Input/advice on last stretch (Lugo-Santiago)

[crisrodrigues]

Asking for advice on stops (I have 3 nights (12-15th Oct), then walking to Santiago on the 4th day) on my last stretch of the Primitivo (Lugo-Santiago). Breaking my head here trying to avoid the more obvious stops/crowds as the Primitivo meets the French, also some places already full. I know I can leave Lugo and decide as I walk but I am trying to plan as much as I can since I'll be on my own AND the idea of having to walk more than I can handle due to full occupancy doesn't thrill me . Any suggestions of towns/accommodation appreciated.

 

[Telelama]

Hello, there's the Camino Verde that leaves Lugo and heads over to Friol and then to Sobrado. There's also an alternative that takes you towards the Frances and joins it right at the airport instead of Aruza. I have provided a view to this alternative on the Camino Verde site here on Ivar's forum; https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/camino-verde-trail-conditions.80616/#post-1253745.

We've done the Primitive twice this way and it was beautiful and is very quiet compared to joining the Frances. In June we encouraged a number of our Camino family to go this way and many of them did. They had nothing but great things to say! Meanwhile a few we knew that went down to Melide said walking into Santiago on the Frances was like walking around Disneyland.

Here's a direct link to the Verde forum

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/forums/camino-verde-from-lugo-to-sobrado.194/

There's some really lovely places to stay and we'd be happy to provide some recommendations if you decide this is the route for you.

 

[crisrodrigues]

Hello, there's the Camino Verde that leaves Lugo and heads over to Friol and then to Sobrado. There's also an alternative that takes you towards the Frances and joins it right at the airport instead of Aruza. I have provided a view to this alternative on the Camino Verde site here on Ivar's forum; https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/camino-verde-trail-conditions.80616/#post-1253745.

We've done the Primitive twice this way and it was beautiful and is very quiet compared to joining the Frances. In June we encouraged a number of our Camino family to go this way and many of them did. They had nothing but great things to say! Meanwhile a few we knew that went down to Melide said walking into Santiago on the Frances was like walking around Disneyland.

Here's a direct link to the Verde forum

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/forums/camino-verde-from-lugo-to-sobrado.194/

There's some really lovely places to stay and we'd be happy to provide some recommendations if you decide this is the route for you.

Thank you @Telelama ! I have read and followed your Verde alternative but wasnt sure I was up for it on my own. Maybe I am overly cautious?

 

[Anhalter]

I walked the following and had no problems with getting a place to stay in May this year:

Lugo	Ferreira
Ferreira	Melide
Melide	O Pedrouzo
O Pedrouzo	Santiago

 

[crisrodrigues]

thank you @Anhalter i was trying to avoid melide altogether but definitely a possibility to follow your stops

 

[Anhalter]

I personally like Melide, good food and good accomodation. But you could walk another 5km and stay at the El Aleman albergue from which i heard many good things. Also reduces the rather long day to Pedrouzo.

Would not expect to big of a crowd in mid october anyways... was not even that bad in May.

 

[trecile]

These were my last stages on the Primitivo

 

[crisrodrigues]

These were my last stages on the Primitivo

View attachment 178101

thanks! this looks smart for what i was looking for. what accommodation do you suggest if any for Boente and Santa Irene?

 

[trecile]

what accommodation do you suggest if any for Boente and Santa Irene?

In Boente I stayed in Albergue Pensión Boente. The next night I stayed in Albergue Astrar, which is 700 meters from Santa Irene. I was walking with a small group, and we had the place to ourselves in mid June last year. Since it's a bit of a distance to any restaurants for dinner the owner offered to drive us somewhere to eat, or to go pick up pizza for us. We opted for the pizza. There's also a good kitchen if you want to cook for yourself. It's off the Camino but there's a road that takes you back to the Camino without backtracking.

I've also stated at the municipal albergue in Santa Irene on a past Camino.

 

[Pafayac]

Thank you @Telelama ! I have read and followed your Verde alternative but wasnt sure I was up for it on my own. Maybe I am overly cautious?

Camino Verde is not well marked (green arrows are not as visible as yellow ones), some dogs can be curious, and in Friol there are not so many accommodations, but it is interesting, almost in the first day (Lugo to Friol).
However in October, joining the Frances is not as awful as in summer. You can forget the Verde except if you want to be alone, or if you want to visit Sobrado monastery (great !)

 

[crisrodrigues]

thanks @Pafayac ! when i read @Telelama and others on Verde I was very tempted to walk that way. but after some personal deliberation I came to realize Ill be better off walking the French as long as I can try less used stops.

 

[unadara]

I'd stay on Camino and do Ferreira, the walk through Melide to A Boente is very tough but I liked the Albergue there. I liked Santa Irene been there twice, a Private Hostel which was v good.
I'd also comment that I liked the walking through Melide and after, I think you'll enjoy it. The Primitivo is great. I just did it this year.

 

[trecile]

I'd also comment that I liked the walking through Melide and after, I think you'll enjoy it.

I agree, it very nice walking in this stretch.

 

[crisrodrigues]

I'd stay on Camino and do Ferreira, the walk through Melide to A Boente is very tough but I liked the Albergue there. I liked Santa Irene been there twice, a Private Hostel which was v good.
I'd also comment that I liked the walking through Melide and after, I think you'll enjoy it. The Primitivo is great. I just did it this year.

thanks @unadara ! I think from this thread my takes are ferreira, boente (el aleman looks great) and santa irene what would you recommend? im excited to start next week!

 

[dbier]

I couldn't get into Santa Irene in late September 2023...had to do a short stop in Casa do Horreos after El Aleman. The next open room was in Amenal. I was shipping a pack, so needed a reservation each night.

My stops were Ferreira, Boente, the Casa, and then a 30km day into SdC. :/

Hopefully, you'll have better luck
Buen Camino.

 

[crisrodrigues]

I couldn't get into Santa Irene in late September 2023...had to do a short stop in Casa do Horreos after El Aleman. The next open room was in Amenal. I was shipping a pack, so needed a reservation each night.

My stops were Ferreira, Boente, the Casa, and then a 30km day into SdC. :/

Hopefully, you'll have better luck
Buen Camino.

thanks @dbier ! the room situation as I have understood so far is a 50/50 chance. like you said, an unlucky day may change your plans. I have seen many places i had listed fully booked for October so I decided I was going to book in advance to have peace of mind and walk at a pace I can handle.