The "Original" Way the first standard pilgrimage route to Santiago - following that used by King Alfonso II "the Chaste", considered the first official "pilgrim", as he journeyed from his court in Oviedo, capital of Christian Spain in the early days of the re-conquest, to pay homage to the recently discovered tomb of the Apostle in what is now known as Santiago de Compostela. He ordered a network of hospitals and other services to be built to tend to the needs of the Pilgrims that were to follow in his footsteps, in those days when easier terrain to the south of the Cantabrian mountains - later used by the "French Way" - was still not free of danger for Christians.

At its height, this "Original" Pilgrim's Way obliged pilgrims coming by sea from the North, or those coming by land across France to pass through Oviedo on their way to Santiago de Compostela. The objective was to visit the holy remains in the San Salvador cathedral, considered by many to be of equal importance as the tomb of Santiago - including a piece of the Cross, thorns from Jesus' crown, and most importantly - the Holy Shroud. From Oviedo, the route leads through the hills westward 308 km / 193 mi, across the deeply rural Asturian countryside, becoming progressively mountainous before crossing into Galicia, where elevations decrease as we approach Santiago. Our itinerary covers the most scenic sections of the first 200 km of the route, and then the full final 100 km into Santiago, following quiet country roads, dirt and grass tracks, old bridle paths and mountain trails, etc., through greener, much wilder, less populated and more physically challenging terrain than on the more well-traveled "French Way", and truly immerses the traveller in that unusual and magical environment that is the rural, green Celtic Iberia of Asturias and Galicia. Completing this adventurous alternative route to Santiago de Compostela is well-within the reach of anyone who maintains a moderate level of fitness.