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Primitive Way

  • 309 km
  • 14 stages
  • Hard Difficulty
  • 6,143 m of ascent
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Elevation profile of the route
43 573 1,103 km 0 km 154 km 308.6
↑ 6,143 m of ascent ↓ 6,166 m of descent Altitude: 43–1,103 m

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Detail

The Primitive Way is the original Jacobean route: the path walked by King Alfonso II of Asturias in 814 AD to become the first pilgrim to visit the newly discovered tomb of the Apostle James in Compostela.

At 309 km and 14 stages from Oviedo, it is the most mountainous of all Camino de Santiago routes. It crosses the impressive Asturian mountains with considerable elevation changes, remote stone villages and landscapes of incomparable wild beauty.

At Melide the Primitive Way joins the French Way for the final stages to Santiago. Despite its difficulty, it is growing in popularity for its authenticity and deep connection with the origins of the Jacobean pilgrimage.

Ideal for fit pilgrims seeking an authentic mountain experience who want to walk through the living history of the Camino de Santiago.

Pilgrim stories

This is how this route was experienced

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Mauro Bellini · Story

Written by the editorial team

Perché sul Primitivo i mojones contano i chilometri al contrario

Una curiosità del Cammino Primitivo raccontata da un vecchio di Grado davanti a un bar: perché le conchiglie dei cippi si leggono in due modi diversi, cosa dice davvero il numero inciso e la storia del re Alfonso II, che partì da Oviedo e inventò tutto.

Mauro Bellini · 4 days

Written by the editorial team

Primitivo con due amici di sempre: quattro giorni nelle Asturie verdi

Da Oviedo a Pola de Allande sul Cammino Primitivo, in tre amici che si conoscono da trent'anni e che non avevano mai dormito in un ostello. Salite vere, sidro, silenzio, una ginocchiera comprata in farmacia e la strada più bella che abbiamo mai camminato.

Stages

Walk the Camino day by day. Click the number to locate the stage on the map.

Questions in the forum

  1. Oviedo → Grado

    25.7 km 7.3 h Rolling

  2. Grado → Salas

    22.0 km 6.3 h Rolling

  3. Salas → Tineo

    20.4 km 6.8 h Mountainous

  4. Tineo → Pola de Allande

    26.3 km 6.2 h Mountainous

  5. Pola de Allande → La Mesa

    22.8 km 7.6 h Mountainous

  6. La Mesa → Grandas de Salime

    13.9 km 5.5 h Mountainous

  7. Grandas de Salime → A Fonsagrada

    25.1 km 8.4 h Mountainous

  8. A Fonsagrada → O Cádavo

    22.8 km 6.5 h Rolling

  9. O Cádavo → Lugo

    30.2 km 8.6 h Rolling

  10. Lugo → San Romao da Retorta

    26.6 km 4.9 h Flat

  11. San Romao da Retorta → Melide

    20.3 km 8.0 h Rolling

  12. Melide → Arzúa

    14.3 km 3.6 h Flat

  13. Arzúa → O Pedrouzo

    19.3 km 4.8 h Flat

  14. O Pedrouzo → Santiago de Compostela

    19.4 km 4.9 h Flat

Frequently asked questions about the Primitive Way

How many kilometres is the Primitive Way?

The Primitive Way is 309 km long, divided into 14 stages, from Oviedo to Santiago de Compostela.

How many days does the Primitive Way take?

The classic division is 14 stages, one per day, averaging 22.1 km daily. At a brisk pace stages can be combined; at a gentler pace, split up.

Where does the Primitive Way start and end?

It starts in Oviedo and ends in Santiago de Compostela.

Which is the hardest stage of the Primitive Way?

Stage 5 (Pola de Allande → La Mesa), with 815 m of accumulated ascent.

How many hostels are there on the Primitive Way?

Peregrinia has 191 pilgrim hostels mapped along the Primitive Way, listed stage by stage with their exact kilometre point.

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