Camino Primitivo: A pilgrimage from Oviedo to Santiago de Compostela

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This year, we are planning our first longer hike in May and have decided to take the Camino Primitivo. This historic route runs for around 320 kilometers through the north of Spain, from Oviedo to Santiago de Compostela. The Camino Primitivo runs between two of the better-known Camino de Santiago: the coastal Camino del Norte and the traditional Camino Francés. Interestingly, the last 100 kilometers of the Camino Primitivo and the Camino Francés share the same course.

What sets the Camino Primitivo apart is its challenging topography. The route leads through mountainous terrain and offers numerous steep climbs that pilgrims have to overcome. However, this challenge is rewarded with breathtaking views and gives the hike a unique spirit of adventure.

A particular highlight of the Camino Primitivo is the crossing of the Puerto de Palo and La Espina passes, both of which are over 1,000 meters above sea level.

Why we chose the Camino Primitivo

One of the criteria when choosing our route was the time required. We like to complete projects (not like the Harzer Klosterwanderweg which we didn’t manage before), and the Camino Primitivo offers a length that is easy to plan. What’s more, this route is chosen by only 4% of pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago (according to jakobsweg.de), which promises us more peace and quiet and fewer crowds.

We are looking forward to exploring this unique path and enjoying the beauty of nature and the tranquillity of the mountains. Join us on this adventure!

The journey to Oviedo

There is an airport near Oviedo, as well as in Santiago de Compostela, which makes traveling to and from the Camino Primitivo convenient. However, those who value cheaper flights and are not necessarily looking for the pilgrim’s certificate or the classic direction can save money by walking the Camino in the opposite direction. As most pilgrims want to fly home from Santiago after completing their walk, flights there are usually cheaper, while flights out of Santiago are often more expensive.

For us, it turned out to be much cheaper to fly from Frankfurt to Madrid and then travel on to Oviedo by train. From many other airports in northern Germany, you have to reckon with stopovers in Barcelona or Madrid anyway and accept longer waiting times at the airport.

Videos of the stages

After the Primitivo, we walked the Camino Invierno in spring 2026, the quiet winter pilgrim route from Ponferrada to Santiago – here is our report with all twelve stages.