Berducedo

The trail from Pola involved a long ascent to reach the Puerto del Palo peak at over 3,700 ft., which is where the two choices of routes (Hospitales or Pola) meet. Walking sticks came in handy for this challenging climb. From the top, there's first a steep descent & then another small peak before arriving to Berducedo where Sarah & I stayed.

A stream and its tributaries crisscrossed the path, 

and the running water sounded soothing. 

A grande Spanish slug!

At Puerto del Palo wild horses grazed. There was also a snack van ready with beverages to celebrate reaching the top.  

Scandinavian walkers Christoffer & Petteri stopped at the van for a drink too. Christoffer is from Norway & a computer consultant for businesses; Petteri is from Finland and a musician & teacher. They both live in Eskilstuna, Sweden, which I had visited years ago during a study abroad program. This was their first Camino.

Cyclists show off their Camino inspired biking clothes in Montefurado, a rustic hamlet with stone fences and only one inhabitant. 

Montefurado's chapel, called El Pintu, had been associated with a pilgrims' hospital. Underneath the roof there were prayer flags, which looked to be a more recent addition, & I wondered how much the chapel was used. The path can be seen winding the crest of a peak in the background.

The building includes a traditional slate roof with interlocking tiles at the peak. Sarah had pointed out this signature style. These 'dragon' slate roofs are common in Asturias & Galicia.

A group of cows rested on the Road, prompting pilgrims to skirt around them. Sarah jumped onto a fence to pass by.

The scrubby landscape on the descent was a change from the woods walked through on the way up.

A wall niche contained an ID card, prayer cards, & flowers --
each object had an unknown story behind it. 

In Berducedo there was a full house at the recently opened Camino Primitivo albergue. The town is where the Camino del Norte, the northernmost route, joins the Primitivo and results in more walkers who need lodging. New albergues are opening up in this area to accommodate the increasing numbers on both Caminos. I heard about the albergue on the pilgrim forum and booked a bed in advance.

Only a top bunk bed was left by the time I arrived. When reserving a bed I realized it's important to specify either a top or bottom space. The bottom is much easier when using the restroom at night and also packing up in the morning!