteGreat to hear from you again and so pleased that your memories of the GR1 are still warm ones.
I think it's fair to say that the number of people who through walk the whole GR1 is not that high. The guide sells about 100 copies a year and I doubt that everyone who buys it actually completes. Compared to my other guides however people who do the walk often get in touch and the trip is clearly a life event. My wife often says she would like to do it again.
I'm mixing up cycling with walking at the moment and have caught the lycra bug. I did a lovely trip through Spain last year and I'm currently working on the guide.
Andalusia is great, I've walked there a lot, not sure where the coast to coast goes but it can, surprisingly, be wet north of the Sierras.
Have a great trip and keep in touch
John
Hi John,
ReplyDeleteI did the GR1 in 2005, only Catalunya, in the other direction east-west, and wrote a book about it in Dutch (175p) that I also sent to Juan Holgado (met him last March in Madrid).I'm planning to do the GR1 next May, Aragon. I download the GPX trail from FEDME and they also follow the GR1 in the east-West direction. Legend goes that the GR1 is following roughly the 44° (±) north latitude and that it has been followed since the Neolithic period. So I wonder why you choose to follow the GR1 west-east.
My second question: is there already an update of your Cicerone Guide 2015 (which I have) or is it still trustworthy particularly on accomodation (65 years old: I don't do tent anymore:)
Thanks for your reply!
Willem, Ghent, Belgium
Hi Willem
DeleteNice to hear from you.
No particular reason for going west east other than the desire to finish the walk at the sea.
I think the guide still works in general terms on accommodation although people are always finding new places to stay. I got some detailed comments on the Aragon section a few days ago and I'll put them up on the blog in the next few weeks.
Best wishes
John
Hi John,
ReplyDeleteGreat website, thank you.
I'm planning to do the GR1 in the Palencia / Cantabria region (or indeed the GR99 Camino del Ebro or maybe even the Cordillero Cantabrica), but researching all 3, the one thing that stands out from all the sources I've checked is that they all appear to have long stretches on tarmac. I'm used to walking France's wonderful GRs, where there's (in my experience) almost no stretches on tarmac. Could you comment please on the GR1 section from Caporredondo de Alba towards Reinosa and onwards to the east end of the Embalse del Ebro reservoir. Many thanks, Barry
Hi Barry
DeleteThanks for your comments.
The GR1 has a Cantabrian gap, not supported by the regional walking association, so yes, if you want to through walk you have to go along the road near the reservoir. In my Guide I describe an alternative route into Reinosa but recommend catching a bus to the end of the reservoir. It's a little bit messy after that for a couple of kilometres but normal service is resumed once you leave the Cantabrian region.
It's a great trip, I'd love to do it again
John
Hi John,
ReplyDeletemy walk in May over the Aragon section was commented on my blog GR1aragon.blogspot.com but sadly in Dutch... It has now become my goal to continue the whole walk even unto Galicia. What surprised me is the fact that the GR1 now exists also in Asturias and (a little bit) in Galicia. See the website https://www.wikiloc.com/hiking-trails/gr-1-asturias-9387978 and also on a Dutch website https://www.traildino.nl/trace/continents-Europe/countries-Spain/trails-GR1_Sendero_Histórico,_Senda_Transversal
I suppose this news will trigger you to continue the GR1 in direction of the Atlantic and write some extra chapters to your wonderful Cicerone Guide?
Winter greetings from Ghent in Flabnders,
Willem
Hi Willem
DeleteGreat to here from you again.
The guide is selling steadily but is some way off being sold out so they won't let me do a reprint, with amendments, until it does. Perhaps you could give it a push on Amazon by saying just how wonderful it is. Once sold out I'll be on my way to Galicia and the Astoria's both of which are lovely parts of Spain.
It would be interesting to find out if the extensions are supported by the regional walking associations. That was the problem originally and if they're not they won't be waymarked.
Best wishes from a wet and windy England.
