Camino Primitivo | P359 | Level: Mod | September 2025

Camino Primitivo | P359 | Level: Mod (with 2 challenging days in Asturias) | Camino Primitivo

Introduction

The name Camino Primitivo originates from the ‘first’ Camino by Alfonso II, king of Asturias, from Oviedo to Santiago in the 9th century AD. Starting in Oviedo, it merges into the French Way at Melide. In total it is about 340 km long from Oviedo to Santiago de Compostela. It crosses two autonomous regions, Asturias and Galicia and three provinces (2 in Galicia being Lugo and A Coruna).

The main characteristic of this route is the constant ascents and descents making it a relatively challenging route. This means that pilgrims need to have trained beforehand and be physically prepared for the daily uphill climbs.

From Oviedo to Lugo it is a typical mountain route of trails, dirt treks (muddy at times), stone and gravel paths as well as some asphalt roads. The altitude lends itself to spectacular panoramas; one of the distinctive features of this Camino. Also, at that altitude, the surrounding greenery intersected by rivers, streams, valleys and Asturian hamlets is refreshingly serene.

Less than 10,000 pilgrims walk this route annually (of the almost 0.5m pilgrims who collect walk the various Caminos de Santiago annually). Since this route is not as popular as, say, the French or Portuguese ways and therefore one does not meet as many pilgrims as one does on these routes. The advantage of this is that it is easier to make friends and share experiences with other pilgrims sharing the way. It also means that hospitaleros and locals are not overwhelmed by and more helpful / accommodating with peregrinos passing through. The route is less commercialised and more authentic. It provides for a good balance of mixing with other peregrinos and walking in solitude.

Please, follow this link to apply.

Flights

Refer below for suggested flights

Itinerary (dates may vary by a day or two)

The Camino itinerary is spread over 13 walking days as follows:

1. Fri 5th Sept: Fly from Malta to Astuarias
2. Sat 6th Sept: Oviedo to Grado | 26km
3. Sun 7th Sept: Grado to Salas | 22km
4. Mon 8th Sept: Salas to Tineo 20km
5. Tue 9th Sept: Tineo to Pol Allande 28km
6. Wed 10th Sept: Pola Allande to Berducedo 18km
7. Thurs 11th Sept: Berducedo to Grandas Da Salime 20km
8. Fri 12th Sept: Grandas da Salime to Fonsagrada 26km
9. Sat 13th Sept: Fonsagrada to O Cadavo 24km
10. Sun 14th Sept: O Cadavo to Lugo 30km
11. Mon 15th Sept: Lugo to Ferreira 26km
12. Tue 16th Sept: Ferreira to Melide 24km
13.  Wed 17th Sept: Melide to O Pedruozo 32km
14. Thurs 18th Sept: Day 13 O Pedruozo – Santiago de Compostela 18km
15. Fri 19th Sept: Rest morning in Santiago de Compostela | fly out evening from Porto. (road transit included)

This event is open only to XirCammini Members. This camino is also characterised by a number of ascents and therefore, prior training is advised. It is also a very scenic camino, combining coastal areas and bays, cliffs,  hills, forests and historic urban areas.

The total contribution covering (a.) local transport from / to airport and first / final accommodation (b.) daily baggage transfers (c.) daily accommodation on twin sharing basis including breakfast (d.) local training (e.) credencial and concha (f.) assistance with obtaining the Compostela is

• €995 for this the full Camino Primitivo from Oviedo to Santiago de Compostela (5th – 19th September). This contribution excludes the flight but includes local road transport.
• €695 for those joining the Camino Primitivo from Lugo to Santiago de Compostela (14th – 19th September). This contribution excludes the flight but includes local road transport

Suggested flight details (to be booked by the pilgrims):

• FOR PILGRIMS DOING THE FULL CAMINO PRIMITIVO: Malta – Asturias (via Barcelona): 5th September VY8741 | VY1572 11:00 – 22:35
• For those joining only for the last weeK of the Camino FROM LUGO: Malta – Barcelona 14th September 05:50 – 08:05 on FR5753 connecting to Barcelona – Santiago de Compostela 17:00 – 18:55 on FR6332. Transport (included) would then take you from Santiago de Compostela Airport to Lugo.
• For the whole group returning together PORTO – MALTA: 19th September FR1510 18:40 – 22:45.

Please, follow this link to apply.