After yesterday’s short stage to Luarca, today it’s time to re-grease the engine to cope with a long-distance day.
Let’s go on the Camino del Norte!
Today’s stage takes place far from the coast, on tracks and paths that alternate, and at all times, road stretches.
On the route, we will cross the River Navia, one of the fastest-flowing on the Cantabrian side and conclude the route in the council of El Franco, in the town of La Caridad.
If you are thinking of doing the Camino de Santiago from Ribadesella, tell us what your plans are for the Camino de Santiago, and we will contact you to advise you on everything that you need.
Itinerary stage Luarca – La Caridad
Today’s route faces 30.5 kilometres. The route’s terrain is simple, with moderate slopes and ground in good condition. The worst part of the stage will be the continuous presence of the national road and the A-8 motorway.
Luarca (km. 0). Beginning of stage
Practical tips for this section: In this section you will enjoy beautiful views, enjoy them and do not hurry, the route is a long one. Buen Camino!
From Plaza de Alfonso X de Luarca, where the Town Hall is located, we take Calle Uría and turn right to go up the Calle de La Peña, following its various curves.
An indicator, located at the top of the street, indicates a detour to the right, in the direction of the Chapel of San Roque.
However, the Jacobean path, he then deviated to the left, walking the Camino Real to Santiago. We go down the local road, which we continue to the right to, after a few metres, turn left on a track.
By small asphalt tracks, we cross the tiny village of Ribaunder and go down to the ruins of the old church and the Santiago Cemetery. Shortly afterwards we arrive at the small village of Taborcias and then Villuir, on the National N-634 road.
Villuir (km. 3,7).
Practical tips for this section: In this section you will cross and advance along the road on various occasions, remember to be cautious and be attentive to traffic. Buen Camino!
We cross the N-634 road and then follow the local road towards Constantians. By dirt tracks, or badly asphalted roads, flanked by the national road, which is located on our right, about 500 metres, and the A-8 motorway, which is on our left, about 300 metres away, we pass through hamlets and small urban centres without any services.
Finally, we reach the AS-37 road, then cross it and continue straight ahead, uphill. After a short distance, we take a dirt track, on the right, which after a short climb, leads us, on a descent, to the national road.
Arriving at the N-634 road, we follow it on the left, approaching the huge A-8 viaduct, over the River Bayoro Valley. We continue and follow the route along the national road, without passing under the viaduct.
We leave the road on a small asphalt track that begins on the left and that runs uphill. We pass next to a house with a peculiar garden dedicated to pilgrims and next to a fountain of Santiago.
Continuing the route, we arrive at the hamlet of Bao y Barayo, in the parish of Villapedre (km. 12.5).
Villapedre (km. 12,8).
Practical tips for this section: In this section you will have to sip a stream on misplaced stones. Take advantage of the journey there to find a natural stick that can help you maintain balance, if you don’t want to have wet shoes. Buen Camino!
A la altura de la villa, regresamos a la N-634, para seguirla durante 80 metros y desviarnos por una pista, que nace a mano derecha, por la que pasamos junto a la Iglesia de Santiago. Luego cruzamos la línea férrea, por un túnel, y más adelante, la N-634, adentrándonos en Piñera (km. 14,5)
At the village, we return to the N-634 road, follow it for 80 metres and deviate by a track, starting on the right, along which we pass next to the Church of Santiago. Then we crossed the railway line, through a tunnel, and later, the N-634, going into Piñera (km. 14.5)
We cross the village and, 300 metres later, turn right to cross the FEVE railway, over a bridge. Then we pass by the Church of San Salvador and return to the national road.
We follow the road to the left for 300 metres, turn right by a path that goes into a forest.
We then cross over a stream with the help of a few stones placed in it and, a few metres later, we go out onto a dirt road, on which we continue to the left. 300 metres later, we turn right to head towards Villaoril (km. 16.6).
Villaoril (km. 16,6).
Practical tips for this section: The Navia Town Hall is located in an Indian-style house from the 19th century, it is worth stopping to take a look. Buen Camino!
In the centre, we continue straight up the NV-3 road, to the industrial estate known as La Colorada (km. 18.6). After passing the Hotel Blanco, we turn left on a street, 200 metres later, turn right, and take a grassy path that then transforms into a paved track.
Next, we return to the local road NV-3, which we continue on the left to reach the Plaza del Ayuntamiento de Navia (km. 20,1). In front of this building, in a zigzag from right to left, we take Calle Mariano Luiña, on which we descend to Avenida Regueral, which corresponds to the N-634 road.
We follow its path on the right and pass, first, under the railway viaduct, and then over the River Navia. That’s how we enter El Espín.
On the second corner we take, on the left, the C-3 road in the direction of Folgueras. We follow it, uphill, for 300 metres and turn right, by the local road that goes to Jarrio.
Following its path, we enter the village of Jarrio (km. 22,7), where we find the Chapel of Santa Ana.
Jarrio (km. 22,7).
Practical tips for this section: After so much asphalt, these last kilometres can become very annoying. Cheer up, there’s not much left to go. Buen Camino!
The pilgrim path enters a short and beautiful vegetable tunnel, then cross the CN-1 road and continue, in the same direction, on an asphalt track, with some dirt paths. Later we stand parallel to the A-8 motorway, which is on our right.
