Camino Primitivo in October -- feedback requested

richngail · Jun 10, 2022

Dear Camino Friends,

My wife and I had planned on doing the Primitivo this September, but an ever-filling schedule is removing that month from consideration.

With this in mind, I have these questions about doing the Primitivo in October:

1. How is the weather?

2. Is there sufficient light to allow for longer hikes (where they’re necessary) in order to finish the whole route in 2 weeks?

3. Will sufficient lodging be available?

4. Would bringing a lightweight sleeping bag be wise?

Answers to these questions -- and any other tips you can provide -- will be appreciated.

Thank you.

Felipe · Jun 11, 2022

Well, I have not done it, but I am planning also a Primitivo, maybe mid-September or early October..
I have looked at the weather, and in October it seems quite pleasant, maybe slightly cool. See thIs link for Borres, just before the legendary Hospitales stage. As it is a mountain area, I would expect quite cold nigths. Some rain also.
Buen camino!

Former member 99290 · Jun 11, 2022

Hi @richngail

Lucky you heading to the Primitivo. I've walked it twice at the time of year you're contemplating -
2014 - started 29 September, arrived 10 October
2019 - started 7 October, arrived SdeC 18 October

So, 12 days each time. Based on my experience.

Weather was great for us both times. Cold sometimes mornings and evenings, and over the Hospitales route. Maybe a little rain on a few days, but nothing substantial. But the weather is always a gamble any time.
Light - It was light by around 7.30/ 8am - the latter by mid October. I think we walked between 25-30 kms most days and usually arrived mid afternoon. The only day we arrived late in the afternoon was Campiello to Berducedo, over Hospitales route
Plenty of accommodation - albergues and private rooms (note, this was pre-Covid - so things may have changed but, again, Gronze will have good information)
Sleeping bag - depends on whether you're using albergue dormitories or private rooms. If the former, I'd say yes a light sleeping bag to be on the safe side.

Tips:

Accommodation We chose private rooms last time - the Primitivo has quite a few lovely albergues with both dormitory and private rooms, and communal meals. Check Gronze for information

Oviedo - Highly recommend a day or at least half a day in Oviedo before you begin. It's a wonderful town.

Lugo - Highly recommend arriving in Lugo by lunchtime, early afternoon, to enjoy that fabulous town.
Check the timing of San Froilan Festival in Lugo for this October. Great to be there at that time - but accommodation could be tight.

Enjoy!

richngail · Jun 20, 2022

Felipe said:
Well, I have not done it, but I am planning also a Primitivo, maybe mid-September or early October..
I have looked at the weather, and in October it seems quite pleasant, maybe slightly cool. See thIs link for Borres, just before the legendary Hospitales stage. As it is a mountain area, I would expect quite cold nigths. Some rain also.
Buen camino!

Felipe, thank you for your response -- I appreciate it. Thank you, too, for the weather link. The more weather information, the better!

richngail · Jun 20, 2022

Former member 99290 said:
Hi @richngail

Lucky you heading to the Primitivo. I've walked it twice at the time of year you're contemplating -
2014 - started 29 September, arrived 10 October
2019 - started 7 October, arrived SdeC 18 October

So, 12 days each time. Based on my experience.

Weather was great for us both times. Cold sometimes mornings and evenings, and over the Hospitales route. Maybe a little rain on a few days, but nothing substantial. But the weather is always a gamble any time.

Light - It was light by around 7.30/ 8am - the latter by mid October. I think we walked between 25-30 kms most days and usually arrived mid afternoon. The only day we arrived late in the afternoon was Campiello to Berducedo, over Hospitales route

Plenty of accommodation - albergues and private rooms (note, this was pre-Covid - so things may have changed but, again, Gronze will have good information)

Sleeping bag - depends on whether you're using albergue dormitories or private rooms. If the former, I'd say yes a light sleeping bag to be on the safe side.

Tips:

Accommodation We chose private rooms last time - the Primitivo has quite a few lovely albergues with both dormitory and private rooms, and communal meals. Check Gronze for information

Oviedo - Highly recommend a day or at least half a day in Oviedo before you begin. It's a wonderful town.

Lugo - Highly recommend arriving in Lugo by lunchtime, early afternoon, to enjoy that fabulous town.
Check the timing of San Froilan Festival in Lugo for this October. Great to be there at that time - but accommodation could be tight.

Enjoy!

This is terrific information -- I am very grateful for it! Thank you for taking the time to share so much detail with me. Many thanks.

peregrina2000 · Jun 20, 2022

Sunrise in Oviedo on Oct. 1, 2022, will be at 8:21 a.m. I walked the Salvador/Primitivo last September and was very glad to have my headlamp. In October, unless you like to start really late, I think a headlamp would be even more helpful.

I booked everything ahead of time, because of Covid and had single rooms everywhere. Even in Samblismo, I got an albergue room with one bunk bed, and I was alone. It was my first camino without a sleeping bag, because I was always in private rooms (And Javier in Samblismo gave me some blankets). But if you are going to sleep in albergues, and if you “run cold” even a little bit, I would bring a sleeping bag.

