The Primitive or Original Way from Lugo to Santiago, 7 days/6 nights

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.

- ITINERARY -

1st day: ARRIVAL IN LUGO
2nd day: LUGO - A PONTE FERREIRA (29 Km - 6h45 - difficulty 1/3)
3rd day: A PONTE FERREIRA - MELIDE (20 Km - 5h - difficulty 2/3)
4th day: MELIDE - ARZUA (13 Km - 3h45 - difficulty 2/3)
5th day: ARZUA - RUA (18.5 Km - 5h - difficulty 1/3)
6th day: RUA - SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA (18.5 Km - 4h30 - 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 x max. 20kg bag per person)
- Travel insurance
- Credencial (Pilgrim's passport)
- Tips and maps
- 24/7 telephone assistance (English-speaking)

The Price does not include:
- Lunches
- Single room supplement: € 250
- Dinners supplement:€ 180
- Superior category accommodations supplement: € 230
- Superior category accommodations single room  supplement: € 370
- Superior category accommodations dinners  supplement: € 220


PRICE PER PERSON BASED ON DOUBLE ROOM



DAILY DEPARTURES

DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY

1st day: ARRIVAL IN LUGO
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.

2nd day: LUGO - A PONTE FERREIRA (29 Km - 6h45 - difficulty 1/3)
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.

3rd day: A PONTE FERREIRA - MELIDE (20 Km - 5h - difficulty 2/3)
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 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.

4th day: MELIDE - ARZUA (13 Km - 3h45 - difficulty 2/3)
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.

5th day: ARZUA - RUA (18.5 Km - 5h - difficulty 1/3)
Today’s route is a nice and easy walk over gentle slopes through woodland, alternating with stretches near the road, we have to 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.

6th day: RUA - SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA (18.5 Km - 4h30 - difficulty 1/3)
The last stage on your Camino de Santiago. 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”. The route 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.