Want to travel from Villaviciosa to Oviedo but then get back on Camino Nord at Gijon - thoughts / possibilities?

[sherrykirkham]

I was hoping to be able to travel from Villaviciosa to Oviedo to see the San Salvador Cathedral and the museums there but don't want to continue on the Primivito. What is the best way to do this? Walk to Oviedo and then take bus or transport back up to Gijon? Or should I bypass Gijon and head to Aviles? Is Gijon worth seeing? Thoughts and advice welcome and has anyone done this?

 

[trecile]

I really enjoyed Gijon, but it's not that special, and the walk from Gijon to Avilés isn't that great. So my vote would be to walk from Oviedo to Avilés. I did that last year after I walked the Camino del Salvador from León to Oviedo.

 

[sherrykirkham]

I really enjoyed Gijon, but it's not that special, and the walk from Gijon to Avilés isn't that great. So my vote would be to walk from Oviedo to Avilés. I did that last year after I walked the Camino del Salvador from León to Oviedo.

Thanks!

 

[peregrino_tom]

I think trecile's suggestion is sensible. But here's another one to consider: I found the Primitivo route from Villaviciosa to Oviedo almost completely unremarkable (except for San Salvador de Valdedios - which we were only able to view through the fence). But I did enjoy the Norte stage between Villaviciosa and Gijon with the big hill (highest point on the Norte if you don't take the mountain alternative out of Soto de Luina?). I also thought Gijon a fine place to visit on a sunny day and the stage over to Aviles was interesting enough (especially the dolmens). So if I was in your situation I'd take the bus into Oviedo for the day, return to Villaviciosa in the evening and continue on the Norte the next day.
EDIT- or, as Gijon is slightly closer to Oviedo than Villaviciosa, walk to Gijon on the Norte and then do the day trip to Oviedo from there

 

[Antonius Vaessen]

If you go to Oviedo You should not miss to visit the the two Romanesque buildings above Oviedo. (Santa Maria del Naranco en Dan Miguel deLillo), They are very beautiful, it is about an hour walking or you can take a bus. As an extra you get a nice view of Oviedo

 

[kohara]

I agree with the posters above. If you are on the norte I would stay on it, the walk from Villaviciosa to gijon is hilly but has great views. Very handy 25 minute train journey from gijon to Oviedo, leaves you right in the centre of the city, spend the evening enjoying the lovely seafront in Gijon. The better of the restaurants are to be found one or two streets behind this. Buen Camino

 

[Charles Chamberlain]

Last year I continued walking from Villaviciosa to Oviedo then after 2 wonderful days in Oviedo I took the train to Aviles to continue on the Norte - I missed the Villaviciosa to Aviles section of the Norte. After further considering the options I would do the opposite - continue walking from Villaviciosa to Aviles then take the train to Oviedo, spend a couple days there and then take the train back to Aviles to continue on the Norte - missing the Villaviciosa to Oviedo section instead. The Oviedo <> Aviles train is only about 40 minutes and a very inexpensive trip. I'm sure you will enjoy the Norte and time spent in Oviedo.

 

[peregrina2000]

I think the first question is whether you are want to visit a 9th century church in a monastery nestled in a valley. I think it’s beautiful, but some aren’t drawn to it. If so, that would mean walking down to Oviedo from Villaviciosa. The church at Valdediós is a very short well-marked detour off that path. I’ve attached some pictures. There is even an albergue at Valdediós, run by a joyous group of nuns and spotlessly clean. Very under-utilized. Valdediós is only 9 km after Villaviciosa, though, so it you sleep in Villaviciosa, it’d probably be too short. Sleeping in Colunga (there’s a very nice hotel rural there, where I slept years ago) makes it a 26 km stage to Villaviciosa, and then two day more into Oviedo. OR, walk from Villaviciosa, visit the church, and then go on to either Vega de Sariego or Pola de Siero.

There have been other forum threads on this topic. Check here, here, and here.

The walk from Villaviciosa to Oviedo is typically a two day affair. There are good albergues, and the route has been put mainly off road. You enter Oviedo with a few kms of car dealerships and furniture emporia, but nothing industrial.

