Puerto de Pajares

Camino de San Salvador

To end of camino
60.7
Altitude
1380

Santa Maria de Arbas del Puerto

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1.20

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Puerto de Pajares

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4.90

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Pajares

Services
Bar
Yes

The Puerto de Pajares is one of the few mountain passes which for centuries has offered passage over the mountains into Asturias from the meseta. It remained the primary corridor until the construction of the A-66 to the west. It remains a difficult road for drivers and snow is not too uncommon here in June.

The old parador has opened the bar and across the road Venta Casimiro has rebuilt after a fire... it is the bar "de siempre."  Parador for views, Venta for soul and a real meal.

The Road

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).

City Map

Comments

25. April 2024 - 12:40

All Caminos App User (not verified)

When craving for a drink or snack after a long walk and before a steep decline, don’t get your hopes up here. The Venta Casimiro is closed (for sale)

14. July 2023 - 17:34

Camino de Sant… (not verified)

There’s now a dirt road to walk down instead of bushwhacking through the ferns behind the farm buildings. I only know this because someone was walking down the new road while I was bushwhacking. I assume there is a Camino sign at the road. It’s well before you get to the bar and farm houses. The gate you go through will be on your left. It’s signed. Also, stay to the left when you descend to the road. The double gate by the road is at the far left and you might be able to get to it without walking through the deep mud in the cow pasture.

The trail on the other side of the road is steep and sketchy. Take your time and walk carefully. When you get into the forest you will find a Camino shell on your left. Turn sharply left there and follow the mud steeply down to the obvious stream crossing. You should see a large arrow on the ground on the other side of the stream. Once you’re out of the forest and happily on a dirt road again, keep your eyes peeled for a path on the left with a hard to see Camino sign a little ways down the path on the right.

I found today’s route finding a bit challenging. Luckily, someone was always nearby (or left boot prints) to help out.

14. July 2023 - 13:18

Camino de Sant… (not verified)

The group well ahead of me and I all followed what seemed like the correct path to the road but ended up at a blocked road with a barb wire fence by where the Camino turns right along the highway. We all went left through the boggy cow pasture along the fence line. After a few minutes it comes out to a road with no fence. Then we had to cross the highway. Maybe we missed something on the way down.

7. September 2022 - 0:05

Camino de Sant… (not verified)

So when I got here there am was a bblocked off entrance to a rad with barbed wire, the river near with a bridge would bring you out on the wrong side of the fence. So we went left Alf the blockage and then climbed over the fence and across the no man’s land to the edge of the main raid . Once we were there we then waited and crossed the road carefully.
Thereafter we headed up the hill to where there is an an unmarked bar before you go behind it. Reasonable coffee and friendly.. like that matters!