Discover a very remote part of Galicia with strong local traditions.
Learn to speak the local language as you enter the heart of Galician culture.
Indulge yourself in en-suite rooms in 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.

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>Self-Guided
Any time, all year round!

>Guided
See Guided Departures page

This Walking Holiday explores the second section of the Camino Primitivo / Original Way, following the iconic Camino de Santiago de Compostela; the famous Way of Saint James.

Beginning in the walled city of Lugo, this walking holiday catches up with the Camino Frances in Melide and finishes in Santiago de Compostela. You will walk through heavily forested rural Galicia, witnessing the Roman influence on Spain's roads and bridges.

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.

Day 1 - Lugo
You will be booked into a hotel in the heart of the town of Lugo. The rooms are en-suite.

DAY 2 – From Lugo to San Romao de Retorta (19km 5h +210m -50m)
After leaving Lugo through the Porta Mina, the oldest gate of the wall, the Camino heads towards the old Roman bridge and the quarter of San Lazaro. A couple of kilometres later, it passes Santa de Boveda; a national monument and a museum where the most interesting early medieval paintings of the Iberian Peninsula can be seen. The Camino continues through a mix of farmland and forest.

Please note that you will be sleeping in the same hotel in Lugo again tonight, due to a lack of appropriate accommodation in St Romao de Retorta. You will be transferred back to Lugo by taxi once you arrive in San Romao.

DAY 3 – San Romao de Retorta to Melide (31km 8h30 +100m -246m)
After a brief transfer back to San Romao de Retorta, we begin our walk again. On the road from the hamlet there is a Roman milestone, which would appear to indicate that the present-day Camino was laid out following an ancient Roman road. Further on, you will pass a 13th-century Romanesque church, one of the many which are characteristic of the area surrounding Santiago. The Camino Primitivo follows ancient paths that are still in use today and connects an endless number of small rural villages such as Seixalbo, Xende, Ferreira, and Merlan. Finally, the Camino enters the province of A Coruna through the borough of Toques to the historic pilgrimage town of Melide.
Coming to Melide (454m), you can stop in one of the many restaurants to try the traditional octopus dish, "Pulpo a la Plancha".

DAY 4 – From Melide to Arzua (13km 3h30 +220m -284m)
The Camino follows a forest track and crosses several streams, bringing you to the village of Boente and its church of Santiago. The next stop is the medieval village of Ribadiso, and finally Arzùa (389m). This small town has two churches that you can visit; Santa María and La Magdalena.

DAY 5 – From Arzua to Rua (18.5km 5h15 +100m -169m)
This section of the Camino will pass through shaded woods, along streams and through sleepy villages. Take your time and visit the chapel of Santa Irena, with its unique statues of Santiago. The rest of the way to Rua/Opino is on a quiet country road. This will be your last night before Santiago. Rúa (310m) is certainly less crowded than other stops before Santiago. Enjoy a good night’s sleep, the last stretch is coming…

DAY 6 – From Rua to Santiago de Compostela (19km 5h20 +110m -166m)
You are nearly there! First, the Camino passes by Amenal. The next stage will be Lavacolla where pilgrims traditionally washed in the river before reaching Santiago de Compostela. The tall eucalyptus trees will line your route to Monte del Gozo (368m) with its huge modern sculpture, from here you can see the Cathedral of Santiago. You are on the “Mount of Joy” and can now start your final descent to Santiago de Compostela (264m, population 80000). Take some time to visit the cathedral before settling down in your luxurious hotel for the last night of your walking holiday.

DAY 7 – Santiago de Compostela
After breakfast we bid you farewell.

• Luggage transferred from hotel to hotel
• Rooms en-suite
• Half Board during the hike
• Detailed Walking Notes
• Map
• Pilgrim passport

• Flights
• Insurance (recommended)
• Drinks
• Dinner first and last nights
• Transfers from/to airport