One of the most authentic experiences of the routes that lead to Santiago: walking the Camino Primitivo from Oviedo, in its entirety, to finish in Santiago. The name "primitive" is due to the fact that it was born of one of the first pilgrimages to the recently discovered tomb of the apostle St. James the Greater. It was in the 9th century when King Alfonso II and his retinue left the capital of Oviedo to travel to Compostela, thus defining a route that coincides almost 100% with the current one and which perfectly combines services and tranquillity.
This route can also be covered by dividing it into two sections (from Oviedo to Lugo and Lugo to Santiago) or completely tailor-made. Contact us at.
16-day trip: the complete Primitive Way.
15 nights accommodation according to the chosen category. Configure it.
Full documentation about the travel.
GPS tracks in your smartphone
Pilgrim's passport
Travel insurance with special coverage for sports activities.
24/7 telephone assistance during your trip.
VAT and other taxes
Extras in hotels and restaurants.
Other transfers requested by you, not specified in the contract.
Any other service not specifically defined as included.
Breakfasts, half-board
Luggage transportation on route (up to 15 kg / package).
Transfers to and from Oviedo and Santiago de Compostela airports and stations.
Complementary activities
Cancellation insurance
Welcome to the Camino Primitivo from Oviedo to Santiago. On this first day you should arrive in the Asturian capital from your place of origin. We recommend you do it as soon as possible to enjoy the city or, if it is not possible, book an extra night to get to know it at your leisure. It deserves no less.
Oviedo - in Asturian Uviéu - is one of the most impressive cities in the north of the Iberian Peninsula, and it is also a perfect place from which to visit some of the nearby points of interest, such as the temples of Naranco and Lillo or the mythical sanctuary of Covadonga.
Hostel: HiHome Hostel or similar
Standard accommodation: Hotel Fruela or similar
Charming accommodation: Hotel Zentral Oviedo or similar
Distance: 27 km
Difficulty: ●●●○○
Accommodation: Grado / Grau
Oviedo was the capital of the only Christian kingdom on the peninsula that was not conquered by the Arab expansion that gave rise to the Umayyad Caliphate, and from there, in the 9th century, King Alfonso II set out for Compostela when he received news from the bishop of Iria Flavia of the discovery of the tomb of the favourite of the apostles. That journey made him the first known pilgrim, and the route he followed is what is known today as the Primitive Way.
The destination of the day, which runs through the impressive central Asturian landscape, is Grado - a small town that is a crossroads and also a crossroads of medieval and Indian architectural references.
Hostel: La Quintana Hostel or similar
Standard accommodation: Hotel Areces or similar
Charming accommodation: The Lackey of Sestiello or similar
Distance: 21 km
Difficulty level: ●●○○○
Accommodation: Salas
The third day of your adventure on the Primitive Way from Oviedo takes you through Cornellana, home to the magnificent monastery of San Salvador. From there, along the valley of the river Nonaya and through small villages, you will reach the beautiful historic centre of Salas, where you will find remains that bear witness to the great importance of this town in the past: the Santa María la Mayor Collegiate Church, the Tower and the Palace of Valdés. Be sure to visit the Pre-Romanesque Museum.
Hostel: Nonaya Valley Hostel or similar
Standard accommodation: Dream House or similar
Charming accommodation: Hotel Castillo de Valdés or similar
Distance: 22.3 km
Difficulty: ●●●○○
Accommodation: Tineo / Tinéu
A day's ascent to La Espina, between meadows and forests of oak and chestnut trees which, on this route, will become your most faithful companions. You can also enjoy the rural architecture through examples such as the church of Santa María and its transept in Porciles, or the chapel of Cristo de los Afligidos in La Espina. The end of the stage in Tineo (in Asturian, Tinéu) will not disappoint you.
Hostel: Merás Palace Hostel or similar
Standard accommodation: Hotel Palacio de Merás or similar
Charming accommodation: Hotel Palacio de Merás or similar
Distance: 30.2 km
Difficulty: ●●●●○
Accommodation: Pola de Allande / La Puela
As the walker enters western Asturias along this Primitive Way, he or she will notice how the ecological and scenic richness that characterises this Primitive Way increases. The day will end in the charming village of Pola de Allande (La Puela), the perfect place for a well-deserved rest after one of the hardest days on this Way, with many changes in level.
Hostel: La Casita de Aba Hostel or similar
Standard accommodation: Hotel Lozano or similar
Charming accommodation: Hotel La Nueva Allandesa or similar
Distance: 20.5 km
Difficulty: ●●●○○
Accommodation: Berducedo
Another day on this Primitive Way through the impressive mountains of western Asturias. It will be time to climb the Palo pass (1,147 metres above sea level), from where you can enjoy the stunning views of the surrounding area.
The day ends in Berducedo, the perfect place to try its famous corn "tortos" and, of course, to continue enjoying the unbeatable Asturian gastronomy.
Hostel: N/A (night in private accommodation)
Charming accommodation: Araceli Village House or similar
Distance: 22 km
Difficulty: ●●●○○
Accommodation: Grandas de Salime
The last fully Asturian stage of this Primitive Way from Oviedo, which will take you from Berducedo to Grandas de Salime, bordering the beautiful reservoir of this town. The views from the Ballena viewpoint are simply unforgettable. And in Grandas be sure to visit some of its interesting monuments, such as the collegiate church of El Salvador.
