Every great journey begins only with dreaming about it.
Indicates the number of persons
Full and customizable services for a worry-free experience on the Wey of Santiago.
Remember that the cost of the optional services chosen will be added to the base price of your route. We are committed to making your pilgrimage an unforgettable and carefree experience. Welcome to the Wey!
Discover the Wey of Santiago towards the majestic Santiago de Compostela.
Welcome to the beginning of your journey. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure!
Breakfast and start of the first stage of the Way of Saint James from Oviedo.
DID YOU KNOW that the start of your Primitive Way in the city of Oviedo represents the “kilometer 0 of the Way of St. James”? Oviedo has the honor of being the first capital of the Way!
We take the Cathedral of San Salvador de Oviedo as our starting point to leave the city.
The stage initially runs along the slope of Monte Naranco. We will walk along dirt tracks and paved roads. Chestnut trees and large meadows will mark the route, with the climb to Escamplero being the difficulty of the day.
Highlights include the Casona de la Portalada in Premoño, the Peñaflor Bridge, and its Church.
In Grado, we highlight the Valdecarzana Palace.
Arrival in Grado. End of the stage.
Breakfast and start of the stage.
Our Way of St. James from Oviedo enters Central Asturias, with numerous meadows, mountain passes, and small villages.
We will encounter beautiful views, with plains and banks of the Cornellana and Salas rivers, with many rural houses, granaries, and pantries. An area with a great Jacobean tradition, as it is a crossroads of the inland route to the coast.
The Monastery of San Salvador de Cornellana as a prominent monument in Cornellana.
Salas is a medieval town with numerous well-preserved monuments, including the Tower of the Valdes and the Collegiate Church of Santa María la Mayor.
Arrival in Salas. End of the stage.
Breakfast and start of the stage.
We will alternate wooded areas at the beginning of the steep ascent to La Espina, with beautiful views of Tineo.
The stage runs close to the road and is an area of manor houses, water mills, and old hermitages.
In Tineo, its old town, the Palace of Merás, and the late-medieval Tower of the García Palace.
Arrival in Tineo. End of the stage.
Breakfast and start of the stage.
A more complicated stage in terms of orography. Wooded areas abound and the large meadows and valleys disappear.
There is a sense of tranquility and “solitude” on the Way.
We highlight the Monastery of Santa María la Real in Obona.
Arrival in Pola de Allende. End of the stage.
Breakfast and start of the stage.
The most beautiful stage of our Way of St. James from Oviedo is also the most challenging in terms of terrain, with the ascent to the El Palo mountain pass, although the views are worth it.
We highlight the Chapel of Santiago in Montefurado with its carving of the Apostle Santiago, and in Berducedo, the Church of Santa María.
Arrival in Berducedo. End of the stage.
Breakfast and start of the stage.
Spectacular views and mountainous terrain will mark this stage, overlooking the Navia river valley and the Grandas de Salime reservoir. A steep descent will lead us to the end of the stage.
The Ethnographic Museum of Grandas de Salime and its Parish Church of San Salvador are must-see attractions.
Arrival in Grandas de Salime. End of the stage.
The climb to the Acebo pass, entering the province of Lugo, will be the challenge of the day, although the ascent is gentle.
Spectacular views with green mountains where silence and tranquility reign.
Arrival in Fonsagrada. End of the stage.
A stage with constant ups and downs, but now more gently, running very close to the road.
The Alto de Montouto, with an old ruined hospital, will be the landmark of the day.
Arrival in Cadavo Baleira. End of the stage.
The last climbs of our Way, to descend to the plains, through small parishes, tracks, and roads that cross lush forests.
The entire Old Town of Lugo, with its fabulous wall, will compensate for the effort of the stage.
Arrival in Lugo and end of our exciting Way of St. James from Oviedo.
If you have more days, you can extend your Primitive Way from Lugo.
We’re coming to the last day of your trip! Enjoy breakfast and conclude this unforgettable experience with us.
Thank you for being part of this adventure!
This itinerary will take you through the most popular stages, allowing you to experience the beauty and culture of the Wey of Santiago. Be sure to book accommodation in advance, as it can get crowded, especially in the high season.
Safe travels and buen Wey!
In our constant effort to provide the best experience to our customers, we want to assure you that we are committed to your rest and comfort. The accommodations we offer have been carefully selected and provide private rooms with private bathrooms, along with all the necessary services to make the most of your stay. It is important to note that we will never put you up in hostels.
