Salvador in 5 days?

[walking sticKs]

Hello, I have a two questions concerning the Salvador. I am a responsibly fit 66 year old male with very little Spanish language skills.
First, would it be reasonable for me to plan for a 5 day walk in September and second, will I be able to manage with my lack of Spanish?
As a reference, I walked from Porto into Santiago in 7 days last July.

P.S., Many thanks to Ender for your wonderful Salvador Guide, great job!

 

[Former member 49149]

You ought to have no problems. Some have walked it in 4 days, as you will no doubt hear. Buen Camino.

 

[Anna Sar]

Hi, 7 days from Porto to Santiago? I would say you are very fit!
5 days for Salvador - no problem. I can share my gpx/klm tracks if you want to but summary of the way characteristics (from my Garmin) below;

1. Leon - La Robla 30km, elevation gain/loss = 482/368 m, 6h 40min walk, few uphills/downhills in the middle 10km section

2. La Robla - Poladura de la Tercia, 23.5 km, elev gain/loss = 702/427, 5h 30 min walk, one, steady uphill over 3-4km distance beginning after about 13km,

3. Poladura de la Tercia - Pajares, 14,8km, elev gain/loss = 582/829, 4h walk, bit of uphill at the beginning over long distance, nothing challenging,

4. Pajares - Pola de Lena, 25km, elev gain/loss = 812/1461, 6h 15 min walk, steep downhill at the beginning, more downhill later

5. Pola de Lena - Oviedo, 32.9 km, elev gain/loss = 675/769, 7h walk, MOST DIFFICULT DAY (my opinion), first 18km is just flat walk and then you have some long and very tiring ups and downs.

Overall I would say it is not too demanding (last day is a bit tough though).

Camino San Salvador is nothing but stunning . I would do it again but next time I would change my stages so that I could stay in Albergue Santuario de Benduenos, located on the top of the hill. I wouldn't change any of the first three stops though. Poladura especially, gorgeous village, don't forget to buy local cider. Pajares is beautiful too. The view from the albergue window is exceptional.

As for Spanish. We were lucky enough to have a Spanish friend with fantastic English. But I don't think that would be a problem. Just common phrases to learn re food or beds. The way is very well marked.

Buen Camino

 

[Felice]

I’m off on Monday to walk the Salvador! As I don’t do long stages (much over 25), I have found it difficult to plan. I might even take 7 days over it!!!!

A question, Anna. Do the albergues all provide blankets? I’m thinking it might be more than a little cold in the mountains, and I will need more than my light sleeping bag. Thanks

 

[Former member 49149]

I’m off on Monday to walk the Salvador! As I don’t do long stages (much over 25), I have found it difficult to plan. I might even take 7 days over it!!!!

A question, Anna. Do the albergues all provide blankets? I’m thinking it might be more than a little cold in the mountains, and I will need more than my light sleeping bag. Thanks

I am not Anna, but last summer there were blankets in all the albergues we slept in on the Salvador camino.

 

[Anna Sar]

Hi Felice, to be honest I don't know about blankets. I don't pay too much attention to blankets as I always have my sleeping bag. Besides it was July, hot enough not to care about anything to cover with.

 

[Purky]

I’m off on Monday to walk the Salvador! As I don’t do long stages (much over 25), I have found it difficult to plan. I might even take 7 days over it!!!!

A question, Anna. Do the albergues all provide blankets? I’m thinking it might be more than a little cold in the mountains, and I will need more than my light sleeping bag. Thanks

Nice, I might run into you (or you into me) as I start on Tuesday!

 

[Felice]

Thank you, Kirkie and Anna. I've been nervously watching the weather forecast, with its promise of snow on the Cantabrians and wondering if I am doing the right thing walking the Salvador in mid May. I've been really lucky with the weather in May over the past 3 years, so I'm hoping for some more luck this year. I dont mind clouds and wind, it's the rain I detest!

 

[Felice]

Purky, I'm sure you will be faster than me! I'm actually flying on Monday, to Oviedo and then bussing to Leon on Tuesday morning, so you will be well ahead of me, going at my snail's pace.

 

[Purky]

Flying to Santiago on Monday (arriving early evening), and then the first train to Leon on Tuesday morning. Hopefully all quick enough to also walk the first 17 km to Cabanillas on Tuesday. Who knows? Buen camino, in any case!

 

[Antonius Vaessen]

The Salvador was indeed very beautiful and could be done in 5 days. I would surely stay in the wonderful Albergue in Benduenos. {Although it might be cold depending on outside temperatures

 

[camino07]

I’m off on Monday to walk the Salvador! As I don’t do long stages (much over 25), I have found it difficult to plan. I might even take 7 days over it!!!!

