I took the bus from Gijon to Cudillero as I had met some people who had were walking the camino in "reverse" and said it was mainly industrial and the trail over grown. A fellow Irishman that I met 2 days later said the same thing in more colorful language. Even going by bus through this area give you the impression of Dantes Inferno.
From Cudillero to Ribadeo the route can be very confusing and you can end up doing a lot of road walking along the N-632 which was not very pleasant.
Ribadeo to Sobrado de los Monjes was really good as the camino stays mainly off the main roads. From Sobrado delos Monjes I took the alternative route (o camino Vello) which joins the camino Frances at Brea. This is quite a long section and as I had left from Miraz that morning I only made it to Gandara where there was no accomodation. Bar owner helped out by getting the key for the school gym so I had a roof over my head and a warm shower. Muchas gracias to the people of Gandara.
Be prepared for some very steep climbs on the camino. I found out the hard way that its the decsent that hurts the most especially with a pack.
Also one of the best items that I ahd with me was a poncho as it protected both myself and my pack from the "rain in Spain that falls mainly on the plain"
As I posted previously the camino was well worth the effort, I only wish that I could have taken longer. There were not many people but those that I met were friendly and interesting. It can get lonley and one French Canadian guy I met said that he was "in despair at not meeting another pilgrim for 4 days".
I hope that these post are of some use to someone.
Buen Camino
Dhia is Mhuire duit.
From Cudillero to Ribadeo the route can be very confusing and you can end up doing a lot of road walking along the N-632 which was not very pleasant.
Ribadeo to Sobrado de los Monjes was really good as the camino stays mainly off the main roads. From Sobrado delos Monjes I took the alternative route (o camino Vello) which joins the camino Frances at Brea. This is quite a long section and as I had left from Miraz that morning I only made it to Gandara where there was no accomodation. Bar owner helped out by getting the key for the school gym so I had a roof over my head and a warm shower. Muchas gracias to the people of Gandara.
Be prepared for some very steep climbs on the camino. I found out the hard way that its the decsent that hurts the most especially with a pack.
Also one of the best items that I ahd with me was a poncho as it protected both myself and my pack from the "rain in Spain that falls mainly on the plain"
As I posted previously the camino was well worth the effort, I only wish that I could have taken longer. There were not many people but those that I met were friendly and interesting. It can get lonley and one French Canadian guy I met said that he was "in despair at not meeting another pilgrim for 4 days".
I hope that these post are of some use to someone.
Buen Camino
Dhia is Mhuire duit.