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Camino Primitivo to Santiago
- The original trail between Oviedo and Santiago de Compostela
- Get the real pilgrim feeling of the beaten track
- Authentic villages with intimate testimonies of true devotion
- Vast and impressive landscapes, green and lush throughout the year
From: 1245 €
Tripcode: ESSW013
3 Comfort
Level 1 - EN:
Simple accommodation, often with multiple rooms like huts, cottages or guesthouses. Sometimes with bunk beds and often with shared bathrooms. All camping trips fall into this category.
Level 1 - EN:
Simple accommodation, often with multiple rooms like huts, cottages or guesthouses. Sometimes with bunk beds and often with shared bathrooms. All camping trips fall into this category.
Level 2:
Simple to good inns, small family hotels, B&Bs and agriturismo (farmsteads), generaly with private bathroom. Often chosen for their excellent location in relation to the itinerary.
Level 2:
Simple to good inns, small family hotels, B&Bs and agriturismo (farmsteads), generaly with private bathroom. Often chosen for their excellent location in relation to the itinerary.
Level 2:
Simple to good inns, small family hotels, B&Bs and agriturismo (farmsteads), generaly with private bathroom. Often chosen for their excellent location in relation to the itinerary.
Level 3:
Good hotels, inns, B&B, agriturismo (farmstead) with ensuite private bathroom, often wel located and serving good meals
Level 3:
Good hotels, inns, B&B, agriturismo (farmstead) with ensuite private bathroom, often wel located and serving good meals
Level 3:
Good hotels, inns, B&B, agriturismo (farmstead) with ensuite private bathroom, often wel located and serving good meals
Level 4:
Special hotel with excellent food, ambiance and service. Accommodations with a special touch.
Level 4:
Special hotel with excellent food, ambiance and service. Accommodations with a special touch.
Level 4:
Special hotel with excellent food, ambiance and service. Accommodations with a special touch.
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3 Difficulty
Level 1:
Walking levels:
Trips with short walks of generally three to four hours (excluding breaks) and/or optional day excursions; flat or slightly hilly terrain using well kept paths.
Cycling levels:
Easy biking in nearly flat landscape; also possible for people with little or no bicycle experience. The daily distances are approximately 30-50 km in general. Bicycles with up to 3 gears can do the job. All our adult rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 1:
Walking levels:
Trips with short walks of generally three to four hours (excluding breaks) and/or optional day excursions; flat or slightly hilly terrain using well kept paths.
Cycling levels:
Easy biking in nearly flat landscape; also possible for people with little or no bicycle experience. The daily distances are approximately 30-50 km in general. Bicycles with up to 3 gears can do the job. All our adult rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 2:
Walking levels:
Moderate day walks, 4-5 hours per day (excluding breaks) on hilly to mountainous areas using well kept, sometimes stony paths.
Cycling levels:
Biking on gently undulating terrain, you may encounter short climbs from time to time. The daily distances vary between 30 and 65 km. A bicycle with minimum 7 gears will do. All our rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 2:
Walking levels:
Moderate day walks, 4-5 hours per day (excluding breaks) on hilly to mountainous areas using well kept, sometimes stony paths.
Cycling levels:
Biking on gently undulating terrain, you may encounter short climbs from time to time. The daily distances vary between 30 and 65 km. A bicycle with minimum 7 gears will do. All our rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 2:
Walking levels:
Moderate day walks, 4-5 hours per day (excluding breaks) on hilly to mountainous areas using well kept, sometimes stony paths.
Cycling levels:
Biking on gently undulating terrain, you may encounter short climbs from time to time. The daily distances vary between 30 and 65 km. A bicycle with minimum 7 gears will do. All our rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 3:
Walking levels:
Trips with strenuous day walks or trekking in mountainous areas. 5 to 7 hours walking maximum per day, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for one night; height differences between 500 & 1000 m. per day
Cycling levels:
Strenuous biking trips in areas where you cannot avoid steep slopes. Some bicycle experience in short trips is needed. The daily distances range from 30 up to 75 km.