A question, Anna. Do the albergues all provide blankets? I’m thinking it might be more than a little cold in the mountains, and I will need more than my light sleeping bag. Thanks

To make that last day shorter I added a night in Mieres . Really helped me.

 

[walking sticKs]

Many thanks to all!
Anna, your summary is great, thank you. I will looked into adjusting for Benduenos.
I will turn west onto the Primitiov from Oviedo with the hope of walking into Santiago in eleven days.

 

[Pelegrin]

Elevation gain/loss that's the expresion !! Thank you @Anna Sar I didn't know the translation for desnivel subida/bajada. I didn't find this expresion in any Spanish/ English dictionnary and was unknown by every English native speaker that I asked it.

 

[Anna Sar]

That is funny @Pelegrin as I am not native English speaker . But I just like mountains. And I meant total elevation gain/loss for the given distance of course.

@walking sticKs, Primitivo is also stunning. 11 days sounds about right, although we reached Santiago on day 12th having few long days. Try not to miss absolutely fabulous albergue Bodenaya with fantastic hospitalero David.

 

[walking sticKs]

Thank you Anna, I expect to shave off a day on the Primitivo, since I like to walk all day. Once I hit the Camino Frances, I will cover more ground faster since I know this route well. At least that is the plan! You know how plans are, they work great until you put them into practice!

 

[Felice]

Flying to Santiago on Monday (arriving early evening), and then the first train to Leon on Tuesday morning. Hopefully all quick enough to also walk the first 17 km to Cabanillas on Tuesday. Who knows? Buen camino, in any case!

I came across the webcam for the ski station next to the Puerto de Pajares (Branilla, Valle de Sol) and it looks dreadful - snow and mist. And according to the BBC weather map, there is lots more snow forecast on Sunday night. Unless it improves rapidly in the next few days I do not think it would be wise to do this walk. I intend to ask for advice when I get to Leon, meanwhile I'm trying to think of somewhere else to walk if need be.

 

[Purky]

I came across the webcam for the ski station next to the Puerto de Pajares (Branilla, Valle de Sol) and it looks dreadful - snow and mist. And according to the BBC weather map, there is lots more snow forecast on Sunday night. Unless it improves rapidly in the next few days I do not think it would be wise to do this walk. I intend to ask for advice when I get to Leon, meanwhile I'm trying to think of somewhere else to walk if need be.

Yikes! I'll investigate too...

 

[Felice]

Don't think it looks quite so bad now.
The webcam is at https://www.hispacams.com/webcams/webcam-pajares-pajares-valle-del-sol-2.html
It is located at the Estacion Invernal just SW of Brañillin, at about 1850m. Maybe it gets more snow than the Salvador path.
The accuweather forecast for Brañillin seems to have changed and is not too dreadful now.
However, as I am walking alone, I won't attempt it if visibility is poor. A bit like the Hospitales route on the Primitivo - just not worth the risk. We drove through Pajares many years ago on a wet day and there would be no pleasure in walking in such conditions.

 

[Purky]

Don't think it looks quite so bad now.
The webcam is at https://www.hispacams.com/webcams/webcam-pajares-pajares-valle-del-sol-2.html
It is located at the Estacion Invernal just SW of Brañillin, at about 1850m. Maybe it gets more snow than the Salvador path.
The accuweather forecast for Brañillin seems to have changed and is not too dreadful now.
However, as I am walking alone, I won't attempt it if visibility is poor. A bit like the Hospitales route on the Primitivo - just not worth the risk. We drove through Pajares many years ago on a wet day and there would be no pleasure in walking in such conditions.

I checked the weather reports along the Salvador, and although not too sunny and quite nippy in the evenings and mornings, it doesn't seem to be too bad. I will doublecheck when in Leon, but for now I am reasonably optimistic. I will however add a beanie and some light gloves to my kit .

 

[Ena Nova]

I'll come after you on friday ...
Purky, you don't need gloves if you have enough socks ..

 

[Purky]

Purky, you don't need gloves if you have enough socks ..

For those who are curious what the weather is like at the moment on the Salvador: I feel like an idiot for packing a beanie and light gloves. I should have brought sunscreen. Glorious weather, no clouds and a slight breeze. At least 20 ºC. Currently in Cabanillas, where I seem to have the albergue to myself.

 

[Ena Nova]

Wau, thank you very much for your report and for the great news! I am packing for the camino right now and I am looking forward to follow your way! I am off tomorrow and guess what, I won't take the gloves.. Buen camino, ultreia et suseia!!!

 

[Felice]

Totally agree so far Purky. Lovely day for walking today. I got to Cascantes then caught the bus back to León. Let us know what the mountains are like if you have any wifi! How did they get the forecast so wrong?

 

[Purky]

Let us know what the mountains are like if you have any wifi!

Awesome... I'll see what I can do re posting today on the Salvador thread.