Camino Primitivo from Oviedo to Santiago

Our Camino begins in Oviedo, capital of Asturias. This city of marked medieval character surprises us with its careful and well-preserved historic center, where it is worth highlighting its Gothic-style Cathedral of El Salvador and the Holy Chamber. Arrival at your own.

Accommodation in Oviedo

Difficulty level: medium.

We start a beautiful challenge that we will be living for the next 15 days. This first stage of today, although it is not the hardest, already lets us see a bit of the characteristic toughness of this Path. We start strong. 25 km separate us from our destination today. The route takes us along paths with frequent slopes. We find the steepest climb to get to Escampelo. Then we descend and follow the Nalón river to Peñaflor and finally reach Grado.

Accommodation in Grado.

Difficulty level: easy.

A much more enjoyable journey than the previous one. The route gives us a little respite. With our recharged batteries, we face another day of hiking. The hardest part of today’s stage is almost at the beginning of the day, it is a small climb of +/- 300 meters to Alto de Fresno. Once there, it is worth stopping to visit its sanctuary. After this section, the rest of the kilometers are much easier. We cross the river Narcea towards Cornellana where we are guided again by a river, this time the Nonaya, until we reach Salas.

Accommodation in Salas

Difficulty level: medium.

This is one of the shortest days in terms of kilometers. The difficulty of today is found in the unevenness of the stage. We found the largest one as soon as we leave Salas. We start the climb towards La Espina where we reach almost 700 meters. The rest of the kilometers of the stage pass with smoother although frequent slopes. The maximum difference in altitude we reached today is 800 meters, so once we have passed Alto de la Espina we have almost all the work done. After this, we will go through small towns such as La Pereda or El Pedregal, until finally reaching Tineo.

Accommodation in Tineo.

Difficulty level: medium.

This is not an easy stage, especially because it is one of the longest of the entire route, but the effort is worth it. The ups and downs are still our most faithful companions, but they are joined by beautiful forests, valleys and spectacular mountain landscapes bathed by rivers that make all the effort cost a little less. The first kilometers from Tineo are uphill that later give way to an incipient descent to Campiello. We continue our way to Pola de Allande.

Accommodation in Pola de Allande.

Difficulty level: high.

We have already been walking for several days, we are already made to this terrain and we have understood why this path is reputed to be one of the hardest. Therefore, although today we face the hardest stage of the entire route, we will be able to do it. It is also one of the most beautiful stages, which makes all the effort worth it. We’ve come this far, now we can’t give up. We start facing the most complicated climb of all, the ascent to Puerto del Palo. Once up, the breathtaking views of the Nison Valley are our reward. Having overcome today’s great obstacle, we continue walking the rest of the kilometers until we reach Berducedo.

Accommodation in Berducedo.

Difficulty level: medium.

If the previous stage is known for the ascents, today we have a steep descent to the Dam of the Salime Reservoir. Although we do not have to worry, since it does not present much difficulty. When we have passed this descent and crossed the Navia river, we only have to walk the last kilometers until we reach Grandas de Salime.

Accommodation in Grandas de Salime.

Difficulty level: medium.

We enjoy our last kilometers in Asturias to enter Galicia. We will do it through Alto del Acebo, a long climb, but without major complications. As we change communities, it should be noted that, in Asturias, the scallops mark the path with their narrow part, while in Galicia, although there are also scallops along the path, the route is indicated by yellow arrows. Except the climb, it is a pleasant stage that passes through small towns, rural areas … reaching our destination today, the first in Galicia, A Fonsagrada.

Accommodation in A Fonsagrada.

Difficulty level: medium.

Our first fully stage in Galicia won´t disappoint us. Much of the route passes through dirt tracks, but even so the scenic beauty is enviable. The first part of the route is with few slopes until Montouto, there begins a great descent. But once again the strong point of the stage is a climb. In this case, it is the one that takes us to A Lastra. We continue a little more until we reach O Cádavo.

Accommodation in O Cádavo.

Difficulty level: medium.

We are facing the longest stage of the entire Camino. The main complication is the number of kilometers that await us today. Excluding the descent to Castroverde, it is a fairly flat stage. It is worth stopping to see its 14th century fortress. We pass through numerous villages such as: Souto de Torres, Vilar de Cas, Gondar … but the green landscapes typical of Galicia always accompany us. At the end of our stage we arrive in Lugo, a city that preserves important remains of its Roman past. It is worth highlighting its wall, declared a World Heritage Site, the Thermal Baths and the Roman Bridge. In addition, this city offers a great gastronomic variety where you can enjoy its tapas and wines.

Accommodation in Lugo.

Difficulty level: easy.

Part of the route runs on local roads, if not on paved paths. The hardest part is the number of kilometers we have to cover today, but the height differences are practically zero.

Accommodation in A Ponte de Ferreira.

Difficulty level: easy.

A stage with strong rural character and with some bumps in the terrain. This stage leads us to Melide, the geographic center of Galicia and the point where we connect to the Camino Francés. We recommend the “Vía Romana” which is a little shorter than the traditional one.

Accommodation in Melide.

Difficulty level: easy.

We leave the province of Lugo and walk to the province of A Coruña. Again, there are a few kilometers to cover so that we can enjoy some of the enchanting towns along the way like Boente and Castañeda until we reach Arzua, famous for the cheese made there.

Accommodation in Arzua.

Difficulty level: easy.

A short and quiet stage to process everything that was experienced during the Camino before arriving in Santiago the next day.

Accommodation in O Pedrouzo

Difficulty level: easy.

Excitement and strange sensations alternate. It is the last stage. We recommend that you start hiking early to take part in the pilgrimage, which is celebrated at 12:00 p.m. First we reach Lavacolla and then climb Monte do Gozo, where we can catch a glimpse of the long-awaited cathedral from a distance. Finally the “Plaza del Obradoiro” and the well deserved personal satisfaction to have achieved the goal.

See you soon & Buen Camino!