We continue to cross Asturias, this time near the coast, enjoying its countless beaches and many kilometres of tranquillity.
Let’s continue on the Camino del Norte!
Today, the route presents two options, both extremely beautiful. The path that runs close to the coast, crossing the Sierra de Las Ballotas or the path that enters the Sierra de Palancas. In this guide we follow the coastal path that hides beautiful places and beautiful beaches.
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 Soto de Luiña – Cadavedo
Today’s stage has two itineraries. The Sierra de Las Ballotas or the more mountainous route along the Sierra de las Palancas. In this guide we follow the coastal route, Ballotas, with a route of 18.5 kilometres.
The route faces constant ascents and descents, on ground that we will often find muddy in some sections.
Soto de Luiña (km. 0). Beginning of stage
Practical tips for this section: At the end of this section you will find the fork in the road that forces you to choose between the mountain section or the coastal variant. You have just under an hour to think about it.
We would advise you that most pilgrims opt for the coastal route and that the other route is in a worse state of conservation. Buen Camino!
To start the day, we head to the Valle Las Luiñas Hotel, next to it, we take a road that, immediately, leads to the N-632a road. We follow the road for a few metres and leave it along a track on the right. Shortly thereafter, next to a roundabout, we cross the national road.
As we pass the Cabo Vidio Hotel, we find a stone marker with a legend that tells us that Ballota is straight ahead and that the Camino continues to the left.
If we continue straight on to Ballota, we will complete today’s stage along the coastal route, which is not the historic one, but is followed by the majority of pilgrims. The path on the left refers to the old drover’s road that crosses the Sierra de las Palancas.
We opt for the coastal variant and therefore continue straight ahead at the fork in the road. Later, we then pass under the A-8 motorway and leave the road to divert onto a street, on the right, that allows us to enter in Albuerne (km. 3,6).
Albuerne (km. 3,6).
Practical tips for this section: In this section you will pass through the centre of Castañeras, you should know that the town does not have any services, but if you deviate 700 metres from the route, you can enjoy the beautiful Silencio Beach. Buen Camino!
In the village we pass next to a small chapel and at the exit we descend and follow a path that crosses the first of the Ballotas (streams).
Depending on its flow, we must balance ourselves on the stones while crossing it without getting wet. Shortly after, we leave on the N-632a road, again, arriving at Novellana (km. 5.1).
We cross the town by the road and exit on the right to cross the second stream. We go down a beautiful path that runs through thick vegetation, we cross another stream and return to the national N-632a road, on which we continue in ascent, to Castañeras (km. 6,8).
In Castañeras we follow a street on the right. After 250 metres, we turn left on a small track, along which we cross yet another stream. We continue to Santa Marina (km. 9).
Santa Marina (km. 9).
Practical tips for this section: In this section you will find a detour that leads to Ballota Beach, it is located only 120 metres away. It’s worth a stop. Buen Camino!
In the village, we take a street on the right that transforms into a paved track, first, and then, a dirt track. On this track we cross a small valley, after which we reach the village of Ballota (km. 11.5).
We leave Ballota on the national road. We follow it for 800 metres and then we deviate over to the right, downhill on a dirt track, which crosses another of the streams.
The route turns left to cross the River Cabo, from where we see Ballota Beach, located 120 metres from the road. We cross the river over a stone bridge and we go up the opposite side, along a path that runs through dense vegetation. Finally, we arrive in Tablizo (km. 13.5).
Tablizo (km. 13,5).
Practical tips for this section: After the last stream, at 500 metres on the right of the road, we can visit the beautiful Cadavedo Beach. Buen Camino!
Without entering the national road, and close to the cliffs, we continue along a wooded track, between forests and pastures, crossing another small valley, from where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Cantabrian Sea.
After a pleasant walk we arrive at the tiny centre of Ribón, where we join the national road, and follow it to the left.
A little more than a kilometre later, we leave the road by a grassy track that is born on the right and that runs in a steep descent. Along this, we cross the last stream. At the bottom of the valley we continue head-on, uphill.
At the end of the ascent, we arrive at the first houses of the town of Cadavedo. We exit to the street and VA-3 road and follow it to the left to enter the urban centre in today’s destination.
Cadavedo (km. 18,5). End of stage
Practical tips for this section: In this idyllic town you will find all kinds of services. See you tomorrow!
In Cadavedo you will find services and beautiful coast to enjoy, do not miss Cadavedo and Campiecho beaches, the latter is better to visit at low tide and enjoy its cave.
Comments Soto de Luiña – Cadavedo
Here are some tips for today’s stage and we suggest some dishes that you can find in the area.
Precautions stage Soto de Luiña – Cadavedo
Today’s stage is very nice if the weather is good, but if this is not the case, we recommend that you follow the road section, as the terrain could give us a hard time. This recommendation applies especially to cyclists and people with reduced mobility.
The layout of the mountain, despite being the historical route, was rehabilitated and signalled in 2016, after many years of abandonment. However, the layout, given its low use, is again covered with weeds and some sections are very poorly conserved.
Food stage Soto de Luiña – Cadavedo
On today’s stage we suggest you try the following dishes of regional gastronomy.
- Monkfish Soup
- Luarca Fish Stew
- Kale Stew
- Beans
- Tripe
- Shellfish: spider crab, sea crab, and small crab among others.
- Cream desserts
- Asturian Cheesecake
Services Soto de Luiña – Cadavedo
Get to know the main healthcare services, cafes, ATMs and restaurants that are located on this stage of the Camino del Norte.
Map stage Soto de Luiña – Cadavedo
Check the map with the route and locations that the stage runs through.
Profile stage Soto de Luiña – Cadavedo
Find out about the profile, altitude and degree of difficulty on each section.
What to do Soto de Luiña – Cadavedo
Throughout today you will pass through various places of interest. Here’s some information about them.
El Silencio Beach
El Silencio Beach or Playa del Silencio, also known as O Gavieiro Beach, is located in the village of Castañeras, under the cliffs. The beach, approximately 500 metres long, is accessed by descending some stairs.
Ermita de la Regalina
The Regalina Chapel is located on top of a hill, in Cadavedo. Its construction was carried out in the years before the Civil War, at the wish of Fernán Coronas, also known as Father Galo, who decided that the pleasant environment where the temple is located should have a religious centre.
Cadavedo
Cadavedo, in the municipality of Valdés, is a small village with less than 400 inhabitants. The village is considered to have the most beautiful centre in Asturias, which offers idyllic landscapes, among which are the beaches of Cadavedo and Campiecho.
Cadavedo Beach
Cadavedo Beach, (or La Ribeirona Beach), is immersed in the West Coast Protected Landscape project. The beach is shell-shaped, and is made of stones and sand. In summer, the beach is quite busy and has services available. It has been a blue flag beach for almost 40 years.
