Camino Primitivo: The Original Way from Oviedo to Santiago

Arrive in Oviedo, the historic capital of Asturias and the traditional starting point of the Camino Primitivo.

Take time to explore the old quarter and visit the Cathedral of San Salvador, an important pilgrimage site long associated with travellers making their way towards Santiago.

Enjoy your first evening in this lively northern Spanish city before setting out on the Original Way tomorrow.

Airport transfers from Asturias Airport can be arranged at an additional cost.

Accommodation: Hotel in Oviedo.

Distance: ~28km

Leave Oviedo on foot and begin following the Camino west through the Asturian countryside. Pass the chapel of El Carmen at Lampajúa before descending towards Ponte de Gallegos and the River Nora.

The route soon becomes more rural, climbing steeply towards the village of Escamplero before continuing through rolling farmland and small communities. Cross the River Nalón and make your way into Grado.

At 4:00 PM, an included taxi transfer takes you to your rural accommodation for the night.

Accommodation: Hotel in Sama de Grado or Sestiello.

Distance: ~23 km

A 9:00 AM transfer returns you to Grado, where today's walk begins with a demanding climb towards Alto del Fresnu.

From the high point, the terrain gradually eases as the Camino winds through undulating farmland and traditional Asturian villages. Pass the monastery of San Salvador before reaching Cornellana, then continue through quiet countryside dotted with traditional hórreos, the distinctive raised granaries of northern Spain.

Finish in the historic town of Salas.

Accommodation: Hotel in Salas.

Distance: ~22 km.

Today may be shorter in distance, but the early climbing makes it a rewarding stage.

Leave Salas and steadily gain height through wooded countryside towards La Espina, following quieter paths away from the main road. From here, the Camino heads deeper into rural Asturias, where traditional villages, pastureland and forested hills define the landscape.

Continue across rolling terrain towards Tineo, one of the historic towns of the Camino Primitivo.

Accommodation: Hotel in Tineo.

Distance: ~31 km.

One of the longer stages of the journey takes you through increasingly remote Asturian countryside.

Follow a mixture of woodland tracks, mountain paths and quiet lanes through hilly terrain, passing scattered hamlets and the village of Vega de Rey. Long stretches of forest and open countryside give this section a wonderfully peaceful character.

The final approach to Pola de Allande includes a steep descent of around 300 metres, bringing you into this traditional mountain town surrounded by green hills.

Accommodation: Hotel in Pola de Allande.

Distance: ~20km

Today brings one of the defining mountain stages of the Camino Primitivo.

Begin with a sustained climb of around 600 metres towards Puerto del Palo, where the high point rewards you with sweeping views across the Cantabrian Mountains. From the pass, descend through wild mountain scenery and peaceful forest sections towards Berducedo and La Mesa.

Some sections underfoot can be technical, particularly on the descent, making this a demanding but memorable day.

At 4:00 PM, an included taxi returns you to Pola de Allande for the night.

Accommodation: Hotel in Pola de Allande.

Distance: ~18 km

A 9:00 AM transfer returns you to La Mesa for another spectacular mountain stage.

Climb towards the high ground around Aerogeneradores, reaching approximately 1,100 metres and enjoying magnificent views over the River Navia and the vast Embalse de Salime reservoir.

From here begins a long and dramatic descent of around 900 metres over just 7km towards the dam. After crossing the reservoir, climb gradually through wooded countryside into Grandas de Salime.

Accommodation: Hotel in Grandas de Salime.

Distance: ~28 km

Leave Grandas de Salime and climb steadily towards El Acebo, at approximately 1,050 metres.

The high country offers expansive mountain views before you cross from Asturias into Galicia, another major milestone on your journey to Santiago.

Continue through small rural settlements including Fonfría and Barbeitos before reaching A Fonsagrada, a historic Camino town associated with legends surrounding St James and its ancient fountain.

Accommodation: Hotel in A Fonsagrada.

Distance: ~26 km

Continue through the rolling uplands of Galicia, following a combination of forest tracks, country paths and quiet roads.

Pass A Pobra de Burón before reaching the ruins of the Hospital de Montouto, once an important refuge for pilgrims crossing this remote mountain landscape.

From here, the route continues through Calzada, A Lastra and A Fontaneira before descending towards O Cadavo Baleira, a small rural town with deep connections to the history of the Camino.

Accommodation: Hotel in O Cadavo.

Distance: ~32 km

Today is one of the longest stages, carrying you from the Galician countryside into the remarkable Roman city of Lugo.

Walk through Pradeda and rural communities where traditional architecture remains part of the landscape. Continue past Vilabade and the abandoned settlement of Soutomerille before crossing increasingly gentle farmland towards the city.

Your reward is Lugo, surrounded by its extraordinary Roman walls and one of the cultural highlights of the Camino Primitivo.

Accommodation: Hotel in Lugo.

Distance: ~29 km

Leave Lugo through the historic Porta Miña and cross the River Miño before returning to the quiet Galician countryside.

The Camino follows minor roads, farmland and woodland through scattered hamlets. Along the way, you can visit Santa Eulalia de Bóveda, known for its unusual early medieval interior and wall paintings.

Continue through San Román da Retorta before reaching the peaceful rural settlement of A Ponte Ferreira.

Accommodation: Hotel in A Ponte Ferreira.

Distance: ~20 km

Follow ancient country tracks through a succession of small Galician hamlets, including Seixalvo, Xende and Merlán.

The rural character continues towards Toques before the Camino reaches Melide. Here, the Primitivo meets the Camino Francés, bringing a noticeable increase in fellow pilgrims and a livelier Camino atmosphere.

Melide is also well known for its Galician cuisine, particularly pulpo, making it a fitting place to celebrate reaching this important point of the journey.

Accommodation: Hotel in Melide.

Distance: ~15 km.

Enjoy a shorter walking day as you continue along the Camino Francés through classic Galician countryside.

The route undulates gently between woodland, farms and small villages, crossing streams and quiet rural lanes along the way.

Arrive in Arzúa, a lively Camino town where pilgrims from several routes converge on their way to Santiago. With fewer kilometres today, there is plenty of time to relax and enjoy the afternoon.

Accommodation: Hotel in Arzúa.

Distance: ~19 km

Walk through peaceful forests and quiet country lanes as the Camino continues steadily west.

Pass traditional villages and farmland before reaching the chapel of Santa Irene, an established landmark on the pilgrimage route.

Continue through eucalyptus woodland and rural hamlets towards Rúa, a quiet settlement characterised by granite houses, stone walls and traditional Galician granaries.

With Santiago now close, anticipation begins to build for tomorrow's final stage.

Accommodation: Hotel in Rúa.

Distance: ~19 km

Set out on the final stage of your Camino Primitivo.

Pass through Lavacolla before climbing towards Monte do Gozo, the historic "Mount of Joy" , where pilgrims traditionally caught their first glimpse of Santiago.

From here, descend towards the city and follow the Camino through Rúa de San Pedro and into the historic centre. The narrow streets eventually open onto Praza do Obradoiro, where you arrive at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela and the culmination of your journey from Oviedo.

For a memorable final night, an upgrade to the Parador in Santiago can be arranged.

Accommodation: Hotel in Santiago de Compostela.