Del Salvador/Primitivo and open water possibilities?

[Abigail Kelly]

Hi all if you can help at all that would be great I have 18 days starting end of March early April to do my walk. I am a keen open water swimmer and swim throughout the winter. If at all possible I would love to go for a swim at the end of my walking day or every 2nd or 3rd day. For some reason the Del Sal and Prim are calling me for this walk and I am possibly banging my head off a brick wall here looking for the ocean I am always checking out this site and though someone out there might know of a way around this or alternative options.
I am also hoping that the dates I am going both routes will be walk able. I did the Portuguese coastal last year which I know had all the ocean around me Any advise really appreciated

 

[Camino Chrissy]

No ocean...maybe some lakes? Brrr!

 

[Abigail Kelly]

No ocean...maybe some lakes? Brrr!

Oh! see I never thought of the lakes Is there many on that walk Chrissy? I am terrible with maps in case you ask Thank you for that suggestion

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Oh! see I never thought of the lakes Is there many on that walk Chrissy? I am terrible with maps in case you ask Thank you for that suggestion

I have not walked the Salvador, so cannot speak for that. On the Primitivo is a huge lake, but not sure if there are any beaches. It is beautiful. Here is a snapshot from my guidebook. Maybe other forum members know if there are more as I don't recall and I ended in Lugo that year.

 

[Abigail Kelly]

I have not walked the Salvador, so cannot speak for that. On the Primitivo is a huge lake, but not sure if there are any beaches. It is beautiful. Here is a snapshot from my guidebook. Maybe other forum members know if there are more as I don't recall and I ended in Lugo that year.

Thank you for the map. Which Primitivo book is this?

 

[Camino Chrissy]

This one! There is a newer version that just recently came out.

 

[trecile]

No open water for swimming on the Salvador.

 

[Michael; Camino-addicted]

I did both Caminos and in my mind there is only one place of "open water" - the Embalse de Salime on the Primitivo.
But I can´t remember a place to swim there, I think it´s a lake for electricity or a fresh water reservoir.

March April is very early to walk especially these two routes. Both trails break the 1500 meters and more and it could be very snowy in this area

Maybe the Camino del Norte is a better way in this season - probably rainy, but almost certainly no snow - and ocean every day

But on every way in this early season - make sure in advance, that you will have a place to sleep.

 

[Abigail Kelly]

I did both Caminos and in my mind there is only one place of "open water" - the Embalse de Salime on the Primitivo.
But I can´t remember a place to swim there, I think it´s a lake for electricity or a fresh water reservoir.

March April is very early to walk especially these two routes. Both trails break the 1500 meters and more and it could be very snowy in this area

Maybe the Camino del Norte is a better way in this season - probably rainy, but almost certainly no snow - and ocean every day

But on every way in this early season - make sure in advance, that you will have a place to sleep.

Thank you Michael for your input. Yea I am a bit weary of the weather on both routes and have looked at the Norte but keep getting pulled to the other routes for some Camino reason I will have to make up my mind shortly and just go with it. Ugggg

 

[trecile]

Maybe the Camino del Norte is a better way in this season - probably rainy, but almost certainly no snow - and ocean every day

Not exactly ocean every day on the Norte.

 

[Kanga]

Yipes, swimming in the mountains during March and early April? I'm a softy, I'd be looking for a hot spa or bringing a wet suit!

 

[NualaOC]

Hi Abigail, I've walked both Caminos and didn't see any opportunities for swimming.

If you've time for a rest day (or an early arrival) in Oviedo, Gijon is a very easy train ride (34 minutes) and has two good beaches. I spent a couple of nights there after the Camino de Madrid and San Salvador - such a treat for my tired legs!

 

[MikeJS]

Just look at google maps….

 

[Deleted member 73892]

I have not walked the Salvador, so cannot speak for that. On the Primitivo is a huge lake, but not sure if there are any beaches. It is beautiful. Here is a snapshot from my guidebook. Maybe other forum members know if there are more as I don't recall and I ended in Lugo that year.

