Stage from Soto de Luina to Cadavedo

Information about stage 23: Stage from Soto de Luina to Cadavedo

Itinerary

From the Soto de Luiña hostel, you have to go up the old N-632 to the first crossroads, where almost 100% of the pilgrims opted for the option marked Ballotas , instead of the Camino . The latter refers to the old cowherd path that runs through the Sierra de las Palancas . Until now, no one, neither the Principality nor the local Associations of the Camino de Santiago, have bothered to maintain it and signpost it. Since the summer of 2016, finally! This historical itinerary is completely viable throughout its entire route., with the milestones typical of the Principality and its well-laid and clean paths. This route is practically the same distance as along the coast, although somewhat more physically difficult and does not have intermediate services, it ends in the town of Villademoros, so to reach Cadavedo you would have to go back a kilometer and a half from that town. The last word rests with the pilgrim, who must choose between the sea (Ballotas) or the mountains (Palancas). We now briefly describe the route that runs through Ballotas , Through Ballotas we will go through several towns in the Cudillero council, such as Albuerne, Novellana -an exemplary town in Asturias in 1992- Castañeras and its Playa del Silencio, Santa Marina and Ballota . Until here there will be many opportunities to leave the road, progressing in a devastating uphill down roads from town to town. Today they already meet the minimum requirements, but laziness ran rampant for many years. After Ballota we descend the path to cross the Cabo River , where a stone bridge serves as the mythical ‘trembling bridge’. Subsequently, we ascend through the forest to Tablizo, thus entering the Council of Valdés. After passing a couple more small villages, Ribón and Friera, we finally arrive at Cadavedo .

Difficulties

• The asphalt of the old N-632 and the coastal mountain range of Las Ballotas, which imposes its harsh orography and makes us climb over and over again the lost slope.

Observations

• A kilometer and a half from the start of the day we find the Ballota or Camino fork. The vast majority of pilgrims opt for the Ballota (coast) option. See itinerary.
• In winter the roads are usually muddy and may be impassable, so the alternative would be the N-632 road, always with extreme caution.
• Highlight the landscapes of Ballota and Regalina beach in Cadavedo.

What to see, what to do

Located on the coastal plain of the Council of Valdés, it is both the parish of El Ribón and Villademoros. In this last population there is a tower whose origins date back to the 15th century when the property belonged to the Peláez de Villademoros, together with a large house and a bread basket. It is one of the best exponents of the military architecture of the Asturian Late Middle Ages due to its stately and defensive character.

• Regalina Festival

  La Regalina, also known as La Riégala or Santa María de Riégala, is a festival that is held outdoors, on a level with views of some cliffs and next to the hermitage built by Father Galo, promoter and creator of this celebration. Created in 1931, it was declared a Festival of Regional Tourist Interest. It preserves regional folklore, customs and traditions in honor of the Virgin, whose image was found in the place known as La Riégala.

• Cadavedo Beach

  With a length of 400 meters, it is located 2 kilometers from the town. There is signposted access from the N-632.