Camino Primitivo from Oviedo to Santiago

You'll arrive in Oviedo. Explore the lovely city of Oviedo, the capital of Asturias, which has been a traditional pilgrimage destination for centuries. Oviedo is also a bustling and lively university city. Be sure to visit some of the city's many monuments, including the elegant El Salvador Cathedral, the 9th-century San Miguel de Lillo, the Church of San Tirso and the San Vicente Monastery, which houses the Archaeology Museum of Asturias.

Hotel (example): Hotel Carreño

Your Camino Primitivo starts from the Cathedral of El Salvador in Oviedo city and takes you westwards out of the city. After passing the chapel of El Carmen in Lampajúa (Llampaxuga), the path leads you downhill to Ponte de Gallegos. From here, the Camino trail follows the marvellous Nora River before climbing steeply to the picturesque village of Escamplero. You'll cross the Nalón River on your way to the village of Grado. After arriving in Grado, a transfer will take you just outside the town to Sama de Grado, where you'll spend the night.

Hotel (example): Casa de la Veiga

After breakfast, a transfer will take you back to Grado, where today's stage of the Camino Primitivo starts. You start with a relatively tough five kilometre climb to Alto del Fresnu. The next part of the stage is much easier to walk, descending again past small villages and hilly farmland. You'll also pass the San Salvador Monastery, which is well worth a visit. After Cornellana, there's another climb, passing many square ‘hórreos’, the traditional granaries of the Asturias region, before arriving gently at Salas.

Hotel (example): Castillo de Valdes Salas

Although this is a relatively short stage of the Camino, it is also quite tough due to the altitude. However, most of the climbing will be done in the first part of the day, so the afternoon should be a little easier. After a short walk on a country road, the Camino Primitivo moves on to a more peaceful path that takes pilgrims up La Espina. Here you will split from the northern route - Camino del Norte - and head north-west into an area rich in regional traditions and full of charm and character.

Hotel (example): Palacio de Meras

Today's stage of the Camino Primitivo takes you through more challenging, hilly terrain. The route takes you through lovely peaceful forests and the village of Vega de Rey. The last part of today's stretch to Pola de Allande involves a sharp 300 metre descent.

Hotel (example): La Nueva Allandesa

After Pola de Allande, the Camino has another relatively tough 600 metre climb in store for pilgrims, which goes up to the Puerto del Palo peak. But your efforts will be rewarded with magnificent views of the Cantabrian mountains. From here you'll descend 250 metres along a path known as the ‘Camino de los Hospitales’, which includes some technical sections. You'll pass beautiful, tranquil forests on your way to Berducedo, where you'll spend the night.

Hotel (example): Casa de Aldea Araceli

Today is probably the toughest part of the whole route, but also the most rewarding. From Berducedo you'll ascend to Aerogenedores at an altitude of 1100 metres. From here you should be able to admire the magnificent views of the Navia River and Embalse de Salime, a reservoir surrounded by mountains. You will then descend 900 metres in just 7 km to the Embalse de Salime dam. After this steep descent, the Camino follows a gentle climb to Grandas de Salime.

Hotel (example): Hotel La Barra

You start today's day on the Camino with another steep climb to El Acebo at an altitude of 1050 metres. From Acebo you can enjoy spectacular views of the Cantabrian Mountains and move from Asturias to Galicia, known as the land of the Celts. Today's destination is A Fonsagrada, after passing through the villages of Fonfría and Barbeitos. A Fonsagrada is known to have been the scene of one of St James' miracles. It is said that after being approached by a poor woman, he turned the water from the fountain in the town centre (Fons Secra) into milk for her children.

Hotel (example): Hostal Cantabrico

From A Fonsagrada, the path takes you to A Pobra de Burón along what is known as the Camino de Oviedo. From a hilltop you can see the ruins of the Hospital de Montouto, once the most important of the Galician pilgrim hospitals in the mountains. The Camino then follows a path through the villages of Calzada, A Lastra and A Fontaneira on its way to the town of O Cadavo - Baleira. It is said that Alfonso II the Chaste fought the Moors in a battle nearby.