This reservoir is not suitable for swimming. There is no access point and when I was there I was advised that it is forbiden to swim in it. It even looks dangerous. Its a working reservoir still generating electricity.
I don't believe there is open water on either route suitable for swimming. However, both caminos connect with major cities - Leon, Oviedo, Grado, Lugo etc. so there may well be public swimming pools. Check the internet. Also, some of the more exclusive hotels en-route may have their own swimming pool/spa/etc. so check them out too.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Totally agree about that lake/resevoir on the Primitivo, Keith! Lovely as it was, it did not look like it was suitable for swimming.

 

[Deleted member 73892]

Totally agree about that lake/resevoir on the Primitivo, Keith! Lovely as it was, it did not look like it was suitable for swimming.

Hi Chrissy - I walked the San Salvador & Primitivo in 2019 with a friend who has worked all of her career for a public company that builds and maintains just such reservoirs (not in Spain). She even has to sit in a small cage from time to time and assess close-up the condition of the dam walls, being dangled down their face. She made it clear that no way should anyone ever swim in such open water, as inviting and cool as it may appear on a hot day when you are weary from hiking.
LLN Chrissy, from Keith

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Thanks, Keith, for added info regarding that resevoir. I happened to stay at the hotel on a whim that overlooked it. One of my best experiences on the way! My room had a lake view, the patio was lovely for a coffee, and I had a very nice dinner. (What's LLN?)

 

[Camino Chrissy]

LNN - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Wiki didn't help me, BP!
EDIT- Hey, you tricked me and inverted the letters!

 

[Bad Pilgrim]

(What's LLN?)

LLN - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I think it's the French black metal band?

 

[Bad Pilgrim]

EDIT- Hey, you tricked me and inverted the letters!

I know, just because I tried to be funny ...

 

[Camino Chrissy]

LLN - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I think it's the French black metal band?

Possibly...but not for sure! Only Keith knows.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I know, just because I tried to be funny ...

I do that too, but in my case it's typooo's!

 

[oursonpolaire]

There is a stretch of the Nalon river, just east of Grado, which might be swimmable in theory but I think that at that time of year, with a river at full power, and quite cold, it would be very inadvisable indeed. On the Embalsa de Salime, there appears to be an access point about 5km south of the dam on the west side, but I've never heard of anyone swimming it. To do so within a few km of the dam would be suicidal foolishness-- I know a Guardia Civil diver and I would not wish her the task of finding another body. West of Lugo there is the Rio Minho, which is fairly broad, but on 2 passes through the Primitivo, I have never seen anyone swimming it, although there is a balneario on the far side.

I am a fan of lake swimming and can be found flinging myself into any safe water, but I always want to live to tell others of my exploits.

 

[Abigail Kelly]

Yipes, swimming in the mountains during March and early April? I'm a softy, I'd be looking for a hot spa or bringing a wet suit!

No wet suit

 

[Abigail Kelly]

No wet suit

Thats guy's for all of your inputs. I really want to do that part of the Camino but might hold off until late summer and live without the swim. I am now swaying to do the Rota Vicentina in Portugal and maybe do some part of the Camino to Porto. Is there any treads on here regarding that trail. It looks really nice what I have read so far. I feel like I would be cheating not doing the rugged Camino lol. Any tips on walking from the Fishermans trail to Porto??? Thanks so much

 

[jsalt]

Is there any treads on here regarding that trail.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/from-cabo-de-são-vicente-using-rota-de-vicentina-facilities.36220/

 

[Deleted member 73892]

Thanks, Keith, for added info regarding that resevoir. I happened to stay at the hotel on a whim that overlooked it. One of my best experiences on the way! My room had a lake view, the patio was lovely for a coffee, and I had a very nice dinner. (What's LLN?)

Sorry Chrissy, its a bad lazy habit I've got into for signing off. Like scribbling 'all the best' or bye bye' on a letter. 'Love, Light and Nature', like a best wish. I've gotten into the habit but should write the full.

