Camino De San Salvador
30.3 km, 1243 m up and 2087 m down, through 10 places, 4 of which have somewhere to sleep. Where you stop is up to you.
Every place on the path in order, with the distance from Poladura de la Tercia. Most are too small to sleep in — a fountain, a chapel, a bar that may or may not be open — but they are what the day is actually made of.
Leave Poladura along the road. At the first bend to the left, the camino leaves the road to cross a small field. A brown mojón is visible from the road and marks the start of the mountain route. The first 1.3 km go uphill due northwest to an opening between two rocky outcroppings.
Another 300 m of visible paths and the trail turns left, continuing around the hill in a clockwise direction — downhill on your left, uphill on your right. It reaches a low point and begins climbing the next hill to the west. The trail turns south at around 2.3 km and shortly after takes a right turn, followed by another right 300 m on.
Another 500 m on the well-worn path comes to an end, but the camino continues straight, climbing steeply. You'll reach the high point at approximately 1,580 m altitude, about 4 km from Poladura. Markers for the next section are often obscured by ground cover or snow — be extra attentive.
Descend from here due north-northwest for 300 m. The path turns right and then splits. Do not continue straight and downhill. Turn left and begin another climb to a ridge. Follow the natural curve of the ridge for 600 m and turn left toward the ridge to your west. It's that ridge you'll follow into Arbas.
The section between Poladura and Puerto de Pajares is the most challenging on the entire Camino del Salvador. The 8 km climb gains over 350 m through mountainous terrain with no services, no shelter, and limited cell coverage. Snow can cover the path and its markers well into summer. If visibility is poor, conditions are icy, or you're not confident in mountain navigation, consider taking the road via Arbas instead. Your life is worth more than any stretch of Camino.
The only meal in town is at the Posada El Embrujo. Call the day before to give them notice: +34 659 030 282.
At approximately 1,580 m, this is the highest point on the Camino del Salvador. The Cruz del Salvador stands here as it has for centuries — a simple cross marking the spot where pilgrims crossed between the kingdoms of L…
The Collada del Coito is a mountain pass along the descent from the Cruz del Salvador toward Arbas. At roughly 1,500 m elevation, it's an exposed saddle between ridges with no services or shelter. In clear weather it's a…
After the mountain crossing, the sight of Arbas is a relief. The Colegiata de Santa María de Arbas is the reason to pause here — a Romanesque collegiate church with genuine atmosphere. Unlike many churches that feel like…
The camino leaves the main road to follow a trail behind some farm houses at the far end of the alto. If you've gone as far as the old Parador, you'll need to backtrack a bit and avoid the temptation to follow the road. At the farm buildings, turn right and begin a gentle ascent to the border between León and Asturias.
Here you'll pass through a gate and descend back to the national road — which is genuinely dangerous with fast traffic. Cross over the road with extreme caution to resume along a trail down to Pajares.
Along the way to Pajares you'll find a junction requiring you to choose between Pajares or San Miguel. The route through San Miguel also arrives at Pajares but takes 5 km longer. It's only recommended for cyclists or pilgrims who intend to sleep in Bendueños (1.5 km off camino).
Snow is possible at the Puerto de Pajares well into June. If you're crossing in spring or early summer, check conditions before setting out from Poladura. The bar at the pass may keep limited hours outside the summer season — don't count on it.
Leaving Pajares, stay on the road to the village limits. The camino turns left and begins a steep descent into San Miguel del Río in the valley below. The drop is significant — take it easy on your knees.
The only meal in town is at El Mirador. Recommended, but call the day before to give them notice: +34 636 933 069. Closed Tuesdays. No grocery in town.
From San Miguel, follow the signs toward Santa Marina. The village is divided, and you want the upper half — turn left at the first fork in the road where a shell marker on your right indicates you should keep on the road. Do not follow the granite marker that tells you to continue straight.
Later, after following the road to Santa Marina, the camino comes to a chapel where you need to pay close attention. The path goes through a gate that appears to lead to a private garage. On the other end of the farm are two more wooden gates, and beyond them another path covering the remaining 2 km to Llanos de Somerón. Trust the arrows — it looks wrong but it's right.
Santa Marina is a tiny hamlet between San Miguel del Río and Llanos de Somerón. There are no services. The village is notable mainly for the confusing camino signage at its chapel — the path passes through what appears t…
From Llanos de Somerón to Puente de los Fierros there are two options.
The road route: Before entering the small town, look for a path to your left marked "Fresnedo." You don't actually need to enter Puente de los Fierros. This route takes you through two hamlets and past the Ermita de San Miguel and a fountain. It's gentler and more scenic than the road.
The Munisteriu alternative: A more challenging route that abandons the road shortly after leaving town and follows a 4.8 km mountain trail. The elevation gain and loss is 133 m up and 387 m down. It's more rigorous, but most rewarding things are. If your legs are fresh and the weather is good, take this one.
At the entrance to Puente de los Fierros, the camino splits into two routes. To the right, signed "La Frecha," is the more common, less scenic option — entirely along the roadway. Over the bridge, you turn left and follo…
Herías is a small village along the valley road. The albergue listed here is actually in Bendueños, a 1.5 km hike uphill from the main route. Sandra, the hospitalera, may be willing to drive down to pick you up — but cal…
The albergue is in Bendueños, 1.5 km uphill from the camino. Call Sandra before you arrive — preferably the day before — to arrange pickup or confirm availability.
The camino continues straight through town, turns right to cross the N-630, and a bit later crosses the river. Just past the river it doubles back to the left to follow a road along the river toward the Iglesia de Santa Cristina de Lena — one of the most important pre-Romanesque churches in Spain, and well worth the detour.
Distance, climb and descent are measured along the GPS track for this camino — 728 recorded points across this span, the same track the app carries. The town-to-town figures in my data put it at 30.1 km.
Esta entidad ha sido beneficiaria de una ayuda del Programa de incentivos a la movilidad eficiente y sostenible (MOVES III), gestionado por la Xunta de Galicia a través del Instituto Enerxético de Galicia (INEGA) en el marco del Real Decreto 266/2021, y cofinanciada por la Unión Europea — NextGenerationEU, dentro del Plan de Recuperación, Transformación y Resiliencia.