An awfully chilly start – 8°C. I made my way to the Parador hotel, and the statue of the tired pilgrim which is the starting point of this Camino. Not really an optimistic sign is it? Shouldn’t he be full of vim & vigor and raring to go if this is the start??

So why is there a Camino Salvador? Well, in the 7th C. Oviedo was the capital of Spain and therefore lots of religious icons & relics were housed there. That stuff stayed behind when the capital got moved to León so a route was made so all those pilgrim sorts could still go worship in Oviedo = the Salvador.

I don’t know how much of the present way follows the old Camino but it is, apparently, breath-taking in beauty which appeals to me.

Today’s walk started with 2 hours following the river and roads straight north to Carbajal, then up into the golden hills and away from civilization for almost 10 miles. At that town, Cascantes, I was resting in the little, leafy town square when 3 pilgrims walked by! One will be staying at the same albergue as me tonight, the others are carrying on further.

My last 6kms were a bit of a drudge. There was an option for the last bit: country 6kms or asphalt 5kms. I chose the former as anything is easier on the feet than pavement but it turned out to be gravel roads in full sun around a power plant. Not the scenic byways I was hoping for.

My detour brought me to the far end of La Robla, right near the albergue so I rucked up here for the night instead of looking for a private room back in town.

It’s very well appointed so I think it’ll be a nice stay.