Porciles

Porciles is a small locality in the municipality of Allande, in Asturias, situated on the mountain terrain above Pola de Allande on the Camino Primitivo route. The name may relate to porcil, a Asturian term for a pigsty or livestock pen, indicating a traditional agropastoral function on the mountain slopes.

The surrounding terrain is the upper Allande valley hillside, where the descent from the high sierra toward the valley floor begins in earnest. Oak and chestnut woodland appear on the sheltered slopes as the altitude decreases, alternating with the open heath of the higher ground. For pilgrims, Porciles falls on the demanding descent into Pola de Allande after crossing the highest mountain terrain of the route.