Susan B Johnson
PuraVida
- Time of past OR future Camino
- June (2016)
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Having done all three too (the Primitivo twice and the walk to Finisterre on three occasions) I would disagree on your assessment. IMHO the Primitivo is definitely more challenging than the Inglés which I found to be the easiest of all the routes I've walked. This is due to the continuous elevation changes on the Primitivo, every day! It's also my favorite, along with the San SalvadorHaving done all three, I don't think there is a lot of difference, remember that the terrain is the same although some stages on the Primitivo are longer. If you managed the Inglés and the walk to Finisterra, the Primitivo should be well within your ability. It is also a great walk. Buen Camino.
I would certainly agree with this. It is also somewhat more demanding than the Finisterre/Muxia Camino from Santiago in that there are a greater number and more extensive elevations. Nevertheless, it is a fantastic Camino with spectacular views and fascinating villages and towns. If you plan carefully and are aware of your limitations as far as daily distances are concerned, you will find it marginally more taxing than the Finisterre route but probably even more satisfying. Buen Camino!the Primitivo is definitely more challenging than the Inglés
Nice pictures — I see you stayed at Ponte Ferreira, which I love. It looked to me like people were soaking their feet in the troughs behind you. The last time I was there, those troughs were dry because of the lack of rain. I was disappointed because I had a pleasant memory of sitting there and dangling my feet in icy water a few years earlier. When were you there?Have a look at some photos we took.
Thanks Peregrina. May 2018 if I remember correctly.Nice pictures — I see you stayed at Ponte Ferreira, which I love. It looked to me like people were soaking their feet in the troughs behind you. The last time I was there, those troughs were dry because of the lack of rain. I was disappointed because I had a pleasant memory of sitting there and dangling my feet in icy water a few years earlier. When were you there?
Great set of photos, I will be doing it in June.Agree with all of the above. Have a look at some photos we took. Some of them are included in our book 'Walking the Caminos: a User's Guide' (Amazon)
So that’s what it looks like without snowAgree with all of the above. Have a look at some photos we took. Some of them are included in our book 'Walking the Caminos: a User's Guide' (Amazon)
Enjoy!Great set of photos, I will be doing it in June.
I walked the Primitivo in late May to early June 2022, continued to Muxia, then down to Finisterre. I found the SdC to Muxia to Finisterre route to be much less vertical than the Villaviciosa to Oviedo to SdC route. There was also more paved road walking on the SdC to Muxia to Finisterre route. There are definitely some challenging climbs and descents on the Primitivo, but it is such a beautiful Way and a wonderful experience. Some degree of fitness training will make the experience safer and more enjoyable. At age 66 with a couple of well controlled but chronic health conditions, it was important to me to be trained. My general fitness program is mostly brisk walking near my home and hiking on remote mountain trails with a backpack. I'm fortunate to live near the Appalachian Trail and similar trails in north Georgia. Fitness walking around town on pavement and trail hiking in the mountains on the A.T. were both excellent training for the Primitivo.I've walked Camino Ingles and on to Finsterre twice. I'd like to try a new route. I've read that the Camino Primativo is more physically challenging than other routes. Is there any truth to this? If this assessment is correct, what specifically makes it more challenging? Thanks!
Wow, that's an interesting fact and news to me, if true.Oviedo to Lugo involves a total elevation gain of 8,300 metres, slightly less than Everest from sea-level (8,848). How much of a challenge that might be will depend on the efficiency of your Sherpa
Chrissy, if you've walked the Camino Frances from St Jean you've over-topped Everest. 8961 metres!Wow, that's an interesting fact and news to me, if true.I'm going to start telling people I almost made it to the top of Mt. Everest before I collapsed from exhaustion.
Isn't that a quote from Hound of the Baskervilles???My view of the Hospitalas route, end of September 2022!
Torrential rain/dense fog, howling winds!
Was in a bar in Borres the night before, the locals told me to,
"Stay on the road and keep off the moors"
Isn't that a quote from Hound of the Baskervilles???
Thanks for sharing your memoir David. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and feel it will be very helpful if I decide to walk the Primitivo one day. I like the way you write.I walked the Primitivo in 2016. Here is my account of it
American werewolf in London.So close, but no gold star am afraid!
The conditions on the Hospitales that day reminded me of certain movie!!
Hence, the quote!
Think 80’s
Bingo! We have a winner!American werewolf in London.
Was on the Camino Ingles at the end of September 2022.....Weather was absolutely, beautiful....Sunny skies, no wind, no rain....Isn't that a quote from Hound of the Baskervilles???
American Werewolf in London methinks....So close, but no gold star am afraid!
The conditions on the Hospitales that day reminded me of certain movie!!
Hence, the quote!
Think 80’s
What do you mean? The Primitivo goes from Oviedo to Santiago, but you can walk León to Oviedo on the Salvador, or if you’re on the Norte, dip down to Oviedo after Villaviciosa. But I’m not sure that answers your question.How many routes are on the Primitivo?
Considering the Primitivo....How many routes are on the Primitivo?
What do you mean? The Primitivo goes from Oviedo to Santiago, but you can walk León to Oviedo on the Salvador, or if you’re on the Norte, dip down to Oviedo after Villaviciosa. But I’m not sure that answers your question.
Ok I’ll go with that, thanks.Perhaps the question is about alternatives?
"oh David what is it?"Bingo! We have a winner!
Thanks for playing!
