Changes on the Norte (mostly west of Santander)

[Tia Valeria]

There are several albergues closed for 2018, and some with a rest day closure (Aves de Paso in Pendueles is closed on Fridays). Gronze has an updated list so it is worth checking there as the closures leave some long stretches with only hotels/hostels or no accommodation.
There are also some coast path diversions which miss the albergues. More on this tomorrow.

 

[Sue L]

Thank you Tia for your assistance! Looking forward to your next post.

 

[LTfit]

@Tia Valeria although before Santander, I understand that Albergue de Meruelo will be closed in 2018. It is located between Noja and Guemes in San Miguel de Meruelo.

 

[Tia Valeria]

@Tia Valeria although before Santander, I understand that Albergue de Meruelo will be closed in 2018. It is located between Noja and Guemes in San Miguel de Meruelo.

Yes, we were told that it is closed for at least 2018. Thank you for adding that.

 

[Tia Valeria]

We have been watching pilgrims walking the road instead of looking for the Camino signs. Several did this leaving LLanes, while others followed the Camino to Poo so were off the tarmac. Maybe the road walkers are using GPS rather than the yellow arrows or Gronze.

Before LLanes:-
One revised route we checked out was 4kms after Comillas and 2.5kms after the restaurant El Galeon at La Rabia. The old route is signed up the side road at Parc Natural de Oyambre. Sign set in the far end of the red pathway. The new stick on signs on the fence point to continue on the main road. This misses the albergue at La Revilla. Instead it stays on the road to pass other much more expensive accommodation. This seems to be the route CSJ gives as the cycle route from La Rabia to San Vicente de la Barquera.

Note that the albergue in San Vicente (also called El Galeon) has closed down. Other accommodation, next albergue is at Serdio

 

[Tia Valeria]

A few new signs and albergues between Santander and LLanes -
At the Hosteria de Boo there is a new small mojon, just below the car park, pointing right. This is in sight of the roundabout and is small enough to be hidden by the grass.

At Carborredondo Antonio continues as hospitalero, Alejandro has moved to Bilbao. Antonio is another lovely hospitalero.

There is no albergue now between La Revilla and Serdio, alternative accommodation is available at various prices.

Several new albergues after Unquera - at La Franca, Buelna, Pendueles, Puertas. These are not all in the CSJ guide.

 

[Tia Valeria]

LLanes - there seems to be a paragraph missing in the CSJ guide 2013, p67/68.
Old route - follow the road through the town,cross the bridge and KSO along the road to pass shops and ATMs. KSO until you pass supermarket on left and reach a large car park on right. Cross the road to fork left and in a few metres cross the FEVE -then follow the Camino signs.
Alternative route - at the bridge in LLanes follow the new arrow right and walk along the Paseo Maritimo. At the end turn left, passing the building on the left. Then either KSO to reach the car park,turning right at the end to then fork left as above. Otherwise follow the coast path signs to Poo. The Camino enters Poo over the FEVE and through the village to reach the albergue. The coast path leads to the road which passes the albergue. Albergue Playa de Poo.

 

[Tia Valeria]

Ribadasella - we can recommend the food at the cafe/bar La Goleta, near the plaza. Three ATMs nearby. Leiberbank is internal and there is no additional cost to use it. The others are 'hole in the wall '.
We have also used Caixabank, elsewhere, without the machine making a charge for use.

 

[LTfit]

What a surprise! You don't mean Alex from the Primitivo? But he was only there for what, two years?

 

[Tia Valeria]

What a surprise! You don't mean Alex from the Primitivo? But he was only there for what, two years?

Yes, Antonio was looking after the albergue last May and is now the hospitalero there. So Alejandro has moved again. Antonio is another great hospitalero and very helpful.

 

[LTfit]

Lots of changes on the Norte! Thanks for all your updates @Tia Valeria. Are you guys walking now?

 

[Tia Valeria]

Lots of changes on the Norte! Thanks for all your updates @Tia Valeria. Are you guys walking now?

Another update. The albergue in Villahormes changed owners about 2 years ago. Henrique is very friendly.The up to date phone number is on Eroski. Ignore any comments pre 2016/17. He is not listed on Gronze because of old bad reports not being helpful and change of owners not listed.
@LTfit I will send you a PM.

 

[AJGuillaume]

Ribadasella - we can recommend the food at the cafe/bar La Goleta, near the plaza. Three ATMs nearby. Leiberbank is internal and there is no additional cost to use it. The others are 'hole in the wall '.
We have also used Caixabank, elsewhere, without the machine making a charge for use.

Slightly off topic, @Tia Valeria , which banks don't charge for use on the Norte? You mentioned Caixabank and Leiberbank.
Thank you
Buen Camino

 

[Tia Valeria]

I think that BBVA and Santander ATMs are also free.Your own card charge will still apply. Our card charge is 2 euros per withdrawal for a euro loaded money card.

Note my spelling mistake, it is Liberbank

 

[Tia Valeria]

Update from Stage 1, Irun to San Sebastian:-
An Australian pilgrim tells us that there was a diversion signed due to a landslide. This was after the ferry at Pasajes San Juan. The right turn was closed and the diversion signed via the church and cemetery.

 

[Tia Valeria]

Muros de Nalon to Cadavedo.
This is now following the original route again. If using the CSJ guide the alternative route on page 18 is now the main route and is fully signed, but not for cyclists. They need to follow the instructions given as the main route.
Page 19, after El Pitu the road number is now N632a/N632 instead of N634(a).
Hotel Magdalena is closed, may be permanent. The route has moved, follow the arrows and shells to go through to Rellayo and then through Mumayor to cross the A-8 and continue to the second rdbt as given. The Camino does not go through Lamuno now. Continue to Soto de Luina.

 

[Tia Valeria]

Soto de Luina to Cadavedo:-
In the CSJ guide, page 20, the instructions should now remove the word 'ignore ' and also '(wrapped in black plastic)'. Instead at the Hotel Las Luinas follow the arrows and monolitos up the side of the hotel and to the firebreak, crossing the road and then up the track. Do not follow the road.
At Las Chavolas follow the instructions given and the signing to Ballota, then through to Cadavedo. This is the recommended route and is now well signed with shells and arrows. If very wet weather conditions then it is better to walk the road, but it has fast moving traffic and more than might be expected.

Our thanks to Pepe at Las Luinas for this information for this and the post above. He is in charge of maintenance for the section from Muros de Nalon to Cadavedo and was hospitalero at Soto de Luina in the past.

 

[Tia Valeria]

Slightly off topic, @Tia Valeria , which banks don't charge for use on the Norte? You mentioned Caixabank and Leiberbank.
Thank you
Buen Camino

Update on banks charging for use of their ATMs.
BBVA charge 1euro 87cents per withdrawal.
Also please note that we have a MasterCard, Visa may be charging for use at the other banks that we have used free.

 

[Tia Valeria]

Ribadeo to Baamonde:-
Those with responsibility for maintenance of this section recommend keeping to the main route (as given by Gronze). This includes taking the slightly longer original route out of Mondonedo. The shorter, alternative route, misses any bars/villages etc and passes no houses at all. However there are marker posts every 500mts. The variant is marked at the fuente by a sign post,together with the main route.

 

[Tia Valeria]

ATMs - at Lourenza, approximately 8kms before Mondonedo there are several banks with cash machines. More than in Mondonedo itself.