I remember that one private albergue in Grandas de Salilme was closing at the end of September, but the rest I saw were open. It was a pleasant change after the Salvador, where some public albergues were (and still are) closed.

richngail · Jun 21, 2022

peregrina2000 said:
Sunrise in Oviedo on Oct. 1, 2022, will be at 8:21 a.m. I walked the Salvador/Primitivo last September and was very glad to have my headlamp. In October, unless you like to start really late, I think a headlamp would be even more helpful.

I booked everything ahead of time, because of Covid and had single rooms everywhere. Even in Samblismo, I got an albergue room with one bunk bed, and I was alone. It was my first camino without a sleeping bag, because I was always in private rooms (And Javier in Samblismo gave me some blankets). But if you are going to sleep in albergues, and if you “run cold” even a little bit, I would bring a sleeping bag.

I remember that one private albergue in Grandas de Salilme was closing at the end of September, but the rest I saw were open. It was a pleasant change after the Salvador, where some public albergues were (and still are) closed.

Peregrina2000, thank you sharing this with me -- I appreciate the feedback. Your comments about headlamp and sleeping bag use are especially helpful. Again, thank you.

Felipe · Jul 2, 2022

peregrina2000 said:
I booked everything ahead of time, because of Covid and had single rooms everywhere. Even in Samblismo, I got an albergue room with one bunk bed, and I was alone. It was my first camino without a sleeping bag, because I was always in private rooms (And Javier in Samblismo gave me some blankets). But if you are going to sleep in albergues, and if you “run cold” even a little bit, I would bring a sleeping bag.

Could you please share your list of places with private rooms in the Primitivo, starting in Oviedo?
I usually like the communality of albergues, but given the current situation, I am considering this option.
I am going in early September, where apparently there are still a sizable number of pilgrims, so I will probably book places beforehand, if possible.

Richmond Gardner · Jul 2, 2022

peregrina2000 said:
Sunrise in Oviedo on Oct. 1, 2022, will be at 8:21 a.m. I walked the Salvador/Primitivo last September and was very glad to have my headlamp. In October, unless you like to start really late, I think a headlamp would be even more helpful.

I booked everything ahead of time, because of Covid and had single rooms everywhere. Even in Samblismo, I got an albergue room with one bunk bed, and I was alone. It was my first camino without a sleeping bag, because I was always in private rooms (And Javier in Samblismo gave me some blankets). But if you are going to sleep in albergues, and if you “run cold” even a little bit, I would bring a sleeping bag.

I remember that one private albergue in Grandas de Salilme was closing at the end of September, but the rest I saw were open. It was a pleasant change after the Salvador, where some public albergues were (and still are) closed.

I highly recommend an overnight in Sanblismo with Javier. Only a few minutes past Borres- it is a quiet and well run place

richngail · Jul 3, 2022

Richmond Gardner said:
I highly recommend an overnight in Sanblismo with Javier. Only a few minutes past Borres- it is a quiet and well run place

Richmond, thank you for this information; it will help with planning. Have a good day!

James X · Jul 10, 2022

richngail said:
Richmond, thank you for this information; it will help with planning. Have a good day!

Thanks Rich / RicnNGail, I am considering either the Primitivo or Del Norte in October (after 4xPortuguese) and this helps me in my evaluation.

gerriWannaBe · Mar 26, 2024

Former member 99290 said:
Hi @richngail

Lucky you heading to the Primitivo. I've walked it twice at the time of year you're contemplating -
2014 - started 29 September, arrived 10 October
2019 - started 7 October, arrived SdeC 18 October

So, 12 days each time. Based on my experience.

Weather was great for us both times. Cold sometimes mornings and evenings, and over the Hospitales route. Maybe a little rain on a few days, but nothing substantial. But the weather is always a gamble any time.

Light - It was light by around 7.30/ 8am - the latter by mid October. I think we walked between 25-30 kms most days and usually arrived mid afternoon. The only day we arrived late in the afternoon was Campiello to Berducedo, over Hospitales route

Plenty of accommodation - albergues and private rooms (note, this was pre-Covid - so things may have changed but, again, Gronze will have good information)

Sleeping bag - depends on whether you're using albergue dormitories or private rooms. If the former, I'd say yes a light sleeping bag to be on the safe side.

Tips:

Accommodation We chose private rooms last time - the Primitivo has quite a few lovely albergues with both dormitory and private rooms, and communal meals. Check Gronze for information

Oviedo - Highly recommend a day or at least half a day in Oviedo before you begin. It's a wonderful town.

Lugo - Highly recommend arriving in Lugo by lunchtime, early afternoon, to enjoy that fabulous town.
Check the timing of San Froilan Festival in Lugo for this October. Great to be there at that time - but accommodation could be tight.

Enjoy!

It seems incredible that mere humans can walk 18 miles everyday...how is it that your feet and body don't get injured or worn out?

David Tallan · Mar 26, 2024

gerriWannaBe said:
It seems incredible that mere humans can walk 18 miles everyday...how is it that your feet and body don't get injured or worn out?

Some would say divine providence. Others evolution. Still others, both.

Some would credit training.

KariannNor · Tuesday at 9:58 PM

https://www.alojamientoloshospitales.com/albergue I found a link to this place in an old thread, but can't find it on WisePilgrim, the Gronze map or if I search by address. Can someone tell me...

billandjothorne · Tuesday at 2:56 PM

Hi all Heading out for a meal tonight and Pilgrim mass before starting the Primitivo tomorrow. Any recommendations on where to get a great meal in Oviedo?

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