I finished the Primitivo from Oviedo to SdC on April 27th. In 2018 I walked SJPdP-Finesterre. The Primitivo is a much more challenging route. Especially the first 5-6 days. But it is beautiful. It is worth it! Pictures are from the Hospitales-route and Berducedo-Grandas de Salime.I've walked Camino Ingles and on to Finsterre twice. I'd like to try a new route. I've read that the Camino Primitivo is more physically challenging than other routes. Is there any truth to this? If this assessment is correct, what specifically makes it more challenging? Thanks!
Thanks for your update and lovely pictures. May I ask how much training you think is necessary for this, and on those early difficult days, how many hours were you walking for?I finished the Primitivo from Oviedo to SdC on April 27th. In 2018 I walked SJPdP-Finesterre. The Primitivo is a much more challenging route. Especially the first 5-6 days. But it is beautiful. It is worth it! Pictures are from the Hospitales-route and Berducedo-Grandas de Salime.
View attachment 146216View attachment 146217
Thanks. It is difficult for me to say how much training is needed. On average I walk in the woods 3 days every week, some often around 10 km. The last 4 weeks before the primitivo I walked 4-5 times a week. But I did not practice anything with a backpack like the one on the Camino (9 kg). And I did send my main backpack with Caminotaxi some days, but I still carried 3-4 kg.Thanks for your update and lovely pictures. May I ask how much training you think is necessary for this, and on those early difficult days, how many hours were you walking for?
I also didn't train for the Primitivo but I walk everyday 13-15 km with my dog, albeit on flat terrain (The Netherlands, you can't get much flatterThanks for your update and lovely pictures. May I ask how much training you think is necessary for this, and on those early difficult days, how many hours were you walking for?
What month did you walk? I'm planning to hike the Primitivo either the end of April or beginning of May, 2024. I'll be 67 and plan to take it easy, though I am doing more hiking with a backpack to get prepared. Did you carry your packs and how much did they weigh? About how far did you travel each day?My husband and I walked the Camino Primitivo in 2019 and managed it well even though my husband was 80 years old at the time. It took us 19 days - three days longer than many other pilgrims. We went via the Pola de Allende instead of the Hospitales route. We loved it.
Absolutely fantastic photo`s. You seem to have gotten great weather. What time of year did you go?Agree with all of the above. Have a look at some photos we took. Some of them are included in our book 'Walking the Caminos: a User's Guide' (Amazon)
How much rain days did you experience?I walked the Primitivo in April/May of 2018. The weather over the top of the Hospitales stage (I think that was the killer section) was really bad! High winds, heavy fog ( a strange combo for sure) and temps around 5C. Glad I bought gloves and a hat in Oviedo! Also there are a couple of long downhills that will make your knees howl if you have issues with them
that being said, I loved the Primitivo from Oviedo to Berducedo and plan to walk it again this april/may
Why are you interested in the weather five years ago ;-)How much rain days did you experience?
I also will be hiking the primitivo April to May this year. Are you taking a sleeping bag?How much rain days did you experience?
No I am not planning to take a sleeping bag. I messaged every albergue that I’m planning to stay at, and they all provide blankets. Don’t want to add extra weight. How about you?I also will be hiking the primitivo April to May this year. Are you taking a sleeping bag?
I haven’t wanted to bring a sleeping bag because of the weight but was afraid I may end up cold. I haven’t made a plan of where I will stay other than planning to stay at albergues. So, hearing that the albergues you are staying at are providing them gives me some sense of relief. Are they private or municipal?No I am not planning to take a sleeping bag. I messaged every albergue that I’m planning to stay at, and they all provide blankets. Don’t want to add extra weight. How about you?
I checked with private albergues. For my visa purposes I had to show bookings and they’re the only ones accepting bookings. I’m walking from April 10 to 28, and I have lot of fat layers on my bodyI haven’t wanted to bring a sleeping bag because of the weight but was afraid I may end up cold. I haven’t made a plan of where I will stay other than planning to stay at albergues. So, hearing that the albergues you are staying at are providing them gives me some sense of relief. Are they private or municipal?
I have changed my mind about bringing or not several times already. But I will have layers of clothing and feel I could just wear every single thing I bring if I am cold at night
I am bringing a sleep sack
Can you list ones that DO have blankets so I can attempt to stay at those?@Kathygd ,not all Albergues have blankets- I can think of a couple on the Primitivo that didn’t : The donativo in Grado, the Xunta I stayed in once I hit Galicia for example.
I’m doing my Hospitalero course as I type - waiting for breakfast- the association has over 20 Albergues , we are told we do NOT offer blankets. Some have them from times gone by, they are held for emergencies.
An emergency is a snowstorm in summer, (it happens) you not bringing one doesn’t qualify……
Try sleeping with your windows open a home when it’s 3 degrees outside - typical temperature overnight in spring . Are you comfortable? If not, bring a sleeping bag, or be prepared to book private Albergues.
1/ sorry not really, I didn't take note of it because I never needed them. I do remember that Pascual had blankets. Somebody mentioned above that they stayed at private Albergues and they all had them, you could always PM them for a list.Can you list ones that DO have blankets so I can attempt to stay at those?
Thanks for this info. It’s definitely helping me rethink this issue
Enjoy the hospitalero. I plan to walk that way weather and many other factors depending
Are you talking 3C or 3F? I’m in the US and it’s cooler than 3F today
Thank you for your reply. Buen camino!I checked with private albergues. For my visa purposes I had to show bookings and they’re the only ones accepting bookings. I’m walking from April 10 to 28, and I have lot of fat layers on my body
Interesting. I don't think that was mentioned in my HOSVOL training in January.I’m doing my Hospitalero course as I type - waiting for breakfast- the association has over 20 Albergues , we are told we do NOT offer blankets. Some have them from times gone by, they are held for emergencies.
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