 

[Abigail Kelly]

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/from-cabo-de-são-vicente-using-rota-de-vicentina-facilities.36220/

Thank you jsalt

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Thats guy's for all of your inputs. I really want to do that part of the Camino but might hold off until late summer and live without the swim. I am now swaying to do the Rota Vicentina in Portugal and maybe do some part of the Camino to Porto. Is there any treads on here regarding that trail. It looks really nice what I have read so far. I feel like I would be cheating not doing the rugged Camino lol. Any tips on walking from the Fishermans trail to Porto??? Thanks so much

I walked the Fisherman's Trail last spring. I took a month. Flew into Lisbon for a few days, took a bus to Porto Covo, walked the Fisherman's Trail south from there all the way to its end, then a long bus ride up to Porto to begin the Portuguese camino...a great combination!

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Sorry Chrissy, its a bad lazy habit I've got into for signing off. Like scribbling 'all the best' or bye bye' on a letter. 'Love, Light and Nature', like a best wish. I've gotten into the habit but should write the full.

That's a great sign off, Keith! I googled, but google doesn't quite know everything!
I may adopt those lovely words myself.

 

[Deleted member 73892]

That's a great sign off, Keith! I googled, but google doesn't quite know everything!
I may adopt those lovely words myself.

Thank you Chrissy. It always reminds me of being on Camino, wether Galicia or Léon or Navara, it doesn't matter. Perhaps I should start a new thread...

 

[Abigail Kelly]

I walked the Fisherman's Trail last spring. I took a month. Flew into Lisbon for a few days, took a bus to Porto Covo, walked the Fisherman's Trail south from there all the way to its end, then a long bus ride up to Porto to begin the Portuguese camino...a great combination!

Oh brilliant! Did you walk to CABO DE. S. VICENTE from Porto Covo? That is what I am looking at but all tips really appreciated Chrissy I did the Portuguese coastal inc S.V last year and really enjoyed it. I cheated a little and started outside Porto that is why I am thinking of doing a few day's Lisbon Camino to Porto on this leg of journey after Fisherman's Trail.

 

[Abigail Kelly]

Just look at google maps….

I am allergic to maps .. really I quiver when I see one and run

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Oh brilliant! Did you walk to CABO DE. S. VICENTE from Porto Covo? That is what I am looking at but all tips really appreciated Chrissy I did the Portuguese coastal inc S.V last year and really enjoyed it. I cheated a little and started outside Porto that is why I am thinking of doing a few day's Lisbon Camino to Porto on this leg of journey after Fisherman's Trail.

Yes, we walked from Porto Covo to Cabo de St. Vincent, but then on to Sagres, taking a bus up to Porto and walked the central Portuguese route having already had incredibly beautiful sea views, so it was a nice variety. I have not walked north from Lisbon, so can not help you with that section.

 

[DoughnutANZ]

Hi all if you can help at all that would be great I have 18 days starting end of March early April to do my walk. I am a keen open water swimmer and swim throughout the winter. If at all possible I would love to go for a swim at the end of my walking day or every 2nd or 3rd day. For some reason the Del Sal and Prim are calling me for this walk and I am possibly banging my head off a brick wall here looking for the ocean I am always checking out this site and though someone out there might know of a way around this or alternative options.
I am also hoping that the dates I am going both routes will be walk able. I did the Portuguese coastal last year which I know had all the ocean around me Any advise really appreciated

Plastic pool in your backpack

 

[Abigail Kelly]

Plastic pool in your backpack

I was waiting for that to come at me from someone So after planning my Fisherman's trail route I ended up going back to my original plan of Sal/Prim and have now just pushed the time forward to end of April regarding weather. The swimming will have to be put on hold for a few weeks unless the "Camino provides"

 

[Pelegrin]

On the Primitivo there are four important rivers:

Nalón (Oviedo - Grado) Dangerous and dirty.
Narcea (Cornellana) Too shallow in summer for swimming.
Navia (Grandas de Salime) Reservoir. Very difficult access to water.
Miño (Lugo) There is an area where is possible to swim in summer. Has lifeguard

 

[Abigail Kelly]

On the Primitivo there are four important rivers:

Nalón (Oviedo - Grado) Dangerous and dirty.
Narcea (Cornellana) Too shallow in summer for swimming.
Navia (Grandas de Salime) Reservoir. Very difficult access to water.
Miño (Lugo) There is an area where is possible to swim in summer. Has lifeguard

Thank you for the info