We end up crossing the motorway, over a bridge, and we change onto a small track, on the left, passing by the hamlet of Torce. The track leads to the N-634 road, which we cross to continue advancing, parallel with it.
600 metres later, we cross it again, and continue advancing on the other side of the road, to Cartavio (km. 26.6). By tracks, both asphalt and dirt, but without losing sight of the national road, which is located on our right, we arrive at Arboces (km. 29).
At the exit of the village, we return to the national road. We follow it for a few metres, without crossing it, and continue along a dirt track, which is born on the left.
A few hundred metres later, we cross, first, the FR-1 road by an underpass and then the N-634 road. On a small track, we arrived next to the pilgrim hostel.
We go up Avenida de Asturias, which we follow on the left to enter our destination today, La Caridad (km. 30.5).
La Caridad (km. 30,5). End of the stage.
Practical tips for this section: If you want to walk, a few kilometres from the urban centre, you will find beautiful beaches. If you don’t feel like walking anymore after today’s tour, you can always take a public transport. Ask for information in your accommodation. See you tomorrow!
La Caridad is a small village surrounded by beautiful beaches, but all of them are a couple of kilometres from the urban centre. If you don’t feel like walking but want to have a dip, use public transport service or call a taxi.
Another option is to spend the afternoon to rest. In the streets of the town you can visit the the As Quintas Cultural Complex and the Museo de la Forja.
Comments stage Luarca – La Caridad
Here are some tips for today’s stage.
Precautions stage Luarca – La Caridad
The stage can be somewhat dangerous due to the large number of kilometres that are completed by road, so it is important to remember that you always have to go along the hard shoulder and pay attention to the traffic.
These precautions must be taken in sections such as Otur and Villapedre, where the route is made on a road without a hard shoulder, in which it is possible to dense traffic, due to works on the A-8 motorway.
Moreover, the stage does not involve more difficulty. The firm is in good condition, so neither cyclists nor people with reduced mobility will find problems to complete the stage.
However, people with little mobility may have difficulty crossing streams where the passage is done on stones. The worst thing that can happen is that they end up getting their shoes wet.
Food stage Luarca – La Caridad
Below are some gastronomic suggestions for today’s stage.
- Salmon
- Trout
- Shellfish
- Beans
- Suckling Pig
- Cider
- Venera: Almond twist, a typical local delicacy from Navia.
Services stage Luarca – La Caridad
Get to know the main healthcare services, cafes, ATMs and restaurants that are located on this stage of the Camino del Norte.
Map stage Luarca – La Caridad
Check the map with the route and locations that the stage runs through.
Profile stage Luarca – La Caridad
Find out about the profile, altitude and degree of difficulty on each section.
Comments stage Luarca – La Caridad
Along the route you will pass through various places of interest. We provide you with information about each of them.
Playa de Sabugo
Sabugo Beach is located between the sandbanks of Barayo and Otur, within the West Coast Protected Landscape area. The beach has a length of 250 metres and is shell-shaped.
This space is little frequented, partly because it can only be accessed on foot, along a narrow path.
Capilla de la malatería
The Chapel of Malatería is located in Piñera, in the town of Castropol. It is estimated that the temple was built around 1432, although it has some elements that suggest that perhaps its construction is traced to the 11th or 12th century.
The small chapel is known for housing a fountain with sulphuric waters that, according to legend, healed people affected by leprosy.
Playa de Pormenande
Pormenande Beach is a cove of 150 metres in length and shaped like a shell, sheltered by the islet of El Castellón de Pormenande. The beach has a recreational area where various services are located.
Playa de Otur
Otur Beach is located in the centre of the village of Otur, within the West Coast Protected Landscape area. The beach, 600 metres long, has great natural and landscape value.
It is a sandy area which is highly frequented in summer, especially for its proximity to the town of Luarca and for its easy access.
Playa de Barayo
Barayo Beach, along with the delta, dunes and marshes, forms a partial nature reserve of important value. The sandy area has an extensive area of dunes and marshes, making it one of the most spectacular beaches in Asturias.
The beach, 700 metres long, is divided in two by the River Barayo, which flows into it.
La Caridad
La Caridad is a small town, with less than 1,800 inhabitants, in the council of El Franco. The town is located near the Cantabrian coast, with beautiful beaches a few kilometres from its town centre.
Here, you can visit the As Quintas Cultural Complex and the Forge Museum.
Complejo cultural As Quintas
The As Quintas Cultural Complex is located in the town of La Caridad. It is a century-old building, formerly known as Esperanza das Quintas.
The construction is an excellent example of traditional regional architecture, in which the use of stone and slate predominates. In 2005 it was restored and currently houses the City Council offices.
Practical information:
Hours: Closed On Saturdays and Sundays. Monday and Thursday (9:30 to 14:30 and 17:00 to 20:00), Tuesday (9:30 to 14:30), Wednesday (17:00 to 20:00) and Friday (12:30 to 14:30 and 17:00 to 20:00).
Museo de la Forja
The Forge Museum is located in the former house of Angel Fernández López, in the town of La Caridad. The space houses an exhibition of iron chairs and tables, a granary and lamps, among other objects.
All of them have been made by hand, between the 70s and 80s, by the owner of the museum.
Practical information:
Hours: Open daily (from 10:00 to 20:00).
- Go to <<< Stage 24 on the Camino del Norte
- Go to >>> Stage 26 on the Camino del Norte
