Great path will unite 3 Caminos (Frances, Primitivo and Norte) following the Navia river

[Kosmos]

A great path is being prepared that will unite the three main Caminos de Santiago, following the course of the Navia River from its source in O Cebreiro (Camino Frances) through the Camino Primitivo in Grandas de Salime and ending in Navia in the Northern Camino .

Gallegos y asturianos crean una ruta de 200 kilómetros por el Navia

El grupo promotor, que representa a colectivos e instituciones de 16 concellos, se reúne este sábado en A Fonsagrada para fijar un plan de trabajo

www.elprogreso.es

Groups and institutions of 16 municipalities bordering Galicia and Asturias have joined together in a common project: to create a hiking and cycling route on the banks of the Navia river that serves as an economic and demographic stimulator for the regions that the river crosses, from its source in O Cebreiro to its mouth in the Cantabrian Sea.

The route, which its promoters have called the Navia's great path (Gran Senda del Navia), will have a minimum of 143 kilometers, which is what the river measures, although the final route is estimated to exceed 200.

The intention is to take advantage of the existing traditional paths, prioritize the proximity to the river and resort to the road sections as little as possible. The route will link with elements of heritage, natural, architectural or ethnographic value.

 

[Pelegrin]

I like river Navia, that has the name of a goddess.

 

[Rebekah Scott]

that´s a whole lot of mountain walking!

 

[Deleted member 67185]

Is this an historical camino being revived, or a new walking path unconnected to historical usage?

 

[Jan_D]

Is this an historical camino being revived, or a new walking path unconnected to historical usage?

Just did a quick Google search (the article above was published in 2016, so wasn't sure how up-to-date it was). It's being referred to as the Gran Senda del Navia and they're seeking funding from the government's "Natural Paths" programme. In all the press releases, they state that they're interested in connecting a variety of caminos (including "natural caminos" like the E-9 and other mountain routes in this part of Asturias). "Camino" is obviously just the Spanish word for path, and they mention that the route would be of "general interest" (rather than historical or religious interest).

It's being spearheaded by the very active-sounding Amigos de Boal (Boal being a municipality in the Navia region). In 2017 they celebrated the creation of a "Miradores del Navia" route, but they're still actively seeking funding for the Gran Senda del Navia project.

 

[Kosmos]

Is this an historical camino being revived, or a new walking path unconnected to historical usage?

It's a new walking path, I guess the idea is to take advantage of all the people who walk the Camino de Santiago and know a very spectacular area, it is a very rugged valley, deep gorges, cliffs 300 meters high, slate hills, canyons, waterfalls, towns like Riodeporcos that can only be accessed by a suspension bridge, three big dams and archaeological sites such as the Castros, Celtic settlements of the 5th century BC.

Riodeporcos



Castro de Coaña


Oneta Waterfalls


Doiras Dam

 

[TaraWalks]

I would love to walk that yet so many Caminos to walk before hand! Maybe by the time I get to it, the path will be well marked and the infrastructure will be there.

 

[peregrina2000]

I have made this a “sticky” so it will be easy to find in case people want to set out, or for when @Kosmos wants to post updates! Definitely looks like a beautiful way to combine caminos with some real hiking. Thanks, @Kosmos. Buen camino, Laurie

 

[gypsy9]

I'd very much like to walk this way...looks amazing
And sooner rather than later--perhaps this year?
will keep attuned.

 

[notion900]

Very interesting. Especially as I can imagine pilgrims might be walking it in both directions .