Camino Primitivo
The Camino Primitivo is the oldest route on the Camino de Santiago, used by devout Pilgrims in the 9th Century. Walk over the Asturian mountains, through forest trails, mountain passes and picturesque mountain villages. Arrive in the city of Lugo known for having one of the best preserved Roman walls in Europe, extending 2kms around the old town. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is also known for its outstanding cuisine and large number of tapas bars. From Lugo continue on with Stage 2 and connect with the French Way in the town of Melide. Cross rivers and streams and walk through lush forests and villages to reach your destination, Santiago de Compostela.
• Self-Guided – 2 Stages – book both or either stage
• Boutique ensuite accommodation, daily breakfast included. Dinner supplement available
• Grade – moderate. A good level of fitness required. Route includes ascents, descents and mixed terrain.
• Luggage transfers (1 piece, max. 20kg)
• Transfers as specified
• Complete documentation and Travel Notebook
• Pilgrim’s Passport
• 24-hour emergency telephone assistance
• TOP TIPS: The Camino Primitive is more demanding than the French or Portuguese Ways but, it is also quieter and it is the first and original Way of St. James. We can arrange arrival and departure transfers – additional cost
Day 1
Arrive in Oviedo.
Medieval Oviedo is a busy and lively university town. Visit the Cathedral of El Salvador, an important pilgrimage point for many centuries. Don’t leave town without sampling a good Asturian cider.
Day 2
Oviedo to Grado 28 km
Leave the Cathedral of El Salvador this morning and head west to a trail that takes you to Ponte de Gallegos. Follow the Nora River before making a steep climb to the picturesque village of Escamplero. On arrival in Grado you will be transferred to a charming rural hotel in the beautiful valley of Sama de Grado.
Day 3
Grado to Salas 23 km
Return to Grado this morning to continue your Camino. Climb about 5kms to Alton del Fresnu and then head down hill through small villages and rolling farmland to Cornellana and the San Salvador Monastery, founded in 1204. From Cornellana there is another climb passing by 'horreos', the traditional granaries in this region.
Day 4
Salas to Tineo, 22 km
Today is a day of climbing, taking pilgrims up to La Espina. Head north west from there into an area that is very rich in regional traditions, full of charm and character. Discover wonderful views from your spa hotel in Tineo.
Day 5
Tineo to Pola De Allande, 31 km
Today takes you through more challenging and mountainous terrain, through peaceful forests and the village of Vega de Rey. There is a sharp ascent to your overnight stop in the lovely town of Pola de Allande.
Day 6
Pola De Allande to La Mesa, 20 km
A bit more of the same today through the mountains, but with spectacular views of the Cantabrian Mountain range. On arrival in La Mesa transfer back to Pola De Allande for your overnight stay.
Day 7
La Mesa to Grandas De Salime, 18 km
Return to La Mesa to pick up from where you left off yesterday, starting with a steep descent towards Lake Salime. Enjoy superb views for the first 5kms then shady chestnut trees as you gradually descend to cross the dam into the town of Grandas de Salime.
Day 8
Grandas De Salime to A Fonsagrada, 28 km
Today cross into the Galicia region with a sharp climb to El Acebo. Pass through the villages of Fonfria and Barbeitos and finally, a short ascent to the village of A Fonsagrada. This is where St James is said to have turned water from the fountain into milk for an impoverished woman and her children. Discover the mountain cuisine of 'botillo'.
Day 9
A Fonsagrada to O Cadavo, 26 km
Today’s walk on the Camino de Oviedo via A Pobra de Buron is beautiful. A few ascents as far as Montouto and the ruins of the pilgrim mountain hospital, Hospital de Montouto. Then it’s downhill all the way through the villages of Calzada and A Fontaneira and into O Cadavo.
Day 10
O Cadavo to Lugo, 32 km
Another lovely walk through the Galician countryside, villages and the region’s slate quarries. In Pradeda the old thatched dwellings are known as 'pallozas'. When you reach Lugo, with its UNESCO listed Roman wall, we recommend a visit to the Lugo Cathedral followed by sampling the tapas in the many bars and restaurants near Praza de Santa Maria.
Day 11
Arrangements end after breakfast, or enjoy a rest day before beginning Stage 2.
Day 1
Arrive in Lugo.
Day 2
Lugo to A Ponte Ferreira, 29 km
Depart Lugo through the oldest gate in the city wall – the Porta Mina. Cross the old Roman Bridge in the San Lazaro quarter. Be sure to stop off at Santa Eulalia de Boveda, a museum housing fascinating early medieval paintings. Head on through farmland and woods via Santa Baia de Boveda to A Ponte Ferreira.
Day 3
A Ponte Ferreira to Melide, 20 km
Todays route continues through Toques and into the historic town of Melide in the province of A Coruna. Here you join the French Way, Take the opportunity to sample 'pulpo' (octopus) in one of the many pulperias and for dessert, a few 'melindres', the locally baked doughnuts.
Day 4
Melide to Arzua, 15 km
Plenty of time to take in the scenery as you follow forested trails and cross several streams to arrive at the beautiful medieval town of Ribadiso, on the banks of the Iso River. Ascend into Arzua, renowned for its cheese.
Day 5
Arzua to Rua 20 km
Heading downhill now via shady woods, across streams and through sleepy villages. Visit the chapel of Santa Irene with its famous statue of Santiago before descending into the pretty town of Rua, and the very last night on your pilgrimage!!
Day 6
Rua to Santiago de Compostela (m) 20 km
Ascend and descend into Lavacolla where pilgrims traditionally washed in the river before reaching Santiago. On reaching Monte del Gozo you will finally see your goal – the spires of the Cathedral of Santiago! Descend into this UNESCO World Heritage Site and soak up the architecture and wonderful atmosphere in this cultural and spiritual mecca.
