Norte or Norte/Primitivo

[ChuckM]

In June 2019 will be going on my second Camino. Our plan is to start in Bilbao on the Norte. Hoping I can get input on if we should just stick with the Norte all the way or cut down onto the Primitivo? Also any advice or recommendations on places to stay, eat, etc. would be most helpful and greatly appreciated.

 

[amancio]

Either way is great, no worries, you can decide as you go! I would however, never miss the Valdediós monastery as the place where the two ways split, to the right along the coast, and to the left to Oviedo.
You can also go to Oviedo, and then walk to Avilés, it is only a bit longer, you miss industrial Gijón and you see gorgeous Oviedo city!

 

[ChuckM]

Either way is great, no worries, you can decide as you go! I would however, never miss the Valdediós monastery as the place where the two ways split, to the right along the coast, and to the left to Oviedo.
You can also go to Oviedo, and then walk to Avilés, it is only a bit longer, you miss industrial Gijón and you see gorgeous Oviedo city!

Thank you Amancio for the input. I'm leaning toward connecting to the Primitivo. I believe that way is a little shorter as we have a little bit of a time issue. As I will be 65 when I do this which way would you say is easier?

 

[Craig Towers]

In June 2019 will be going on my second Camino. Our plan is to start in Bilbao on the Norte. Hoping I can get input on if we should just stick with the Norte all the way or cut down onto the Primitivo? Also any advice or recommendations on places to stay, eat, etc. would be most helpful and greatly appreciated.

Chuck

We walked the Norte from the start on the French/Spanish border in Irun then cut down and did the Primitivo from Oviedo. The Primitivo was incredible.We did it in Autum so the colors were incredible. Great walking. Some good hills. Doing both was perfect I think. May go back and complete rest of Norte one day. Send me your email. You will see our journey on Facebook. What ever you do it will be fun. Picking our next one now. Number 5.

 

[amancio]

Thank you Amancio for the input. I'm leaning toward connecting to the Primitivo. I believe that way is a little shorter as we have a little bit of a time issue. As I will be 65 when I do this which way would you say is easier?

Good question... I would say the Primitivo has more hills at the first 2/3 of the route, whereas the Norte has a couple of mountain stages in Galicia too. Just follow your heart, you will not go wrong in either case! I am not sure, though, the Primitivo is necessarily a shorter, quicker option...

 

[ChuckM]

Chuck

We walked the Norte from the start on the French/Spanish border in Irun then cut down and did the Primitivo from Oviedo. The Primitivo was incredible.We did it in Autum so the colors were incredible. Great walking. Some good hills. Doing both was perfect I think. May go back and complete rest of Norte one day. Send me your email. You will see our journey on Facebook. What ever you do it will be fun. Picking our next one now. Number 5.

Thanks for responding.

Chuck

We walked the Norte from the start on the French/Spanish border in Irun then cut down and did the Primitivo from Oviedo. The Primitivo was incredible.We did it in Autum so the colors were incredible. Great walking. Some good hills. Doing both was perfect I think. May go back and complete rest of Norte one day. Send me your email. You will see our journey on Facebook. What ever you do it will be fun. Picking our next one now. Number 5.

Thanks for responding. I will send you my email. Wow, #5?

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I walked the Norte/Primitivo in mid April and May 2016 beginning in San Sabastian, then turned onto the Primitivo at Oviedo. I combined the two routes as together they provided such an interesting variety of scenery. I loved them both.

 

[norelle]

I have done both ways. You can't make a wrong decision! Both ere wonderful.
Maybe wait until you get to the split and decide?
Saying goodbyes!
Buen camino

 

[SWL]

Thank you Amancio for the input. I'm leaning toward connecting to the Primitivo. I believe that way is a little shorter as we have a little bit of a time issue. As I will be 65 when I do this which way would you say is easier?

I agree you should see Valdedios, which is just after the split in the direction of Oviedo (well-marked). I also advise you to take the low route to the monastery along the floor of the valley, rather than heading up to the main road) as it is much more pleasant.

 

[Oppis]

We also did the split to Primitivo last fall. Loved the Valdedios valley and Oviedo and Lugo as well. Very recommedable choice.