
Our 2025 Camino de Santiago pilgrimage along the 200 mile (321km) Primitivo route between Oviedo and Santiago de Compostela in Spain.
Years back, we attended a seminar on the Camino de Santiago. We learned that the Camino has many routes – included one known as the “Primitivo” (or Original) route. The Primitivo follows the 9th Century route of King Alfonso II on his journey from his capital city of Oviedo to what is now Santiago de Compostela to see the relics of St. James – the first Pilgrimage to Santiago. The first We thought if we were going to do any Camino, we should do the original one.
So here we are.
Use the map below to see the stages of our journey and link to the specific posts. A detailed map of the route and elevation is included below. A link to the related playlist is here.
Posts
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Oviedo
Read more: OviedoArrived in Oviedo. Preparing to begin our Camino de Santiago pilgrimage along the original (or Primitivo) route
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Day 1: Grado
Read more: Day 1: GradoFirst day on the Primitivo brings us to Grado; the experience is part endurance, part scavenger hunt.
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Day 2: Salas
Read more: Day 2: SalasNursing our injuries in Salas after a difficult second day on the Primitivo
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Day 3: Tineo
Read more: Day 3: TineoEvery kind of weather on the road to Tineo. The joys of rural Spain on a Sunday.
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Day 4: Campiello
Read more: Day 4: CampielloSoaked after two days in the rain, we prepare for the biggest day on the Primitivo: the Hospitales.
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Day 5: Berducedo (Hospitales)
Read more: Day 5: Berducedo (Hospitales)Sore and tired, we successfully crossed the mountains on the signature section of the Primitivo: the Hospitales.
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Day 6: Grandas de Salime
Read more: Day 6: Grandas de SalimeAfter the Hospitales, the steep drop into the fog-shrouded Embalse de Salime valley and the climb to Grandas
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Days 7-8: A Fonsagrada and Baleira
Read more: Days 7-8: A Fonsagrada and BaleiraClimbing out of fog-enshrouded Grandas; out of Asturias and to the Galician towns of A Fonsagrada and Baleira.
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Day 9: Lugo
Read more: Day 9: LugoLongest day on the Camino trekking through the forests of Galicia to the hilltop city of Lugo with its historic Roman walls.
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Days 10-11: Ferreira and Boente
Read more: Days 10-11: Ferreira and BoenteA very difficult day as injury requires one of us to end our Camino de Santiago.
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Day 12: Salceda
Read more: Day 12: SalcedaWhile the scenery on the way to Salceda was unremarkable, today provided a great chance to connect with fellow pilgrims.
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Day 13: San Marcos
Read more: Day 13: San MarcosLast major day on the Camino. Reached the outskirts of Santiago with 196 miles down and four to go.
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Day 14: Santiago de Compostela
Read more: Day 14: Santiago de CompostelaArrival in Santiago, the culmination of my Camino, and an unexpected reunion with peregrinos from the Primitivo.
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The End of the World, Again
Read more: The End of the World, AgainLast stage of our Camino: journey to Kilometer Zero in Fisterra – the End of the World.

