Trace the footsteps of King Alfonso II on the oldest pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela.
From the Asturian mountains to the Galician forests, each stage tells a story of devotion and nature.
The starting point of the Camino Primitivo. Oviedo, the capital of Asturias, is home to the stunning cathedral of San Salvador, where pilgrims have begun their journey for over a thousand years. Explore its pre-Romanesque churches, vibrant cider culture, and welcoming old town before setting off on the Way.
You set off from the Cathedral of Oviedo, leaving the city behind to immerse yourself in the green Asturian countryside. After passing through the town of Grado, you can tackle a tough final climb to rest in the peaceful setting of San Xuan de Villapañada.
A constant up-and-down terrain through dense forests and quiet rural trails. Halfway along the route, you are welcomed by the imposing Monastery of Cornellana, a key stop to gather your strength before finishing the day in the medieval streets of Salas.
A demanding initial climb to reach the La Espina pass. From there, your effort is rewarded with a comfortable route through wooded trails and peaceful villages until reaching the spectacular panoramic views of Tineo.
Comfortable terrain before the big challenge. After passing Campiello and Borres, we recommend making a final push to Colinas de Arriba to gain altitude and an advantage before tackling the mythical Hospitales Route
A safer and less demanding alternative to Hospitales. It avoids the high mountains in bad weather, guiding you instead through beautiful native forests before descending into the Pola de Allande valley.
The classic Hospitales route — the highest and most spectacular section of the entire Camino Primitivo. This exposed mountain ridge at over 1,000 meters offers breathtaking panoramic views, but demands caution in bad weather. When conditions are poor, pilgrims should take the alternative Stage 5B via Berducedo instead.
The lower valley alternative to the Hospitales route, recommended when weather conditions make the mountain ridge unsafe. The trail follows a gentler path through the village of Berducedo, passing farmland, chestnut forests, and traditional Asturian hamlets. While less dramatic than the Hospitales, this route offers its own quiet charm and reliable shelter options along the way.
A unique alternative to the classic Stage 6 that crosses the Grandas de Salime reservoir by boat (lancha). Instead of walking the hilly trail, pilgrims descend to the reservoir and take a motorboat across, offering spectacular views of the dam and surrounding mountains from the water. This is the recommended option for a memorable and less physically demanding experience.
The classic walking route — a shorter but still hilly stage that descends toward the impressive Salime reservoir. The trail passes through tiny villages that seem frozen in time and offers views of the massive hydroelectric dam before reaching Grandas de Salime, a welcoming town with an excellent ethnographic museum. When available, consider taking the alternative Stage 6A via the reservoir boat for a unique experience.
Crossing from Asturias into Galicia, this stage marks a turning point on the Primitivo. The trail climbs over the Acebo pass, the border between the two regions, and descends into the green Galician landscape. A Fonsagrada is the first major Galician town on the route.
A gentler stage through the Galician interior, passing dairy farms, eucalyptus groves, and ancient stone hamlets. The terrain gradually flattens as the route approaches the Lugo plateau. O Cádavo Baleira offers basic but reliable pilgrim services.
A long but largely flat stage that ends in the magnificent walled city of Lugo. The Roman walls, a UNESCO World Heritage site, encircle the entire old town and are the best-preserved in the world. The cathedral and tapas scene make Lugo a highlight of the Primitivo.
Leaving Lugo through its Roman gate, this stage follows quiet country lanes and forest tracks through gentle Galician countryside. The pace slows down as the route meanders through small parishes and oak woodlands toward the tiny village of San Romao da Retorta.
In Melide, our Way meets the French Route. Join pilgrims from around the world for your final steps to Plaza del Obradoiro.
A short and easy stage shared with the Camino Francés. The trail winds through eucalyptus forests and small villages, giving pilgrims time to rest their legs before the final push. Arzúa is known for its creamy local cheese, Queso de Arzúa-Ulloa.
Etapa suave y sombreada entre bosques. Disfrutando de un perfil llano y cómodo. Es la parada estratégica final para preparar tu entrada triunfal en Santiago.
La última etapa es larga pero cargada de emoción. El camino cruza las últimas colinas gallegas y pasa por O Pedrouzo antes de la aproximación final a Santiago. Llegar a la Praza do Obradoiro y ver la catedral por primera vez es un momento inolvidable que corona el Camino Primitivo.