Are you on the Primitivo now?

[Adelina]

I'm hoping to walk the Primitivo early October, 2024 and wonder how it's been for you as you walk this time of the year, specifically:
1) have you encountered many pilgrims?
2) are most albergues open?
3) have you had to use a light sleeping bag?
4) how cold/wet has it been?
5) have you had to use a headlamp, or are the days long enough for a 20-23 km walk?

After my walk, I hope to serve as hospitalera in Grado and am now officially excited! Gracias for your insights.

--Adelina

 

[Former member 104756]

Hi friend. Ah, love the Primitivo. I’ve walked twice around the time you’re planning.

in 2014, started from Oviedo 29 September
In 2019´ started from Oviedo 7 October.

Both times took me 12 days to SdeC but facilities allow for shorter stages. My experience not so recent but, for what it’s worth -

1. Good numbers of pilgrims both times. Fewer in 2014. More in 2019 but still didn’t feel crowded. Reminded me of Frances when I first walked in 2011. Maybe busier now? Those walking currently will no doubt chime in.
2. Yes Albergues were open
3. Yes I had a light sleeping bag
4. Not too cold - the usual layers apply. Some rain, but not a lot. Galicia yes
5. I had a headlamp torch, but only used it a few times. I usually started walking around 8. Only used the torch when wanting to start earlier due to longer kms. If you’re walking 20-23 kms, you probably don’t need to leave too early, subject to your speed of course.

Adelina, I wrote a blog for both walks. Happy to send you the links by PM if you like. Or maybe you already have them.

One of my very favourite caminô paths.

ps. And great news re being a hospitalero in Grado.

 

[El Ramon]

I’m currently on the primitivo, almost done, in Melide, I agree with everything the post above, for me a headlamp was good to have , sunrise is around 8:30 and some days you’ll want to start early
I have to say there were more pilgrims than I expected, but not so many that there was a problem getting beds, there are of course some places you should plan ahead for instance if you want to stay in Borres
It’s an amazing Camino, but I wouldn’t recommend starting it without some training, it’s gets your attention early
I decided to do the Camino Portuguese from OPorto, the central version this time, to prepare me for the all the climbing on the Primitivo, it was a perfect warm-up

 

[Adelina]

Thank you both for your responses. My last consideration is I'll be a year older - just one more factor. I will definitely train and prepare beforehand.

 

[MikeJS]

5) have you had to use a headlamp, or are the days long enough for a 20-23 km walk?



--Adelina

Unless it is an extremely cloudy night you should not need to use any artificial light as your eyes will readily adjust to the low light levels. This has the added advantage of allowing you to see all around instead of the small area illuminated by the lamp. I often started on the caminonbefore 0700 this Sept/Oct and never used a light.

 

[TexasIndia]

I'm hoping to walk the Primitivo early October, 2024 and wonder how it's been for you as you walk this time of the year, specifically:
1) have you encountered many pilgrims?
2) are most albergues open?
3) have you had to use a light sleeping bag?
4) how cold/wet has it been?
5) have you had to use a headlamp, or are the days long enough for a 20-23 km walk?

After my walk, I hope to serve as hospitalera in Grado and am now officially excited! Gracias for your insights.

--Adelina

I'm on the Primitivo right now in Lugo.
1) I've seen 10-30 people every day.
2) Seems like it. A few are closed
3) hasn't been too cold until a few days ago. It's supposed to be rainy and chilly for next 4 days.
4) one very rainy day, but not cold. Last couple of days. Mostly mist. Heavier rain is forecast.
5) I brought a headlamp, but I haven't used it. I leave around 8, when it's just starting to get light. Even on longest days (32 -35 km) I arrived by 4. Sunset is 17:45.

Loved Grado. Sounds like a wonderful experience!

 

[MSCT]

I’m currently on the primitivo, almost done, in Melide, I agree with everything the post above, for me a headlamp was good to have , sunrise is around 8:30 and some days you’ll want to start early
I have to say there were more pilgrims than I expected, but not so many that there was a problem getting beds, there are of course some places you should plan ahead for instance if you want to stay in Borres
It’s an amazing Camino, but I wouldn’t recommend starting it without some training, it’s gets your attention early
I decided to do the Camino Portuguese from OPorto, the central version this time, to prepare me for the all the climbing on the Primitivo, it was a perfect warm-up

I’m thinking about doing the Portuguese from Lisbon as a warm up to the Primitivo and would love to chat about your experiences and thoughts on time of year etc. etc.

[Note from moderator: edited to remove personal information. If you are willing to chat, please use the direct messaging functionality of the Forum to connect with @MSCT and arrange something.]

 

[Sydney Peregrinos]

I'm hoping to walk the Primitivo early October, 2024 and wonder how it's been for you as you walk this time of the year, specifically:
1) have you encountered many pilgrims?
2) are most albergues open?
3) have you had to use a light sleeping bag?
4) how cold/wet has it been?
5) have you had to use a headlamp, or are the days long enough for a 20-23 km walk?

After my walk, I hope to serve as hospitalera in Grado and am now officially excited! Gracias for your insights.

--Adelina

Hi Adelina, I served as a hospitalera in Grado for the first half of October in 2019. A wonderful experience. Sunrise wasn’t until about 8 am so we waved pilgrims off in the dark each morning.

 

[Adelina]

Gracias- just a year to go!

 

[Monarda]

Hey Ramon and TexasIndia, what have you been finding as far as accommodations and bars that are open? I know they start to shut down in Oct - I'm looking at an Oct 26 start date... Looks like the first few days will be wet but then more clear.

 

[TexasIndia]

Hey Ramon and TexasIndia, what have you been finding as far as accommodations and bars that are open? I know they start to shut down in Oct - I'm looking at an Oct 26 start date... Looks like the first few days will be wet but then more clear.

Bars are few and far between. I've booked ahead for accomodations. There area lot of people at most of the places we've stayed. They booked ahead also.

 

[El Ramon]

Hey Ramon and TexasIndia, what have you been finding as far as accommodations and bars that are open? I know they start to shut down in Oct - I'm looking at an Oct 26 start date... Looks like the first few days will be wet but then more clear.

Pretty much everything was still open last week ....I think a lot close at the end of October...bit also there are less Pilgrims...never had any issue finding a place to sleep or take a break...although there are some long stretches without services....