Spain · UNESCO World Heritage
Camino Primitivo
Original Way
Oviedo → Santiago de Compostela
- Total distance
- 306 km
- Typical duration
- 14 days
- Stages
- 14
- Average stage
- 21.9 km
- Longest stage
- 30.0 km
- Pilgrims
- ~20k a year
This is the original pilgrimage route, walked by King Alfonso II from Oviedo in the ninth century after the tomb was discovered. It climbs from Oviedo into the Asturian mountains, crosses into Galicia at the Puerto del Acebo, and drops to Lugo and its intact Roman walls before joining the French Way at Melide.
Short in distance but the most demanding route per kilometre, with real mountain days and the optional Hospitales stretch crossing exposed high ground with no shelter for seventeen kilometres. Pilgrims who have walked several routes tend to name this one their favourite.
Route map
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Trail geometry & map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
Stages
The conventional stage division. Distances over 30 km are highlighted — those are the days worth planning around.
| # | Stage | Distance | Total | Ascent | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oviedo→Grado | 25.5 km | 25.5 | 570 m | |
| 2 | Grado→Salas | 22.0 km | 47.5 | 750 m | |
| 3 | Salas→Tineo | 20.0 km | 67.5 | 830 m | |
| 4 | Tineo→Borres | 16.0 km | 83.5 | 380 m | |
| 5 | Borres→Berducedo | 23.0 km | 106.5 | 900 m | The Hospitales high route — no food, water or shelter for 17 km, and not to be attempted in fog or storm. The Pola de Allande valley route is the safe alternative. |
| 6 | Berducedo→Grandas de Salime | 20.0 km | 126.5 | 340 m | A long descent to the reservoir followed by a steep 500 m climb out. |
| 7 | Grandas de Salime→A Fonsagrada | 25.0 km | 151.5 | 800 m | Crosses into Galicia at the Puerto del Acebo. |
| 8 | A Fonsagrada→O Cádavo | 24.0 km | 175.5 | 620 m | |
| 9 | O Cádavo→Lugo | 30.0 km | 205.5 | 450 m | |
| 10 | Lugo→San Román da Retorta | 20.0 km | 225.5 | 230 m | |
| 11 | San Román da Retorta→Melide | 29.0 km | 254.5 | 420 m | Joins the French Way at Melide. |
| 12 | Melide→Arzúa | 14.0 km | 268.5 | 250 m | |
| 13 | Arzúa→O Pedrouzo | 19.0 km | 287.5 | 290 m | |
| 14 | O Pedrouzo→Santiago de Compostela | 19.0 km | 306.5 | 340 m |