Camino Primitivo
Guided- 9 Nights/10 Days
This route through green Asturias and Galicia, is one of several other historic trails that were known as the Camino Primitivo.
Used by the Asturian King Alfonso ll in 829 on the first pilgrimage from Asturias to Santiago de Compostela, it is a scenic, less busy route from Oviedo through picturesque villages, hilly landscapes dotted with pre-Romanesque churches that combines cultural heritage, folklore and nature.
Highlights of this 10 day journey are: Oviedo with it’s UNESCO World Heritage cathedral of the Saint Sebastian and many sculptures; a countryside of green pastures, rolling hills, backdrop of peaks, Romanesque churches, traditional architecture and medieval villages; the 3rdC Roman walls of Lugo; and your destination, Santiago de Compostela. Stay at characterful hotels in keeping with the pilgrims’ route.
Itinerary and Highlights
- Day 1 Arrive Oviedo (Asturias). Visit the Gothic Cathedral devoted to San Salvador if time permits.
- Day 2 Oviedo to Puerma & Salas (5.5 hrs – 18.5 km).
Follow Jacobean copper shells through the green Asturian countryside past quiet villages to Puerma. Continue by car to Cornellana Monastery, founded in 1024. - Day 3 Salas to Villaluz – San Andres or Tineo (5.5 hrs – 15 km).
Drive to El Pedregal. Walk 10km to Tineo and visit the medieval monastery of Obona. Continue along the Camino to Villaluz. - Day 4 Allande to El Palo Pass Circuit (5.5 hrs – 15 km).
From Borres the original high “ruta de los hospitales”, cross steep slopes toward Puerto el Palo. Enjoy superb views. - Day 5 BERDUCEDO to GRANDAS DE SALIME
From the hamlet of Berducedo, descend through fields and woods to the village of Villapedre to cross Lake Salime, a recently-constructed reservoir which has cut off access to parts of the original Camino, by boat. In Grandas de Salime, visit the interesting ethnographic museum.
Walking: 5 hours – 16km. - Day 6 GRANDAS to O CADAVO
The section of the Camino Grandas to Fonsagrada is now tarmac so we transfer by car. Once in Galicia, we pick up the oldest trail, which takes us through green pastures and fields of heather to Póboa de Burón, a village which once had a castle and large pilgrims' hospital. Walk ends in Paradavella then transfer to the nearest pilgrims' hotel in O Cadavo or a more luxurious hotel in Castroverde.
Walking: 4½ - 5 hours, 14.5km - Day 7 O CADAVO to LUGO
Last day of walking is in the pastoral Galician countryside following quiet tarmac lanes and rural tracks from one hamlet to the next seeing traditional architecture such as the well-preserved 'pazos' and 'casas grandes', impressive buildings in stone and wood often turned into modern-day hotels. From Gondar, we drive to Lugo, famous for its Roman walls, where the Camino Primitivo merges with the classic French Route.
Walking: 6½ hours – 20km. - Day 8 LUGO to SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
Drive to Monte del Gozo, hilltop which affords a pilgrim's first glimpse of Santiago. From here we walk onward, entering the city on foot amidst emotions and excitement as we approach St James' Cathedral in the historical city centre. Afternoon free to explore Santiago de Compostela.
Walking: 1 hour, 5km, 100m descent. - Day 9 SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
Our pilgrimage comes to an end today after breakfast. - Day 10
- Day 11
- Day 12
- Day 13
- Day 14
- Day 15
- Day 16
- Day 17
- Day 18
- Day 19
- Day 20
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Beautiful rural pathway along the Camino Primitivo