 Discover one the most beautiful sections of the Camino, passing through the Cantabrian Mountains.
Witness mountain life and stop for a chat with the shepherds en route.
Indulge yourself in rooms en-suite in specially selected hotels along the way and enjoy a high level of comfort.
Time travel along 1000 years of history and meet people from every horizon.
Printable file
Departures:
>Self-Guided
Any time, all year round!
>Guided
See Guided Departures page
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French Way
Camino Frances
       
Northern Way
Camino del Norte
   
Original Way
Camino Primitivo
 
Aragonese Way
Camino Aragones
English Way
Camino Ingles
Fisterra Way
Camino Finisterre
Portuguese Way
Camino Portugues
    
Via de la Plata
Camino Via de la Plata
         
Le Puy Way
Camino Le Puy
     
French Way By Bike
Camino Frances by Bike
  
Camino Rustic
 French Way
 Finisterre Way
 Via de la Plata
 Portuguese Way
 Original Way |
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This Walking Holiday explores the first section of the Camino Primitivo / Original Way, following the iconic Camino de Santiago de Compostela; the famous Way of Saint James.
This camino was used in the 9th Century by the first devout pilgrims from the kingdom of Asturias. This is the most beautiful section of the Camino, starting in medieval Oviedo.
Every day, during the walk, you are guaranteed a high level of comfort and fine food. This section requires a reasonable level of fitness. However, it’s a highly rewarding walk that includes numerous cultural highlights. |
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| maps |
Original way in Green
Use the navigation tools on the left to zoom-in |
| Day By day |
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Day 1 - Oviedo
You will be booked into a hotel in the heart of the
town of Oviedo. The rooms are en-suite.
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Town: Internet, ATM, shops, all facilities.
Accommodation: 3* hotel in the historical part of the town. En-suite.
Meal: B&B |
DAY 2 – From Oviedo to Grado (30km 8h +70m -170m)
Our day begins at the Cathedral of El Salvador and, after leaving the town of Oviedo, we head west. We arrive at the chapel of El Carmen in Lampajúa (Llampaxuga) and from here we descend toward Ponte de Gallegos. The Camino then follows a beautiful trail along the river Nora to finish in a steep ascent to the lovely village of Escamplero. As we get closer to the river Nalón, we cross the N-634, and the river.
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Town: Internet, ATM, shops, all facilities.
Accommodation: 1* hotel, en suite.
Meal: Half Board |
DAY 3 – From Grado to Salas (18km 4h30 +430m -300m)
We begin this day with a tough enough start, climbing up for 5 kilometres to Alto del Fresnu. You will then enjoy a gentle downhill walk through hilly farmlands and hamlets until you reach Cornellana. Here we recommend a visit to the monastery (monasterio) of El Salvador. From here to Salas, the Camino follows an upwards trajectory through more farmlands and typical Asturias granaries (“horreos”). Finally, we approach Salas on more gentle terrain.
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Town: Internet, ATM, shops, all facilities.
Accommodation: 2* hotel, en-suite.
Meal: Half Board |
DAY 4 – From Salas to Tineo (19km 5h +600m -50m)
This is a tough stage of the Camino, not because of its length (its actually shorter), but because it is ascending constantly. There is practically no break in the climb for almost eight hundred metres. Fortunately, most of the climb is concentrated at the beginning. Following the national road for a short while, the Camino continues on a quieter, paved path that leads us to La Espina. Here we quit the “Camino Norte” that continues north west. We now enter an area with strong regional character and traditions.
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Town: Internet, ATM, shops, all facilities.
Accommodation: 2* hotel, en-suite.
Meal: Half Board |
DAY 5 – From Tineo to Pola Allende (28km 8h30 +310m -460m)
This is another challenging stage of the Camino, with ups and downs throughout the day. After following the road for a short time, the Camino comes to a path descending through woodlands. Then it passes the small villages of Vega el Rey, Berrugoso and Campiello. We finish the day with a steep descent of about three hundred meters to arrive in Pola de Allande.
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Town: Internet, ATM, shops, all facilities.
Accommodation: 2* hotel, en-suite.
Meal: Half Board |
DAY 6 – From Pola Allende to Berducedo (17km 5h +740m -310m)
Today is another challenging day, beginning with an ascent of almost 600m, reaching the summit of Puerto del Palo. Here, your climb will be rewarded with amazing views of the Cantabrian Mountains. This is followed by a drop of 250m on what is called the “Camino de los Hospitales", so be prepared and be careful! Finally, passing through some woods, we arrive in Berducedo.
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Town: Internet, ATM, shops, all facilities.
Accommodation: 1* family-run hotel, Casa Rural. En-suite.
Meal: Half Board |
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DAY 7 – From Berducedo to Grandas de Salime (16km 4h30 +520m -800m)
This is the most rewarding part of the Camino Primitivo, but also one of the hardest. We start by climbing to Aerogenedores at 1100m above sea level, where you will get spectacular views of the Embalse de Salime (artificial lake), the River Navia below and of course the mountains surrounding us! Then it is a steep descent of 900m in just 7km. Finally, passing the dam, the Camino make its way up to Grandas Salime after a more gentle 350m ascent.
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Town: Internet, ATM, shops, all facilities.
Accommodation: 2* hotel, en-suite.
Meal: Half Board |
DAY 8 – From Grandas de Salime to A Fonsagrada (26km 7h +520m -170m)
Today the Camino starts with a steep ascent to El Acebo (1050m) for some fine views of the Cantabrian Mountains. It is now time to bid our farewell to Asturias and to say hello to the land of the Celts - Galicia! After passing the mountain villages of Cabreria, Fonfría, and Barbeito we arrive in A Fonsagrada, for a well-deserved rest!
