San Salvador in July/August

[Antonius Vaessen]

I'm considering walking the Salvador in July or August. Could someone who walked this Camino in this period give me some information about:
How many people will be walking, are there enough beds in albergues or casa rurals.
Is it very hot or is the temperature more moderate due to the altitude.
Thanks in advance

 

[Tazz]

I am also walking the San Salvador (in May) and am interested in the answers to your question.

 

[Bad Pilgrim]

Hi,


How many people will be walking, are there enough beds in albergues or casa rurals.

There were actually a lot of people gathering in the albergues at the end of each stage. Although I rarely walked with anyone else during the day. During the last two stages though I even saw people along the way. A lot of them were youngsters who had deviated from the Camino Francés for an alternative adventure (I came from the Camino de Madrid). I never had a problem finding a bed though. A few had to abandon because of injuries or fatigue, given the rather difficult terrain, at least compared with the Francés. I did it in 4 stages which was stupid: 5-6 stages would have been perfect!

Is it very hot or is the temperature more moderate due to the altitude.

I walked in July last year. Weather conditions were perfect. Sunny but no excessive heat. In rain, fog or other difficult weather this should be a hard camino. The Camino passes through some remote areas so take precautions.

/BP

 

[Tazz]

Thanks for the information.
Hopefully there will a fair number of people in May.
JT

 

[Bad Pilgrim]

Thanks for the information.
Hopefully there will a fair number of people in May.
JT

Early May or late May? I wonder if there would be any risk of snow in the higher regions. But I have no experience of this so let's wait for another pilgrim's answer. I know there are a lot of pilgims on this forum with experience of the Salvador in Springtime. They should soon discover this thread!

/BP

 

[peregrina2000]

I have walked the Salvador, but only in summer or fall, so I never had any issues with the snow.One thing I can suggest is to go to the Camino Del Salvador Facebook page and post a question when you're getting ready to set out. Ended runs the page and he is always quick to respond with current info. Snow in May is not unheard of.

As far as pilgrim traffic goes, I don't think you will find too many people on the Salvador in May. Even in June, there were very few of us. I know it gets busy in July and August though. Whenever you go, you're in for a wonderful journey!

 

[Tazz]

Thanks everyone for your help.
I am walking mid May.
I don't mind walking alone but prefer not to be the only person in the hostel at night.
That being said it is only 4-5 nights.
Regarding snow, I have good hiking boots and poles and expect snow will only be on the ground in patches, if at all. Also I have been walking on 3 feet of snow all Winter in Ontario. Sadly.

JT

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Early May or late May? I wonder if there would be any risk of snow in the higher regions. But I have no experience of this so let's wait for another pilgrim's answer. I know there are a lot of pilgims on this forum with experience of the Salvador in Springtime. They should soon discover this thread!

/BP

The snow has already melted.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Regarding snow, I have good hiking boots and poles and expect snow will only be on the ground in patches, if at all. Also I have been walking on 3 feet of snow all Winter in Ontario. Sadly.

JT

The snow has already melted. It's been an early spring in the area this year. Many already out there walking the Salvador.

 

[Paul J W]

I am also walking the San Salvador (in May) and am interested in the answers to your question.

Likewise, I have planned to walk the Camino San Salvador in the first half of May and would welcome any further observations re this route. As a guy in his 70s I do tend to take my time and trust that the accommodation en route will accommodate my likely schedule, yes?

 

[peregrina2000]

Likewise, I have planned to walk the Camino San Salvador in the first half of May and would welcome any further observations re this route. As a guy in his 70s I do tend to take my time and trust that the accommodation en route will accommodate my likely schedule, yes?

Hi, Paul JW,
Welcome to the forum! You will be able to get a LOT of info about the Salvador here, since there is a very vocal group of starstruck pilgrims who love this route. First thing I'd ask if whether you have seen Ender's guide to the Salvador. It is absolutely all you need to know. You can consult it on your phone or print it out. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B61VvtkuNOwEMXpaM280YWtTTXM/view?pref=2&pli=1

Not sure how many kms you want to walk but there are easy ways to break these 120 kms up into small pieces.

