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Duration?
18-day Camino Primitivo Walking Holiday
style :
Level :
Duration :
18 days
Comfort :
period:
Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct
Code:
ESSW013
Walking Pilgrimage
price in double room from: € 1.779
18-day Camino Primitivo Walking Holiday

18-day Camino Primitivo Walking Holiday

Self-guided Camino de Santiago walking tour

  • The first and original Way of Saint James
  • Get the real pilgrim feeling completely off the beaten track
  • Authentic villages with intimate testimonies of true devotion
  • Vast and impressive landscapes, green and lush throughout the year
  • Receive the Compostela certification in Santiago de Compostela
read more >>
Camino Primitivo map
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ROUTE

Start: Oviedo         Finish: Santiago de Compostela

Day 1: Arrival in Oviedo
Day 2: From Oviedo to Grado & transfer to Sama de Grado (26 km / 16 mi)
Day 3: From Grado to Salas (22.5 km / 14 mi)
Day 4: From Salas to Tineo (20 km / 12,5 mi)
Day 5: From Tineo to Campiello (14 km / 8,5 mi)
Day 6: From Borres to Berducedo (18 km - 22 km / 11 - 13,5 mi)
Day 7: From Berducedo to Grandas de Salime (15 km / 9,5 mi)
Day 8: Rest day or Camino from Lake Grandas to Castro (5 km / 3 mi)
Day 9: From Grandas de Salime to Castro – Fonsagrada (20-25 km / 12,5-15,5mi)
Day 10: From Fonsagrada to Paradavella & transfer to Fonsagrada (15 km/ 9,5 mi)
Day 11: From Paradavella to Castroverde (20 km / 12,5 mi)
Day 12: From Castroverde to Lugo (22 km / 13,5 mi)
Day 13: From Lugo to Ferreira (26.5 km / 16,5 mi)
Day 14: From Ferreira to Melide (20 km / 12,5 mi)
Day 15: From Melide to Arzúa (14 km / 8,5 mi)
Day 16: From Arzúa to A Rua (18 km / 11 mi)
Day 17: From A Rua to Santiago de Compostela (21 km / 13 mi)
Day 18: End of the Camino - Return home

Day 1:    Arrival in Oviedo

Visit of the Gothic Cathedral devoted to San Salvador, an important Saint for pilgrims going to Santiago. Enjoy the lively atmosphere in the old town centre with plenty of cafés, restaurants, bodegas and cider houses, just around the corner from your comfortable city hotel****.

Day 2:    From Oviedo to Grado & transfer to Sama de Grado (26 km / 16 mi)

We 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 us past quiet villages, some of which still have pilgrims’ hostels and historic inns. From Puerma we continue along the main road, to Grado. From there, short transfer to our charming rural hotel*** in Sama de Grado.

Challenge: 7 hrs, 26 km / 16 mi, 250 m ascent, 375 m descent

Day 3:    From Grado to Salas (22.5 km / 14 mi)

The first part of the route from Grado to Salas follows narrow trails and country roads through hilly countryside directly to Cornellana Monastery. Founded in 1024, this centre was of great religious and political importance throughout the early history of the Christian kingdom in Asturias. For the second part of today’s route, from Cornellana to Salas, we’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.

Challenge: 7 hrs, 22.5 km / 14 mi, 425 m ascent, 350 m descent

Day 4:    From Salas to Tineo (20 km / 12,5 mi)

After a short ascent through beautiful terrain in the fields outside Salas, you again follow the main road for about 5 km / 3 mi (in ascent) then definitely leave it behind in La Espina. The next section on the way to Tineo takes you through quiet woodlands and fields, with very little tarmac just quiet country tracks! In Tineo’s historical centre you will find your accommodation 

Challenge: 6 - 6.5 hrs, 20 km / 12 mi, 575 m ascent, 300 m descent

Day 5:    From Tineo to Campiello (14 km / 8,5 mi)

After a hearty breakfast in Tineo you will walk through woodlands to reach the peaceful setting at 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 

Challenge: 5 hrs, 14 km / 8,5 mi, 300 m ascent, 340 m descent.