Level 3:
Walking levels:
Trips with strenuous day walks or trekking in mountainous areas. 5 to 7 hours walking maximum per day, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for one night; height differences between 500 & 1000 m. per day
Cycling levels:
Strenuous biking trips in areas where you cannot avoid steep slopes. Some bicycle experience in short trips is needed. The daily distances range from 30 up to 75 km.
Level 3:
Walking levels:
Trips with strenuous day walks or trekking in mountainous areas. 5 to 7 hours walking maximum per day, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for one night; height differences between 500 & 1000 m. per day
Cycling levels:
Strenuous biking trips in areas where you cannot avoid steep slopes. Some bicycle experience in short trips is needed. The daily distances range from 30 up to 75 km.
Level 4:
Walking levels:
Trips with heavy excursions in high mountains, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for several nights. 6 to 8 hours maximum per day; height differences up to 1200 meters per day; only for participants with an excellent condition and without fear of heights.
Cycling levels:
Serious and strenuous biking trips in mountainous area, the slopes are longer and/or steeper than at the previous category. Requires a good physical condition, a broad cycling experience and adequate mountain climbing bicycle. The daily distances range between 30 and 80 km.
Level 4:
Walking levels:
Trips with heavy excursions in high mountains, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for several nights. 6 to 8 hours maximum per day; height differences up to 1200 meters per day; only for participants with an excellent condition and without fear of heights.
Cycling levels:
Serious and strenuous biking trips in mountainous area, the slopes are longer and/or steeper than at the previous category. Requires a good physical condition, a broad cycling experience and adequate mountain climbing bicycle. The daily distances range between 30 and 80 km.
Level 4:
Walking levels:
Trips with heavy excursions in high mountains, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for several nights. 6 to 8 hours maximum per day; height differences up to 1200 meters per day; only for participants with an excellent condition and without fear of heights.
Cycling levels:
Serious and strenuous biking trips in mountainous area, the slopes are longer and/or steeper than at the previous category. Requires a good physical condition, a broad cycling experience and adequate mountain climbing bicycle. The daily distances range between 30 and 80 km.
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Duration: 17 days
Details
The original piIgrim's trail to Santiago
The Pilgrims' Trail to Santiago de Compostela is one Europe's great historical migrations. And it all began with the Camino Primitivo! According to legend, the 9th century saw the bones of apostle St. James, murdered in Palestine, miraculously appear in a village of what is now Galicia. Word spread round the Christian world, reaching (among others) King Alfonso II of Asturias. He undertook the pilgrimage - journeying through dark woods and daunting mountains, from Oviedo via Lugo to Santiago – and invited fellow kings and noblemen to follow in his footsteps. This original route became very popular in the early Middle Ages, when pilgrims aimed to avoid areas south of the Cantabrian Range which were in constant dispute between Christians and Moors. Throughout the centuries, the Camino has been walked by millions of peregrinos. Nowadays, the Camino Primitivo reveals an area of rural beauty where villages steeped in history have stood the test of time. We’ll follow ancient paths through gorgeous farmland where authentically friendly locals greet you. Near Lugo the Camino Primitivo joins the more popular French route, which we then follow to Santiago, making the requisite stop at Monte del Gozo, hilltop vista point which affords a pilgrim’s first glimpse of Santiago de Compostela. During this pilgrims’ route you stay at comfortable hotels and rural guesthouses (rooms with en suite bathing facilities) and enjoy the luxury of luggage transport and private transfers.
Itinerary
Expand itinerary Collapse itineraryDay 1: Arrival in Oviedo
Visit of the Gothic Cathedral devoted to San Salvador, an important Saint for pilgrims going to Santiago. Enjoy the lively atmosphere in the old town centre with plenty of cafés, restaurants, bodegas and cider houses, just around the corner from your comfortable city hotel****.
Day 2: From Oviedo to Grado to Sama de Grado
We follow the Jacobean copper shells through narrow lanes in the city centre, then out into the green Asturian countryside. Tarmac lanes and old footpaths take us past quiet villages, some of which still have pilgrims’ hostels and historic inns. From Puerma we continue along the main road, to Grado. From there, short transfer to our charming rural hotel*** in Sama de Grado.