The stretch between Buiza and Pajares is absolutely indescribable and un-beatable in terms of the scenery, the space, and the majesty you will feel. Not too get too new-agey here, but if these kms don't fill you with wonder for the magic of life and the wonder of the universe, nothing will. Sorry but I am not very good at posting pics and I see one is huge but I can't fix it!

If you are not on an albergue budget, I'd highly recommend the casa rural in Poladura. Very comfortable, very nice hostesses.

And for an albergue experience like no other, don't miss Benduenos. It is about 1.5 km uphill from the small hamlet of Herias, detour is very well marked, and it is a 5 ***** place in a beautiful setting.

I could go on and on, but let us know if you have specific questions, buen camino, Laurie

 

[Paul J W]

Hi, Paul JW,
Welcome to the forum! You will be able to get a LOT of info about the Salvador here, since there is a very vocal group of starstruck pilgrims who love this route. First thing I'd ask if whether you have seen Ender's guide to the Salvador. It is absolutely all you need to know. You can consult it on your phone or print it out. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B61VvtkuNOwEMXpaM280YWtTTXM/view?pref=2&pli=1

Not sure how many kms you want to walk but there are easy ways to break these 120 kms up into small pieces.

The stretch between Buiza and Pajares is absolutely indescribable and un-beatable in terms of the scenery, the space, and the majesty you will feel. Not too get too new-agey here, but if these kms don't fill you with wonder for the magic of life and the wonder of the universe, nothing will. Sorry but I am not very good at posting pics and I see one is huge but I can't fix it!

If you are not on an albergue budget, I'd highly recommend the casa rural in Poladura. Very comfortable, very nice hostesses.

And for an albergue experience like no other, don't miss Benduenos. It is about 1.5 km uphill from the small hamlet of Herias, detour is very well marked, and it is a 5 ***** place in a beautiful setting.

I could go on and on, but let us know if you have specific questions, buen camino, Laurie

View attachment 33299 View attachment 33300 View attachment 33301

Many thanks for this, Laurie; very detailed, informative and helpful.
It looks amazing!
Very much looking forward to setting out.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

The stretch between Buiza and Pajares is absolutely indescribable and un-beatable in terms of the scenery, the space, and the majesty you will feel. Not too get too new-agey here, but if these kms don't fill you with wonder for the magic of life and the wonder of the universe, nothing will. Sorry but I am not very good at posting pics and I see one is huge but I can't fix it!
]

Laurie,

These pictures are cruel and unusual punishment to the injured pilgrim I am and had to abandon her plans for the Salvador. Now you have me thinking I may want to hop on a plane for just 10 days this fall and head back out to Leon, with a healed knee.

 

[Paul J W]

Thanks for very full and encouraging response to my initial query, Laurie. Apologies for not getting back sooner but we walkers do wander somewhat and I've been doing just that - on the CdeS from the Brittany coast. Anyway, looking forward to stepping out from Leon next Tuesday.
Paul

 

[Me Fein]

I totally agree with Laurie it is majestic. I walked it last month(15th to 19th).I had perfect weather and met 3 other pilgrims.I did find the descent from Canto la Tusa to Herias challenging( I was glad I had poles) but then I stayed in the best albuergue ever in Benduenos .What a wonderful place,welcome, food etc.If you find that the 1.5 k detour/climb will be too much ring her she will pick you up and drop you back to the camino next morning.Also in Leon pick up a Camino de san Salvador booklet guide from the tourist office
Buen Camino

 

[peregrina2000]

I totally agree with Laurie it is majestic. I walked it last month(15th to 19th).I had perfect weather and met 3 other pilgrims.I did find the descent from Canto la Tusa to Herias challenging( I was glad I had poles) but then I stayed in the best albuergue ever in Benduenos .What a wonderful place,welcome, food etc.If you find that the 1.5 k detour/climb will be too much ring her she will pick you up and drop you back to the camino next morning.Also in Leon pick up a Camino de san Salvador booklet guide from the tourist office
Buen Camino