From Oviedo back up to Avilés is now a very well marked and pleasant, but not spectacular, walk. Avilés itself is a very pleasant stop. The historical center has been revitalized and is very picturesque and lively!

Buen camino, Laurie

and p.s., I agree with the suggestions about spending time in Oviedo. The pre-romanesque sites in Naranco are as spectacular as Valdediós.

 

[Isca-camigo]

I agree with @peregrino_tom on this, the walk into Gijon is more pleasant and challenging than the way into Oviedo, the only downside is the next stretch to Aviles but even parts of that are very natural and rural. You could probably as suggested go to Gijon on foot and then bus or train to Oviedo and spend a night or two looking around, and then go back to Gijon in the early morning to restart.

 

[sherrykirkham]

I think trecile's suggestion is sensible. But here's another one to consider: I found the Primitivo route from Villaviciosa to Oviedo almost completely unremarkable (except for San Salvador de Valdedios - which we were only able to view through the fence). But I did enjoy the Norte stage between Villaviciosa and Gijon with the big hill (highest point on the Norte if you don't take the mountain alternative out of Soto de Luina?). I also thought Gijon a fine place to visit on a sunny day and the stage over to Aviles was interesting enough (especially the dolmens). So if I was in your situation I'd take the bus into Oviedo for the day, return to Villaviciosa in the evening and continue on the Norte the next day.
EDIT- or, as Gijon is slightly closer to Oviedo than Villaviciosa, walk to Gijon on the Norte and then do the day trip to Oviedo from there

that was another consideration of mine - so easy to take bus then between Oviedo and Gijon - good to know - make is a side day trip and resume walking from where I left off in Gijon THANKS

 

[sherrykirkham]

I agree with the posters above. If you are on the norte I would stay on it, the walk from Villaviciosa to gijon is hilly but has great views. Very handy 25 minute train journey from gijon to Oviedo, leaves you right in the centre of the city, spend the evening enjoying the lovely seafront in Gijon. The better of the restaurants are to be found one or two streets behind this. Buen Camino

a side trip for a day to Oviedo and then bus or train back to Gijon I think is a very plausible plan! THANKS - somewhat of a rest day

 

[sherrykirkham]

I think the first question is whether you are want to visit a 9th century church in a monastery nestled in a valley. I think it’s beautiful, but some aren’t drawn to it. If so, that would mean walking down to Oviedo from Villaviciosa. The church at Valdediós is a very short well-marked detour off that path. I’ve attached some pictures. There is even an albergue at Valdediós, run by a joyous group of nuns and spotlessly clean. Very under-utilized. Valdediós is only 9 km after Villaviciosa, though, so it you sleep in Villaviciosa, it’d probably be too short. Sleeping in Colunga (there’s a very nice hotel rural there, where I slept years ago) makes it a 26 km stage to Villaviciosa, and then two day more into Oviedo. OR, walk from Villaviciosa, visit the church, and then go on to either Vega de Sariego or Pola de Siero.

There have been other forum threads on this topic. Check here, here, and here.

The walk from Villaviciosa to Oviedo is typically a two day affair. There are good albergues, and the route has been put mainly off road. You enter Oviedo with a few kms of car dealerships and furniture emporia, but nothing industrial.

From Oviedo back up to Avilés is now a very well marked and pleasant, but not spectacular, walk. Avilés itself is a very pleasant stop. The historical center has been revitalized and is very picturesque and lively!

Buen camino, Laurie

and p.s., I agree with the suggestions about spending time in Oviedo. The pre-romanesque sites in Naranco are as spectacular as Valdediós.

Thanks for all the pics and information - looking like a side day trip (kinda a rest day) via bus or train into Oveido and back later in day to Gijon is the most plausible ! Totally want to see the monastery and museums there!

 

[trecile]

Thanks for all the pics and information - looking like a side day trip (kinda a rest day) via bus or train into Oveido and back later in day to Gijon is the most plausible ! Totally want to see the monastery and museums there!

Yes, that sounds better to me too!