↑ yea, what peregrina2000 said!
We've walked it twice, as recent as early June '24. No issues with dogs on the Primitivo. We didn't hear about anyone that was driving from Melide to Santiago. Most everyone we met walked on to Santiago (we knew four people that ended in Lugo, but it was planned ending due to time constraints) In early June, the Frances from Melide to Santiago was described to us by a friend, whom we met in Santiago after they walked in, "like walking around Disneyland". It'll still be busy, it was when we walked the Frances in October a number of years ago, but not as bad as July to September.
You may consider walking the Camino Verde plus the variante to the Santiago airport. There's a few write-ups on this route here: (
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/forums/camino-verde-from-lugo-to-sobrado.194/)
We did experience, as did others, concerns with four dogs on a farm on the route to Sobrado, the second day of the Verde. We didn't have an issue with them, they mostly lounged in the sun when we walked by both times but they made us a bit nervous as they watched us intently and they were very large.
For places to stay, here's a few we enjoyed
Hotel Casa Sueno in Salas
noreply@roomraccoon.com
Alojamiento Los Hospitales in Colinas de Arriba (lovely people, will make you a great sandwich to take over the hospitales route, which starts right outside their door)
info@alojamientoloshospitales.com
Hostal Alba Lugo is actually a hotel, but the owner/operator is a pilgrim and is wonderful! Right downtown Lugo, in the pedestrian area. Nothing fancy, but a wonderful, loving, kind owner in Pedro.
hola@hostalalbalugo.com
If you go the Verde and then the variante after Boimil, then consider staying at Casa Rico de Medín. Again a hotel, but the food is amazing!!
We tend to be 50/50 between bunkbeds and private rooms these years, but if you create friends, you can join them and party at their albergue no problemo! You don't have to be in some fun, popular, crowded albergue to meet people and have fun. This isn't your first Camino, so you understand.