
Create your own journey; Experience the best of Northern Spain at your own pace
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The Camino San Salvador takes you through some of the most breathtaking landscapes Spain has to offer, from León's impressive cathedral to Oviedo's smaller but historically significant counterpart.
This route is primarily about nature. A few stages of the Camino San Salvador rank among the most beautiful of all Camino routes.
The villages along the way had their heyday during the mining era, which is now long gone. In many ways, the Camino San Salvador is a journey through the history of mining – and its eventual decline.
In terms of nature, few Camino routes surpass the Camino San Salvador. From León, you can already glimpse the mountains to the north. The route rises from León's elevation of 850 meters to nearly 1600 meters midway, before descending to just 200 meters above sea level in Oviedo. These altitude differences make the Camino San Salvador one of the most challenging pilgrim routes, but the stages are planned with shorter distances on the toughest stretches. Take the journey at your own pace, and let the stunning surroundings motivate you – with good physical condition, most people can complete the route.
The Camino San Salvador is beautiful and peaceful, more remote than most other routes, with fewer pilgrims and services along the way. In the small villages, you’ll experience traditional, rural communities where tourists rarely come, and authentic moments arise spontaneously.
If you choose the Camino San Salvador, be prepared to take challenges as they come. Things move at their own pace in the mountains, but everything works out in the end. Stay calm and patient. Breakfast might not be exactly what you expect – for a Spaniard in rural Spain, breakfast often consists of a sponge cake and a cup of coffee. There will be accommodations with better breakfasts, but you may need to supplement along the way. Locals may not speak English, but they will try to understand you, and with a smile, communication is always possible. Dinner might end up being a sandwich, even if you hoped for a wider selection of local dishes. That’s the nature of this Camino, where not everything can be planned in detail. It’s part of the charm and adventure.
For nature lovers and history enthusiasts, this 120 km route offers an authentic pilgrimage experience. We have arranged comfortable accommodations in charming hotels and guesthouses with breakfast included*. Whether you travel alone, with a friend, or in a group, you’ll enjoy a route rich in history and tranquility, where each day brings you closer to Oviedo and the San Salvador Cathedral – the ultimate goal of this unique pilgrimage.
*Note: Due to the limited number of accommodations, breakfast may not be included at some locations. In these cases, options will be available nearby. If you have traveled with Spain is More before and are accustomed to high standards in accommodations, please note that we cannot guarantee the same standard every night on the Camino San Salvador. Not all locations offer accommodations at the level we would like.
Arrival is usually in Madrid, from where you can be transported by train at 300 km/h to León. (not incl.)
León, the ancient Roman capital, is one of the most important cities on the pilgrimage route and the starting city for your Camino San Salvador. The city became the capital in 910 of the kingdom that later developed into the Spain we know today. Its medieval significance is reflected in its many monuments, such as the impressive cathedral, the magnificent San Marcos, and San Isidro, where several of the country’s ancient kings and queens are buried.
The city is teeming with tapas bars and charming squares, where you can watch numerous pilgrims pass by with sore feet. It’s an encounter with an authentic and genuine Spain – an encounter that is far from being the last on this journey.
The first walking stage out of León follows the Bernesga River and takes you through some of León’s suburbs before the route turns into the forest. The landscape is beautiful and peaceful, and the terrain is gently hilly. Along the way through the forest, you’ll pass several viewpoints offering breathtaking views of the region’s green valleys, filled with crops and small villages.
In La Robla, you’ll come face to face with the region’s history as a former mining hub. The townscape is dominated by large factories, conveyor belts, and massive heaps of coal and other raw materials. However, upon closer inspection, you’ll notice that most of these facilities are now out of operation. The town stands partly as a museum of a bygone era and partly as a community striving to find a new purpose. Until just a few decades ago, tons of raw materials were transported from here via the narrow-gauge railway to the port city of Bilbao. Today, the railway is used for local transport services and Spain’s luxurious train journeys, including the iconic "Expreso de la Robla" (The La Robla Express).
La Robla (950 m) is located at the foot of the mountains, and immediately after the town, a gentle but long ascent begins. After approximately 17 km, you will have climbed 500 meters in altitude. The route passes through a beautiful valley and several villages, all surrounded by majestic mountains that grow taller as the stage progresses.
The last 6-7 km are a gentle descent, ending at about 1200 meters in the small mountain village of Poladura de la Tercia.
The most beautiful and physically demanding stage of the Camino San Salvador – which is why it is also relatively short, at only 14 km. Two mountain passes at nearly 1600 meters of altitude are crossed, offering magnificent views of the landscape.
Later, the Pajares Pass is crossed, known for its ski area. From here, the route descends towards the village of Pajares, a small oasis in the mountains. The atmosphere here is surprisingly lively year-round – in winter due to the nearby ski area, and in summer because many people have holiday homes in the area.
On this stage, you transition from the typically dry and sunny Castilla-León to the often rainy and cloudy Asturias. The difference is clearly visible in the vegetation and colors, which become especially striking in summer. The landscape shifts from golden, dry grasslands to lush, green trees and fields in Asturias.
For those seeking an extra adventure, it is possible to extend the stage by about 5 km and take a beautiful, slightly challenging detour deeper into the mountains.
Another very beautiful stage, where the terrain shifts markedly from the often dry and sparse vegetation of Castilla-León to the lush forests and green landscapes of Asturias – though with a greater likelihood of bad weather. On this stage, you will have descended approximately 700 meters in altitude.
The last 7 km or so follow the river, the highway, and the old country road through the valley, leading you to another former mining town, Pola de Lena. Pola de Lena is the first larger town (9,000 inhabitants) since La Robla and has all necessary services.
The easiest and, at the same time, least interesting stage of the Camino San Salvador – one stage has to be the dullest. As beautiful as the other stages are, this one can feel monotonous. If you prefer, you can take a bus or a train to Mieres, or simply put on your favorite music and start walking. The route follows the river and runs either along or near the main road all the way to Mieres, which is also a former mining town, though somewhat larger, with around 25,000 inhabitants.
Mieres has several sidrerías, as is customary in Asturias. Here, you have an excellent opportunity to gradually return to civilization before tomorrow’s encounter with the elegant capital of Asturias, Oviedo.
Shortly after Mieres, the Camino San Salvador moves away from the road and the river, continuing through hilly terrain on the beautiful journey towards Oviedo.
Oviedo is known as one of Spain’s most elegant cities, famous for its culture and its role as a setting in both Spanish and international films. The city has a unique atmosphere that you can explore further with the guidebook you will receive before your departure. In it, we describe how to make the most of your stay in beautiful Oviedo.
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