Overview Pilgrimage on the Camino Primitivo From Oviedo to Santiago de Compostela Camino (PR18-5510): Oviedo - Grado - Salas - Tineo - Pola de Allande - Berducedo - Grandas de Salime - Fonsagrada - Cádavo - Lugo - Ponte Ferreira - Melide - Arzua - O Pedrouzo - Santiago de Compostela Type of travel: Individual - 16 daysDifficulty: challengingDistance: approx. 300 kmFare: from 1.290 EUR per person The Camino Primitivo is considered to be one of the oldest pilgrimage routes, hence its name which means "primitive" or "original." Hiking the Camino Primitivo is a popular choice for pilgrims seeking a more challenging and less crowded route. The hiking trail begins in Oviedo, the capital of the Asturias region, and covers about 321 kilometers (199 miles) to Santiago de Compostela. As with all pilgrimage routes of the Camino de Santiago, many people walk the Camino Primitivo for religious or spiritual reasons. However, it is also a popular itinerary for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts who are looking for a physical and mental challenge. Along the Camino Primitivo, pilgrims will find a variety of landscapes, including rugged mountains, forests, and charming rural villages. They will also encounter a rich cultural heritage, with many historic churches, monasteries, and other landmarks along the way. Upon arriving in Santiago de Compostela, pilgrims receive a certificate of completion, called a Compostela, which is a recognition of their accomplishment and serves as a memento of their journey. Santiago de Compostela is also the site of the famous Cathedral of Santiago, which is said to contain the remains of Saint James, the patron saint of Spain. Itinerary Pilgrimage on the Camino Primitivo From Oviedo to Santiago de Compostela Day 1: Oviedo After your self organized arrival, your Camino adventure begins in the charming city of Oviedo, the capital of Asturias. With its rich medieval heritage, Oviedo impresses with a meticulously preserved historic center. Stroll through its narrow streets and marvel at the stunning Gothic-style Cathedral of El Salvador and the sacred Holy Chamber. Accommodation in Oviedo. Day 2: Oviedo - Grado (25.2 km ~ 6 hours) Difficulty: Medium Today marks the beginning of our 15-day Camino, and the first leg of the journey is both exciting and challenging. Covering 25 kilometers, you'll experience the rugged terrain characteristic of this ancient path. The route includes frequent slopes, with the steepest climb leading to Escampelo. After that, we descend alongside the Nalón River, passing through the picturesque Peñaflor before arriving in Grado. Accommodation in Grado. Day 3: Grado - Salas (22.1 km ~ 5 hours) Difficulty: Easy Today's hike is gentler than yesterday’s, offering a welcome respite. After recharging overnight, we embark on a scenic walk. The toughest part is early on—a 300-meter climb to Alto de Fresno, where you can visit the sanctuary at the summit. Afterward, the path becomes more forgiving as we cross the Narcea River, meandering through Cornellana and following the Nonaya River to reach Salas. Accommodation in Salas. Day 4: Salas - Tineo (19.8 km ~ 5 hours) Difficulty: Medium Though today’s distance is shorter, the varying altitudes add a layer of challenge. After leaving Salas, we embark on a climb towards La Espina, reaching almost 700 meters. While the slopes become gentler later on, the route still features undulating terrain, peaking at 800 meters. After passing Alto de la Espina, the hardest part is behind us. From here, we journey through quaint villages like La Pereda and El Pedregal before arriving in Tineo. Accommodation in Tineo Day 5: Tineo - Pola de Allande (27 km ~ 7 hours) Difficulty: Medium Today's stage is a test of endurance, as it’s one of the longest stretches of the entire Camino. Despite the challenge, the breathtaking scenery of lush forests, verdant valleys, and majestic mountain views makes it all worthwhile. The path continues with familiar ups and downs, and the first few kilometers from Tineo are uphill before transitioning into a gentle descent toward Campiello. From there, we press on to Pola de Allande. Accommodation in Pola de Allande. Day 6: Pola de Allande - Berducedo (17.5 km ~ 5 hours) Difficulty: High After several days on the trail, we’ve adapted to the terrain and understand why this route is known for its difficulty. Today’s stage is the hardest of the entire journey, but also one of the most rewarding. The stunning beauty of the landscape motivates us to tackle the challenge. The day begins with a steep climb to Puerto del Palo, the most demanding ascent so far. Once we reach the summit, we are rewarded with awe-inspiring views of the Nison Valley. From there, the trail becomes less intense as we make our way to Berducedo. Accommodation in Berducedo. Day 7: Berducedo - Grandas de Salime (20.4 km ~ 5 hours) Difficulty: Medium After yesterday's climbs, today’s stage is known for its steep descent toward the Salime Reservoir. Though the downhill section is steep, it’s manageable, and the spectacular views of the reservoir below make it an enjoyable challenge. After crossing the Navia River, only a few kilometers remain before we arrive at Grandas de Salime. Accommodation in Grandas de Salime. Day 8: Grandas de Salime - A Fonsagrada (25.2 km ~ 6 hours) Difficulty: Medium Our final kilometers in Asturias lead us to the border of Galicia. The key feature of today’s hike is the long but gradual climb to Alto del Acebo, which we tackle at a steady pace. As we enter Galicia, the familiar scallop shells marking the path give way to the yellow arrows that will guide us for the rest of the journey. The route passes through charming rural villages, eventually leading us to our destination—A Fonsagrada, the first stop in Galicia. Accommodation in A Fonsagrada.Day 9: A Fonsagrada - O Cádavo (24.3 km ~ 5 hours) Difficulty: Medium Our first full day in Galicia promises to be a memorable one. Much of the route takes us along dirt paths through beautiful landscapes. The first part is relatively flat until we reach Montouto, where a steep descent begins. As with previous stages, a significant climb awaits—this time, leading us to A Lastra. We continue a little further until we arrive in O Cádavo. Accommodation in O Cádavo. Day 10: O Cádavo - Lugo (29.5 km ~ 7 hours) Difficulty: Medium This is the longest stage of the Camino. The main challenge today is the sheer distance. Other than the descent to Castroverde, most of the route is flat, making the journey more manageable. Castroverde’s 14th-century fortress is worth a stop. Along the way, we pass through charming villages such as Souto de Torres, Vilar de Cas, and Gondar, surrounded by the lush, green Galician countryside. Finally, we arrive in Lugo, famous for its well-preserved Roman walls, thermal baths, and Roman bridge. The city is also renowned for its delicious tapas and wines. Accommodation in Lugo. Day 11: Lugo - A Ponte de Ferreira (26.5 km ~ 7 hours) Difficulty: Easy Today’s route primarily follows local roads and paved paths. Although the distance is significant, the terrain is relatively flat, making it an easier day of walking. The lack of major elevation changes allows us to focus on the journey’s beauty and rhythm. Accommodation in A Ponte de Ferreira. Day 12: A Ponte de Ferreira - Melide (20 km ~ 5 hours) Difficulty: Easy This stage takes us through the heart of rural Galicia, with its rolling hills and picturesque farms. We’re headed to Melide, the geographic center of Galicia and a key junction where the Camino Primitivo merges with the Camino Francés. For a quicker route, consider taking the “Vía Romana.” Accommodation in Melide. Day 13: Melide - Arzúa (14.1 km ~ 3 hours) Difficulty: Easy Today’s short and pleasant walk takes us from the province of Lugo into A Coruña. Along the way, we pass through charming villages like Boente and Castañeda before reaching Arzúa, a town famous for its locally made cheese. Accommodation in Arzúa. Day 14: Arzúa - O Pedrouzo (19.3 km ~ 5 hours) Difficulty: Easy This gentle stage allows time for reflection on all we’ve experienced so far. The peaceful countryside guides us as we approach the final leg of our Camino. A day to savor the anticipation before reaching Santiago. Accommodation in O Pedrouzo. Day 15: O Pedrouzo - Santiago de Compostela (19.4 km ~ 4 hours) Difficulty: Easy Today, a mix of excitement and nostalgia accompanies us as we set out on the last stage of the Camino. We recommend an early start to arrive in time for the 12:00 p.m. Pilgrim’s Mass. Along the way, we pass Lavacolla and then climb Monte do Gozo, where we catch our first glimpse of the magnificent cathedral in the distance. Finally, we arrive at the Plaza del Obradoiro, marking the end of an incredible journey. Day 16: Santiago de Compostela Today it is time to say goodbye slowly, enjoy your way home as relaxed as possible. The Camino Primitivo route is not for you? Here are someCamino de Santiago alternatives: Camiño dos Faros See the lighthouses along the Atlantic coast in west Galizia. Route: Malpica - Finisterre Length: approx. ca. 196 km. Padre Sarmiento Shorter route in southern Galizia to Santiago Start: Pontevedra Length: approx. ca. 166 km. Camino Francés (French Way) The most popular and best-developed, but also the most demanding Way of St. James, but can be divided into shorter sections, such as Sarria-Santiago. Start: St. Jean-Pied-de-Port (France). Length: approx. 800 km to Santiago de Compostela. Passes through cities such as Pamplona, Burgos and León. Camino del Norte (Northern Way) Runs along the north coast of Spain. Start: Irun on the French-Spanish border. Length: approx. 825 km. A scenic route that passes through cities such as San Sebastián, Bilbao and Gijón. Camino Portugués (Portuguese Way) Leads from Portugal to Santiago de Compostela. Starting points: Lisbon (approx. 620 km) or Porto (approx. 240 km). Variants along the coast and inland. Via de la Plata (Silver Way) One of the longest pilgrimage routes in Spain. Start: Seville (Andalusia), shorter version from Ourense. Length: approx. 1,000 km. Leads through the interior of the country via cities such as Mérida, Salamanca and Zamora. Camino Inglés (English Way) Used by English and northern European pilgrims Start: Ferrol Length: approx. 120 km (from Ferrol) or 75 km (from A Coruña). Camino de Invierno (winter route) Alternative route to the Camino Francés to avoid the snowy mountains in winter. Start: Ponferrada. Length: approx. 270 km. Each of these Caminos has its own scenic and cultural characteristics and offers pilgrims different levels of difficulty and experience.