Day 6:    From Borres to Berducedo (18 km - 22 km / 11 - 13,5 mi)

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 called “Puerto El Palo”. From there you’ll continue for another 9.5 km - mainly on the road - to reach your hostel in Berducedo.

Challenge: 7 / 8.5 hrs, 18 km - 22 km / 11 - 13,5 mi, 520 / 620 m ascent and 450 m descent

Day 7:    From Berducedo to Grandas de Salime (15 km / 9,5 mi)

From the tiny village of Berducedo, the Camino first makes an ascent up to the windmills above La Mesa , then it does 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 follow the tarmac road across the dam and up to your hotel in Grandas de Salime

Challenge: 6.5 hrs, 15 km / 9,5 mi, 330 m ascent, 970 m descent.

Day 8:    Rest day or Camino from Lake Grandas to Castro (5 km / 3 mi)

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 (swimming cap required) 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. 

Challenge: 2.5 hrs, 5 km / 3 mi, 300 m ascent, 20 m descent.

Day 9:    From Grandas de Salime to Castro – Fonsagrada (20-25 km / 12,5-15,5mi)

The taxi drops you of at Castro to continue your pilgrims’ tour with a section which more or less follows the main road to Puerto El Acebo (1165 m), gateway to the province of Galicia. You 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. You can also walk the whole tour from Grandas de Salime, which adds 5 km to the day.

Challenge: 5 / 6 hrs, 20 - 25 km / 12,5 - 15,5mi, 370 / 530 m ascent, 175 / 225 m descent.

Day 10:    From Fonsagrada to Paradavella & transfer to Fonsagrada (15 km/ 9,5 mi)

From Fonsagrada we first descend to the village of Proba de Burón, to pick up the oldest Camino Primitivo trail, a high route across green pastures and fields of heather on the way to the ruins at Hospital de Montouto (another pilgrims’ hospital of ancient origin). After an easy descent to Paradavella, a taxi drives you back to Fonsagrada, as there is no other suitable accommodation nearby.

Challenge: 4.5 hrs, 15 km / 9,5 mi, 400 m ascent, 650 m descent.

Day 11:    From Paradavella to Castroverde (20 km / 12,5 mi)

After a taxi transfer to Paradavella (or a bit further), 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. 

Challenge: 6 hrs, 20 km / 12,5 mi, 400 m ascent, 475 descent.

Day 12:    From Castroverde to Lugo (22 km / 13,5 mi)

Today, we really enjoy the beauty of Galician countryside, as we walk on quiet tarmac lanes and dirt tracks from one hamlet to the next, passing gorgeous examples of traditional architecture until you walk directly up to your modern hotel*** in the heart of Lugo’s historical centre, just 100 m from the splendid Roman walls, a UNESCO World heritage site.

Challenge: 6 hrs, 22 km / 13,5 mi, 150 m ascent, 250 m descent.

Day 13:    From Lugo to Ferreira (26.5 km / 16,5 mi)

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 first 20 km / 12,5 mi until O Burgo are practically paved and but mainly uphill, but don't worry because it is quite easy to hire a taxi in Lugo to shorten this stage! 

Challenge: maximum 8 hrs, 26.5 km / 12,5 mi, 200 m ascent and descent.

Day 14:    From Ferreira to Melide (20 km / 12,5 mi)

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 until Monte da Feira. Once there, the route will be a piece of cake until Melide!

Challenge: 5 hrs, 20 km / 12,5 mi, 280 m ascent, 350 m descent.

Day 15:    From Melide to Arzúa (14 km / 8,5 mi)

Today you begin walking directly from 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.

Challenge: 4 hrs, 14 km / 8,5 mi, 150 m ascent, 200 m descent.

Day 16:    From Arzúa to A Rua (18 km / 11 mi)

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.