John
Hello John, thank you for your insights of the GR1. I have two questions:
ReplyDelete1. Why do most people do the trail southbound, what are the reasons?
2. The Dutchman, whose Blog you have on your website, speaks of problems with the procession moth. Do you know (or can he tell me) on what stretches he had those problems and what he prepaired for or did to help himself? Thank you very much, Katharina
Hi Katharina, nice to hear from you.
Delete1. People actually walk it both directions and there are some examples of east to west trips attached to the blog. My guide goes from west to east mainly because I wanted to finish at the sea but both directions have their strengths and weaknesses.
2. I didn't have any problems with the procession moth but I have seen them in Spain. I have extremely sensitive skin and most things have an impact on me but I didn't suffer in this instance. If you're worried about them I suggest you contact the Dutchman direct.
Best wishes
John
Hi John. Thanks for the guide & this website. Earlier this year I walked from Cap Finisterre to Oviedo (via Camino Finisterre & Camino Primitivo in 'reverse'), wild camping all the way. In summer 2023 I plan to get to the western end of GR1 via GR105 & GR102 (as you recommend) and then do a chunk of GR1. I'll return to finish what remains of GR1 over the following year or so.
ReplyDeleteBut the real purpose of this post is to let anyone who isn't aware, know that the free to download IGN 1:25,000 maps DO have the latest GR1 route marked on those maps that have been recently published. When I first trekked in Spain (late 1970s) the available Spanish maps were a byword for inaccuracy. I have to say that I think the recent editions of the IGN maps are as good as the UK's OS maps. That they are free for non-commercial usage, is wonderful. Best wishes to all those who trek in Spain. Simon from UK.
Hi Simon, thanks for the info about the Spanish maps. You're absolutely right the ones I used on my trips across Spain were useful but had lots of omissions and reduntant information. It's great to hear that they've been revamped and are still free.
DeleteI'm afraid I don't have any updated GPX files for the route. In Spain the regional walking and climbing associations are responsible for GR waymarking and, although it's a long time since I looked, some but not all have the latest GPX files on their websites. If you go to the FEDME website (the national association) you should be able to find the links to the regional associations.
Have a great trip and please send me any updates.
I'd forgotten I sent this to you a year ago! Since then I have done as planned and walked GR105 & GR102 to Puerto de Tarna and then on to Reinosa via GR1. This was in June 2023. It was a tough trip as I had nearly two weeks of thunder & lightening, heavy rain/hail & lowish temperatures. A couple of nights were spent in church porches as my normal plan of wild camping every night was pretty miserable. I had some serious navigation problems on GR105 - a lot of re-routing and missing markers. My GPX route was meant to be up to date - it was well off. So many an hour hacking through brambles/nettles and other over grown stuff. Clearly not many doing it. GR102 was better as its higher up and therefore more open. So having done Cap Finisterre to Puerto de Tarna, would I recommend it? Not really - it's only one for people like me who are completists and hate the thought of leaving something incomplete. 2024 will see me starting at Reinosa - I have a GPS route to Corconte that zig zags all over the hillside. Will anyone ever walk it? Will there be any markers? What do you think John?
DeleteBest wishes, Simon.
Hi Simon
DeleteCongratulations on getting to Puerto de Tarna, hopefully you found the next bit a lot easier.
From Reinosa to Corconte. I really don't know I'm afraid. I did the original version of the GR1, the bit which is no longer supported in Cantabria, into Reinosa, and the waymarks had already gone 10 years ago, so I suspect you'll have the same problem all the way to Corconte. It's also a problem for first stretch after Corconte and things don't improve until you get into Castile y Leon where the GR1 is supported. Unless you want to walk every step of the way I'd catch the bus. Great to here from you . Keep in touch
Im case someone is inquiering about GR1 at the time: the section approx. from Colonia Llaudet (east of Sant Joan de las Abedesses) is closed. I can send screenshots of the exact location if required. So its just the roadwalk 😐
ReplyDeleteHi Katharina - that's really helpful, if you let me know roughly where the closure starts and finishes that would be very helpful. I'll make sure the update goes on the Cicerone website
DeleteI am sure we have written the most extensive and constructive trip report on Section 5 of the GR1 and get not even mentioned (while updates on accomodation were used...) jknotathome
ReplyDeleteMy apology Joost - it was indeed an excellent trip report. This is the first update I've done to my blog for sometime so I'm just getting back into the swing of things. I did tweet at the time of you sent me your report with a link to your website and have updated this post to acknowledge your contribution. Many thanks for your interest.