Challenge: 6,5hrs, 22,5km 200m ascent & 250m descent
Day 3: From Grado to Salas
The first part of the route from Grado to Salas follows narrow trails and country roads through hilly countryside directly to Cornellana Monastery. Founded in 1024, this centre was of great religious and political importance throughout the early history of the Christian kingdom in Asturias. For the second part of today’s route, from Cornellana to Salas, we’ll have to take a few detours, as the motorway is still under construction here. Your Hotel*** in Salas is located in the historical town centre, right next to the castle and museum for Pre-Romanesque architecture.
Challenge: 6hrs, 21,6km, 350m ascent and 300m descent
Day 4: From Salas to Tineo
After a steep but beautiful ascent through woodlands near Salas, we’ll then follow the main road for 5km before turning definitively South through peaceful countryside to reach Tineo, capital of dairy production in Asturias. Our hotel**** is a palace founded in 1525, built in Renaissance style but with very modern decoration. It is also has a indoor swimming pool and SPA.
Challenge: 6 hrs, 20,4km, 500m ascent and 50m descent
Day 5: From Tineo to La Mortera to Pola de Allande
From Tineo we penetrate further into dense woodlands to reach the monastery at Obona, the first Latin school in the region and retreat for scholars in the Middle Ages. From there we follow woodland tracks and quiet tarmac roads to La Mortera, where a taxi picks us up to take us to the friendly family hotel** in Pola de Allande, well-known for its tasty regional cooking.
Challenge: 5,5hrs, 18,2km, 400m ascent and 300m descent
Day 6: Allande to La Mortera – high route to Berducedo via El Palo Pass
After a short drive back to La Mortera, you follow the original high route - or “ruta de los hospitales” - across the steep slopes of these barren mountains toward Puerto del Palo. Due to extreme winter weather, there were several pilgrims’ hospitals on either side of this pass. We’ll enjoy superb views before we start our descent, more or less along the main road, to reach Berducedo. Overnight stay at a comfortable rural guesthouse.
Challenge: 7hrs, 24km, 450m ascent and 325m descent
Day 7: From Berducedo to Grandas de Salime
From Berducedo, pilgrims have to make a detour across the dam, where a man-made reservoir of recent construction has blocked the original Camino. We have chosen a more interesting route through pine woods and open fields to the tiny hamlet of Villarpedre, where a boatman will ferry you across the Lake. Once on the other shore, it’s just a few kilometres to your charming hotel*** situated by the lake (with tasty and creative cuisine). You’ll stay here for two nights.
Challenge: 6hrs, 20km, 250m ascent and 800m descent
Day 8: Rest day or Grandas - Castro to Hotel Grandas
After your first week on the pilgrimage, you might want to take a day off and relax. You could also walk to the village of Grandas de Salime (5,5km, 300m ascent) to visit the ethnographic museum or take a dive in the local swimming pool. Or maybe you prefer to continue for another 5,5km along the Camino, to reach the village of Castro with its interesting archeological site of mixed Celtic and Roman origin, taxi transfer back to the hotel.
Challenge: 3,5hrs, 11km, 500m ascent and 100m descent
Day 9: From Grandas de Salime to Castro – Fonsagrada
The taxi drops you of at Castro to continue your pilgrims’ tour with a section which more or less follows the main road to Puerto El Acebo (1030), gateway to the province of Galicia. Then a long descent awaits, with panoramic views and the soft whirring of modern windmills. Our day ends at the modern hotel**** in Fonsagrada.
Challenge: 6hrs, 20,5km, 400m ascent and 225m descent
Day 10: From Fonsagrada to Paradavella - Fonsagrada
From Fonsagrada we first descend to the village of Póboa de Burón, to pick up the oldest Camino Primitivo trail, a high route across green pastures and fields of heather on the way to the ruins at Hospital de Montouto (another pilgrims’ hospital of ancient origin). After an easy descent to Paradavella, a taxi drives you back to Fonsagrada, as there is no other suitable accommodation nearby.
Challenge: 5,5hrs, 18km, 300m ascent and 400m descent
Day 11: From Fonsagrada to Paradavella - Castroverde
A tough day awaits, with few highlights and lots of endless country roads and tarmac lanes. When you finally reach O Cadavo, you have left the last steep hills of your journey behind. You can now start to enjoy the friendly open countryside of Galicia, with its typical grey farmhouses built in granite stone and slate rooftops and huge Pazos or country estates. In Castroverde, you’ll be picked up by your hosts, owners of a friendly rural guesthouse situated just 5km from the Camino.
