Warning using “The Camino Del Norte app”

[Sandra Wolf]

On the Luarca to La Caridad stretch, please be aware that a short cut route marked in red between Hervedosas and Bao should be avoided. We navigated down this track which leads to a 100-150m storm water tunnel under the highway. The tunnel leads out into mud and then very dense, high bracken, with very sharp blackberry overgrowth. Visibility is compromised due to the height of the the overgrowth and it takes concentration to ensure you are still on track. Navigation was carried out with GPS and it was very hard to follow. To follow the dots exactly would have you walking on the impossibly steep incline leading up to the road. This route slows you down considerably. We spoke with others at the end of the day, who attempted this ‘short cut’ but they turned back after seeing the tunnel they would have to negotiate, with heavy packs.

 

[C clearly]

That seems like some good information that should be sent to the app developer, so they can consider updating the guide. There are likely many "Camino del Norte apps" but you can probably find the contact/feedback information somewhere in the app itself.

 

[Sandra Wolf]

Yes thanks. Thant is the next step that I will start investigating. If anyone knows please let me know?

 

[trecile]

That's the Wise Pilgrim Camino del Norte app. Fortunately, the developer is a forum member.
I hope that @wisepilgrim sees this post.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

On the Luarca to La Caridad stretch, please be aware that a short cut route marked in red between Hervedosas and Bao should be avoided. We navigated down this track which leads to a 100-150m storm water tunnel under the highway. The tunnel leads out into mud and then very dense, high bracken, with very sharp blackberry overgrowth. Visibility is compromised due to the height of the the overgrowth and it takes concentration to ensure you are still on track. Navigation was carried out with GPS and it was very hard to follow. To follow the dots exactly would have you walking on the impossibly steep incline leading up to the road. This route slows you down considerably. We spoke with others at the end of the day, who attempted this ‘short cut’ but they turned back after seeing the tunnel they would have to negotiate, with heavy packs.

That looks dangerous, storm culverts shouldn't be entered at all. Especially in mountainous regions they can fill up after a flash flood incredibly quickly and if you were half way along it . . .

 

[Damien Reynolds]

Now I know what my friend was talking about in May 2022! He talked about a tunnel and bushes! I just assumed he made the wrong turn!

 

[wisepilgrim]

That's the Wise Pilgrim Camino del Norte app. Fortunately, the developer is a forum member.
I hope that @wisepilgrim sees this post.

On it!

 

[Sandra Wolf]

Great thanks for your prompt response. I have enjoyed using wise pilgrim finding it very easy and helpful.

 

[wisepilgrim]

Great thanks for your prompt response. I have enjoyed using wise pilgrim finding it very easy and helpful.

Thanks for reporting this. I have published an update to the app; as usual Android is available immediately and Apple shortly (after their review process).

 

[Sandra Wolf]

Well done. This will make it easy for everybody. We have found the app fantastic - simpler to use than Buen Camino for mapping, and the route marking is more defined. Many thanks. It has been invaluable while walking the Norte. We are enjoying a rest day in Ribadesella, listening to the rain.

 

[CanadianBarb]

Yes we have used this App almost exclusively as it was most up to date. Thx @wisepilgrim! We're just in Muxia now, having used the del Norte and now the Finisterre apps.

 

[David with new Kit!]

That's the Wise Pilgrim Camino del Norte app. Fortunately, the developer is a forum member.
I hope that @wisepilgrim sees this post.

He didn't respond when I reported it last month. Maybe he still will, as quite a few people are reporting it as dangerous.

DOH!! - He has replied, above!!

 

[mark connolly]

Brings back some bad memories from last year. I took this route and when I came to the tunnel, I didn't even think it was part of the route. So, I continued on and instead of turning back, which I should have, I bushwhacked my way down the side of the mountain. Fell a couple of times, nearly breaking my ankle, back or anything else. Ended up with cuts and bruises all over my legs. Maybe I should have brought this to the Apps attention.

Mark

 

[mark connolly]

@wisepilgrim

Thanks for reporting this. I have published an update to the app

Updating meaning what? Has the correct route now being shown or has it been eliminated?

Mark

 

[wisepilgrim]

@wisepilgrim


Updating meaning what? Has the correct route now being shown or has it been eliminated?

Mark

It means that if you update the app the dangerous route will no longer appear. The official Camino was always correct, the update removes an alternate.

 

[HARMINIA]

 

[Bob D.]

On it!

I just finished the Norte last week and bumped into a couple of minor corrections…the first is the location of A’ Obrigo Albergue in Miraz, the pin drop in the app is not really accurate. I’ve attached a screen shot of my location while physically at the Albergue.

 

[Bob D.]

On it!

The second correction was the Blue Camino route outside of Portugalete…the blue line contained in this screen shot seems to dead end on the road, and is now fenced off. It looks as if someone has gone through the fence, but did not seem practical.

 

[PilgrimJames]

On the Luarca to La Caridad stretch, please be aware that a short cut route marked in red between Hervedosas and Bao should be avoided. We navigated down this track which leads to a 100-150m storm water tunnel under the highway. The tunnel leads out into mud and then very dense, high bracken, with very sharp blackberry overgrowth. Visibility is compromised due to the height of the the overgrowth and it takes concentration to ensure you are still on track. Navigation was carried out with GPS and it was very hard to follow. To follow the dots exactly would have you walking on the impossibly steep incline leading up to the road. This route slows you down considerably. We spoke with others at the end of the day, who attempted this ‘short cut’ but they turned back after seeing the tunnel they would have to negotiate, with heavy packs.

Great call. Great response Well done.