LIVE from the Camino Currently in Portugalete on the Northern Camino.

[Stephen]

A friend has suggested I eventually move across to the Camino Primitivo.
Where would I leave the Norte?

 

[jsalt]

A friend has suggested I eventually move across to the Camino Primitivo.
Where would I leave the Norte?

Hi Stephen, the path splits after Villaviciosa. You get to a village called Casquita, and about 1km after that there is a left hand turnoff for the Primitivo. It is marked, but could be missed if you are not paying attention.
Jill

 

[peregrina2000]

You can leave the Norte after the town of Villaviciosa. The split is well marked. From there you will head to Pola de Siero and then Oviedo, where the Primitivo begins.

If you are at all a fan of old churches, the pre-romanesque church at the monastery of Valdediós is an easy little detour to take from the route to POla de Siero. Lots of info here on the forum about it. There is even an albergue in Valdediós, lovingly cared for by a new group of 13 nuns who have recently moved into the monastery.

 

[jsalt]

The shells are being used as direction markers on this post!
(See another currently running thread.)
Jill

 

[jsalt]

Could be easy to miss the turnoff if not paying attention!
Jill

 

[peregrina2000]

View attachment 34910

Could be easy to miss the turnoff if not paying attention!
Jill

You are so right about that. In fact, we met some people getting close to Vega de Sariego who realized they had taken the wrong turn. A neighbor sitting out front just helped them flag down a car, and they got a ride right into Gijón.

 

[Stephen]

Thank you all. You're been most helpful.

 

[Carlos Santiago]

View attachment 34909
The shells are being used as direction markers on this post!
Jill

It appears there is no fixed rule on how the shells point towards the destinations.
The hinge part of these shells point towards the directions of the destinations based on the next photo. In other pictures, the rays of the shell point towards the destination. Still in other pictures the shells have supporting arrows.

 

[Aaronloughrey]

We start our northern route on monday from bilbao and have decided to follow the north coast for as long as we can moving inland from Ribadeo. We think it will be nicer to follow the coast and also there will be less pilgrims on that route although for some unknown reason Baamonde seems to be ominous... It would be great to know what decision you make on this and why. How is it all going so far?

 

[Anemone del Camino]

have decided to follow the north coast for as long as we can moving inland from Ribadeo.

It would be great to know what decision you make on this and why?

The Primitivo is stunning. I think you will find that a great proportion of those you will walk with, and are not affraid of hills, will turn in and abandon the Norte.

 

[Stephen]

We start our northern route on monday from bilbao and have decided to follow the north coast for as long as we can moving inland from Ribadeo. We think it will be nicer to follow the coast and also there will be less pilgrims on that route although for some unknown reason Baamonde seems to be ominous... It would be great to know what decision you make on this and why. How is it all going so far?

I'd initally thought of the Via de la Plata but changed my mind when strongly advised against it in Summer by experienced members of the forum.
The Norte was a bit of a spur of the moment thing. I was looking at Ryanair, decided to buy a ticket, and I was off on another long walk.
It's going very well, so far. The meal last night in the albergue at Santa Cruz de Bezana was particularly memorable. A couple from Valencia volunteered to make a paella and it was delicious. The albergue has lovely people working there and they make everyone feel at home.
Some people avoid the Bilboa to Portugalete stretch. It's not the most attractive part of the Camino, but it is part, so taking a 'warts and all' approach I'd walk it again.
I'm sure I'll be back on the forum as I progress along the trail looking advice.
Buen Camino!!!