Challenge: 6,5hrs, 23km, 425m ascent and 525m descent
Day 12: From Castroverde to Lugo
Today, we really enjoy the beauty of Galician countryside, as we walk on quiet tarmac lanes and dirt tracks from one hamlet to the next, passing gorgeous examples of traditional architecture until you walk directly up to your modern hotel*** in the heart of Lugo’s historical centre, just 100m from the splendid Roman walls, a UNESCO World heritage site.
Challenge: 5,5hrs, 24km, 100m ascent and 150m descent
Day 13: From Lugo to Burgo to Palas del Rei
On our last day of walking on the ‘original trail’ there are several Caminos and they all mainly follow tarmac roads. We have chosen the least travelled, quieter version via San Roman de Retorta to Palas de Rei. In the morning, you ride part-way with the luggage - to O Burgo - avoiding 8km of unattractive countryside outside Lugo. The rural hotel near Palas de Rei is known for its good cuisine.
Challenge: maximum 8hr, 37,5km, 200m ascent and descent
Day 14: From Palas del Rei to Arzua
You have now joined the French Route, or Camino Francés, the most popular of all the Caminos to Santiago. Suddenly you find yourself among a multitude of pilgrims from all over the world, as you follow trails, country roads and footpaths parallel to the main road. Your luxurious rural hotel*** is located just outside the village.
Challenge: 7 hrs, 30km, 225m ascent and 400m descent
Day 15: From Arzúa to A Rua
This section of the Camino is one of the least interesting, as it basically parallels the main road, but there are lots of new friends to make. The excitement shared with fellow pilgrims grows, combined with a weary feeling of having to soon face the end of your pilgrimage! Overnight stay at the best available hotel** with friendly owners.
Challenge: 5hrs, 20km, 200m ascent and 225m descent
Day 16: From A Rua to Santiago de Compostela
The last section of your pilgrimage brings you back to modern life as you pass the regional airport, cross the highway, railway track and ring-road around Santiago. Nevertheless, it’s still easy to imagine the sheer joy ancient pilgrims felt when they caught a first glimpse of Santiago and the spires off in the distance. From Monte del Gozo, pilgrims historically make one last stop at the spring in Lavacolla, to wash face and feet before presenting themselves before the Saint at the Cathedral on Plaza Obradoiro. Your hotel*** is located in the old town centre.
Challenge: 5hrs, 19,8km, 175m ascent and descent
Day 17: End of your trip or Extra nights in Santiago
Practical info
Included:
Breakfast for 16 days, 11 dinners, luggage transport, transfers as described in programme (except optional taxi on day 8), road book with logistic information and description of routes.
Not included:
5 dinners, pack lunches, optional taxi transfer on day 8, transfers at the beginning and end of the tour to/from first and last accommodation.
Extension Hotels:
Santiago de Compostela & Oviedo. Extra nights can be booked in every accommodation included in the trip. We recommend the rural hotels in Sama de Grado, Tineo, Castroverde, Palas del Rei and Arzúa.
Reviews
Start: Oviedo
Finish: Santiago de Compostela
Dates & prices
Trip availability: -
| Dates of the trip | Price |
|---|---|
| in triple room: | 1245 €/person |
| in double room: | 1355 €/person |
| in single room: | 1835 €/person |
| solo traveller: | 2190 €/person |
| Dates of the trip | Price |
|---|---|
| in triple room: | 1325 €/person |
| in double room: | 1425 €/person |
| in single room: | 1990 €/person |
| Dates of the trip | Price |
|---|---|
| in triple room: | 1245 €/person |
| in double room: | 1355 €/person |
| in single room: | 1835 €/person |
| solo traveller: | 2190 €/person |
| Dates of the trip | Price |
|---|---|
| in triple room: | 1325 €/person |
| in double room: | 1425 €/person |
| in single room: | 1990 €/person |
| Dates of the trip | Price |
|---|---|
| in triple room: | 1245 €/person |
| in double room: | 1355 €/person |
| in single room: | 1835 €/person |
| solo traveller: | 2190 €/person |