Camino Primitivo September 2019

[Ruchira]

Hello
I'll be walking my first Camino solo, leaving Oviedo on Sept 15. As I have 20 days in hand, I'm planning to continue on to Finisterre and Muxia if I have the time. Any advice would be great. Feeling excited and apprehensive !!!

 

[peregrina2000]

Hello
I'll be walking my first Camino solo, leaving Oviedo on Sept 15. As I have 20 days in hand, I'm planning to continue on to Finisterre and Muxia if I have the time. Any advice would be great. Feeling excited and apprehensive !!!

Hi, Ruchira,
Welcome to the forum!

I think it should be a great time to walk. Crowds will probably be done, weather should be great. My first Primitivo was in early October and it was perfect weather, nice amounts of peregrinos. Some cold mornings, and some snow in the mountains in higher elevations, but that just made the views more glorious! If you “run cold” I would definitely consider some lambswool gloves and wool ear warmers, because you may have some brisk weather. I know temps are rising, but I found that on several mornings, with the starting temperature around 5-6 degrees Celsius, the gloves were such a delight. They are very lightweight and I was very happy to have them.

 

[Elle Bieling]

Yes, September is a lovely time. We encountered quite a few very warm days in Sept, despite the mountains. But indeed the mornings are cool. I am hearing that one should avoid Grado, as it is a starting place for many pilgrims, and as Sept is still a very popular month to walk, the accommodations may fill up. Consider the shorter first day to Escamplero, combining it with a visit to the Naranco UNESCO churches in the morning. They are worth the visit! Then, you will avoid Grado. Of course, you should stop at the cathedral in Oviedo for your first stamp, and the 9th century UNESCO church there, the San Julián de los Prado. Consider a rest day in Lugo - you have plenty of time!

If you like stories and want to read about ours, and our stages, click here. I have included lots and lots of information to aid you in your journey! Have a most glorious Camino!

 

[Ruchira]

Hi, Ruchira,
Welcome to the forum!

I think it should be a great time to walk. Crowds will probably be done, weather should be great. My first Primitivo was in early October and it was perfect weather, nice amounts of peregrinos. Some cold mornings, and some snow in the mountains in higher elevations, but that just made the views more glorious! If you “run cold” I would definitely consider some lambswool gloves and wool ear warmers, because you may have some brisk weather. I know temps are rising, but I found that on several mornings, with the starting temperature around 5-6 degrees Celsius, the gloves were such a delight. They are very lightweight and I was very happy to have them.

Thank you for your response and advice - especially about the gloves! I'm also wondering if I should take my sleeping bag? I have a thermal liner and a silk sheet - hoping this will be enough - trying not to exceed 7 kgs in total.

 

[Doogman]

Thank you for your response and advice - especially about the gloves! I'm also wondering if I should take my sleeping bag? I have a thermal liner and a silk sheet - hoping this will be enough - trying not to exceed 7 kgs in total.

A friend and I are leaving Oviedo on September 16 so we may see you along the way. But we are starting off slowly, and if I remember correctly we will take 15 days plus one rest day to get to Santiago. Have a great Camino!

 

[camino07]

Thank you for your response and advice - especially about the gloves! I'm also wondering if I should take my sleeping bag? I have a thermal liner and a silk sheet - hoping this will be enough - trying not to exceed 7 kgs in total.

I would say take the sleeping bag not the liner or sheet unless you are someone who can tolerate cold nights,I can't...

 

[Ruchira]

A friend and I are leaving Oviedo on September 16 so we may see you along the way. But we are starting off slowly, and if I remember correctly we will take 15 days plus one rest day to get to Santiago. Have a great Camino!

Perhaps we'll bump into one another. I don't have a firm plan, other than a rest day in Lugo. I'll take each day as it comes. Wishing you and your friend a buen Camino .

 

[Ruchira]

Yes, September is a lovely time. We encountered quite a few very warm days in Sept, despite the mountains. But indeed the mornings are cool. I am hearing that one should avoid Grado, as it is a starting place for many pilgrims, and as Sept is still a very popular month to walk, the accommodations may fill up. Consider the shorter first day to Escamplero, combining it with a visit to the Naranco UNESCO churches in the morning. They are worth the visit! Then, you will avoid Grado. Of course, you should stop at the cathedral in Oviedo for your first stamp, and the 9th century UNESCO church there, the San Julián de los Prado. Consider a rest day in Lugo - you have plenty of time!

If you like stories and want to read about ours, and our stages, click here. I have included lots and lots of information to aid you in your journey! Have a most glorious Camino!

Thank you for the links and info. I so enjoyed reading it all and found it very useful. I've purchased your e book and I'm sure I'll be referring to it along the way!

 

[camino-david]

Welcome to the Forum, Ruchira. There is a wealth of knowledge herein, but sometimes it is necessary to separate fact from opinion, but not in the replies to your post.
Buen Camino

 

[Ruchira]

Welcome to the Forum, Ruchira. There is a wealth of knowledge herein, but sometimes it is necessary to separate fact from opinion, but not in the replies to your post.
Buen Camino

Thank you David - you are my main "go to" for advice

 

[txpeah]

Perhaps we'll bump into one another. I don't have a firm plan, other than a rest day in Lugo. I'll take each day as it comes. Wishing you and your friend a buen Camino .

Hi there Ruchira,
My friends and I are leaving Oviedo on the 14th but plan to slow down a bit where we can. Perhaps we will cross paths! So glad to see you on the forums - I planned my first Camino using the forums and this group is invaluable and I managed to meet many of the folks I interacted with on the site.

All the best to you and Buen Camino.

PS - I am pro lightweight sleeping bag. A cold terrible sleep makes for a tough day on path the next day. If weight is the issue, perhaps there is something you can swap out. Apologies if you already have this advice, but I read once about not packing our fears and it was very liberating to let go. So my personal guideline is if I don't plan to use it everyday or every other day, then I don't bring it. The only "just in case" items are related to my Rx and even then, I bring a short supply since we can acquire most things in Spain. The rain gear felt like a "just in case" before my first trip, but I used it enough, I was glad to have it. On my second Camino, I used it almost everyday. Planning for the same next month. Happy packing.

 

[Ruchira]

Hi there Ruchira,
My friends and I are leaving Oviedo on the 14th but plan to slow down a bit where we can. Perhaps we will cross paths! So glad to see you on the forums - I planned my first Camino using the forums and this group is invaluable and I managed to meet many of the folks I interacted with on the site.

All the best to you and Buen Camino.

PS - I am pro lightweight sleeping bag. A cold terrible sleep makes for a tough day on path the next day. If weight is the issue, perhaps there is something you can swap out. Apologies if you already have this advice, but I read once about not packing our fears and it was very liberating to let go. So my personal guideline is if I don't plan to use it everyday or every other day, then I don't bring it. The only "just in case" items are related to my Rx and even then, I bring a short supply since we can acquire most things in Spain. The rain gear felt like a "just in case" before my first trip, but I used it enough, I was glad to have it. On my second Camino, I used it almost everyday. Planning for the same next month. Happy packing.

Hi nomadpeah!
Thanks for your suggestions. I'm planning on arriving in Oviedo on the 13th but decided to spend two nights there as I've heard it's lovely. if I don't see you in Oviedo I'm sure we'll meet somewhere en route. Buen Camino to you and your friends!