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Attention: Route not available for walking between November 1 and January 15, 2025

The Primitive Way starts in the Asturian capital of Oviedo and enters Galicia from the mountains of Lugo. This is the oldest route of the Camino de Santiago, which still retains the essence of the first pilgrimages. A solitary and extremely demanding journey due to its steep slopes, but which pleasantly rewards pilgrims with an endless number of silent landscapes rooted in the deepest rural traditions.

The Primitive Way joins the French Way in Melide, a village famous for its delicious octopus á feira. At this point you will notice a considerable increase in the number of walkers who will accompany you for the next three stages to Santiago de Compostela.

 

Precio
From
655€

Private hostels

655 €

Hostels and pensions

1095 €
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Map of the Camino

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Stages of the Camino Primitivo from Oviedo to Santiago de Compostela

The beautiful old town of Oviedo will transport you to the Asturian Middle Ages. It is a small city, designed for the enjoyment of the pedestrian, thanks to its pedestrian streets in which every corner holds a special charm. You can’t start your Primitive Way without visiting the Cathedral of San Salvador, the Fontán market and getting lost in its squares, tasting cider in its many tascas and chigres (cider bars).

Today you will take as a starting point the Cathedral of San Salvador de Oviedo to leave the city. The road runs through a typical rural landscape of Asturias along the river Nalon. Vegas, hills, streams, meadows, towns and villages where it seems that time has not passed. A perfect day to get to know the traditional rural life of the area.

In Grado, if you are lucky enough to visit the town on a Wednesday or Sunday, you can enjoy the great atmosphere of its famous market. In addition, its historic quarter contains important architectural constructions from the 18th and 19th centuries, and its characteristic Indian houses that bear witness to the emigrant past of the area.

It is an area of great Jacobean tradition as it is located at the crossroads of the inland route to the coast. In Freisnu you will find a sanctuary of great devotion in the region. During the stage you will be able to contemplate magnificent examples of Asturian mansions and palaces, as well as the typical hórreos (raised granaries) of the area. The small village of Salas, the end of the stage, stands out for having a very important monumental heritage where numerous remains of the Neolithic and Bronze Age burial mounds were found.

In this section the Primitive Way from Oviedo to Lugo enters a vaqueira area full of large houses, quintanas, water mills, crossroads and old hermitages that remind us of the religiosity of other times. The first part of the section is a continuous ascent to La Espina, where wooded areas predominate to give way, at the end, to spectacular views of the town of Tineo. The richness of this village is concentrated in its oak and beech forests, centenary trees, legends and paths that lead to Santiago are some of the jewels that the municipality preserves.

In this stage you will cross mountain ranges and foothills in a stretch full of ascents and descents in which you will enter the deepest Asturias. The tranquility and solitude of the Camino, together with the mid-mountain landscape full of farmhouses and villages will interrupt your walk and encourage you to stop and contemplate the surroundings.

This is the queen stage of the Primitive Way from Oviedo to Lugo as it is the one that requires the most physical effort, but everything will be rewarded as it is one of the most beautiful. The ascent to Puerto del Palo can be done by road or by a dirt road. After reaching the top you will reach the abandoned village of Montefurado, from where it is worth stopping to contemplate the scenic spectacle in front of you.

After yesterday’s tough stage, today a downhill ride to the Grandas de Salime reservoir awaits you. As for the obstacle of the reservoir, if you don’t have the chance to cross it by boat, you will have to turn off before the last stretch of the descent and head towards Murias along a track.

Once in Grandas, a visit to the ethnographic museum is a must, located in the old rectory house, of great interest and permanently evolving, and the church of San Salvador.

The stage begins in Grandas de Salime, the last stretch of the Primitive Way from Oviedo to Lugo, following the road all the time, which alternates with some paths and dirt tracks, all of them well signposted. On the way up to the Puerto del Acebo you will find the village of Bustelo del Camín, the last Asturian village before reaching the 1,300 metres of the pass. The Autonomous Community of Galicia begins just as you start to descend from the Alto de O Acevo. You will find yourself in the middle of a large wind farm after which a continuous and gentle descent awaits you. It will not be difficult to deduce that you are in front of pure and hard mountain in which the high landscape value and the small population centres stand out.

This stage is characterized by its toughness, but it will be greatly rewarded by the views and the paths surrounded by extensive centenary forests. The descent from the Hospital de Montouto will put our knees to the test, as well as the successive slides we will have to go through to reach O Cádavo, in the province of Lugo.

In spite of being a long stage, it becomes bearable when the slopes are finally finished. You will walk along wide paths that go in and out of dense forests with native Galician vegetation. At the gates of Lugo, you will come across the village of Nadela, which would go unnoticed if it weren’t for the interesting cross on the edge of the Camino, which tradition has made it a place for pilgrims to stop and take a photo.

