Camino Primitivo
- UNESCO World Heritage
The oldest Jacobean route, said to follow the journey of King Alfonso II in the ninth century, leads from Oviedo across the Cantabrian mountains to Santiago.
At a glance
- Starts in
- Oviedo
- Ends in
- Melide (joins the Camino Francés)
- Length
- 325 km
- On foot
- ≈ 13–16 days
- Countries
- Spain
- Best months
- April–May and September–October
About the trail
The Primitivo is a short, hilly road through Asturias and Galicia. Its best-known stretch is the Hospitales variant, a high and exposed path past the ruins of medieval pilgrim shelters, and further on it enters Lugo through the city's complete Roman walls. It joins the Camino Francés at Melide for the last days. It is quieter than the Francés and has steep climbs.
It is usually walked in about 14 stages.
No source gives the days on foot, so they are worked out from the length at 20–25 km a day.