Naves to Ribadesella

Day 2: Naves to Ribadesella

I felt rested and ready after the no-frills breakfast at Hotel La Fonte: tortilla, a croissant, bananas, and coffee. Perfect fuel for the trail. The weather was ideal for hiking, with cool air and the sun breaking through the clouds every so often.

The walk to Nueva was peaceful — about 3 miles of quiet countryside and fresh green scenery. It ended up being another short walking day because I decided to take the train for part of the route. I wanted to send some extra weight and rations ahead to lighten my pack for the next week. Since I had already seen this section from the train just two days earlier, it felt like the practical choice.

I caught the 11:30 a.m. train to Ribadesella. Once there, I found a Correos post office and mailed a package ahead to Avilés, where I’ll pick it up in about a week. Apparently, sending bags or supplies ahead is a pretty common Camino strategy.

Of course, I still had to explore Ribadesella, so I ended up walking another 4 miles around town. The old quarter was charming, full of narrow streets, lively restaurants, and lots of character. I crossed the river to check whether the fancy beachside hostel had any beds available, but it was completely booked because of a surf school group staying there. I briefly considered some hotels on that side, but they were too expensive, and the area felt strangely quiet.

So I headed back to the old town and found a room for 40 euros — a great deal and a perfect ending to an easy Camino day.Read more