This first tour on the Camino Primitivo takes you to the prestine and often lonely Asturian mountains. Before you leave, you should stroll through lovely Oviedo. Here you can discover the famous apple cider and some beautiful churches.
On the first days, the Camino Primitivo takes you into the mountains. A good physical condition is necessary. Not all paths are paved and you should be careful hiking thorugh nature. The daily stages on this route are clearly among the most challenging. However, the great views into the green surroundings make up for it. Especially for pilgrims who want to explore their limits on the Way of St. James and those seeking solitude and time for introspection, this Way of St. James is perhaps the best.
207 Kilometres
Day 1 - Arrival in Oviedo
Travel from your hometown to Oviedo on your own and get in the mood for the Camino. Take a stroll through lovely Oviedo.
Day 2 - Oviedo - Grado
To leave this beautiful city, the pilgrim only needs about an hour. Even before the outskirts of the city there is the possibility to deviate from the Way of St. James and to visit the two impressive pre-Romanesque churches Santa Maria del Naranco and San Miguel de Lillo.
Through many small villages and only slightly up and down it goes up to Grado, the stage goal of this pilgrimage day.
24,8 resp. 25,6 km - simple terrain
Day 3 - Grado - Salas
Today, the Camino becomes increasingly hilly. However, except for a few short steeper climbs, the path is still easy to walk. At noon you can stop in the small town of Cornellana. Today the public pilgrim hostel is located in the ruins of the monastery San Salvador. From there it goes on to Salas, with its extraordinarily beautiful city centre. The fortified church and fortress tower await the admiration of the pilgrims.
24.8 km - easy
Day 4 - Salas - Tineo
Behind Salas, the Way of St James leads pilgrims on beautiful forest paths steadily but moderately up the mountain to the village of Bodenaya. When you reach the highest point, you continue along the slope. In between, the view to the left opens up again and again to the magnificent mountain world of Asturias.
19,5 km - easy after the ascent behind Salas
Day 5 - Tineo - La Mortera (Campiello)
In the morning, pilgrims leaves Tineo on a steadily ascending and very beautiful path on the mountain slope. Enjoy the wonderful views of the green mountains of Asturias. During a short detour, you can visit the ruins of the Santa Maria Real Monastery in Obona. At the end of the day, Pilgino-pilgrims choose the route over "de los Hospitales". Before this medieval variant really begins, the pilgrims' day ends in La Mortera. From there, transfer to the accommodation in Campiello.
19 km - moderately difficult
Day 6 - La Mortera (Campiello) - Berducedo
On this day the highlight of the Camino Primitivo awaits the pilgrim. On the medieval way over the heights (Ruta de los Hospitales) and past the ruins of the old pilgrim hospices, you will cross the bare mountains of Asturias. Again and again the pilgrim is enchanted by the views of the mountain world of this Camino. Free-running herds of cows and horses accompany the Jacob's disciple on his way. In the last third we go through small farming communities down to the nice settlement Berducedo.
21,8 km - difficult
Day 7 - Berducedo - Grandas de Salime
Today the Camino leads from Berducedo via La Mesa to Grandas de Salime. On this route, you are rewarded with views over the valley when you reach the reservoir of the river Navia. Now the Camino continues via Buspol until pilgrims reach Grandas de Salime through a lot of heathland.
19,4 km - difficult
Day 8 - Grandas de Salime - Fonsagrada
At this stage, it is important that you stock up on provisions in the morning, as there is no good supply until Fonsagrada. The road to Castro is flat and pleasant, but then it goes uphill until you cross the border to Galicia on the Alto del Acebo pass. Here you can also take your first look at today's destination: Fonsagrada. Once you have crossed Paradanova, you can choose between the right (steeper, but also more beautiful) and left path, until you finally reach your accommodation.
24,5 km - exhausting
Day 9 - Fonsagrada - Cádavo
At the beginning, the path is still mountainous along country roads and woods to an old, partially restored pilgrims' hostel with an old chapel. Here you can take a short rest. After a steep and partly stony walk over Fontaneira you finally reach today's destination in Cádavo-Baleira.
22,9 km - exhausting
Day 10 - Cádavo - Lugo
The first stretch to Castroverde leads you over very good paths and small roads. After the first moderate ascent, the route continues on a plain level or slightly downhill. After pilgrims have crossed Castroverde, it is important to have enough provisions for the stage to Lugo, as there are practically no bars or shops on this route. After a long stage, the pilgrim finally stands in front of the famous Roman city wall of Lugo.
29,8 km - easy but long stage
Day 11 - Lugo - Home
Return journey from Lugo or continue your pilgrimage with Tour 2 to Santiago de Compostela.
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- Selected accommodation with private bathroom*
- Luggage transfer (1 piece, max. 15 kg)
- Information on getting to the Camino
- Credencial (Pilgrim’s Passport)
- Pilgrim’s Kit:
- Informationen on bars and restaurant on the way
- Directions to your accommodations
- City maps of bigger cities
- History of the Camino
- Little language-guide
Double Room: € 730
More than 4 people: € 710
Single Room: € 990
More than 3 people: € 950