Camino Primitivo - end Aug/early Sept 2012

[pcaragones]

Hello all - I did the Camino Frances in 2002 and I have about 10 to 12 days free at the end of August and am considering doing the Camino Primitivo, on a friend's recommendation, or redo part of the Camino Frances. I've read some of the posts about the Camino Primitivo and it sounds "muy apetecible". A couple of questions: 1) Which of the etapas are the most difficult from a hill-climbing/descending perspective (knees...)? 2) Are there many people on the Primitvo this summer (I hear there are not enough albergues...)? 3) Can anyone recommend a luggage transport service on the Primitivo? Muchas gracias y buen camino!

 

[Tia Valeria]

On the Primitivo between Tineo and Lugo I think that the stage downhill from Buspol is hardest on the knees and calf muscles. Going up and over the two major passes, Puerto de Palo and Buspol itself was not as difficult as that descent to the dam before Grandas de Salime. Just take it slowly and it is OK. We took 2½ hours for the descent and stopped at the hotel at El Salto, about 1km beyond the dam. We left Berducedo at 9.30 and reached El Salto at 15.45, having stopped to eat our sandwiches near the top of Buspol.
Due to the wet we walked the road from Pola de Allande to the track below Puerta de Palo so did not have the additional steep climb up to the road from the valley bottom. Worth considering if you are concerned about your knees etc and also gives views which are blocked from the valley track.

There is more info on the Tineo to Santiago thread on this forum and on our blog, http://camino-primitivo-2012.blogspot.co.uk/

There seem to be more people on the Primitivo this year, but in many places there is additional accomodation if you think 'between stages' and can occasionally use hostals etc. There are some new private albergues and also habitaciones this year. Some of the albergues have extra mattresses in summer. If you get a 'bulge' taking a short day if you are able may lose the crowd.

Being realistic about timing you might want to start in Tineo as we did (accessible by bus from Oviedo), or even consider starting in Fonsagrada (accessible by bus from Lugo). Lugo itself is the 100km point from Santiago.

Buen Camino

 

[TerryB]

Can anyone recommend a luggage transport service on the Primitivo? Muchas gracias y buen camino!

I knew that I had seen a post on this somewhere Try here:-
miscellaneous-topics/topic14687.html

Blessings
Tio Tel

 

[pcaragones]

MANY thanks, Tia Valeria and Terry B (Tio Tel)! I just managed to log back on after a family trip away and saw your helpful responses - MUCH appreciated! : )

Patricia