Primitive Way from Lugo to Santiago de Compostela: 5 stages

Information about the trip: Primitive Way from Lugo to Santiago de Compostela: 5 stages

The Original Route or Camino Primitivo was the route traditionally followed by pilgrims from further afield in Northern Spain and Europe.
This Camino 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.
This itinerary begins in 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, joining the final stretch of the French Route at the lively town of Melide, where you should try Galicia’s most famous dish: octopus.

The 70-mile journey (118 km) is the minimum distance required to apply for your “Compostela” certificate.

Travel itinerary (Summary)

DAY 1: Arrival to Lugo
DAY 2: Stage 1, Lugo, A Ponte Ferreira 26,5 km 2/5
DAY 3: Stage 2, A Ponte Ferreira, Melide 20 km 2/5
DAY 4: Stage 3, Melide, Arzúa 14,1 km 3/5
DAY 5: Stage 4, Arzúa, Rúa 17,7 km 3/5
DAY 6: Stage 5, Rúa, Santiago De Compostela 21 km 2/5
DAY 7: Return

Travel itinerary (Detailed)

ProgramDAY
1

Arrival to Lugo

118 km/ 70 mi separate the start of this itinerary from Santiago de Compostela, the final destination.
Fill in your pilgrim’s passport and get ready to start the Way. Before you do, explore the delightful city of Lugo with a walk along its millennial roman walls.
ProgramDAY
2

Stage 1, from Lugo to A Ponte Ferreira

Distance : 26,5 km Difficulty : 2/5

Breakfast and start of the stage. The Camino leaves Lugo through the oldest gate in the city walls which is called the Porta Miñá. From here, you will walk to the quarter of Saint Lazarus and cross the old Roman bridge. After a few kilometres, you will go past a national monument and museum known as Santa Eulalia de Bóveda, housing some of the most fascinating early medieval paintings in the entire Iberian Peninsula. The trail then heads to San Román de Retorta through farmland and woodlands.
ProgramDAY
3

Stage 2, from A Ponte Ferreira to Melide

Distance : 20 km Difficulty : 2/5

Breakfast and start of the stage. The Original Route, or “Camino Primitivo” as it is also known, follows ancient tracks that are still very much in use today. These paths join up the many small country villages and hamlets in the area, such as Seixalvo, Xende, Ferreira and Merlan. The route continues through Toques and into the historic town of Melide in La Coruña. 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.
ProgramDAY
4

Stage 3, from Melide to Arzúa

Distance : 14,1 km Difficulty : 3/5

135 km/ 83 mi separate the start of this itinerary from Santiago de Compostela, the final destination.
Breakfast and start of the stage. Today's stage runs between eucalyptus trees and Medieval bridges, including the most idyllic location on the Camino, Ribadiso do Baixo, near Arzua.
Remember that Arzua leads to the designation of origin of its famous cheese.
ProgramDAY
5

Stage 4, from Arzúa to Rúa

Distance : 17,7 km Difficulty : 3/5

Breakfast and start of the stage. Today’s route is a nice and easy walk over gentle slopes through woodland, alternating with stretches near the road, we must go through sometimes areas, ending in Rua (500 m before the village of Pedrouzo). Don't miss the beautiful sculpture of Saint James the Pilgrim in the Church of the same name in Boente.
ProgramDAY
6

Stage 5, from Rúa to Santiago De Compostela

Distance : 21 km Difficulty : 2/5

Breakfast and start of the stage. This last stage starts by leaving Padrón and continuing through Galician villages to the magnificent sanctuary of Nossa Señora da Escravitute.
You finally start to see Santiago de Compostela in the distance and at Agro dos Monteiros, you will be able to see the towers of the Cathedral for the first time.
After crossing the River Sar, you will make your way through the suburbs of the city to the Faxeira gate, the entrance for the Portuguese Route in this old city. Walk through a labyrinth of streets to Obradoiro square and its Cathedral, where the Apostle awaits you.
ProgramDAY
7

Return

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.

Included

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 and tracks of the stages.
Telephone assistance (English-speaking)