The Primitive Way is the original Camino, the oldest of all, connecting Oviedo with Santiago de Compostela.
The Galician stretch of the Primitive Way is famous for its mountainous landscapes and challenging terrain, with routes passing through forests and hills. This is one of the most physically demanding routes, but also one of the most rewarding, offering a deep connection to both nature and the history of the Camino.
Pilgrims following this route can enjoy the beauty of the Galician landscape, the tranquility of rural villages, and the sense of walking in the footsteps of the first pilgrims. The Primitive Way is also known for its more solitary atmosphere and lower number of pilgrims, making it ideal for those seeking a more intimate and authentic experience.
ETAPAS:
1️⃣ A Fonsagrada → O Cádavo Baleira (25 km)
The Primitive Way enters Galicia through A Fonsagrada, a town known for its ancient Jacobean traditions. The stage crosses mountains and dense forests of chestnuts and oaks, passing the legendary hospital of Montouto, before descending towards O Cádavo Baleira, a small town with a strong link to the medieval history of the Camino.
2️⃣ O Cádavo Baleira → Lugo (30 km)
A varied stage, with climbs and descents through rural landscapes. Pilgrims pass through Castroverde, with its Romanesque church and its ruined castle, before arriving in Lugo. This city is famous for its impressive Roman wall, declared a World Heritage Site, and its gastronomy, with a wide range of tapas in its historic centre.
3️⃣ Lugo → San Román da Retorta (20 km)
At this stage, the Primitive Way meets the French Way in Melide, a town famous for its “pulpo á feira”, a traditional octopus dish that many pilgrims take the opportunity to try. The route alternates between forest sections and small Galician villages.
5️⃣ Melide → Arzúa (15 km)
The route is short and comfortable, ideal for enjoying the landscape of forests and streams. Arzúa, known for its origins, is a resting point before tackling the final stages of the Camino to Santiago.
6️⃣ Arzúa → O Pedrouzo (19 km)
The Camino continues through gentle hills and well-marked trails, passing through villages with churches and centuries-old crosses. Pedrouzo is a common resting place before the final stage.
7️⃣ O Pedrouzo → Santiago de Compostela (20 km)
The last stage of the Primitive Way is a mix of emotion and nostalgia. Pilgrims pass through Monte do Gozo, where they get their first glimpse of the cathedral, before finally reaching Santiago de Compostela, completing the oldest pilgrimage route to the tomb of the Apostle James.