DeleteHi John,
ReplyDeleteI guess this is one of those long comments you dislike, cause I just walked the section of the GR1 from Riglos to Graus and some things have changed. First of all, as of March 25, the government of Aragon completed an overhaul of the Aragonese part of the GR1 that costed €440.000,-.(https://www.eldiariodehuesca.com/turismo/inaugurado-gr-1-su-paso-por-huesca-su-puesta-punto-homologado-como-sendero-turistico-aragon_7489_102.html). Since I didn't see anyone else on the route, I guess that money was spent just for me. Thanks Aragon.
They launched a website with downloadable maps and GPS data, that can be found here: https://senderosturisticos.turismodearagon.com/senderos/gr1. The maps indicate sights and places to stay (just don't rely on the latter because they may be closed anyway)(and they didn’t include phone numbers or addresses). Also the markings on the route were redone and at times so abundant that it almost took the joy of feeling adventurous away. Luckily they failed to put markings in places where you really needed them, so still needed GPS as a backup.
There are a few places where the path diverges from the route in your guide (and also some places where the GPS and the map slightly contradict each other), but most notable is the addition of Rodellar to the route. So from west to east, after Bara and Nasarre, the official route now goes south, and comes back to your route near Letosa. They added this detour for good reason, cause both the way to Rodellar as the way back up are nothing short of spectacular. I do have some photo's but I can't see where to upload them to you. From Nasarre to Rodellar you pass a 5000 years old Dolmen (portal tomb), and then you walk down a beautiful gorge to get to the springs of the river Mascun, in a canyon with spectacular rock formations. Back up to Latosa you’ll have magnificent views -‘privileged’ as aforementioned website calls them-. The addition adds a day to the schedule. I would say these two days were the hardest stages, but still doable. The official site also mentions another detour, called the GR1.1, that skips Paules the Sarsa altogether and adds another stage from Alquezar tot Naval, but gave too little information about the route and if it would be worth it, so I stuck with the original.
On a sidenote, I don’t really agree with your choice to walk form west to east. I did, but I would recommend everyone else not to. The people at the tourist information were even a bit surprised I walked ‘the wrong way’. There are three reasons why I endorse walking the official way, east to west. First, since it is the official way, the markings at times make more sense. They do go both ways, but wherever they were confusing going east, looking behind me everything seemed perfectly clear. Secondly, if you want to enjoy the cool mornings to cover some ground, you wont be bothered that much by the sun in your eyes as I was. And you wont get the red tourist-face. Last but certainly not least, apart from the ascend to and descend from Bagueste, I would argue the best views were behind me all the time. The approach to Loarre Castle, to Riglos, to Liguerre de Cinca, to Pano, to Bara, to San Urbez, and to almost every other place I didn’t mention looked better looking back. As if the people who designed the route did it on purpose. I don’t know about the rest of the GR1, but i guess the first two points would hold true throughout.
In the end I didn’t use your guide all that much, since the official site was more accurate and complete, and I spent most nights in my tent anyway, but you did sell this route to me and I’m very grateful you did, since I had a fantastic experience.
All the best,
Amir
Hi Amir
DeleteGreat to hear from you and so pleased that your walk along the GR1 in Aragon was such a success. I really don't mind long comments particularly when the content is so helpful.