Since these accommodations have a limited capacity, we will provide you with the exact name once you confirm your reservation and we verify availability on the dates of your choice. Your satisfaction is our priority!
The Primitive Way is a variant that runs parallel, between the French Way and the Northern Way, intersecting with them. This route offers wonderful landscapes and a wonderful gastronomic offer. In fact, it is deeply rooted in traditional Asturian cuisine.
If you intend to take this route, in this article, we will present the most typical dishes you can taste on this journey, from Oviedo to Melide, where it crosses the French Way. We will also show you the best places to eat on the Primitive Way, from Oviedo to Santiago.
The gastronomic richness, just like the natural one, in that stretch is extremely varied and diverse. You will easily find options that suit your tastes and requirements. Among the typical dishes that you should always keep in mind are:
There is no list of typical Asturian dishes where fabada is not present. It’s practically a signature dish of this region.
Asturian fabada, or simply fabada for locals, is made with fabes (a type of beans) typical of the area. It is prepared along with blood sausages and a variety of chorizos, in addition to pork meat.
In fact, this dish is so important that it has been compared to the famous Spanish tortilla. Due to its high caloric level, it is usually recommended for lunch, being prepared since the 16th century.
Another one of the most traditional dishes in Asturian cuisine. The cachopo can have many comparisons, but to give you an idea, it could be compared to a Cordon Bleu in terms of preparation.
It consists of a slice of ham that in turn wraps around a slice of cheese and then placed between two large veal steaks, which are then coated in a flour batter and fried in oil.
Both for its exquisite taste and for being ideal to quickly satisfy hunger, it can be consumed at any time, always resulting perfect.
Sausages have always been part of our tradition, and in Asturias, chorizos are the stars of its most traditional and, of course, delicious recipes.
Chorizo a la sidra, as its name indicates, is based on two ingredients: fresh chorizos or, in some cases, lightly cured, which are cooked in cider.
You can find it practically in any restaurant or bar in the area, always accompanied by fresh bread. Just dip it in and enjoy this simple but delicious recipe.
It is a starter or appetizer that enjoys all the tradition necessary to be considered one of the most important in Asturian cuisine par excellence.
It is an improved version of the famous hake pudding. In 1970, it was renamed “pastel de cabracho” because the main ingredient of the recipe is this fish with a strong flavor. The cake is prepared with the fish meat, previously cleaned to remove the bones, cream, and tomato sauce.
In this stretch, there are also a series of typical places that you must visit for any reason, especially if you are in search of a traditional gastronomic experience.
Among these, we can mention:
La Comtienda is a series of restaurants developed in different parts of the province of Asturias. They pay a kind of tribute to their exquisite gastronomy. In Oviedo, there are three establishments, two on Manuel Pedregal street and the last one around Pedro Miñor Square.
Right in the center, you can enjoy a wide and assorted menu that includes cured meats, salads, cachopos, fish and seafood, meats and rice, and of course, the most delicious desserts.
Undoubtedly, it is a true journey through the most succulent and traditional of Asturian traditional cuisine.
Located on Campa street in the beautiful town of Salas, Casa Pachón is a picturesque establishment that invites you to enjoy its good service and dedicated menu.
With quite abundant and traditional dishes, they offer a pilgrim’s menu that changes daily. Here, you can always enjoy typical preparations, made with the freshest seasonal ingredients, which also go well with the budget.
The staff here always strives to make you feel at home, no matter the day or time, you find options.
At number 3 Donato Fernández street in the heart of Pola de Allende, this is the restaurant of a perfect hotel for any pilgrim. It offers cozy facilities, good service, and the most delicious food.
It is the authentic Asturian traditional cuisine, with abundant portions at all times, from stew, pudding, meats, fish, and seafood. You will always find options that suit your specific tastes.
All their preparations have that homemade touch that will make you live a true typical experience, without having to spend large sums.
Grandas de Salime is a small but very beautiful town, one of those gems you come across when you walk the Way of St. James. Right here, on Pedro de Pedre Street, is the cozy restaurant A Reigada.
Firstly, the service stands out, as everyone who works here has a special treatment for all visitors, especially pilgrims. Now, regarding their menu and dining options, it’s easy. You’ll enjoy homemade dishes with good portions and a wonderful quality-price ratio.
You can choose from the extensive menu or go for the day’s options which are always perfect.
Among all the routes that crisscross Spain, it is on this organized journey along the Camino de Santiago where you will truly be transported to the true origin of the Way. Next, we will discover the secrets of each of the different stages.
