Camino Primitivo Cycling Tour

Your highly anticipated journey on the Camino Primitivo begins today in Oviedo! Check into your accommodations before exploring the town's charming historical center, home to many cafes and restaurants.

While in the center of town, be sure to visit the Oviedo Cathedral, an exquisite gothic masterpiece fashioned in Pre-Romanesque and Baroque architecture dedicated to San Salvador.

In the morning you start cycling at San Salvador's Cathedral in Oviedo following the Jacobean copper shells through narrow lanes in the city centre, then out into the green Asturian countryside. Tarmac lanes, old footpaths and country roads take us past quiet villages and through hilly countryside If you have rented a bike, it will be delivered to your hotel in Oviedo.

Overnight Location: Hotel in Oviedo

Today's route begins with a challenge: 350 m ascent to get our of Grado and another 200 m before you arrive in Cornellana and San Salvador Monastery (11th century). From here you follow a more doable route along tarmac roads and narrow interior lanes (with a gradual ascend). On the way is welcoming Salas, where you can visit the Museum of Prerromanic Art located in the old castle. Both tracks end in Tineo, a historically significant town on the Camino. Accommodation at a 4-star historical hotel in the centre of town.

Overnight Location: Hotel in Tineo

The day kicks off with a captivating visit to a Romanesque church and the Monastery of Obona, both partly in ruins and centuries ago, formed the site of an important cultural and intellectual center.

Numerous picturesque chapels and churches dot the path as you cycle up to the Lavadoiro Pass (812 metres/2664 feet), setting you up for a final descent to Pola de Allande, a lovely small town brimming with tantalizing Asturian flavours.

Check into your accommodations, and head out to experience the taste of Asturias in one of the town's authentic restaurants, serving fabulous regional cuisine.

Prepare to feel the burn! The endorphins will be flowing today as you climb 625 metres to reach the Puerto del Pal (1146 metres/3759feet) flanked by green woods to the north and rugged mountains to the south. A pleasant descent quickly follows this challenging section as you sail down to beautiful Lake Grandas.

One final challenge of the day has you cycling the last 4 kilometres to your accommodations in Grandas, home to yet another beautiful Romanesque church and an ethnographic museum.

Another challenging start awaits you today, as you begin the route with a climb of 475 metres to the Alto del Acebo Pass (1030 metres/3379 feet) before a smooth sail into Fonsagrada.

You can opt to visit the villages of San Martin and Santa Eulalia de Oscos, famous for their dark slate architecture, or bypass these villages and continue to Galicia.

The section concludes across a pleasant patchwork of lovely Galician hamlets.

Today’s route is lengthy but not particularly challenging. You’ll enjoy several downhill sections and only a few brief ascents, allowing you the opportunity to admire the beauty of the Galician countryside.

You’ll pass several pazos and casas grandes today, well-preserved country homes on sprawling estates adorned in traditional architecture and built of wood and stone.

The route leads you to Lugo, where several fascinating historic landmarks are ideal for exploring on foot. While in town, check out the Roman baths, natural hot springs on the banks of the River Miño.

Explore Lugo at your leisure this morning, checking out its major monuments and perhaps a little retail therapy before jumping back in the saddle for a brief but pleasant ride.

On this section, the Camino Primitivo merges with the well-known French Way as you make your way to Palas de Rei. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to stay overnight in one of the impressive casas grandes that you’ve been admiring from the roadside in recent days.

This morning can be enjoyed at your leisure, as there’s no rush to hit the road due to a short route today.

You’ll enjoy a pleasant ride past the Castle of Pambre and onto Coto. Once in Coto, you’ll suddenly find yourself in the company of several other determined pilgrims. With sights set on Santiago, the excitement in the air will be palpable as your final stretch to Santiago de Compostela is just around the corner.

Alongside other wide-eyed pilgrims, you’ll enjoy the electric atmosphere that rises as you make your way towards the St. James Cathedral, where your epic journey on bike concludes.

Collect your Compostelana (certificate of completion) from the Pilgrim’s office before heading to your accommodations in the charming town center of Santiago.

You came, you saw, and you conquered the Camino Primitivo—well done!

After breakfast, your epic cycling journey comes to an end. Check-out of your accommodations and depart.