The management of the GR system in Spain is complicated, particularly if your looking in from the outside, and to some extent reflects the system of government in the country, very decentralised. There is the national mountaineering and walking body (FEDME) which sets standards and manages designations but it's the regional affiliated bodies that make things happen on the ground. Usually they support the national body but sometimes they don't.
The original concept for the GR1 was a coast to coast but that concept was not taken up in Galicia or Astorias. It was taken up initially in Cantabria but the route had been abandoned when I first did my research in 2012. Back in 2012 there was an association of local councils along the route who were trying to pull things together (convened by the mayor of Branosera, a town on the route in the west) and they were very supportive of my work and along with the legendary Juan Holgado provided me with advice.
The basic signage for the route is the classic white and red painted marker and where you see this, and it's reasonably fresh, it shows that the route is being supported by the regional walking association. It usually means that you can find a GPX on the regional walking associations website (generally where I picked up the route from) and may even be on the national map base.
Where you see something more elaborate than the painted waymark, a physical post for example with distinct branding, it means that the regional government in conjunction with the regional association, has decided to invest in the footpath and this mostly happens when the path goes through some sort of regionally defined designated park (a natural not a national park).
Aragon, the government, put money into route before I did my research and signage was excellent when I first walked it in 2012 and it's great to hear that they have continued to develop the route, add variants, and even make changes. If you're from the UK, making changes is a strange concept because generally speaking our footpaths are a legal right of way and making changes is legally complex. In Spain this isn't the case and routes do change either because the landowner decides they don't want people going through their property or the association identifies a better route. The routes are nearly always based on inter-village tracks, not ancient long distance trails, and when the local traffic goes the routes get overgrown and become impassable.
There is no defined direction for the route and you can walk it either way. From the perspective of the GR1 as a whole the case for walking west to east is the destination. Instead of walking to a nondescript pass in the Picos, significant only because it's the 'border' between two regions (one which didn't support the GR1), heading east, you're walking to the Mediterranean and an important set of Greek remains and a very definite end.
It does make the guide less useful heading east to west but only for those group of people who don't use a gps. My rule of thumb would be to follow the signs if they're new, then the gps and, if you're still confused, see what the guide says.
I think it's great that Aragon have invested in the route, made what sounds like a very significant change, but improved it. Thanks for letting me know. I'll send Cicerone an update and they will include it on their website. If you could send me some photos I'll write a new blog as update or if you prefer I could include a guest blog written by you. Let me know what you would like to do
The GR1 is never busy but, particularly in Aragon, there are more people in summer when all the hotels and other accommodation opens. The Aragon section is my favourite but sections on either side are also really good so if you can find the time you should go back and do some more.
Hi John,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your reply. I do understand your idea about the destination, that makes sense. I would be happy to share some photo's, but I don't really know how. I logged in with my mail address so maybe you have it and you can send me yours?
Hi Amir, thanks for replying - please send them to my blog email address which amithefirst@gmail.com
DeleteBonjour,
ReplyDeleteJe commence le gr1 dans une semaine. Je le fais d'est en ouest, en tente. Je n'ai pas le rythme soutenu de marche décrit dans le livre. Je me compte plusieurs semaines de supplément au cas où.
Je pensais commencer avec le gr11 au Cap de Creus et redescendre depuis Beget pour rejoindre le gr1 jusqu'à Sos del rey catholico.
Cependant (je ne me suis peut-être pas très bien organisée dans la préparation...), je me suis rendue compte aujourd'hui qu'entre Oliana et Sos del rey catholico il n'y a que très peu d'épiceries voire pas pendant parfois 5 à 9 étapes (ou bien seulement une boulangerie parfois). Je n'ai pas le budget pour dormir à l'hôtel ou manger au restaurant régulièrement.
Cet itinéraire a-t-il été prévu exclusivement pour les personnes qui mangent en restaurant ou à l'hôtel ? Ou bien en Espagne les hôtels ont-ils une mini-épicerie accessible aux personnes n'y logent pas ? Les boulangeries vendent-elles aussi du riz, des lentilles ou autres ?
