Camino Primitivo

Distance: 23 km | Ascent: 250 m | Descent: 375 m | 6½ hrs approx

On your first walking day, you follow the Jacobean copper shells through narrow lanes in the city centre, then out into the green Asturian countryside. Tarmac lanes and old footpaths take you past quiet villages, some of which still have pilgrims’ hostels and historic inns. From Puerma, you continue along the main road to Grado. A short transfer from there will take you to your charming rural hotel*** in Sama de Grado.

Overnight: Hotel Rural Casa de la Veiga

Distance: 21 km | Ascent: 425 m | Descent: 350 m | 6 hrs approx

The first part of the route from Grado to Salas follows narrow trails and country roads through hilly countryside to Cornellana Monastery. Founded in 1024, this was a centre of great religious and political importance throughout the early history of the Christian kingdom of Asturias. For the second part of today’s route, from Cornellana to Salas, you’ll have to take a few detours, as the motorway is still under construction here. Your Hotel*** in Salas is located in the historical town centre, right next to the castle and museum for Pre-Romanesque architecture.

Overnight: Hotel Castillo Valdés

Distance: 20 km | Ascent: 575 m | Descent: 300 m | 6 hrs approx

After a short ascent through beautiful rural countryside outside Salas, you again follow the main road for about 5km (in ascent) as far as La Espina. The next section on the way to Tineo takes you through woodlands and fields, along quiet and peaceful country tracks. In Tineo’s historical centre you will find your accommodation

Overnight: Hotel Palacio de Meras

Distance: 18 km | Ascent: 500 m | Descent: 300 m | 6 hrs approx

After a hearty breakfast in Tineo you will walk through woodlands once more to reach the peaceful setting of Obona, with its historic Monasterio de Santa María la Real. Then you continue on to Campiello and your next accommodation, a welcoming family-run establishment

Overnight: Casa Herminia

Distance: 18-22 km | Ascent: 520-615 m | Descent: 450 m | 7-8½ hrs approx

The taxi driver will take you to Borres to begin your walk along the original high route, or “ruta de los hospitales”, crossing steep slopes to reach Puerto el Palo. Several pilgrims’ hospitals were built here centuries ago – on either side of the mountain pass – due to the extreme weather conditions in winter. You will enjoy superb views on your way up to the highest point, the pass of “Puerto El Palo”. From there you’ll continue for another 9,5km – mainly on the road – to reach your hostel in Berducedo.

Overnight: Casa de Aldea Araceli

Distance: 15 km | Ascent: 330 m | Descent: 970 m | 6 hrs approx

From the tiny village of Berducedo, the Camino first ascends up to the windmills above La Mesa, before a steep descent down to Lake Salime. You’ll enjoy superb views for the first 5 km, then the lovely shade of chestnut trees as you walk down to meet the road. The last 2,5 km follows the tarmac road across the dam and up to your hotel in Grandas de Salime

Overnight: Hotel Las Grandas

Distance: 5 km | Ascent: 310 m | Descent: 20 m | 2½ hrs approx

After your first week on the pilgrimage, you may wish to take a day off to rest and relax. If you prefer to do a walk today, there are 2 routes to choose from: a short walk to the village of Grandas de Salime, where you can visit the ethnographic museum or take a dive in the local swimming pool OR a 5 km section on the Camino, from Lake Grandas to Castro, where you can visit Chao Sanmartin; an interesting archaeological site of Celtic and Roman origin. You can book a taxi transfer back to the hotel.

Overnight: Hotel Las Grandas

Distance: 20 km | Ascent: 530 m | Descent: 225 m | 6 hrs approx

Begin the day with a short transfer to Castro to continue your pilgrims’ tour with a section which more or less follows the main road to Puerto El Acebo (1165 m), the gateway to the province of Galicia. You will walk mostly on the main road, taking frequent shortcuts, especially on the descent down into Galicia. At the end, there’s one more short ascent to reach the town of Fonsagrada, not a very pretty village but friendly in its own way, with all the major services a pilgrim requires.

Overnight: Hostal Cantábrico

Distance: 14.5 km | Ascent: 400 m | Descent: 650 m | 5 hrs approx

From Fonsagrada you first descend to the village of Póboa de Burón, to pick up the oldest of all Camino Primitivo trails, a high route across green pastures and fields of heather to the ruins at Hospital de Montouto (another pilgrims’ hospital of ancient origin). After an easy descent to Paradavella, a taxi transfer will take you back to Fonsagrada for the night, as there is no other suitable accommodation nearby.

Overnight: Hostal Cantábrico

Distance: 20 km | Ascent: 400 m | Descent: 475 m | 6 hrs approx

After a taxi transfer to Paradavella (or a bit further, if you want to shorten the walk), today’s route mainly follows rural tracks through wooded areas and open fields, with some short sections on the main road. After O Cádavo, you walk through Villabade (interesting church) before finally reaching Castroverde.

Overnight: Casa Rural La Longarela

Distance: 22 km | Ascent: 150 m | Descent: 250 m | 6 hrs approx

Today you can really enjoy the beauty of Galician countryside, as you walk on quiet tarmac lanes and dirt tracks from one hamlet to the next, passing beautiful examples of traditional architecture along the way. Your hotel*** is located in the heart of Lugo’s historical centre, just 100 m from the splendid Roman walls, a UNESCO World heritage site.

Overnight: Hotel Pazo de Orbán

Distance: 26½ km | Ascent: 200 m | Descent: 200 m | 8 hrs approx

From Lugo onward, several Caminos come together to join the main French Route (Camino Francés). Today you have a long walk to reach the next accommodation, situated in Ferreira. The route follows quiet country roads through wooded landscapes. You can easily shorten today’s stage by taking a taxi from Lugo.

Overnight: Casa da Ponte

Distance: 20 km | Ascent: 280 m | Descent: 350 m | 5 hrs approx

Luckily, today’s stage is not as long as yesterday’s. However, the Camino starts and continues uphill until O Requián, and then there is another climb to Monte da Feira. Once there, the route will be a piece of cake until Melide!

Overnight: A Lua do Camiño

Distance: 14 km | Ascent: 150 m | Descent: 200 m | 4 hrs approx

A shorter walking day today, beginning in Melide. You have now joined the French Route, or Camino Francés, which is the most popular of all the Camino variants. Suddenly, you find yourself among a multitude of pilgrims from all over the world, as you follow trails, country roads and footpaths parallel to the main road. Your accommodation for this evening is located just outside the village of Arzúa.

Overnight: Pazo de Santa María

Distance: 19 km | Ascent: 200 m | Descent: 225 m | 5 hrs approx

This section of the Camino is one of the least interesting, as it basically parallels the main road, but there are lots of new friends to make. The excitement shared with fellow pilgrims grows, combined with a weary feeling of having to soon face the end of your pilgrimage! Overnight stay at the best available hotel** with friendly owners.

Overnight: O Acivro

Distance: 20 km | Ascent: 175 m | Descent: 175 m | 5 hrs approx

The last section of your pilgrimage brings you back to modern life as you pass the regional airport, cross the highway, railway track and ring-road around Santiago. Nevertheless, it’s still easy to imagine the sheer joy ancient pilgrims felt when they caught a first glimpse of Santiago and the spires off in the distance. From Monte del Gozo, pilgrims historically make one last stop at the spring in Lavacolla, to wash their face and feet before presenting themselves before the Saint at the Cathedral on Plaza Obradoiro.

Overnight: Hotel Alda Bonaval

Your trip and our services come to an end after breakfast this  morning.