Camino Salvador for a first Camino

[Walsh Camino]

My friend and I, 57 and 64 year 0ld reasonably fit women, are planning to spend from 3 weeks to a month walking the Camino next May/June. I have bicycled the Camino Frances in 2012 and 2014 (friendly, self-supported bicigrina who uses a bell!) and my friend has walked a bit of the Portuguese route.
We are considering the Salvador out of Leon to the Primitivo and time and energy permitting, we can add Finistere at the end. We like 22 km days and would like to avoid 30+ km stages.
While I am very familiar with the way of the Camino, I am new to backpacking. Should I be concerned about starting with the Salvador?

Thanks,
Judy

 

[Davey Boyd]

My friend and I, 57 and 64 year 0ld reasonably fit women, are planning to spend from 3 weeks to a month walking the Camino next May/June. I have bicycled the Camino Frances in 2012 and 2014 (friendly, self-supported bicigrina who uses a bell!) and my friend has walked a bit of the Portuguese route.
We are considering the Salvador out of Leon to the Primitivo and time and energy permitting, we can add Finistere at the end. We like 22 km days and would like to avoid 30+ km stages.
While I am very familiar with the way of the Camino, I am new to backpacking. Should I be concerned about starting with the Salvador?

Thanks,
Judy

Hi Judy

I would not really usually recommend the San Salvador for a first Camino unless you were used to hiking. But you have both been on the Camino before, are reasonably fit, and have probably looked into what the San Salvador entails (good research). I don't see why you could not do as you planned, though at 22km per day you may need a little longer to get to Finisterre.

Be warned though that in May (or even June) there may still be some snow on the higher elevations, but you can check the weather before you set off.

There is an excellent guide in Camino Resources here
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/resources/camino-del-salvador-guide.466/

Buen Camino
Davey

 

[norelle]

Hi Judy,

I walked the San Salvador/Primitivo last year. While parts of it are a bit more remote and rugged than other caminos, I think you'll be fine if you limit your daily distances and take care.

You'll love it!

buen camino

 

[peregrina2000]

Hi Judy,

I met many people walking their first camino on the Primitivo this June. They were fine. None walked the Salvador though. But I would say it's very doable, and the guide Davey linked to gives lots of options for short distances. You will be totally spoiled though because there aren't many caminos as perfect as this combo! Buen camino, Laurie.

Ps. If you go don't miss the albergue in Benduenos, it's wonderful.

 

[Walsh Camino]

Hi Judy,

I met many people walking their first camino on the Primitivo this June. They were fine. None walked the Salvador though. But I would say it's very doable, and the guide Davey linked to gives lots of options for short distances. You will be totally spoiled though because there aren't many caminos as perfect as this combo! Buen camino, Laurie.

Ps. If you go don't miss the albergue in Benduenos, it's wonderful.

Laurie and Davey,
Thanks for the support and info. I am really looking forward to getting back to the Camino again, and this time on foot.
Buen Camino,
Judy

 

[Isca-camigo]

My girlfriend walked the San Salvador for her first camino, she became a little addicted to caminos after that and even a day of pouring rain from Pajares to Campomones and nearly ending up on her backside several times did not lessen her enjoyment.

 

[alaskadiver]

My husband and I are walking the Primitivo starting May 13 or 14th (not sure because we are planning to arrive in Madrid on the 12th or 13th and will need a day to sleep after spending over 24 hrs in airports/flying). We have an additional 4 or 5 days and we were going to just spend them in a beachfront apartment in Muxia chilling out. But after reading about the Salvador we are seriously considering starting in Leon and doing it as a combo.

 

[peregrina2000]

My husband and I are walking the Primitivo starting May 13 or 14th (not sure because we are planning to arrive in Madrid on the 12th or 13th and will need a day to sleep after spending over 24 hrs in airports/flying). We have an additional 4 or 5 days and we were going to just spend them in a beachfront apartment in Muxia chilling out. But after reading about the Salvador we are seriously considering starting in Leon and doing it as a combo.

Hi, Alaskadiver, no doubt that sitting in Muxia for four or five days would be lovely. But it doesn't hold a candle to walking from Leon to Oviedo, IMHO!!!

 

[alaskadiver]

Hi, Alaskadiver, no doubt that sitting in Muxia for four or five days would be lovely. But it doesn't hold a candle to walking from Leon to Oviedo, IMHO!!!

That's the feeling that I'm getting after reading some posts today. I like the idea of a longer hike and I prefer mountain scenery.