I thought I would start a separate thread to make a couple of specific points on this stage, which is part of a “five day Salvador”. For those who like less advance notice, you can stop reading now.
First, the church in Bendueños is a treasure and has gotten some restoration funding. Sandra has the key. See this thread.
From Bendueños back to the Camino, there is supposedly a “shortcut” (atajo in Spanish) that does not require going back to the lovely little hamlet of Herías. But Álvaro Lazaga has walked this route twice recently and has not found that route on either occasion. When I stayed in Bendueños, I saw the turnoff for Campomanes, but took the well-known road route back a km to Herías and continued on.
Santa Cristina de Lena is, as they say a pre-romanesque jewel. It is only about 4 km from Bendueños and doesn’t open till 11 (11:30 in winter, which I think is usually November through March), so you will have a lot of time to dawdle, either enjoying the view from Bendueños’ terrace or eating breakfast in Campomanes. There is a good café on the way out of Campomanes before the river walk. But this is a church to be avoided only by those who have absolutely not one iota of interest in ancient architecture or churches in general. It is hard to overstate its simple beauty.
After Pola de Gordón, there is a newly marked alternative that veers off the official route slightly before the gasolinera outside of town. You will see an arrow taking you under a tunnel. Álvaro has good pictures on his vlog and also indicates on his video “muy dura” (very difficult). I think he is referring to the descent, which is steep. So this is an “up and down” alternative on dirt trails, which avoids a flat stretch on the side of a very narrow and very busy road. Your choice. Marking was sketchy when I went through in September, but Ender and Co. has done a good job of marking the very sharp turn to make the descent.
And one last thing — before entering Pola de Gordón, you will pass the beautiful old train station of Cobertoria. It has now been converted into an information center on Pre-romanesque, but I have never found it open. Maybe you will be lucky.
guiadeasturias.com
Ujo to Mieres is a flat walk on a via verde, paved but with dirt shoulders that have well worn trails from others who also dislike walking on asphalt.
Mieres is one of those places that doesn’t offer a lot of physical beauty but has, IMO, a great ambiente and lots of good food and places to enjoy life outside in a café.
The end.
First, the church in Bendueños is a treasure and has gotten some restoration funding. Sandra has the key. See this thread.
From Bendueños back to the Camino, there is supposedly a “shortcut” (atajo in Spanish) that does not require going back to the lovely little hamlet of Herías. But Álvaro Lazaga has walked this route twice recently and has not found that route on either occasion. When I stayed in Bendueños, I saw the turnoff for Campomanes, but took the well-known road route back a km to Herías and continued on.
Santa Cristina de Lena is, as they say a pre-romanesque jewel. It is only about 4 km from Bendueños and doesn’t open till 11 (11:30 in winter, which I think is usually November through March), so you will have a lot of time to dawdle, either enjoying the view from Bendueños’ terrace or eating breakfast in Campomanes. There is a good café on the way out of Campomanes before the river walk. But this is a church to be avoided only by those who have absolutely not one iota of interest in ancient architecture or churches in general. It is hard to overstate its simple beauty.
After Pola de Gordón, there is a newly marked alternative that veers off the official route slightly before the gasolinera outside of town. You will see an arrow taking you under a tunnel. Álvaro has good pictures on his vlog and also indicates on his video “muy dura” (very difficult). I think he is referring to the descent, which is steep. So this is an “up and down” alternative on dirt trails, which avoids a flat stretch on the side of a very narrow and very busy road. Your choice. Marking was sketchy when I went through in September, but Ender and Co. has done a good job of marking the very sharp turn to make the descent.
And one last thing — before entering Pola de Gordón, you will pass the beautiful old train station of Cobertoria. It has now been converted into an information center on Pre-romanesque, but I have never found it open. Maybe you will be lucky.
Aula Didáctica del Prerrománico Asturiano de la Cobertoria / Lena – Reserva previa en la oficina de turismo – Acceso gratuito | GUÍA TURISMO ASTURIAS
Aula Didáctica del Prerrománico Asturiano de la Cobertoria Descubriendo la esencia de los monumentos prerrománicos. Alojada en un edificio singular, el aula ha sido concebida como un equipo cultural eminentemente didáctico y divulgativo. Para ello ha sido dotado de paneles ordenados...
guiadeasturias.com
Ujo to Mieres is a flat walk on a via verde, paved but with dirt shoulders that have well worn trails from others who also dislike walking on asphalt.
Mieres is one of those places that doesn’t offer a lot of physical beauty but has, IMO, a great ambiente and lots of good food and places to enjoy life outside in a café.
The end.