You will start from Lugo with a stage that continues to show us more about the legacy of the Roman Empire in the peninsula. The main landmark of this stage will be the church of Santa Eulalia de Bóveda. The origin of this church goes back and links to an ancient Roman temple dedicated to the goddess Cybele. To visit it we will have to deviate a few kilometers from the Camino, but we assure you that it will be well worth it.

Afterwards, the end of the stage will be in Ponte Ferreira, a village belonging to the municipality of Palas de Rei. The most characteristic feature of Ponte Ferreira is its Roman bridge and its idyllic natural environment. For Lord of the Rings fans, it’s almost, almost reminiscent of Hobbiton.

This stage will start as the previous one ended, with no gradients for several kilometres. When you reach the O Careón mountain range, you will have to climb a steep slope that will bring you close to numerous windmills. Then the Camino descends towards Melide along a dirt track with beautiful views and passes in front of an impressive hórreo (granary).

Melide, capital of the Galician octopus, is a great end of stage. In any of its many pulperías you will be able to taste some good portions of octopus, a delicacy of Galician gastronomy. You will also have the opportunity to see the oldest cruceiro in Galicia; and between one and a thousand heritage monuments, you can visit the Museo da Terra de Melide, whose building was an old pilgrims’ hospital founded in 1502.

From this stage the Primitive Way joins the French Way, so you will find a considerable increase in the number of pilgrims. Enjoy the last kilometers to Santiago de Compostela sharing experiences with other walkers.

Today you will say goodbye to Melide with a short stage ahead of you, although with some moderate slopes. However, we assure you that the effort will be worth it as you will find yourself surrounded by extraordinary Atlantic forests. And if the weather is good, you can’t forget your swimsuit. When you arrive at Ribadiso de Abaixo, you will have the opportunity to bathe in the river and enjoy the beautiful scenery and magical surroundings that accompany this small village.

Once in Arzúa you will have all the services to stock up and rest. Ah! And you cannot leave without tasting the typical cheese to which they give their name: Denomination of Origin Arzúa-Ulloa; accompanied by other typical products of the area.

Today begins the penultimate stage of your Camino Primitivo from Oviedo. A pleasant walk through comfortable and flat terrain, with plenty of bars and restaurants that will encourage you to take it easy. Probably, as you walk, you will notice and realize that a kind of collective emotion begins to exist among the pilgrims. Do you feel it too?

The feeling of excitement, nerves and joy is the most characteristic of the end of the stage in O Pedrouzo. The advice, and you will see that everyone does the same, is to go to bed early to get up early the next day and start the stage very early. This way you will arrive earlier to Santiago and you will have more time in the city.

At last the last stage of your journey is here. As we said before, the sooner you start walking today the better, because the sooner you will get to Santiago de Compostela.

Once you arrive at Monte do Gozo, you will discover that pleasant sensation when you first see the towers of the cathedral. A perfect panoramic view before savouring your last kilometres and making the triumphal entrance to the Plaza del Obradoiro.

You are in Santiago! Feel happy and proud to have completed your Camino Primitivo. Now you just need to pick up your Compostela certificate and enjoy an incredible day getting to know the Galician capital.

And so much for your Camino Primitivo from Oviedo to Lugo! Remember that you can add as many extra nights as you wish to get to know the city of Lugo in depth. Are you still hungry for more? Only 5 stages separate you from Santiago de Compostela, it will be worth adding a few more days to your trip and live the experience of arriving at the Plaza del Obradoiro having completed the entire Primitive Way!

Camino Primitivo from Oviedo to Santiago de Compostela, Accommodation prices

Private hostels

655 €

Hostels and pensions

1095 €

Types of accommodations

Habitación del Castillo De Valdés
Habitación doble de hotel
Habitación de hotel
Habitación del HOSTAL BRIOS

In hotels, guesthouses and rural houses from Oviedo

Due to the fact that some towns along this route have little variety of accommodation, we have selected the best establishments available for you to have an incredible experience on your Camino de Santiago. You will combine the rest in small and cosy pensions with rural houses and lodgings of superior category, always looking for the best quality and location.
Dormitorio compartido de albergue privado
Dormitorio compartido de albergue privado
Dormitorio del Albergue Turístico Valle del Nonaya
Dormitorio compartido del Complejo O Piñeiral

In private hostels from Oviedo

Hostels are the perfect option if you are travelling alone, have a low budget or want to live the Camino de Santiago experience to the fullest. The ideal accommodation to meet other pilgrims, live together and experience all the values of this magical journey. They have mixed rooms organized in bunk beds, bathrooms separated by sexes, equipped kitchens, laundry and common areas where you can relax and enjoy unforgettable evenings with your travel companions.

