Primitivo or Norte in this recent bad weather?

[MKalcolm M]

My 13 year old daughter and I are due to start walking the Primitivo on April 3rd, but I am concerned about the recent weather leaving snow and mud on the paths, and walking long distances in difficult conditions. We walked from Porto last year, and had a great time, but it was in good weather. We have talked about the Primitivo and the current conditions a lot and she is very keen to do it, but the closer it gets and the more I read about the mud, the more worried I get. I walked the Norte in spring 2013 and the first two weeks were very rainy and muddy and it was hard work, but it looks like the Primitivo is worse just now. We have flights to Oviedo and returns from Santiago, so it would be easy enough to transfer to the Norte. We do not want to walk the Frances, so all suggestions and advice gratefully considered.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Snow will be a bigger problem on the Primitivo, but mud is likely about the same. The Primitivo goes between some very substantial mountains, while the Norte is in coastal hills. It looks pretty wet in Galicia, but the snow is melting in O Cebreiro, so it must be warming a bit. Since weather is not the same throughout Spain, you should check the local forecasts for the two routes to make a decision. If there is going to be snow, the Primitivo may be hard to follow! Buen camino.

 

[Colette Z]

My 13 year old daughter and I are due to start walking the Primitivo on April 3rd, but I am concerned about the recent weather leaving snow and mud on the paths, and walking long distances in difficult conditions. We walked from Porto last year, and had a great time, but it was in good weather. We have talked about the Primitivo and the current conditions a lot and she is very keen to do it, but the closer it gets and the more I read about the mud, the more worried I get. I walked the Norte in spring 2013 and the first two weeks were very rainy and muddy and it was hard work, but it looks like the Primitivo is worse just now. We have flights to Oviedo and returns from Santiago, so it would be easy enough to transfer to the Norte. We do not want to walk the Frances, so all suggestions and advice gratefully considered.

El Norte is muddy wet and yesterday 10 minutes before I ascended through the forest to the road at Canero, a huge land/rock slide occurred blocking all traffic, fortunately I was on the correct side of the slide (To Luarca) to continue walking “car-free”. I’ve been walking as much coastal and all forest routes since Feb 28th and this past week coastal/forest paths have a lot of small rivers instead of path and /or path is washed out meaning you have to get wet to the ankle to cross or return. Personally I’d be hesitant to recommend El Norte at this time plus more heavy rain is forecasted.

 

[Tia Valeria]

I suggest checking out this thread by @Jan_D who is on the Primitivo at present.
Also the 7 day forecast for Asturias and also for Lugo area of Galicia. It looks as though there is brighter weather coming about Monday. However both are going to be wet underfoot as will all the other Caminos I expect as the rain has been coming into Spain from the Atlantic.