Hostel: Porta de Grandas Hostel or similar
Standard accommodation: Hotel La Barra or similar
Charming accommodation: Hotel Las Grandas or similar
Distance: 27.4 km
Difficulty: ●●●○○
Accommodation: A Fonsagrada
On this day you will cross the border between Asturias and Galicia to see how little - very little - changes. The route will take you to the O Acebo pass, in the Os Ancares mountain range, more than 1,110 metres above sea level. Small churches, hermitages and chapels dot the road, arranging the territory covered with small villages dedicated to agriculture and livestock farming.
Hostel: Cantábrico Hostel or similar
Standard accommodation: Pension Cantábrico or similar
Charming accommodation: Hotel Portico or similar
Distance: 25.1 km
Difficulty: ●●●○○
Accommodation: O Cádavo
Penultimate day before reaching the other big city on the Camino de Santiago: Lugo. Today you will reach O Cádavo, a small village that is the capital of the municipality of Baleira. The route passes by the ruins of the Hospital de Montouto, founded in the 14th century to provide shelter for pilgrims making the journey in those days. Next to it, the prehistoric remains of Pedras Dereitas travel much further back in time and allow us to imagine other cultures and religiosities.
Hostel: Porta Santa Hostel or similar
Standard accommodation: Hotel Moneda or similar
Charming accommodation: Pension A Marronda or similar
Distance: 31.3 km
Difficulty: ●●●○○
Accommodation: Lugo
Last stage of your adventure on the Primitive Way from Oviedo before reaching Lugo, in which you will cover the distance from O Cádavo to the capital of Lugo, the first city on the Camino de Santiago since it began in Asturias. Another day of rural scenery that becomes more densely populated as you approach Lugo, one of the great historic cities of Galicia since Roman times.
Hostel: Hostel Viatori or similar
Standard accommodation: Hotel Darío or similar
Charming accommodation: Hotel East West or similar
Distance: 29.1 km
Difficulty level: ●●○○○
Accommodation: A Ponte Ferreira
You will leave Lugo through the Porta de Santiago, which thousands of pilgrims have crossed over the centuries, to meet the river Miño and continue your journey towards the tiny village of A Ponte Ferreira, the perfect place to regain your strength and spend the night.
You will walk along secondary roads and paths in the midst of the characteristic rural landscape of inland Galicia, a worthy successor to the Asturian in this magnificent route along the Primitive Way.
Hostel: Hostel A Nave de Ferreira or similar
Standard accommodation: O Lar do Alecrín or similar
Charming accommodation: Casa da Ponte Ferreira or similar
Distance: 21.3 km
Difficulty level: ●●○○○
Accommodation: Melide
The last stage of the Primitive Way from Oviedo before joining the French Way. The junction takes place in Melide, a village with an undoubtedly Camino flavour. From there you will notice a clear increase in the number of pilgrims, so we recommend you make the most of the last kilometres of this primitive route, much quieter and more solitary. And speaking of "flavour", if you are interested in gastronomy, in Melide you cannot fail to try the octopus á feira - which has a great tradition here - and melindres: the typical dessert of this town.
Hostel: San Antón Hostel or similar
Standard accommodation: La Esquina Guesthouse or similar
Charming accommodation: Hotel Lux Melide or similar
Distance: 15.2 km
Difficulty level: ●●○○○
Accommodation: Arzúa
A short stage awaits you on the thirteenth day. Less than 15 km to adapt your pace to that of the French Way, which traditionally stops in Arzúa. This stage may be hard for walkers coming from Palas de Rei on the French Way, but those coming on the Primitive Way from Lugo or Oviedo are already used to the continuous changes in level. In any case, the day promises paths among centenary trees and beautiful spots, such as Ribadiso: the anteroom to Arzúa.
Hostel: San Francisco Hostel or similar
Standard accommodation: Casa Elena Guesthouse or similar
Charming accommodation: La Casona de Nené or similar
Distance: 21 km
Difficulty level: ●●○○○
Accommodation: O Pedrouzo
Another day of this Primitive Way from Oviedo marked by the presence of wonderful landscapes between forests and meadows that will accompany you during today's stage. You will notice that you will pass through villages much more frequently than in previous stages. It is not for nothing that you are approaching Compostela. At the end of the stage, you will find yourself in O Pedrouzo, a modern town, which has grown in recent years, and which offers a special hospitality to walkers.
Hostel: O Burgo Hostel or similar
Standard accommodation: Pension Lo or similar
Charming accommodation: O Muíño da Pena Guesthouse or similar
Distance: 19.1 km
Difficulty level: ●●○○○
Accommodation: Santiago de Compostela
Finally, the last stage! This stage takes you to the Plaza del Obradoiro from where you will be able to contemplate the impressive cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Many finish their journey here, while others will continue on to Fisterra to contemplate the end of the world. Whatever your case, we are sure that this last stage will not leave you indifferent. You will feel the first stirring of the heart on your arrival at Monte do Gozo, from where you will be able to contemplate the towers of the cathedral just 5 km away.
It doesn't matter where you are from and how far you have walked, or how many times you have walked the path: it continues to impress and create a mood of joy that will accompany you until you arrive at the apostle's tomb.
Hostel: The Last Stamp Hostel or similar
Standard accommodation: Deniké Guesthouse or similar
Charming accommodation: Hotel Costa Vella or similar
The last day is a tribute to your efforts. You have arrived in Santiago after walking the Primitive Way from Oviedo, and after a well-deserved and refreshing rest, you will have the whole day free to get to know the Holy City: its Cathedral and the rest of its monuments. If you want, we can also help you with this. And, if you have time, we have some complementary activities that may be of interest. Ask us about them.
Choose dates, type of accommodation, what services you want to hire and method of payment. You are in full control.