Hotel (example): Hotel La Moneda

On the way to Pradeda, a beautiful old village, you'll pass some of the region's famous slate quarries. In the village itself there are a number of old thatched houses, known in Galicia as ‘pallozas’. On the way to Castroverde, you'll pass the monastery of San Francisco de Vilabade and then the abandoned village of Soutomerille, set in beautiful surroundings. After passing through more farmland, the Camino enters the town of Lugo with its rich Roman heritage and impressive UNESCO-listed Roman wall.

Lugo is home to the best preserved Roman wall in Europe, stretching over 2 kilometres around the old town. Explore the beautiful city centre, walk the wall to get a different perspective of the city and sample delicious (usually free) ‘pinchos’ in the bars and restaurants near Praza de Santa María before continuing your Camino to Santiago. If you're travelling in October, don't miss the traditional San Froilán festivities.

Hotel (example) : Hostal Residencial Brios

The Camino leaves Lugo at the cathedral and through the oldest gate in the city walls, called Porta Miñá (in reference to the Miño River). From here, walk to the San Lázaro neighbourhood and cross the old Roman bridge. After a few kilometres you'll pass a national monument and museum called Santa Eulalia de Bóveda, which houses some of the most fascinating early medieval paintings in the Iberian Peninsula. The path leads to San Román da Retorta through farms and woodlands.

Hotel (example): Casa Da Ponte

The old route follows ancient tracks that are still in use today, connecting many small villages and hamlets in the area, such as Seixalvo, Xende, Ferreira and Merlán. The route continues through Toques and into the historic town of Melide in the province of A Coruña. This is where the original road or Camino Primitivo meets the French road. You'll notice that the amount of pilgrims will be much greater from now on. You should take the opportunity to taste ‘pulpo’ (octopus) at one of the many ‘pulperías’ (octopus restaurants) in the city and have a couple of ‘melindres’, Melide's traditional aniseed cakes.

Hotel (example): Hotel Chiquitín Melide

Leaving Melide, you'll join other pilgrims on the Camino Francés (French Way), following forest paths and crossing many beautiful streams and meadows on your way to the village of Boente, where you'll see the Church of Santiago. You'll pass the picturesque village of Ribadiso on your way to today's destination, Arzúa. Arzúa is in the heart of dairy country, so be sure to try some of the local cheeses. It's worth visiting the church of Santa María and the church of A Magdalena in the town.

Hotel (example): Hotel Arzua

Today, the Camino mostly passes through peaceful forests and small villages. Along the way you'll pass the Santa Irene Chapel where you'll find interesting statues of St James. This stage of the Camino continues along peaceful country roads. Your stop for the night is the town of A Rua and on the way you'll see a few traditional ‘hórreos’ (granaries) and granite farmhouses.

Hotel (example): Hotel Rural O Acivro

This is the last walking day of your Camino journey to Santiago de Compostela. From A Rua you'll walk to Amenal and on to Lavacolla. The name Lavacolla comes from the fact that pilgrims used to wash in the river here before reaching Santiago. The path to Monte do Gozo or ‘Mountain of Joy’ is lined with eternal eucalyptus trees. The mountain itself is topped by a huge sculpture commemorating John Paul II's visit to Santiago. From here, the Camino descends to Santiago de Compostela. You enter Santiago along the busy Rúa de San Pedro and into the old town via Porta do Camiño. You have arrived!

You've arrived in Santiago de Compostela! Once you've visited the cathedral and recovered from your hike, take some time to explore this small but lively gem of a city. Santiago's UNESCO-listed Old Town will enchant you. Here you'll find not only pilgrims, but also locals and students enjoying a few bites over a glass of wine in the many bars, restaurants and cosy cafés.

Hotel (example): Hôtel Lux

Your walk on the Camino Primitivo is now over. You leave the hotel and travel home or further afield. If you want extra nights in Santiago after the walk, this can be selected on the booking form.