Bendueños is still in the category of "best kept secret" I think, but it is well worth the little detour. Sandra moved to the hamlet with her kids and convinced the parish to let her put a donativo albergue in what used to be the priest's house across from the church. She puts every cent she receives from pilgrims back into the albergue. Last time I was there, she had just bought the biggest bottle of Johnnie Walker I had ever seen. Never saw that in an albergue before! Really a peaceful place, great views and very comfortable. Hope I can link to the pictures on the Salvador's facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/caminodelsalvador/posts/1243482302343977

If you get into the church, make sure to go back to the room behind the altar, where there are wall paintings from the time when gallegos were heading off to the Americas. Some black women in traditional dress can be seen on the walls, but the paintings are in an advanced state of decay. When I was there, Ender and his friends came for a meal, and one of them said that these paintings are very unusual and should be preserved, but alas, no money.

And for me, the descent into Campomanes was the worst, though when I walked last year it was much drier and that meant a lot less slipping and sliding.

 

[mspath]

For more in Spanish plus some photos and references re the
Santuario de la Virgen de Bendueños which was declared a BIC in 2016 see this link.

 

[peregrina2000]

Thanks so much, mspath. The entry says that it used to be a stop on the Salvador, I didn't know that.

And I hope this link works -- it lots of pictures of the paintings:
https://www.google.com/search?q=ben...i=GvMJWYOGB6mZjwS28K3gBg#imgrc=4o55xCW0gYM-fM:

 

[Paul J W]

Pleased to report completion of Camino San Salvador last month. After recent experience of the Camino Frances - so very busy since walking it some years ago - it was a joy to have relative solitude (including a night as the sole pilgrim at one refuge) and savour the glorious landscape, birds, butterflies, flowers . . .
Thanks to those who responded to my initial query re this route. Much appreciated and reassuring to a guy in his mid-seventies.
Could well be back!
Buen Camino to those fortunate pilgrims out there now.

 

[Tazz]

I too just walked the San Salvador followed by the Primitivo in late May.
The San Salvador was spectacular. I had a few days with spotty rain but still had spectacular views. I only saw 4 other pilgrims during the 4 days on the San Salvador, however, the solitude was nice. The flowers, mountain smells and sounds were wonderful between Buiza and Puerto de Pajares. If staying in Pajares I would call one day or at least a few hours in advance to ensure the hospitalero books you for dinner. This was recommended if you stay in Polandura but I found out the hard way in Pajares. Fortunately they accommodated me. I would also bring a small mattress cover as the mattresses in Pajares are foam and covered with very worn away cloth and no cover is provided. That being said, I had a room for 8 to myself so there was little risk of a problem.
Remember also there is nowhere to buy water between Pajares and Compomanes, so I would stock up at the bar in Pajares. I had a very thirsty walk to campomanes.

Overall it was a great experience and I would do it again. However, I would do it in 5 rather than 4 days next time as the walk between Buiza and Compomanes is quite strenuous.

Jamie

 

[Former member 49149]

I have walked the Salvador, but only in summer or fall, so I never had any issues with the snow.One thing I can suggest is to go to the Camino Del Salvador Facebook page and post a question when you're getting ready to set out. Ended runs the page and he is always quick to respond with current info. Snow in May is not unheard of.

As far as pilgrim traffic goes, I don't think you will find too many people on the Salvador in May. Even in June, there were very few of us. I know it gets busy in July and August though. Whenever you go, you're in for a wonderful journey!

I would like to say how sorry I am to read about the incident you experienced, and hope your ganas will return with time. I am planning to begin the Salvador route next week, and have been helped so much by forum contributions, and now will go to the Facebook page you mention. Mil gracias, safe trip to wherever your home is, and don't wait too long to put your toe back in...