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Being Italian I had an Italian one, so I can't help with the guide.
What turned out to be a magic tool was the Camino Ninja app. A must have to plan next day stops and lodging.
So sad that the creator of this wonderful tool just passed away.
If you can, consider adding 3km to the first leg and visit the abandoned church of Naranco, outside Oviedo.
Do the Ruta des Hospitales! Even if I couldn't enjoy it because of the rain, still it was incredibly beautiful.
Eat the Fabada in Escamplero.
Try the Sidra, the sour light wine, in...
I loved the albergue in Samblismo, right at the fork for the Ruta des Hospitales. The place is quiet and nice and Xavier, the hospitalero cooks a nice healthy dinner and breakfast.
Later on, a great place was the albergue juvenil de Castro.
I did not stay in Bodenaya, as it didn't fit my plan...
When I started I didn't book anything in advance. After a few days, having built a group of fellow hikers, we decided to book because we wanted to stay together at the end of the day, but always succeeded finding beds at first attempt.
I almost envy you, that are going to start!
Alex, I never had any problem finding a bed on the Primitivo and I guess July is more "crowded" (if you want to say so) then September. So, if it's just for accomodation emergencies, you may rethink having tent, stakes and mat with you.
Here I must disagree with you, carrying a lighter pack is definitely better. My pack on the Primitivo was 6,5 Kg and I had all I needed with me ... except earmuffs 😄
Just got back home from the Camino Primitivo, 332 km from Oviedo to Santiago, plus some spare more for dinners and city (the few ones I crossed) visits.
As expected, is a challenging walk, with lots of up and down hills (almost 9.000 mt of altitude gain), mostly in the first stages in Asturias...
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