After a good breakfast we set off at 10.30 for the last few kilometres to Covadonga. The weather was cooler but it was still fine, although some of the mountain tops were in the clouds. Mostly the walking was along the road, with a good footpath at the side, but the was one very pretty village (la Riera) which the camino went through on a back road.
After La Riera we were back along the main road again to the Restaurante El Repelao. It was too early for lunch and the first hotel didn't look very inviting. The next one was on our list but we had others too, not having booked ahead this time. There were glimpses of the Basilica way up above us but we didn't want to climb so far, hoping to find a hotel and go up to the basilica later. The path was signed through the Parque de Los Principes (Park of the Princes), nicely paved and away from the road. It led down to stepping stones and then up steep steps which climbed up..and up....and up. It passed the backs of a couple of hotels/hostales but without easy access and finally came out...at the grotto. Between the steps and the rising humidity we were exhausted.
Having taken photos of the grotto we went across the steps to the parador to see if they had rooms. The receptionists said that they were closed for the day, so was its restaurant and cafe, but there might be a vacancy for tomorrow!! Going back down the hill, on the road this time, we passed a cafe/bar which would be serving lunch later but their rooms were not open yet. Feeling that the only option was further down we set off again as the rain started. Putting our ponchos on we then passed the Casa Asprón where there was a lady at an upstairs window, so we called out to see if there were any rooms. She came down to let us in and took us up to a lovely room which we decided to take for 2 nights. Then we went for our lunch, at the bottom of the hill.
The main road towards La Riera and the side road leading into the village
La Riera and the bridge over the River Covadonga
The path in the 'Princes'Park' and the steps up the hill
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