In the town center stands the Fons Sacra. This town bore witness to one of the miracles of the apostle Saint James, who, after being attended to by an impoverished widow, turned the water from this fountain into fresh milk for her children.
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Town: Internet, ATM, shops, all facilities.
Accommodation: 1* hotel, en-suite.
Meal: Half Board |
DAY 9 – From A Fonsagrada to O Cadavo Baleira (23km 7h +320m -540m)
After leaving A Fonsagrada, the Camino passes through A Pobra de Buron. This Camino has been referred to as the "Camino de Oviedo". Coming to Hospital de Montouto, we can see the actual hospital sitting on a hilltop. It is now in ruins, but was one of the last to close, and was probably the most important on all the mountain Caminos of Galicia. There is also a magnificent dolmen in the vicinity of the hospital. The Camino then makes its way to the town of O Cadavo, passing quaint villages such as Calzada, Degolada and A Fontaneira.
O Cadavo is the second most important town that the pilgrims on the Camino Primitivo will pass on their way to Santiago. According to local history, Alphonse II the Chaste fought the Islamic Army nearby.
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Town: Internet, ATM, shops, all facilities.
Accommodation: 2* hotel with bar. En-suite.
Meal: Half Board |
DAY 10 – From O Cadavo Baleira to Lugo (30km 8h +220m -530m)
The Camino continues through lands famous for their slate mines as far as Paradavela. This attractive village, which retains much of its original character, is home to a number of "Pallozas" (primitive thatched dwellings) and other buildings of interest. Then, passing by the convent of San Francisco de Vilabade we arrive later in the pleasant town of Castroverde. After Castroverde, the Camino passes the eery, abandoned village of Soutomerille; nestled in a landscape of great beauty. Finally, crossing farmlands, the Way arrives in "Lucus Augusti", or Lugo, by the Gate of Saint Peter. Lugo is the oldest town in Galicia! Take some time to explore it.
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Town: Internet, ATM, shops, all facilities.
Accommodation: 3* hotel, en-suite.
Meal: Breakfast |
DAY 11 –Lugo
After breakfast we bid you farewell.
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| how to get there |
It is best to fly to Santander or Oviedo
To Santander airport
Ryanair are the only low-cost airline that currently offer direct flights to Santander. They offer flights from London Stansted and now Dublin, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Milan and Rome as well as Reus and Madrid in Spain.
Iberia offer a good selection of internal flights from Alicante, Barcelona, Gran Canaria, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, Seville and Valencia.
Click on the following links for Information on flights from Dublin to Santander and Stansted to Santander
To Oviedo airport
Oviedo Airport is located 47Km north west of Oviedo, 17Km west of Aviles.
Buses run every 2 to 3 hours during daytime, the cost from/to Oviedo is approximately €5 and from/to Aviles is approximately €3.
Taxis to Oviedo cost roughly €40; Gijon, €37; and Aviles, €17. |
To start your walking holiday: Oviedo
From Santander: buses (takes 3hrs), several a day.
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Back home from Santiago de Compostela Airport
Ryanair and Iberia/BA fly direct to Santiago de Compostela from the UK. Ryanair fly from Stansted, Nottingham East Midlands and Liverpool. Aer Lingus operates from Dublin.
Many of the flights that arrive at the airport are from internal Spanish destinations. Iberia and Spanair offer the best selection of flights and you can fly to and from Santiago De Compostela from: Frankfurt, Paris and Rome and Barcelona, Bilbao, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Madrid, Malaga, Palma, Seville, Tenerife and Valencia.
From Lugo to Santiago airport it is an easy 1hr30 by bus (5 a day, around €10).
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| WEATHER |
Please note that the temperature is significantly colder above 500m |
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| about the walking holiday |
| hotels |
| Our hotels have been carefully selected for their comfort, location, friendliness
and character, and are subject to availability. If the hotel described
is not available we provide an alternative with the same standard
of comfort & price. |
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| Luggage |
We will transport your luggage from one
hotel to the next. You only need to carry your backpack during the
day!
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| Included |
Not Included |
- Luggage transferred from hotel to hotel
- Rooms en-suite
- Half Board during the hike
- Detailed Walking Notes
- Map
- Pilgrim passport
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- Flights
- Insurance (recommended)
- Drinks
- Dinner first and last nights
- Transfers from/to airport
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| prices & Options |
| Period |
Price
(€) |
Single Room
(€) |
Solo departure
(include single room)
(€) |
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High Season
April, May,
June, September |
1090 |
216 |
377 |
Mid Season
July, August,
October |
980 |
184 |
345 |
Low Season
January, February, March, November,December
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820 |
153 |
345 |
| Options |
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Extra Night in Oviedo, Lugo |
Transport
To Oviedo from Santander
(€pp) |
Picnic lunches
(€) |
3* Hotel
B&B (€) |
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For info on transfers for more passengers or from other airports, please ask us.
2-8 people
€75pp
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| Single |
Double
(pps) |
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95 |
65 |
90 |
| Special rates for groups of 6+ |
Top |
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