The Camino Primitivo is considered the oldest pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. Covering approximately 320 kilometres from Oviedo in Asturias to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, it crosses some of the wildest and most spectacular mountain landscapes on any Camino. Less crowded than the Camino Francés but more physically demanding, the Camino Primitivo rewards walkers with a sense of solitude, unspoilt nature and a deep connection to the original pilgrimage tradition.
Key features of the Camino Primitivo
- Official name: Camino Primitivo (Original Way / Primitive Way)
- Total distance: approximately 320 km
- Number of stages: 14
- Number of sections: 1 (plus an optional extension to Fisterra)
- Recommended season: spring, summer and autumn (April to October)
- Difficulty: Level 3 (on average 6 hours of walking per day on paths and trails with cumulative elevation gain of 600 to 800 m per stage, with some stages exceeding 25 to 30 km)
- Key points of interest: San Salvador Cathedral in Oviedo, Grado (traditional market town, famous for its cheese), Tineo (typical Asturian village with wooden-balcony houses), the Monastery of Santa María la Real de Obona (impressive ruins located directly on the trail beyond Tineo), Grandas de Salime (the Buspol route and the artificial lake), Puerto del Palo (a legendary pass at 1,147 m with panoramic mountain views), Lugo (Roman walls and cathedral, both UNESCO World Heritage), Melide (where the Camino Primitivo joins the Camino Francés), and Santiago de Compostela (the cathedral, the pilgrims' mass and the Botafumeiro)
- Regions crossed: Asturias and Galicia
- Extension: Santiago de Compostela to Fisterra (6 days) or Muxía (an additional 1 to 2 days)
Overview of the Camino Primitivo route
The Camino Primitivo, or Original Way, holds a unique place among the pilgrimage routes to Santiago. It is widely regarded as the very first Camino, walked by King Alfonso II of Asturias in the 9th century to visit the newly discovered tomb of the Apostle James. Starting from the city of Oviedo and its magnificent San Salvador Cathedral, the trail heads west through the Asturian mountains before descending into Galicia.
The route crosses spectacular landscapes: green mountains, deep valleys, dense forests and traditional villages where time seems to stand still. It is the most demanding of the main Camino routes, with significant elevation gain and sometimes technical terrain, particularly in the mountain sections between Pola de Allande and Grandas de Salime. A good level of fitness is essential. At Melide, the Camino Primitivo joins the Camino Francés for the final stages into Santiago de Compostela.
For walkers seeking a quieter, wilder and more challenging Camino, the Primitivo is a superb choice. It can also be combined with the Camino del Norte, which arrives in Oviedo from the coast.
Camino Primitivo stages
Oviedo to Santiago de Compostela
The Camino Primitivo is walked in a single continuous section from Oviedo to Santiago de Compostela. The first half crosses the rugged mountains of western Asturias, with the highest point at Puerto del Palo (1,147 m). Beyond Grandas de Salime, the trail enters Galicia, gradually becoming gentler as it passes through rolling farmland, forests and quiet villages. The walled city of Lugo, with its complete Roman walls (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), is a highlight. From Melide, the trail joins the Camino Francés and follows the same path through Arzúa and on to Santiago.
| From | To | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Oviedo | Sama de Grado | 25 km |
| Sama de Grado | Salas | 23 km |
| Salas | Tineo | 19 km |
| Tineo | Pola de Allande | 29 km |
| Pola de Allande | Berducedo | 18 km |
| Berducedo | Grandas de Salime | 20.2 km |
| Grandas de Salime | Fonsagrada | 26.2 km |
| Fonsagrada | Cádavo Baleira | 27 km |
| Cádavo Baleira | Lugo | 31 km |
| Lugo | Ferreira | 27 km |
| Ferreira | Melide | 20.2 km |
| Melide | Arzúa | 14.3 km |
| Arzúa | A Rúa | 18 km |
| A Rúa | Santiago de Compostela | 22 km |
Total Distance : 320 km
For tailor-made stages: Campiello, Fonfrìa, Castroverde, San Román de Retorta, Cascarriño, Lavacolla.
Tips for planning your walk on the Camino Primitivo
Best time to go
You can walk the Camino Primitivo on any date you choose between April and October. Here are a few seasonal tips:
- In spring (April and May), the landscapes are lush and green and the trails are quiet, but rain is frequent in the mountains. June offers the best balance of long days, pleasant temperatures and reliable weather, making it one of the finest months for this route.
- In summer (July and August), the weather is warmest and the trail is busier, though the Primitivo remains far less crowded than the Camino Francés.
- In autumn (September and October), temperatures are mild and the mountain forests take on beautiful colours. September is particularly recommended before the rains return later in October.
The most challenging stages
- Pola de Allande to Berducedo (18 km): a mountain stage featuring the climb to Puerto del Palo (Alto del Palo, 1,147 m). The ascent is long and steady, but the panoramic views over the Asturian mountains are magnificent.
- Berducedo to Grandas de Salime (20.2 km): a steep descent after the mountain section, requiring careful footing.
- Cádavo Baleira to Lugo (31 km): the longest stage on the Camino Primitivo, with undulating terrain and long stretches on forest tracks.
- Fonsagrada to Cádavo Baleira (27 km): a long stage with sustained climbs and descents through remote countryside.
Our favourite stages
The mountain stages around Pola de Allande and Grandas de Salime are the most spectacular, with wild, sweeping panoramas and a real sense of remoteness. The gentler stages between Salas and Tineo and between Lugo and Ferreira offer a more peaceful, cultural experience. The stage from Fonsagrada to Cádavo Baleira captures the wild charm of rural Galicia at its finest.
With Walks in France, your accommodation is booked in advance, your luggage is transferred between each stage, and you receive a detailed route book with maps and directions. We organise a self-guided walking holiday on the Camino Primitivo, and we can create a tailor-made itinerary adapted to your pace and fitness level. Whether you walk the full 320 kilometres or combine the Primitivo with the Camino del Norte, we handle the logistics so you can focus on the trail.
You can also explore our other Camino de Santiago routes, including the Camino Francés, the Camino Portugués, and the Way of St James in France.
Why choose Walks in France ?
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