STAGE FROM OVIEDO TO GRADO
In Oviedo, it is worth taking a tour of its entire old town, where its walled enclosure, medieval city, and monuments will transport us to the origin of the city in the 8th century.
As the most important monument along this stretch of the Way of St. James from Oviedo to Lugo, we must highlight the Cathedral of San Salvador, from the 15th century. Many pilgrims in the Middle Ages came to it, deviating towards Oviedo to visit it. Hence the popular saying “who goes to Santiago and not to El Salvador, visits the servant and not the Lord.” Due to its numerous reconstructions, it has different artistic styles, although the predominant one is the flamboyant. The Camara Santa stands out for its valuable relics, its numerous chapels, the Old Tower, the Cloister, the Chapter House, and the Altar Mayor’s altarpiece.
In the Cathedral Square, we can admire a set of noble buildings.
In San Lázaro de Paniceres, its medieval-origin Hermitage stands out.
In Premoño, there is the Chapel of Santa Ana.
STAGES GRADO-SALAS-TINEO
In Cornellana, the Monastery of San Salvador from the year 1024 stands out.
In Salas, we can admire the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria la Mayor and the Palace of Valdes Salas, with its medieval tower.
In Tineo, we can find the Church of San Pedro, which is believed to have been founded by the Order of the Temple. It retains its original tower and Romanesque facade. We can also find the Hermitage of San Roque along with the Fountain of the Muses. It is worth mentioning its numerous palaces throughout its council.
STAGE FROM TINEO TO POLA DE ALLENDE
In Borres, the Parish Church of Santa María de Borres stands out, one of the oldest in the council.
In Pola de Allande, we can observe the Palace of Cienfuegos, built on the base of a primitive 14th-century building and remodeled in the 18th century. It has a very sober exterior appearance given its defensive character.
The Church of San Andrés and its Indian houses are other points of interest that we can visit in this town.
STAGES FROM POLA DE ALLENDE TO BERDUCEDO-GRANDAS DE SALIME
In Berducedo, the 15th-century Parish Church of Santa Maria stands out.
La Mesa is a small village belonging to the council of Grandas de Salime.
In Grandas de Salime, the Church of San Salvador is notable, an old collegiate church located in the center of the town. The original church dates back to the 12th century, although a major renovation was carried out in the 18th century. From it, the old Romanesque portal surrounding the baptismal font is preserved.
We can visit the Ethnographic Museum, where we can immerse ourselves in the forgotten rural world, recalling old trades, customs, ancient traditions… which have been overtaken by technological advances and the industrial era.
STAGES FROM GRANDAS DE SALIME-FONSAGRADA-CADAVO BALEIRA
Fonsagrada, known as the sacred fountain of pilgrims. One of the best waterfalls in Galicia (Semeira de Vilagocende) is very close to this town. We can visit the Baroque-style Church of Santa María. We cannot miss the fountain, said to be miraculous, which gives its name to this town.
In Cadavo, we can visit its recreation area, where its sculptural group stands out, belonging to the project that Gaudí conceived for the temple of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.
Throughout the municipality, we can see vestiges of the castro culture. As well as numerous Churches and Hermitages.
On the other hand, we cannot miss enjoying all its nature, which will accompany us throughout our Way of St. James pilgrimage.
STAGE FROM CADAVO BALEIRA TO LUGO
In Villavade, we can contemplate the Church of Santa María.
In Castroverde, its fortress castle stands out, built over the ruins of an old 14th-century castro, today only the Keep Tower remains.
And to conclude our “What to see on the Way of St. James from Oviedo,” in Lugo, we can admire its walls, a fortification spanning over two kilometers. It is the only one of Roman origin that preserves its entire route intact. The Roman Baths, as well as the Sanctuary of Santa Eulalia de la Boveda and the Cathedral of Santa María, are not to be missed. Other important monuments include: The Episcopal Palace and the Palace of San Marcos, among others.
The best options for getting to Oviedo are:
Option 1: Go by car and leave it in a parking lot in Oviedo. Private car.
Option 2: Bus
Travel from Oviedo to Madrid with Alsa.
Option 3: Train (Renfe) Travel from Madrid and Barcelona to Oviedo
Option 4: Airplane
The nearest airport to Oviedo is Asturias Airport (48 km).
From here, to get to Oviedo, you can go by bus (Alsa) or in a private transfer with us.
Although, as we have mentioned, the Way from Oviedo was the origin of all the routes that lead to the Cathedral of Santiago, the quintessential and most traveled route remains the Way of St. James from Sarria to Santiago.
