2 sections

Original Way Section 1 Walk from Oviedo to Lugo - 207km 11Days/10 Nights, Half Board, hotels en-suite, year round

THE LAST 100KM. Walk 1 week and get your Certificate! Original Way Section 2 Walk From Lugo to Santiago de Compostela - 100km 7Days/6 Nights, Half Board, hotels en-suite, year round

Information

This pilgrimage way to Compostela was used by the first devout pilgrims from the newly-formed kingdom of Asturias. It was therefore the very first of the pilgrimage routes, as its current name indicates.

The Original Way might very well have been the route taken by King Alphonse II, the Chaste, from Oviedo, the capital of the kingdom of Asturias to the tomb of Saint James, during the 9th century. This monarch, who played a decisive role in confirming that the remains unearthed in Compostela belonged to Saint James the Apostle, sponsored the founding of the first basilica in Compostela and collaborated in organising the early cult of Saint James. He was also a patron of the first monastic community devoted to services of worship at the altar of Saint James.

The city of Oviedo marked the main starting point of the Original Way. However, the route was also followed by pilgrims who began their journeys in other parts of Northern Spain and Europe.

It was probably the safest and most-travelled route until the present-day French Way from Leon, the new capital of the kingdom, established its position as the major route in the late 10th century. Nonetheless, the Oviedo route to Santiago remained a popular alternative, due particularly to the spiritual value of relics at the cathedral of San Salvador de Oviedo and at the basilica of Lugo.

The many hospitals set up along the way bear witness to the importance of this route, especially those in remote spots high in the mountains. Hospitalers served an essential purpose, that of attending to the pilgrim, who, in the region of A Fonsagrada, was forced to traverse areas of breathtaking beauty in less than perfect circumstances. Snowstorms, strong winds and treacherous paths posed an ardous task for the pilgrims of antiquity.

Stages of the camino Primitivo

This is the list of the sections and stages of our Walking holidays on the Camino Primitivo (Original Way). Click on the Camino section to go directly to the walking holiday.