10 Nights – Highlights of the Camino Primitivo & the Final 100 km to Santiago

Today you’ll begin walking the Camino Primitivo! A short transfer, then start hiking along farm tracks and country lanes through beautiful rolling green countryside, into Tineo, perched high on a verdant hillside with sweeping views of oft-snow-capped mountains to the south. The town is birthplace of Doña Isabel, first queen of Portugal and, Doña Ximena, the wife of El Cid. Continue on to an abandoned 11h century Benedictine Monastery. Short transfer back to Tineo to spend the night.

Hike: 19.8 km / 12.3 mi.
A shorter stage is possible.
Overnight: in 4* hotel in a 16th C. noble home in Tineo.
Meals: Breakfast included.

A short transfer to the hike start point. Rolling terrain at elevation (near 1000m) for much of the day, leading through rural terrain with small hamlets, green meadows and mixed forest. In the spring and early summer there are views of the oft-snow-capped high mountains of Somiedo in the Cordillera Cantábrica to the south.

Hike: 19.2 km / 11.9 mi.
A shorter stage is possible.
Overnight: 1* hotel in Pola de Allande
Meals: Breakfast included.

One of the most feared stages of the medieval Camino, this is certainly one the most spectacular in terms of scenery and one of the more challenging sections of the all Caminos. Even now, this is one of Spain’s most uninhabited regions, home to roaming wild horses and wolves. We revel in our solitude as our path climbs among heather and gorse to an isolated pass where our efforts are rewarded with sweeping views (or swirling fog!) and further appreciation for the achievements of those early pilgrims. A short transfer at end of stage to Grandas del Salime.

Hike: 18.2 km / 11.3 mi (+750 m / 2641 ft – 350 m / 1148 ft elevation gain & loss). A shorter stage with less elevation gain is possible.
Overnight: 1* hotel in Grandas del Salime
Meals: Breakfast included.

Today the Camino Primitivo leaves Asturias, entering the neighboring “Celtic” region of Galicia. A superb walk to experience the sensations of the pilgrims of old, through deeply rural countryside in this remote region with very few human inhabitants. The trail climbs – never too steeply, to the highest point of the day – the Acebo mountain pass (1028m) official border between Asturias and Galicia, on its way to Fonsagrada. En-route, stop to visit a fascinating Celtic-Roman hillfort settlement and museum.

Transfer at end of stage to Lugo. This former Roman town of Lucus Augusti played an important role in the history of the pilgrimage. It has an impressive Gothic cathedral, and the world’s best preserved Roman walls encircling the old town (UNESCO World Heritage). You can walk the entire 2.2 km circuit atop the walls! Optional guided tour of Lugo’s historic sights.

Hike: 26.9 km / 16.7 mi (+715 m / 2348 ft – 265 m / 869 ft elevation gain & loss). A shorter stage with less elevation gain is possible.
Overnight: 4* hotel in Lugo (1st of 2 nights)
Meals: Breakfast included.

Given Lugo’s Roman history, it’s no surprise that the Camino Primitivo now follows an old Roman road all the way to Santiago, these days just quiet country lanes meandering through gentle green landscapes. Shortly after departing Lugo we pass the distance marker indicating just 100km to Santiago! Return to Lugo to sleep a 2nd night.

Hike: 19.6 km / 12.2 mi.
Overnight: as on previous day.
Meals: Breakfast included.

The Camino Primitivo wends along mixed forest trails through tiny hamlets scattered among rolling green Galician countryside. It’s a short stage, allowing you to explore Lugo in the morning if you like and/or enjoy relaxing at our luxurious inn, one of the best on the Camino.

Hike: 14.6 km / 9 mi
Overnight: a comfortable family-run inn at a lovingly renovated traditional Galician farm house.
Meals: breakfast & dinner.

Verdant hill and rural scenes accompany our steps towards Melide where we merge with the Camino Frances – the “French Way to Santiago”. The town is famed for its Pulpo a la Feira – tender morsels of boiled octopus drenched in virgin olive oil, sea salt and paprika. In the afternoon, an especially enchanting stretch of forest trail leads us to our lodgings.

Hike: 25.3 km / 15.7 mi
Overnight: a renovated family run 15th C. “pazo” (traditional Galician manor house).
Meals: breakfast & dinner.

Rural paths and country lanes lead through vegetable patches, fields and oak groves, then pine and eucalyptus woods and excitement mounts as we near Santiago. A short transfer to the inn.

Hike: 24 km / 14.9 mi
Overnight: a renovated family run 16th C. “pazo” (traditional Galician manor house).
Meals: breakfast & dinner.

Quiet lanes and forest paths wend through increasingly populated countryside until we finally reach the Monte del Gozo—“Mount of Joy”, so named for the emotion of those who were rewarded with their first view of the cathedral spires. Now downhill, following in the footsteps of millions before you, until the magical moment of arrival at the impressive cathedral in the Plaza del Obradoiro – Santiago’s grandiose central square. Although dinner is not included, we’ll provide recommendations and can reserve you a table to eat a celebratory evening meal at one of Santiago’s finest restaurants.

Hike: 23 km / 14.3 mi
Overnight: close to the magnificent Obradoiro square and cathedral, this 4* hotel in a beautifully restored wing of a working monastery is a fine place to rest your weary bones.
Meals: Breakfast.

The trip officially ends with breakfast at your hotel. If you’re flying out, it’s just 20 minutes by taxi to Santiago international airport. If you have an afternoon flight, in the morning you could visit Santiago’s bustling market and attend 12:00 noon pilgrim’s mass. There is also an option for an early morning tour of the main squares surrounding the cathedral with a local licensed guide.

Meals: breakfast.