Highlights of the Camino Primitivo

Make your own way to Oviedo, capital of Asturias. If you arrive early in the afternoon, make sure you visit the Gothic Cathedral devoted to San Salvador, the historic holy site where the Camino begins. This evening you can enjoy the city’s lively atmosphere and explore the charming lanes in the old town and traditional cider houses around the corner from your comfortable hotel.

Setting out from the cathedral, you'll follow the brass Camino shells through the city centre and out into the green Asturian countryside. Quiet lanes and ancient footpaths take you past peaceful villages, some with historic pilgrims’ hostels and inns. From Puerma you will follow the main road to Grado. From Grado a short transfer will take you to your charming rural hotel. Overnight in Sama de Grado. Walking: 6.5-7hrs, 250m/820ft ascent, 375m/1230ft descent.

Today starts with a transfer to La Espina, to avoid the most recent “Camino” - a new motorway! There will be a short section walking on tarmac before you move into more serene landscapes on the way to Tineo, the capital of dairy production in Asturias. Overnight in Tineo, where our usual hotel has an indoor pool and spa. Own arrangements for dinner tonight. Walking: 4hrs, 240m/787ft ascent, 240m/787ft descent

From Tineo you will traverse forested terrain to reach the monastery at Obona, the region’s first School of Latin and a retreat for scholars in the Middle Ages. You then follow woodland tracks and quiet tarmac lanes to reach the village of Campiello and your overnight accommodation. Walking: 5hrs, 300m/984ft ascent, 340m/1115ft descent

Transfer in the morning to La Mortera, where your walk begins with a tough ascent on the High Route - “la Ruta de los Hospitales” - traversing steep slopes on barren mountainsides to reach the pass at Puerto del Palo. This section has always been one of the most treacherous, due to extreme winter weather, and you’ll see ruins of centuries-old pilgrims’ hospitals on either side of the pass. Enjoy superb views from the top before the last section, on tarmac, leads to your hotel. Overnight in Berducedo. Walking: 8.5hrs, 520m/1706ft ascent, 450m/1476ft descent. The lower route recommended in case of weather: transfer to Pola Allande to start walking - arrangements to be made locally. Walking: 7hrs, 18km/11.25mi It's also possible to arrange your pickup at El Palo and transfer on the last section, also to be arranged locally.

From Berducedo, the route makes a slight detour to skirt a modern-day reservoir which effectively 'erased' the historic Camino in the mid-20th century. Follow a steep path down through lovely woodlands, then cross the dam to reach your charming hotel overlooking the water. Overnight in Grandas de Salime. Walking: 6.5hrs, 330m/1083ft ascent, 970m/3182ft descent

Today starts with a 30 minute transfer to avoid a long section on tarmac and on the drive you leave Asturias and enter Galicia. Your walk begins in Fonsagrada or the nearby village of A Proba de Burón. This is one of the most ancient sections of the Camino Primitivo, among green meadows and fields, past the ruins of the historic pilgrims’ hospital at Montouto. Your walk ends in Paradavella where you'll transfer to your charming lodgings near Castroverde. Walking: 4.5hrs, 400m/1312ft ascent, 650m/2132ft descent

A morning transfer takes you into Castroverde, then today's walk is a celebration of quintessential Galician countryside. Walking along quiet country lanes and farming tracks from one hamlet to the next, you'll pass well preserved traditional architecture, from stone barns to historic “pazos”. If you don't fancy walking so much, your hosts can drive you beyond Castroverde, to shorten the stage. Your comfortable hotel is located in Lugo’s historic town centre, just 100m from its splendid Roman walls, a UNESCO World heritage site. Walking: 4.5-5hrs, 200m/656ft ascent, 400m/1312ft descent

Trip concludes in Lugo after breakfast.