Au vu de l'approche de mon départ, j'envisage donc de finalement m'arrêter à Oliana, et de faire ensuite le camino del norte et peut-être avec la section du gr1 entre Berantevilla et Puerto de tarna. (Je pars jusqu'en novembre.)
Je me demandais, sur les cartes IGN, il manque des sections des gr105 et 102 qui permettraient de rejoindre Oviedo comme décrit dans votre guide. Y a t-il un outil pour avoir accès à ces sections ?
Une dernière question : Je ne comprends pas comment utiliser Gpx Viiewer, et où je pourrais télécharger le fichier à mettre dans l'application, ou bien comment mettre la localisation gps sur des cartes ign hors ligne.
J'ai télécharger aussi "Trek me" sinon, je ne sais pas si l'on peut mettre aussi la localisation hors-ligne.
merci beaucoup pour vos guides !
Cécile
Salut Cécile
DeleteMerci pour votre commentaire
J'ai bien peur de ne pas parler français, j'ai donc utilisé Google Translate pour interpréter votre commentaire et générer une réponse.
Je n'ai pas campé lorsque j'ai parcouru le GR1, donc le guide est limité en termes d'informations sur le camping et cela inclut la disponibilité de la nourriture. De nombreuses personnes ont parcouru le GR1 du camping d'est en ouest et certains de leurs déplacements sont référencés sur le blog. Le meilleur est wildpilgrims.com.
D'après mes souvenirs, la plupart des petites villes avaient des magasins, mais vous devriez pouvoir le vérifier sur Google Maps.
La meilleure façon de trouver un sentier GPX pour n'importe quel itinéraire en Espagne est de le rechercher sur Google. Entrez le terme de recherche "GR102 gpx" et s'il existe, il apparaîtra. Généralement, Google vous pointe vers Wikiloc et le GR102 est définitivement là. Vous pouvez utiliser des cartes IGN pour afficher les cartes ou OpenMaps. Pour une application, j'utilise "OutdoorActive", mais il y en a beaucoup d'autres. Si vous n'êtes pas familier avec le GPS, cela demandera un peu de pratique.
Bonne chance Cécile - bonne promenade
Hello,
ReplyDeleteThanks you very much. Sorry for the late answer. I thought that my message didn't wanted sail, so i just see your answer now. I'm on the GR actually, in Belsué. I'm stay here for the weekend because of i need to buy something to protect my black, i have inflammation ; and because of the hunters around here this weekend. People propose me to stay a little, so i can answer you.
It's okay now for me to use GPX, and i have download the document about the ways in Aragon, with all the modification.
I ask me, maybe i would like continue after Sos d'El Rey catholico to go make the Picos de Europa. I think that i will arrive in Sos d'El Rey catholico at the end of october. I walk less that it's indicate for the GR, like my bag is heavy with the tente, food and water.
It is okay with snow and rain in november of walk in Picos de Europa ? There is snow in november in this part ? I ask people sometimes, but the climat is different in Aragon and in the Ouest of Spain, and I have a different answer each time. A man tell me also yesterday that it's not recommanded of camp in the forest there with lobos y osos. But when i search in internet they don't tell that it's really danger. Just with osos, we need to put food in the three.
I will see maybe on this website that you talk. I confess like i'm on the way, i don't know if i will arrive to concentrate enough for search long time on blog, and maybe find or not a kind of answer.
Thanks you for the GR, it's really beautiful !
Cécile
And finally i make the part in Aragon. (I had written all the possible supermercado in the case where i changed of mind and decide to make it.) It's ask a little organisation for food, but i arrive to carry it. I have meet a man in Rodellar who knows good the region, and give me precious advices about where i can have water and food in the next steps of Aragon.
ReplyDelete(Sorry for my english not so good)
I realize that i have read this blog (wildpilgrim) before to leave in Spain in searching in your website. Thanks you very much ! (Sorry to sail several messages...)
ReplyDeleteCécile