Day 7
Stage 2 ends after breakfast.
We recommend you extend your stay for a night or 2 to explore Santiago. And maybe add a day tour to Fisterre, or join up to the Santiago to Fisterre and/or Muxia Camino.
• Self-Guided – 2 Stages – book both or either stage
• Boutique ensuite accommodation, daily breakfast included. Dinner supplement available
• Grade – moderate. A good level of fitness required. Route includes ascents, descents and mixed terrain.
• Luggage transfers (1 piece, max. 20kg)
• Transfers as specified
• Complete documentation and Travel Notebook
• Pilgrim’s Passport
• 24-hour emergency telephone assistance
• TOP TIPS: The Camino Primitive is more demanding than the French or Portuguese Ways but, it is also quieter and it is the first and original Way of St. James. We can arrange arrival and departure transfers – additional cost
|
STAGE 1
|
 |
Arrive in Oviedo.
Medieval Oviedo is a busy and lively university town. Visit the Cathedral of El Salvador, an important pilgrimage point for many centuries. Don’t leave town without sampling a good Asturian cider.
Day 2
Oviedo to Grado 28 km
Leave the Cathedral of El Salvador this morning and head west to a trail that takes you to Ponte de Gallegos. Follow the Nora River before making a steep climb to the picturesque village of Escamplero. On arrival in Grado you will be transferred to a charming rural hotel in the beautiful valley of Sama de Grado.
Day 3
Grado to Salas 23 km
Return to Grado this morning to continue your Camino. Climb about 5kms to Alton del Fresnu and then head down hill through small villages and rolling farmland to Cornellana and the San Salvador Monastery, founded in 1204. From Cornellana there is another climb passing by 'horreos', the traditional granaries in this region.
Day 4
Salas to Tineo, 22 km
Today is a day of climbing, taking pilgrims up to La Espina. Head north west from there into an area that is very rich in regional traditions, full of charm and character. Discover wonderful views from your spa hotel in Tineo.
Day 5
Tineo to Pola De Allande, 31 km
Today takes you through more challenging and mountainous terrain, through peaceful forests and the village of Vega de Rey. There is a sharp ascent to your overnight stop in the lovely town of Pola de Allande.
Day 6
Pola De Allande to La Mesa, 20 km
A bit more of the same today through the mountains, but with spectacular views of the Cantabrian Mountain range. On arrival in La Mesa transfer back to Pola De Allande for your overnight stay.
Day 7
La Mesa to Grandas De Salime, 18 km
Return to La Mesa to pick up from where you left off yesterday, starting with a steep descent towards Lake Salime. Enjoy superb views for the first 5kms then shady chestnut trees as you gradually descend to cross the dam into the town of Grandas de Salime.
Day 8
Grandas De Salime to A Fonsagrada, 28 km
Today cross into the Galicia region with a sharp climb to El Acebo. Pass through the villages of Fonfria and Barbeitos and finally, a short ascent to the village of A Fonsagrada. This is where St James is said to have turned water from the fountain into milk for an impoverished woman and her children. Discover the mountain cuisine of 'botillo'.
Day 9
A Fonsagrada to O Cadavo, 26 km
Today’s walk on the Camino de Oviedo via A Pobra de Buron is beautiful. A few ascents as far as Montouto and the ruins of the pilgrim mountain hospital, Hospital de Montouto. Then it’s downhill all the way through the villages of Calzada and A Fontaneira and into O Cadavo.
Day 10
O Cadavo to Lugo, 32 km
Another lovely walk through the Galician countryside, villages and the region’s slate quarries. In Pradeda the old thatched dwellings are known as 'pallozas'. When you reach Lugo, with its UNESCO listed Roman wall, we recommend a visit to the Lugo Cathedral followed by sampling the tapas in the many bars and restaurants near Praza de Santa Maria.
Day 11
Arrangements end after breakfast, or enjoy a rest day before beginning Stage 2.
|
STAGE 2
|
 |
Arrive in Lugo.
Day 2
Lugo to A Ponte Ferreira, 29 km
Depart Lugo through the oldest gate in the city wall – the Porta Mina. Cross the old Roman Bridge in the San Lazaro quarter. Be sure to stop off at Santa Eulalia de Boveda, a museum housing fascinating early medieval paintings. Head on through farmland and woods via Santa Baia de Boveda to A Ponte Ferreira.
Day 3
A Ponte Ferreira to Melide, 20 km
Todays route continues through Toques and into the historic town of Melide in the province of A Coruna. Here you join the French Way, Take the opportunity to sample 'pulpo' (octopus) in one of the many pulperias and for dessert, a few 'melindres', the locally baked doughnuts.
Day 4
Melide to Arzua, 15 km
Plenty of time to take in the scenery as you follow forested trails and cross several streams to arrive at the beautiful medieval town of Ribadiso, on the banks of the Iso River. Ascend into Arzua, renowned for its cheese.
Day 5
Arzua to Rua 20 km
Heading downhill now via shady woods, across streams and through sleepy villages. Visit the chapel of Santa Irene with its famous statue of Santiago before descending into the pretty town of Rua, and the very last night on your pilgrimage!!
Day 6
Rua to Santiago de Compostela (m) 20 km
Ascend and descend into Lavacolla where pilgrims traditionally washed in the river before reaching Santiago. On reaching Monte del Gozo you will finally see your goal – the spires of the Cathedral of Santiago! Descend into this UNESCO World Heritage Site and soak up the architecture and wonderful atmosphere in this cultural and spiritual mecca.
Day 7
Stage 2 ends after breakfast.
We recommend you extend your stay for a night or 2 to explore Santiago. And maybe add a day tour to Fisterre, or join up to the Santiago to Fisterre and/or Muxia Camino.