Late autumn Primitivo?

[Trish K]

I’m planning to walk the Primitivo from 26/10 from Oviedo. I have previously walked the Primitivo, but it was in the month of May. Other than it being a fair bit colder, is it still walkable Oct/Nov? Will albergues mostly be open?

 

[dbier]

Can't say for certain then, but I'm in Tineo as we speak. it's been raining, so muddy/slick as all get out.

There are some places to stay that are closed now (Cá Pacita comes to mind), and good luck finding a place to eat in Tineo on a Monday...I'm in one of two open bars that I've seen. I'd directly check with your planned stops before coming out.

 

[WalkingPlaylist]

Agree, am walking it now and places list closed at end of October and the accommodations and food are already slim pickings.

 

[Perambulating Griffin]

I left from Oviedo last year on Sept 26, arrived Oct 7 in Santiago. Many of municipal albergues were closed, and that meant staying the night in Campelliana after Tineo, and not making it on to Borres because they were completely full at the private albergue. Borres has only one food option (unless you pack food to cook from Campelliana or Tineo) regardless of time of year, so that won't change. Missing Borres meant that we went the "low route" and that was fine.
Smaller villages had some slim pickings for sleep possibilities, but until Melide we did not book ahead (a mistake only with Borres).
This year is busier so more things could remain open, but you are also going at a stage somewhat wetter and colder than when I went.
You asked "is it doable?" and I think it is... even if there is not always an abundance of choice.
I noted this year when I went back, that there were a few more private spots that had opened between Lugo and Melide. After Melide things got very busy so we slowed down *a lot* and slept at A Salceda, and at Lavacolla to get "off piste" but you might avoid those population crush problems by going a bit later.
Spouse was on the Ingles last year in *November* (first week), and found it perfectly fine, very navigable... so that might be a useful comparator.

 

[Trish K]

Thanks for your responses. I did think about doing the Norte from Gijon as an alternative, but it doesn't really appeal as there is quite a bit of road walking. I've looked on Gronze and most of the municipal albergues on the stages I'm planning say they open all year. I guess it's just a matter of always phoning a couple of days ahead to be sure. I found on the Invierno last winter that as long as I contacted them in advance, they would usually open for me - even though I was often the only Pilgrim!

 

[dbier]

Absolutely phone ahead - they take vacations too. And after the last two days of rain, wind, and temperatures in the high 40s / low 50s, be well prepared for cold and wet. As you remember, there aren't a lot of cafe stops on some stages, and they may be closed, too.