This Camino was the route traditionally followed by pilgrims from further afield in Northern Spain and Europe. It is one of the most challenging of all the routes, but the scenery is simply breathtaking. The route crosses the Cantabrian mountains, giving walkers outstanding views of the Picos de Europa mountain range, and winding through quaint mountain villages in Asturias and Galicia.
It includes the city of Lugo, with its old town nested inside the only fully preserved Roman walls in Spain, which is an impressive UNESCO World Heritage site. From Lugo, the Original Route continues towards Santiago de Compostela through peaceful forests and farmland, joining the final stretch of the French Route at the lively town of Melide, where you should try Galicia’s most famous dish: octopus.
We recommend to cycle this Way only if you have some cycling experience and if you have essential bike maintenance knowledge.
- ITINERARY -
1st day: ARRIVAL IN OVIEDO
2nd day: OVIEDO - TINEO (73 km - difficulty 2/3)
3rd day: TINEO - GRANDAS DE SALIME (69 km - difficulty 3/3)
4th day: GRANDAS DE SALIME - O CÁDAVO (54 Km - difficulty 3/3)
5th day: O CÁDAVO - MELIDE (81 Km - difficulty 2/3)
6th day: MELIDE - SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA (50 Km - difficulty 1/3)
7th day: SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
The Price Includes:
- 6 nights in handpicked hotels and inns, all with en-suite accommodation, on a bed and breakfast basis.
- Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel: 1 bag max. 20kg/ 44 lbs per person.
- Travel insurance.
- Credencial (Pilgrim's passport)
- Maps of the stages.
- Telephone assistance (English-speaking)
The Price does not include:
- Lunches.
- Flights or trains.
- Single room supplement: € 300
- Dinner supplement: € 320
- Bike rental Coluer Standard: 180 € /bike.
- Bike rental BMC Premium: 200 € /bike
- Bike rental Gravel: 200 € /bike.
- Bike rental EBIKE Kross: 370 € /bike.
- Bike rental EBIKE Focus: 450 € /bike
PRICE PER PERSON BASED ON DOUBLE ROOM.
DAILY DEPARTURES
-DAY BY DAY-
1st day: ARRIVAL IN OVIEDO
Fill in your pilgrim’s passport and get ready to start the Way. Before you do, explore the delightful city of Oviedo, the capital of Asturias, which is also a busy and lively university town and has been a pilgrimage destination for many centuries.
Make sure you visit some of the city’s many monuments, such as the elegant cathedral of Our Saviour, the 9th century church of Saint Michael of Lillo, the church of Saint Thyrsus and the monastery of Saint Vincent, home to the Archaeology Museum of Asturias.
2nd day: OVIEDO - TINEO (73 km - difficulty 2/3)
Breakfast and start of the stage. Your route begins in the centre of Oviedo at the Cathedral of The Saviour and moves west out of the town.
After passing the chapel of El Carmen in Lampajúa (Llampaxuga), the trail moves downhill to Ponte de Gallegos. The path from here follows the wonderful river Nora before making a steep climb to the picturesque village of Escamplero. Then you will go on with a relatively tough five-kilometre climb to Alto del Fresnu.
The next part of the stage, it is also quite a tough one due to the amount of climbing.
3rd day: TINEO - GRANDAS DE SALIME (69 km - difficulty 3/3)
Breakfast and start of the stage. Of all the sections on the Original Route this is probably the toughest, but it is also the most rewarding.
Today’s route takes you through difficult terrain, picturesque tranquil woodland and through Vega de Rey.
The stage goes to Pola de Allande which involves a sharp 300 metre descent. After we will have an ascent of almost 600m to reach the summit of Puerto del Palo. Here, your climb will be rewarded with amazing views of the Cantabrian mountains.
This is followed by a drop of 250m on what is called the “Camino de los Hospitales” (Hospital's way) so be prepared and be careful.
From Berducedo you will climb to Aerogenedores (wind turbines) which sits at an altitude of 1,100m. After this, there is a sharp descent, where you will drop 900m in just 7Km to the Salime reservoir dam.
The Camino follows a gentle climb from here to Grandas de Salime.
4th day: GRANDAS DE SALIME - O CÁDAVO (54 Km - difficulty 3/3)
Breakfast and start of the stage. You will begin today’s route with another sharp climb to El Acebo which sits at 1,050m. From here, you will be treated to spectacular views of the Cantabrian mountains and move from Asturias into Galicia, the land of the Celts.
From A Fonsagrada the trail goes through A Pobra de Buron on what is known as the “Camino de Oviedo”. You will see the ruins of Hospital de Montouto on a hilltop, which was once the most important mountain hospital in Galicia.
The Camino then follows a path through the villages of Calzada, A Lastra and A Fontaneira on the way to O Cadavo Baleira. The town is regarded as being the second most important community on the Way’s Original Route. It is said that Alphonse II the Chaste fought the Moors in battle nearby.
5th day: O CÁDAVO - MELIDE (81 Km - difficulty 2/3)
Breakfast and start of the stage. On the way to the lovely old village of Pradeda, you will go past some of the slate mines that this particular area is famous for. The village itself is home to a few old thatched dwellings known as “pallozas”.
After a route through more agricultural land, the Camino arrives in Lugo, with its rich Roman heritage and impressive walls.
The trail then heads to San Román de Retorta through farmland and woodlands.
The route continues through Toques and into the historic town of Melide in Corunna. This is where the Way’s Original Route joins with the French Route. You should take the opportunity to sample ”pulpo” (octopus) in one of the many ”pulperías” in town and grab a few ”melindres”, the town’s traditional aniseed cakes.
6th day: MELIDE - SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA (50 Km - difficulty 1/3)
Breakfast and start of the stage. The proximity of your goal will bring mixed feelings. On one hand, you will be eager to reach the desired end of the journey, yet on the downside, the feeling that comes to every pilgrim is that the journey is over. A stage of anxiety and joy, where distance does not matter, because you are “already there”.
Today's stage runs between eucalyptus trees and Medieval bridges, including the most idyllic location on the Camino, Ribadiso do Baixo, near Arzua.
Today’s route is a nice and easy over gentle slopes through woodlands, alternating with stretches near the road.
The path today is flat, except for the climb to San Marcos, from Lavacolla, passing Monte do Gozo and down to Santiago de Compostela.
The entire city of Santiago de Compostela is magical, but especially its Cathedral, which deserves a special visit.
7th day: SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
After breakfast, go to exchange your pilgrim’s passport, if you haven’t already done it. Alternatively, we suggest you visit the cathedral and the surrounding areas or attend a pilgrim mass.