Details of the Camino Primitivo from Oviedo to Santiago de Compostela

Services included

Camino Primitivo from Oviedo to Santiago de CompostelaCamino Primitivo from Oviedo to Santiago de Compostela
Luggage transfer during the stagesLuggage transfer during the stages
Complete documentationComplete documentation
Pilgrim’s CredentialPilgrim’s Credential
Travel insuranceTravel insurance
On-the-road emergency telephone assistanceOn-the-road emergency telephone assistance
Route not available from 1/11 to 1/15, 2025Route not available from 1/11 to 1/15, 2025

Optional Services

ServiceIn private hostels from OviedoIn hotels, guesthouses and rural houses from Oviedo
BreakfastBreakfastNot available143€ per person
MP (Breakfast and dinner)MP (Breakfast and dinner)Not available380€ per person
Supplement for single roomSupplement for single roomNot available390€ per single room
Extra nightExtra night28€ per person75€ (single room) / 150€ (double room)
Breakfast Breakfast
In private hostels from Oviedo Not available
In hotels, guesthouses and rural houses from Oviedo 143€ per person
MP (Breakfast and dinner) MP (Breakfast and dinner)
In private hostels from Oviedo Not available
In hotels, guesthouses and rural houses from Oviedo 380€ per person
Supplement for single room Supplement for single room
In private hostels from Oviedo Not available
In hotels, guesthouses and rural houses from Oviedo 390€ per single room
Extra night Extra night
In private hostels from Oviedo 28€ per person
In hotels, guesthouses and rural houses from Oviedo 75€ (single room) / 150€ (double room)

Photos

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Frequently Asked Questions

In this modality you will do the Camino de Santiago at your own pace and you will only have to worry about choosing the route you like the most, the type of accommodation and your departure date. If you choose this option you will travel alone or with the people that appear in your reservation, and you will have all the services included so that you only have to worry about walking and enjoying the experience.

The Camino de Santiago on your own includes the following services

  • Accommodation
  • Luggage transport
  • Dossier with information about the stages
  • Pilgrim's credential
  • On-the-road helpline
  • Travel insurance

In addition, you can customize your trip by adding the following optional services

  • Breakfast or half board
  • Private transfers to the start of the stage from Santiago de Compostela or from the airport.
  • Extra night at the beginning or end of the stage

Yes, you will have total freedom to choose your departure date. However, if you want to do your Camino de Santiago in the months of December, January and February, we recommend that you check availability before making your reservation. At this time of year most accommodation is closed and many services may not be available.

In your travel documents, you will find the names of the accommodations assigned to you, as well as their contact telephone number and location.   As a general rule, all accommodation are located in the centre of the different towns along the Pilgrims' Route to Santiago de Compostela, without the need to deviate too far from the route. But sometimes, due to lack of availability, it is possible that some accommodation may be a little far from the village or even in neighbouring towns.   For all the accommodations that are at a considerable distance from the route of the Camino, we will provide you with a free taxi service that you can use to get to your accommodation and return to the Camino the next morning.   In any case, these are exceptions that we will inform you at the time of booking.

Luggage transport service by default is included in all our trips and it is not necessary to request it. You can enjoy the Camino de Santiago without the burden of carrying your luggage on your back, knowing that your suitcase will be waiting for you at your next accommodation upon your arrival. Along with your credential, you'll also receive stickers. Cover these stickers with the requested information and stick them in a visible place on your suitcase. Upon arrival at your accommodation, we suggest asking at the reception where you can leave your luggage. You'll need to leave your luggage at the designated spot early in the morning for our carrier to pick it up. This ensures that when you arrive at your next accommodation, your luggage will already be waiting for you.

We have a taxi service that you can hire whenever you need it. You can hire it, for example, to go from the airport to the start of your Camino, or to go from Santiago to your starting point to pick up your car once you finish the stage.

It is the guarantee that you can enjoy your Camino in a safe way. In our trips you already have an insurance included with your trip to be protected during the Camino de Santiago. We will send you the insurance policy along with all the documentation of your trip, so you will have everything you need to enjoy the Camino with peace of mind. Walk without worries!

The basic travel insurance included in our packages offers extensive coverage against unforeseen events, ensuring you'll receive guaranteed medical assistance and numerous benefits. You can review the specifics in the General Conditions of Travel Insurance.

In your travel documents, you'll find an emergency telephone number where we're accessible while you're on the road. This ensures you'll journey with peace of mind, knowin our team members will assist you with any problems, incidents, or questions you encounter along your Camino de Santiago.

To make a reservation, you can follow these steps:
  • Through our website: Select the route you want and follow the steps indicated in the form. Provide your personal information and that of your companions, choose the type of accommodation, room distribution, meals, transfers, bike rental, etc.
  • By email: If you prefer to make the reservation by email or need a personalized trip, you can send us an email to info@viajecaminodesantiago.com. We will provide you with the necessary information to complete the reservation via email.
IMPORTANT: If the routes or services on the website do not meet your specific needs, you can request a personalized quote tailored to what you are looking for by sending an email to info@viajescaminodesantiago.com. If you have any questions or issues when making your reservation, please contact us at (0034) 981 96 68 46, and we will be happy to assist you.
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