The Camino San Salvador

The camino leaves the main road to follow a trail behind some farm houses at the far end of the alto; if you have gone as far as the old Parador you will have to backtrack a bit and avoid the temptation to follow the road. At the farm buildings turn right and begin a gentle ascent to the border between León and Asturias. Here you will have to pass through a gate and descend back to the National road you ought to have avoided (it really is quite dangerous). Here you have to cross over the road (CAUTION) to resume along a trail down to Pajares.

NOTE: Along the way to Pajares you will find a junction which requires you to decide between Pajares or San Miguel. The route through San Miguel will also arrive at Pajares but takes 5km longer to do so and is therefore only really recommended for cyclists or for pilgrims who intend to sleep in Bendueños (1.5km off camino).

Leaving town, stay on the road to the city limits. The camino turns left and begins a steep descent into San Miguel del Rio in the valley below.

NOTE: From San Miguel follow the signs to Santa Marina. The village is divided, and you want the upper half, so turn Left at the first fork in the road where a shell (on your right) indicates that you should keep on the road. DO NOT follow the granite marker which tells you to continue straight.

Later, after following the road to Santa Marina, the camino comes to a chapel and again it is necessary to pay close attention. Here the camino goes through a gate which appears to lead to a private garage. On the other end of the farm are two more wooden gates and beyond them another path which covers the remaining 2km to Llanos de Somerón.

From here on to Puente de los Fierros there are two options.

Stay on the road

Before entering the small town look for a path to your left marked Fresnedo. In fact, you do not actually need to enter the town of Puente de los Fierros. This route takes you through two hamlets and past one ermita (San Miguel), and a fountain.

The Munisteriu Alternative

This is a more challenging alternate route which abandons the road shortly after leaving town and which follows a 4.8km mountain trail. It is more rigorous, but most rewarding things are. This route includes an elevation gain/loss of 133 m/-387 m.

The camino will continue straight through the town turns right to cross the N-630 and a bit later the river. Just past the river it doubles back on itself to the left to follow a road along the river and to the Iglesia de Santa Cristina de Lena.

Cross over the river and into town. If you are not interested in the town, and would rather breeze through it, continue straight after crossing the bridge, through the first major intersection. At the second one (with a large car park on your right) turn left. You will pass an urban park and at the end of the park you have two options:

1. Carry on straight, turning left at the very end of the road and rejoining the camino.

2. Reconsider your intent to breeze through town, and turn right to visit the Iglesia de San Juan. If you choose this route, just turn left again when you get to the church. The road wraps around the city and meets option 1 very quickly.

From La Peña you begin the 5km climb to El Padrún. There are rest places along the way as the camino passes through a few small villages.

Continue along the main road out of Olloniego, past El Cruce, and over the bridge to El Portazgo.

Arriving along Camino San Salvador: Shells and arrows will bring you right into the old quarters of Oviedo, passing a plaza and the beautiful Ayuntamiento building. There is talk of a new certificate which you can claim upon completion of the route, but details of where to find it are not yet sorted out. For now, you are advised to ask in the Cathedral or in the Albergue de Peregrinos.