Congosto

Camino Olvidado

To end of camino
28.6
Altitude
688

Cobrana

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4.00

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Congosto

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6.90

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Presa de Bárcena

Congosto on BOOKING.com
Services
Bar
Yes

Congosto has several casas rurales. Casa Rural Alvaro de Mendana is recommended — the owner goes out of her way for pilgrims. Call ahead to arrange access. Across the street is a restaurant where the menu del dia has been as cheap as 5 euros.

Note that Pola de Gordon was the last ATM many stages back. Make sure you have cash, or ask about card payment when booking accommodation.

The Road

The official Camino Olvidado continues from Congosto to Cabanas Raras (20 km) and then onto the Frances at Cacabelos. However, most pilgrims heading for the Invierno leave the Olvidado here and walk into Ponferrada instead (16-19 km).

To reach Ponferrada, two options exist: one follows the Olvidado route along the reservoir and across the dam before cutting south; the other leaves directly from Congosto (shorter, but misses Santo Tomas de las Ollas). The Mozarabe church of Santo Tomas de las Ollas, with its horseshoe arches and almost circular apse, is a hidden gem — knock at the houses on the square or call the tourist office (+34 987 424 236) to get it opened.

City Map
Accommodation in Congosto.
Casa Rural
Casa Rural La Calzada real

Comments

29. July 2022 - 23:15

Camino de Sant… (not verified)

You need to ring Gloria or go to Meson restaurant, near the soccer pitches. Incredible place, complete with coffee machine and microwave. 16 people in July 2022, 14 in June and 20 in May. Mostly 50 to 60 plus years. Mostly Spanish, with odd french, Irish, slovak and USA.

29. July 2022 - 23:12

Camino de Sant… (not verified)

If you want to leave Congosta and head to Ponferrada... an interesting beautiful route, is to follow the road around reservoir and over the bridge.. continue on about 300m, and then take a left side car road back towards the reservoir. Walk down this road until you come to a track called Sienda de las Romeros. Have some form of mapping system downloaded. You will go down incredible gorge all the way to the city and under the big bridges. You will miss all the industrial sections, and feel in the middle of nature until you arrive out on the Camino Frances route with arrows and follow backwards to the Castle.

19. May 2022 - 21:12

Camino de Sant…

The woman who runs this is an incredible resource. They’ll do takeout for the municipal Albergue. She goes out of her way to be helpful. Currently they close at 6, but be nice to her and you’ll solve any problems you may have.