Mid-Oct 2025 Primitivo - grateful for any planning thoughts.

[Mattdoubleyew]

As per title, really, I’m sketching out a plan to do the Primitivo next Oct, starting around the 18th.

Just ordered my village-to-village guidebook, but as I impatiently wait for it, I’d be very grateful for any experience-based thoughts on doing the Primitivo at that point on the calendar - my chief concern being accommodation having already closed down

Thank you!

 

[dick bird]

For planning, Gronze is the sine qua non. It functions as a kind of Wiki: users (mainly Spanish) and the site owners are continually updating it. It isn´t infallible but the information on it is pretty well always more topical than anybody else´s. It will give dates of when albergues close for the season. It is in Spanish but if you access it via Chrome, it will translate to English for you.

I think a lot of albergues will still be open in October. Be prepared for wet weather.

 

[Adelina]

I’m in grado now- some are closed (bodenayo - October 18); our last night is the 31st here. A beautiful Camino with unpredictable weather- walked beginning of October through the 14th and got hail, wind, rain, mist, and a little sun, so be prepared. Since the 14th we’ve had 4 beautiful sunny days, but the weather has turned chilly and the number of pilgrims has decreased- from turning people away, to a nice quiet number of pilgrims here in grado. All that to say less availability and fewer pilgrims. Buen camino!

 

[Teddie]

"Be prepared for wet weather"..... that's for sure, cold wet windy days.
I observed a couple of ultra lite poncho clad bare legged low open shoed pilgrims within minutes of hypothermia on a high mountain pass with rain blowing sideways, yes there was a refuge hut, but it was double bolted shut tight. That day, beautiful in it's own way, and there are other days you will appreciate I'm sure not as severe.
I phoned the 'day of' during my walk to confirm a place available, I did not book ahead. My time was as per your time.
The variant south to the Norte was exceptional.

 

[Gumbolover]

As per title, really, I’m sketching out a plan to do the Primitivo next Oct, starting around the 18th.

Just ordered my village-to-village guidebook, but as I impatiently wait for it, I’d be very grateful for any experience-based thoughts on doing the Primitivo at that point on the calendar - my chief concern being accommodation having already closed down

Thank you!

I just completed the Primitivo during the first 15 days of October. And had no problem finding places that were open. Both restaurants and hotels. I love the Primitivo.

 

[ChairmanO]

@Mattdoubleyew - sounds like I've had the same considerations for my current Camino Primitivo!

@Adelina and others have described the current October weather conditions. Despite the chance of rain, I think it's a perfect time of year to do it!

As for accommodation, perhaps I can frame that issue like this: if you stick to the "standard" stages as described on Gronze, etc - you shouldn't have a problem. The municipal albergues will almost certainly not fill up and there's at least two other private albergue options in those major stops (Grado, Salas, Tineo, Borres, Berducedo, etc.)

If you are shortening or lengthening the stages, so you don't have standard stops, that's when albergue seasonal closures will become a greater factor. You don't want to walk an extra five kilometres, only to find the only albergue for the next 15km is closed for the season...

The Gronze season dates for each albergue profile are generally reliable, but I still bumped into unexpected closures that changed my plans. WhatsApp messages ahead to private albergues almost certainly get you a quick response and Hospilateros will be more than happy to give you any recent intel on your next stops!

I condensed my Primitivo into 12 days, my notes are here! https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/camerons-primitivo.89383/

I am the planning type of person, but the unexpected has been fun as part of my Camino!

 

[Mattdoubleyew]

@Mattdoubleyew - sounds like I've had the same considerations for my current Camino Primitivo!

@Adelina and others have described the current October weather conditions. Despite the chance of rain, I think it's a perfect time of year to do it!

As for accommodation, perhaps I can frame that issue like this: if you stick to the "standard" stages as described on Gronze, etc - you shouldn't have a problem. The municipal albergues will almost certainly not fill up and there's at least two other private albergue options in those major stops (Grado, Salas, Tineo, Borres, Berducedo, etc.)

If you are shortening or lengthening the stages, so you don't have standard stops, that's when albergue seasonal closures will become a greater factor. You don't want to walk an extra five kilometres, only to find the only albergue for the next 15km is closed for the season...

The Gronze season dates for each albergue profile are generally reliable, but I still bumped into unexpected closures that changed my plans. WhatsApp messages ahead to private albergues almost certainly get you a quick response and Hospilateros will be more than happy to give you any recent intel on your next stops!

I condensed my Primitivo into 12 days, my notes are here! https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/camerons-primitivo.89383/

I am the planning type of person, but the unexpected has been fun as part of my Camino!

Wow - excellent thread/diary ; thanks!

 

[crisrodrigues]

As per title, really, I’m sketching out a plan to do the Primitivo next Oct, starting around the 18th.

Just ordered my village-to-village guidebook, but as I impatiently wait for it, I’d be very grateful for any experience-based thoughts on doing the Primitivo at that point on the calendar - my chief concern being accommodation having already closed down

Thank you!

Id listen to @Adelina on weather! Weve done it together and faced some tricky mud along the way. A beautiful unforgettable experience nonetheless. My favorites spots/accommodations were: Miguelin (La Mesa); Alojamiento Los Hospitales (perfect place to venture Los Hospitales); Albergue Palacio Meras (Tineo); El Aleman (Boente); Albergue Rectoral Romean (some 13-15km before Lugo in case youd like to break that long day in two this is a perfect quiet rural albergue). Just finished mine (Oct 2-15th)! Miss it already.