Camino Primitivo: Stage 1 - Oviedo to Santiago de Compostela

Arrive in Oviedo, settle into your accommodation and take time to explore this charming historic city. Stroll through the old town where cobbled streets lead you to remarkable sites such as the San Salvador Cathedral, a stunning blend of Gothic and Baroque design. For a breathtaking view of the city and a glimpse into its rich past, head to Mount Naranco, accessible by bus, to admire pre romanesque buildings and enjoy a panoramic view of the city and its surroundings.

YOUR ACCOMMODATION

To reflect the spirit of the Pilgrimage, we carefully select welcoming, simple accommodation along the route. We offer stays in hotels and guest houses. While these stays may not offer the same level of luxury as our classic Headwater holidays, they provide genuine hospitality and a warm, friendly atmosphere.

You will enjoy private rooms and private bathrooms wherever possible, ensuring a restful night after a full day of walking. On the rare occasions when this cannot be arranged, we will let you know in advance.

Most of the properties we work with are small and family-run, and availability varies depending on how early you book. Full details of your stays will be provided closer to your departure date.

From the first stage all the way to Santiago, you will follow the Camino Primitivo, first walked in the 9th century by King Alfonso II. Along the way you'll pass through charming villages, quaint churches and horreos, which are ancient granaries. As you walk, you'll feel transported back in time, tracing the ancient footsteps of countless pilgrims. At the conclusion of your day's hike, a transfer will take you to Sama de Grado for a well deserved rest.

Following a morning transfer to Grado, you'll continue your journey into the heart of the historic region of Asturias. The surrounding landscape provides a peaceful blend of rolling hills, lush meadows and green countryside. You'll pass through the village of Santa Eulalia de Doriga, home to a Romanesque church and a fortified farmhouse before arriving in Cornellana where the Monastery of El Salvador lies. You'll finally arrive in the historic centre of Salas, greeting you with medieval walls, where a Gothic church of San Martin awaits.

Today you will venture deep into the Asturian mountains. After crossing the Col de la Espina, the landscape transforms into a vast plateau of open plains, where fields are bordered by low stone walls. Along the way, you'll pass through the medieval village of Santa Eulalia and the small hermitage of San Roque before arriving in Tineo. This town holds great significance on the Camino, as King Alfonso IX once decreed that the pilgrimage route to Santiago must pass through it, making it an essential stop for pilgrims throughout history.

Today you will journey through the Piedratecha Pass, promising a day of stunning natural beauty. Consider a brief detour to Obona to visit the historical Santa Maria Real Monastery before continuing through a series of small mountain villages. As you gain elevation, you will notice the landscape shifting into wild Asturian moorland, carpeted with heather. As you start approaching the end of the day, you will spot the dramatic Cienfuegos fortress, perched on a hill overlooking Pola de Allande. Here, you can relax and enjoy the town's famous local cuisine.

Today you will cross the highest point of the entire Camino Primitivo, the Palo Pass. This is another beautiful but demanding day, where the sense of solitude and raw wilderness is striking. The landscape here is very rugged and remote, with few signs of life. You'll pass through Montefurado, a tiny hamlet only a handful of people call home. At the end of your walk you will receive a transfer from Berducedo back to Pola de Allande, your home for the night.

Following a transfer back to Berducedo, your day begins with a significant descent towards the magnificent Salime Dam. This stage offering both beauty and history, here the old village of Salime along with several other hamlets and medieval bridges were submerged in water in the 1950s. When you reach Grandas de Salime, take time to explore the Collegiate Church of San Salvador and the Ethnographic Museum, which offers an insight into the Asturian traditions.

Today you'll cross the Acebo Pass, bidding farewell to Asturias and entering the captivating landscapes of Galicia. You will pass through several small hamlets surrounded by breathtaking scenery, carrying a distinct Celtic atmosphere. Perched at over 950 metres, you will arrive into A Fonsagrada, known as the highest village in Galicia. It greets you with a peaceful charm and it's said that the village was built around a sacred fountain, which can still be seen today.

This stage leads you through open moors and forests, offering the opportunity to encounter Galicia's distinct architectural heritage. The small settlements you pass through display a variety of traditional buildings such as Horreos (granaries) with thatched roofs, Pallozas which are ancient houses with low walls and once covered with a thatched roof as well as small stone shelters used for livestock. The day concludes in Cadavo Baleira, where you will spend the night.

Today you'll follow a route steeped in religious heritage, with Jacobean landmarks marking the way. Upon arrival in Lugo, dedicate time to exploring the old town, which lies inside the Roman walls dating back to the 3rd and 4th centuries, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city offers a glimpse of Santiago de Compostela's architectural style, with granite facades and cathedral motifs reflecting the shared cultural and historical roots.

Leaving Lugo through the Porta San Jacques and crossing the historic Roman bridge, you find yourself immersed in the Galician countryside. Your path is lined with low stone walls and passes a number of traditional granaries. A short detour will take you to Santa Eulalia de Boveda, a charming hamlet known for its traditional granite houses and remarkable early Christian chapel hiding beneath the local parish church. Your day concludes in Ferreira for your overnight stay.

This stage takes you through pleasant countryside, passing through several quaint hamlets on your way, before ending in Melide. Here your pilgrimage will join a number of other pilgrimage routes, giving it a lively and friendly atmosphere. While here, explore its notable sites including the 14th Century San Roque chapel, the parish church and the Terra Museum. For food lovers, this is the perfect opportunity to taste the regional speciality, pulpo a la gallega. A dish made with boiled octopus, served on a bed of boiled potatoes, finished with a drizzle of olive oil, sea salt, and smoked paprika.

Today your journey will continue along the Camino Frances, where you'll be joined by more fellow pilgrims than you've seen so far. This stage is rich in Jacobean heritage, passing significant sites like the Church of Santiago de Boente and the historic Ribadiso hospital. The route winds through eucalyptus lined paths, guiding you towards your destination of Arzua, your home for the night.

Following a winding path through farmland, rolling hills and small hamlets, you will reach Lavacolla. Stopping here honours a pilgrimage custom, as medieval travellers traditionally stopped here to cleanse and prepare themselves before their arrival in Santiago de Compostela. This long standing tradition is still reflected in the village's name and marks its historical importance on the Camino.

For your final journey you will ascend Monte do Gozo, where you'll finally glimpse the city of Santiago de Compostela and its array of bell towers. You'll pass through the Porta do Camino with a mix of joy and emotion and wind through the city's historic alleys until you reach the central square. This marks the end of your pilgrimage with a view of the magnificent Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.

Leave Santiago de Compostela and onward travels.

Enjoy exploring the town and consider an extra night before heading home.