THIS CHAPTER IS UP TO DATE:  2010

Jack de Groot walked the Primitive Road in August / September 2009. Next Check up: March 2010 [COMPLETED]

The latest UPDATES may only be obtained by purchasers of the Handbook via our CONTACT page.

Updates on Refuges •

In Asturias:

OVIEDO: Reasonable refuge. 18 beds. Open from 1700 hrs. Difficult to find, so remember the address: Calle San Mestallón, nr 1 

VENTAS DEL ESCAMPLERO: No hospitalero. Sometimes clean, sometimes not. Mosquitos in summer. Small cooking facility.

GRADO: No refuge. Try to avoid Hotel Bar Auto. Hotel Palper (at the entrance, before the bridge, left) is better.

SAN JUAN DE VILLAPANADA: Now good. A couple will serve you a meal. Good views. The refuge stands at some 600 meters from the camino, so a 1200 meter detour is required.                                                                                                                                

CORNELLANA: in the old Monastery across the river (in main street turn left). Good. Hotel La Fuente: very good.

GODAN: Good, but no hot water. No shops. Cooking facility. Road signs will lead you to Godán.

SALAS: 6 Beds. Depressing. In little street on the right, past the church. Bar Berlín: good. Hotel Soto: good.

BODANAYA: Good refuge. (Hostales and shops only, in La Espina.)

TINEO: Good. All services offered in Tineo.

A private refuge will be opened in CAMPIELLO in late 2009. Fee: 10 Euros. A Bar/Restaurant/Casa Rural exist already.

BORRES: Avoid this one. Dirty. Flies.

POLA DE ALLANDE: Good. All services offered in Pola. Good pilgrim menu at La Nueva Allandesa!

PENASEITA: Good refuge. Bar nearby.

BERDUCEDO: Municipal is dirty. Private one is good! 8 Euros. Restaurant "La Culpa Fue de María" is very good. 9 Euros Menu.

There is a good Casa Rural: "Camin Antiguo" (€60 double, €30 single, incl. breakfast) Ph. 696 929 164/165  next to the private refuge.

LA MESA: Try to avoid this one. No shops. No hotel. Lady serves food in case of emergency.

GRANDAS DE SALIME: Depressing refuge. Try to stay at Hostal Reigueira nearby, or in Hotel La Barra (good).

Casa Rural Sánchez (on the other side of the church, right on the camino) Ph. 626 665 118

CASTRO: Good refuge. Bar/shop. Spectacular ruins dating back 2000 years. Museum.

In Galicia:

A FONSAGRADA: No refuge. Sleep in Hostal Manolo. Eat at O'Candal (pulpo) or Demetrio (good hamburgers).

PADRON: Refuge is not great. Dirty rooms. No shops. (2 kms from FONSAGRADA). The climbs near Cádavo Baleira are very steep: up to 50% and very sandy!

If in doubt, walk the carretera from Paradavella onward. This is somewhat longer, but will save you time and sweat!

CADAVO BALEIRA: Good refuge. Shops etc. Good menu at Hotel Moneda. 8 Euros.

LUGO: Good refuge.

SAN ROMAN DA RETORTA: Good, small refuge. Casa rural. Shop/bar.

Spectacular UPDATES are available for purchasers of the HANDBOOK (March 2010)

IMPORTANT NOTE •

The so-called "Northern Variant" which starts just past Borres and runs to the ruins of some hospitals and later to the

top of "El Palo" is very spectacular. However, there are no services whatsoever, and may only be walked in good weather.

Fog will disorientate you. Wind will blow you away! If in any doubt, ask for advice in Bar Herminia in Campiello.