Challenge: 4 hrs, 18 km, 150 m ascent, 200 m descent.

Day 17:    From A Rua to Santiago de Compostela (21 km / 13 mi)

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 face and feet before presenting themselves before the Saint at the Cathedral on Plaza del Obradoiro.

Challenge: 5 hrs, 21 km / 13 mi, 350 m ascent and descent.

Day 18:    End of the Camino - Return home

After today's breakfast your Camino Primitivo comes to an end. Time to return home with all the experiences this pilgrimage has provided you with along this tour!

STANDARD HOTELS

A selection of different accommodations, ranging from traditional village hotels (2 nights), rural guesthouses (2 nights), charming and comfortable rural hotels (7 nights) to 3- and 4-star city hotels (5 nights), rooms with en-suite bathroom

Hotel Campoamor-Oviedo eu
Hotel Campoamor (Oviedo)

Recently renovated hotel, located in the very centre of Oviedo, in front of the Campoamor theatre and close to Gascona street, a very lively street with many typical cider houses. With comfortable, quiet and spacious rooms.

Hotel Rural Casa de la Veiga-Sama de Grado
Hotel Rural Casa de la Veiga (Sama de Grado)

Hotel built on the basis of a former Asturian manor house, preserving the landmarks and the traditional architecture from the area. Spacious and bright rooms, completely equipped and with wonderful views to  the valley.

www.casadelaveiga.com

Hotel Casa Sueño (Salas)
Hotel Casa Sueño (Salas)

We are Patri and Xavi, two pilgrims who one day joined our steps, fell in love, and decided to live our dream in the Primitive Way of St James, in the very heart of Asturias.

www.casasueno.es

Hotel Palacio de Meras-Tineo
Hotel Palacio de Meras (Tineo)

Located in the centre of the town of Tineo, this hotel is in the former Palace of Merás (from 1525)  and is one of the architectonical examples of the civil palace architecture from the 16th century in Asturias. With spacious rooms in which every detail has been taken care of.

www.palaciodemeras.com

Casa Herminia (Campiello)
Casa Herminia (Campiello)

Located in  a crossroads and former stop for the Vaqueiros de Alzada, mule drivers, traders, scribers, notaries and, especially, pilgrims on their journey to Santiago. These people would gather in this inn which dates from the 17th century. Our facilities have been recently renovated and modernized.

www.casaherminiatineo.com

Casa de Aldea Araceli (Berducedo)
Casa de Aldea Araceli (Berducedo)

Old stone house renovated in 2019 maintaining its original structure, including the old oven where bread was baked, now converted into a bathroom in one of our rooms.

 www.casadealdeaaraceli.com

Hotel  Las Grandas-Grandas de Salime
Hotel Las Grandas (Grandas de Salime)

Magical place for its location, a place to enjoy the natural surroundings and the lake views. With comfortable and spacious rooms. It also has a nice restaurant that offers local dishes and a terrace overlooking the lake.

www.lasgrandashotel.com

Hostal Cantábrico-Fonsagrada
Hostal Cantábrico (Fontsagrada)

Strategically located in the centre of A Fonsagrada, near the church and the Sacred Fountain. The basic services in town are quite close; restaurants, bars, supermarkets, pharmacy,  taxi, etc...

www.cantabricofonsagrada.com

Casa Rural Longarela-Castroverde
Casa Rural Longarela (Castroverde)

Restored old manor house in which the traditional architecture has been very well preserved, with a property of 70,000 m2  and surrounded by native trees. It has 10 beautiful rooms decorated in atraditional style and some common areas such as several lounges, outdoor terraces and a dinning room.

www.longarelacasarural.com

Hotel Pazo de Orbán (Lugo)
Hotel Pazo de Orbán (Lugo)

This Monumental Hotel offers the quietness and tranquility of an 18th century baroque palace, combining the initmate style and the traditional decoration with the services and amenities of a 4 star modern hotel.

www.pazodeorban.es

Casa da Ponte
Casa da Ponte (Ferreira)

