Sebrayo to Gijon or to Oviedo?

[Aodhán]

Many (most?) peregrino seem to go away from the sea and towards Oviedo and then back to Aviles (This map: https://theroadgoesforeveron.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/camino-del-norte.jpg). Is there any particular reason for this? I'm naturally inclined towards the coast so would prefer Sebrayo=>Gijon=>Aviles. What's the downside of this route? Thanks.

 

[peregrina2000]

Hi, Aodhan,

My impression is that very few pilgrims walk from Oviedo to Aviles. That map is, IMO, inaccurate in that regard. I think that the large numbers you see turning south towards Oviedo are leaving the Norte and going to join the Primitivo, which starts in Oviedo, into Santiago. Some may also be going down to Oviedo for a rest day or two, because Oviedo is such a beautiful city.

The only downside of the route coming into Aviles from the east is that you must walk through a huge industrial area on the outskirts. The way into Aviles from Oviedo doesn't go through any of that. Buen camino, Laurie

 

[jpflavin1]

Aodhan:

I would agree with Laurie's view on this subject. Most of the Pilgrims who turned South at Villaviciosa went on to walk the Primitivo. The others stayed on the Norte and walked through Gijon. Laurie is also correct in stating the walk from Gijon to Aviles is very industrial.

There is no particular reason other than they choose to leave the coast and walk the hills, imo.

Ultreya,
Joe

 

[Aodhán]

Thanks to both of you. Excellent insight. God bless the internet!

 

[jayree]

I diverted to Oviedo to avoid the big city sprawl of Gijon. It added an extra day for me because I stayed in Polo de Siero. From there Oviedo is just 16 km which allows an afternoon to explore Oviedo before walking back to Aviles the next day and continue along the coast. Oviedo was a great experience.

 

[Noel & Annie J]

I diverted to Oviedo to avoid the big city sprawl of Gijon. It added an extra day for me because I stayed in Polo de Siero. From there Oviedo is just 16 km which allows an afternoon to explore Oviedo before walking back to Aviles the next day and continue along the coast. Oviedo was a great experience.

Any special route recommendations for getting back to Aviles?

 

[AJ]

I have walked both routes and prefer the Oviedo option, mainly because I wanted to visit the cathedral and Visigothic churches in and around Oviedo. The route from Oviedo to Aviles is waymarked.

I would agree with Laurie's comments.

 

[jayree]

Any special route recommendations for getting back to Aviles?

I used the Cicerone Guide "The Northern Caminos" by Perazzoli and Whitson. In the Sebrayo to Gijón section they noted "It is possible to follow the Primitive to Oviedo and then return to the Norte at Avilés without backtracking." At the end of the Primitive section they explain the Primitive-Norte link (29 km). It was well marked.

 

[peregrina2000]

Here's a related question for you Norte experts. I want to visit the pre-Romanesque church in Valdedios. That requires getting off the main Norte route, somewhere after Villaviciosa, and it is pretty much along the way into Oviedo. The last time I did this, I just continued down to Oviedo. I'm wondering, if I'm short for time, whether I can go from the albergue in Valdedios back to the main Norte route and into Gijón. That would mean skipping Oviedo, which I would rather not do, but I am meeting someone in Gijón on a particular day and may have to make some adjustments.

Thanks, Norte pilgrims. Buen Camino, Laurie

 

[shefollowsshells]

Many (most?) peregrino seem to go away from the sea and towards Oviedo and then back to Aviles (This map: https://theroadgoesforeveron.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/camino-del-norte.jpg). Is there any particular reason for this? I'm naturally inclined towards the coast so would prefer Sebrayo=>Gijon=>Aviles. What's the downside of this route? Thanks.

I did it, only to send off a pilgrim that I adored who was departing via bus and finishing his camino there (planned). Oviedo was beautiful and so glad that I did this!
This past time my kids and I did not do this, I regret not taking them to Oviedo but one of the best friendships of my life (and theirs) was sparked in Aviles, and had we done this we would have missed out
on that...