Alert Alert for Norte after Soto de Luina!!

[Hilary Van Norstrand]

Dangerous almost impassable section on the Coastal option after Soto de Luina!!! 3 streams converged due to rainfall making it impassable. 2 to 3 feet of raging water as of 15:30 today 2/10/2924. Consider alternate route!!! Pass this on please. Thank you. Stay safe!

 

[El Cascayal]

The alternate route to the left up the mountain from Soto de Luiña was nearly impossible last year in October, grass and weeds and debris to my armpits.
Hilary, what did you wind up doing? Have a safe and Buen Camino!

 

[Hilary Van Norstrand]

I’m ashamed to say that We broke all of our rules and instincts and made a human chain with 3 of us and my husband led us through it. We felt along the bottom with our poles and thankfully got to the other side. Thus the alert to Ivar! I’m sure today will be a muddy, horrible mess!! I’m truly thankful that part of my Camino is a memory!! We were so happy to see the sweet sign for Novellana at the top!!!! Buen Camino!!!

 

[JohnPat]

We walked that section the same day, but earlier and it was ok wading through the streams, so I expect the water will go down again quite quickly.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I did not take the high route out of Sota de Luina in April 2023. The low route to the right nearer to the coast was a nightmare as well.
Here is what I posted on my "Live on the Canino" Norte thread...

Post in thread 'Which route after Soto de Luiña' https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/which-route-after-soto-de-luina.80584/post-1139073

 

[Patterson]

Dangerous almost impassable section on the Coastal option after Soto de Luina!!! 3 streams converged due to rainfall making it impassable. 2 to 3 feet of raging water as of 15:30 today 2/10/2924. Consider alternate route!!! Pass this on please. Thank you. Stay safe!

What a difference good weather makes: your warning is so important Hilary. It is a tough day.
We took the coastal route from Soto de Luina to Cadavedo early in June 2023 moving in and out of sunshine and welcoming shade as we crossed about 18 little creeks; we chatted at the time about how difficult it would be in the rain. Your photos speak a thousand words.
Incidentally, the path from Ballota via the Trembling Bridge over the headland above the Playa de Tablizo was a real challenge even on a calm sunny day - steep, overgrown, with little signage and very isolated. Buen Camino for the rest of your Way.

 

[EllyonCamino]

Just wanted to update on the Coastal / Ballotas route after walking it today 11 October in dry weather (2 days after heavy rain on Wednesday 09 October). The bottom line is if you have mild weather and don’t mind getting muddy up to your ankle and wet up to your calves, you can have brilliant fun on this walk! A small few things to note: before Albuerne there is a long dark tunnel with a shallow stream, you need a torch. Around 500m after Albuerne the stream is around 30cm deep with some stepping stones but will still get wet feet. After Novellana, stream around 40cm deep. After turn off from Playa del Silencio, walk downhill through stream for around 500m and at bottom cross the stream around 50cm deep, walk uphill through stream. After descending from Ballota, take care crossing the Puenta de Piedra which is narrowed by a fallen tree. We were told a woman sadly broke her leg there this morning (if you’re reading this we’re very sorry for your injury and wish you a speedy recovery). So glad we did this route, it was great fun.

 

[taravictoria]

Hi! Any updates on the coastal route from yesterday or today? Oct 15/16? It's been raining for 2 days and am checking on Hilary's warning from Oct 3. Sounds tough. Thanks for any info!

 

[taravictoria]

Hi! Any updates on the coastal route from yesterday or today? Oct 15/16? It's been raining for 2 days and am checking on Hilary's warning from Oct 3. Sounds tough. Thanks for any info!

Update Oct 17: My boots were wet from the day before, so it was an easier choice to wear my running shoes and take the road the whole way. It was ~5km longer, but was faster and gave my legs and feet a nice break in different shoes and a longer stride. There was very little traffic - maybe one car every 20 minutes. Reports from others: river crossings were a bit challenging but manageable. Water up to calfs - boots were definitely soaked. One couple hiked back up to the road as they weren't comfortable crossing, but many others were fine.