Night 1-17
Accommodation along the Camino Primitivo Route
Hand-picked hotels and guesthouses that offer everything a pilgrim needs after a day on the Camino.
Spend 18-days mesmerizing days walking the original way of Saint James
Experience a one-of-a-kind adventure packed with meaning and purpose on the 18-Day Self-Guided Camino Primitivo. The Pilgrims' Trail to Santiago de Compostela is one of 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 around 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 which you’ll undertake became very popular in the early Middle Ages when pilgrims aimed to avoid areas south of the Cantabrian Range which was in constant dispute between the Christians and Moors.
Nowadays, the Camino Primitivo reveals an area of rural beauty where villages steeped in history have stood the test of time. You’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 you’ll then follow to Santiago, making the requisite stop at Monte del Gozo, a hilltop vista point that affords a pilgrim’s first glimpse of Santiago de Compostela. During this pilgrims’ route, you’ll stay in comfortable hotels and rural guesthouses and enjoy the luxury of luggage transport and private transfers.
Change your life with your very own pilgrimage on the Camino Primitivo. Book your spot today!
Today the adventure begins with your arrival in the historic city of Oviedo, the province of Asturias’ charming capital. Visit the Gothic Cathedral devoted to San Salvador here, 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.
Rise ready for your first day of walking! Today’s journey begins as you 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 you past quiet villages, some of which still have pilgrims’ hostels and historic inns.
From Puerma you’ll continue along the main road, to Grado. And from there, a short transfer to your charming rural hotel in Sama de Grado.
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, you’ll 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, featuring Pre-Romanesque architecture.
After a short ascent through beautiful terrain in the fields outside Salas, you again follow the main road for about 5km before leaving it behind in La Espina. The next section on the way to Tineo takes you through quiet woodlands and fields, with very little tarmac, just quiet country tracks! In Tineo’s historical centre you will find your next accommodations.
After a hearty breakfast in Tineo you will walk through woodlands to reach the peaceful setting at Obona, with its historic Monasterio de Santa María la Real. Then you continue on to Campiello and your next accommodation, a welcoming family-run establishment.
The taxi driver will take you to Borres this morning to begin your walk along the original high route, or “ruta de los hospitales”, crossing steep slopes to reach Puerto el Palo. Several pilgrims’ hospitals were built here centuries ago - on either side of the mountain pass - due to the extreme weather conditions in winter. You will enjoy superb views on your way up to the highest point, the pass called “Puerto El Palo”. From there you’ll continue for another 9.5km - mainly on the road - to reach your hostel in Berducedo.
From the tiny village of Berducedo, the Camino first makes an ascent up to the windmills above La Mesa this morning, then does a steep descent down to beautiful Lake Salime. You’ll enjoy superb views for the first 5km, then the lovely shade of chestnut trees as you walk down to meet the road. The last 2.5km follows the tarmac road across the dam and up to your hotel in Grandas de Salime.
After your first week on the pilgrimage, you may wish to take a day off to rest and relax!
If you prefer to do a walk today, there are 2 lovely routes to choose from: a short walk to the village of Grandas de Salime, where you can visit the ethnographic museum or take a dive in the local swimming pool. Or a 5km section on the Camino, from Lake Grandas to Castro where you can visit Chao Sanmartin, an interesting archaeological site of Celtic and Roman origin. You can book a taxi transfer back to the hotel from either if you prefer not to walk back.
The taxi drops you off this morning at Castro to continue your pilgrims’ tour with a section which more or less follows the main road to Puerto El Acebo (1165m), the gateway to the province of Galicia. You walk mostly on the main road, taking frequent shortcuts, especially on the descent down into Galicia. At the end, there’s one more short ascent to reach the town of Fonsagrada, not a very pretty village but friendly in its own way, with all the major services a pilgrim requires!
From Fonsagrada you’ll first descend to the village of Proba 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.
After a taxi transfer to Paradavella (or a bit further), today’s route mainly follows rural tracks through wooded areas and open fields, with some short sections on the main road. After O Cádavo, you walk through Villabade (interesting church) before finally reaching Castroverde.
Today, you’ll really get to enjoy the beauty of Galician countryside, as you walk on quiet tarmac lanes and dirt tracks from one tiny 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!
From Lugo onward, several Caminos come together to join the main French Route (Camino Francés). Today you have a long walk to reach the next accommodation, situated in Ferreira. The first 20 kilometres until O Burgo are well paved but mainly uphill. But don't worry because it is quite easy to hire a taxi in Lugo to shorten this stage if you please.
Luckily, today's stage is not as long as yesterdays. However, the Camino starts and continues uphill until O Requián, and then there is another climb until Monte da Feira. Once there, the route will be a piece of cake until Melide.
Today you begin walking directly from Melide. You have now joined the French Route, or Camino Francés, which is the most popular of all the Camino variants.
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 accommodation for this evening is located just outside the village of Arzúa.
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 along the way! The excitement shared with fellow pilgrims grows, combined with a weary feeling of having to soon face the end of your pilgrimage!
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 del Obradoiro.
After today's breakfast your Camino Primitivo comes to an end. Time to return home with all the experiences this pilgrimage has provided you and a storehouse of memories made!
This self-guided walking tour in Spain is always run as a private tour for your group only and the price per person depends on the room type chosen.
Prices below are per person:
A selection of different accommodations, ranging from traditional village hotels (2 nights), rural guesthouses (2 nights), charming and comfortable rural hotels (7 nights) to 3- and 4-star city hotels (5 nights), rooms with en-suite bathroom.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
Standard rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel where possible. Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement.
Hand-picked hotels and guesthouses that offer everything a pilgrim needs after a day on the Camino.
17 breakfasts and 10 dinners are included.
Accommodations for 17 nights are included. Accommodations before the tour are not included but can be added as a supplement.
During this tour, you will be walking from one location to another, and all the luggage transfers are included. However, you will be responsible for any other transportation outside of the tour itinerary.
How hard is Camino Primitivo Tour?
We rate this tour as a 3 / 5. You’ll be walking long distances of up to 26.5km daily for 18 consecutive days. However, you have an option to extend your tour by booking rest days.
Do I need a visa to travel to Spain?
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
Are meals included on Camino Primitivo Tour?
17 breakfasts and 10 dinners are included.
Do I need insurance?
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover hiking. Get your Travel Insurance.
How do I get to Oviedo to start this tour?
If you are flying to Asturias airport-Ranon (OVD), there’s a regular shuttle bus service to Oviedo city centre. Departures every hour. Travel time is 45min. If you are flying to another airport (Santander-SDR, Bilbao-BIO or Valladolid-VLL), there are good bus connections to Oviedo from those cities. For timetables and reservations, go to www.alsa.es. You can also book your bus tickets in advance through S-cape Travel.
Where does Camino Primitivo Tour end?
The tour ends in Santiago. If you’re travelling back to Asturias airport (OVD), Santander (SDR) or Bilbao (BIO), there’s a morning bus from Santiago that takes you to Oviedo, Santander or Bilbao. The trip to Oviedo takes about 8h30min, to Santander 9h30min and to Bilbao 11h30min.
Do I need special vaccines to travel to Spain?
Check with your family doctor.
Are there any travel restrictions for Spain?
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
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Details of the local tour operator will be listed on your booking invoice. If you have questions about the local operator prior to booking, please click the “Ask a Question” button below.
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We rate this tour as a 3 / 5. You’ll be walking long distances of up to 26.5km daily for 18 consecutive days. However, you have an option to extend your tour by booking rest days.
Read about our scale for Tour Difficulty Ratings.
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