Old farmhouse built at the beginning of the 20th century and restored to dedicate it to rural tourism, starting this activity in 1995. It has a washing machine, dryer and offers the service of stamping credentials for the Camino passport.

www.casadaponteferreira.com

Hotel A Lúa do Camiño (Melide)
Hotel A Lúa do Camiño (Melide)

Right on the Camino. Featuring a seasonal outdoor pool, A Lúa do Camiño offers a welcoming accomodation in Melide. The rooms have a nice and bright decoration, some feature views of the pool or garden, and there is a shared lounge at the property.

www.aluadocamino.com

Pazo de Santa María-Arzúa
Pazo de Santa María (Arzúa)

A historical hotel created in the mid-18th century (founded in 1742). An oasis of tranquility and a welcoming place, ideal to enjoy some relax with family or friends. From here, charged with energy, we can step out to walk the last stages of the Camino de Santiago.

www.pazosantamaria.com

O Acivro
O Acivro (A Rua)

This ancient farmer´s house is today a rural guest house, with several rooms and some apartments . They feature a lareira to sit by and get warm on the cool days and an outdoor swimming pool and garden for the sunny summer days. Their restaurant offers good quality and typical dishes from the area.

Hotel Bonaval (Santiago de Compostela)
Hotel Bonaval (Santiago de Compostela)

Modern and elegant hotel, overlooking the towers of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela and next to the Bonaval park. It is located in a very quiet area and a step away from the historic center and the area with atmosphere and a wide range of restaurants.

www.hotel-alda-bonaval-santiago.es

PRACTICAL INFO

This trip can also be split into 2:

  • From Oviedo to Fonsagrada (9 days)

  • From Fonsagrada to Santiago de Compostela (9 days)

 

You can start on any day of the week, subject to availability, between April and October.

Arrival in Oviedo
If you are flying to Asturias airport-Ranon (OVD), there’s a regular shuttle bus service to Oviedo city centre. Departures every hour on the hour. Travel time is 45min.
If you are flying to another airport (Santander-SDR, Bilbao-BIO or Valladolid-VLL), there are good bus connections to Oviedo from those cities. For timetables and reservations, go to www.alsa.es

Departure from Santiago de Compostela 
If you’re travelling back to Asturias airport (OVD), Santander (SDR) or Bilbao (BIO), there’s a morning bus from Santiago that takes you to Oviedo, Santander or Bilbao. The trip to Oviedo takes about 8h30min, to Santander 9h30min and to Bilbao 11h30min.

Bus tickets can be booked online at www.alsa.es 

Direct taxi transfers can be booked in advance through S-cape Travel. Prices on request.

GPS tracks are available on request.

INCLUDED

Included

  • 17 nights' accommodation with breakfast 
  • 10 dinners
  • Luggage transport (1 piece per person, max. 18 kg)
  • Transfers as described in program (except optional taxi on day 8)
  • Digital detailed route notes and maps in English
  • Access to the trip on GUIBO
  • Pilgrim passport
  • 24-hour telephone assistance

*During high season, it must be left everyday by 8:00 hrs although you leave later

Not included

  • 6 dinners
  • Pack lunches
  • Optional taxi transfer on Day 8
  • Transfers at the beginning and end of the tour to/from first and last accommodation.

Extras

  • Single Room Supplement(s)
  • Solo Traveller Supplement
  • Extra nights can be booked in every accommodation included in the trip. We recommend the rural hotels in Sama de Grado, Tineo, Castroverde, Palas del Rei and Arzúa.
  • Extra night in Santiago de Compostela
  • Shipment of printed documents to the first accommodation
REVIEWS

25-05-2019

"This was our third inn to inn independent hiking trip with S-cape. We have enjoyed all three. What we soon learned is that there are many companies that offer the same basic itinerary. What we have found is that S-cape's offerings are more reasonably priced and in addition in many cases S-cape's lodgings are better. I am sure we will be taking another trip with S-cape in the near future"

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