Camino Primitivo

May  2025

Camino De Santiago

– Oviedo to Santiago de Compestela, Spain –

Distance (KM)

Days

# Caminos walked

About My Camino

The Camino Primitivo was my fourth Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route, and it came right on the heels of my Italian walk on the Via Francigena. This pilgrimage route is known as the “original way” because it is the oldest of all the Camino de Santiago routes. It originated in 814 A.D. when King Alfonso II of Asturias made the pilgrimage from his kingdom to Santiago de Compostela to see the remains of St. James.

The Camino Primitivo has a reputation for being less popular than many other routes. This tends to make it a quieter and more serene pilgrimage through northern Spain (however, it was surprisingly busy in May 2025). The rugged terrain through the mountains of Asturias and Galicia also makes it one of the more physically challenging Camino routes.

Below is my daily trail journal from the Camino Primitivo – along with my packing list and some additional random thoughts about this wonderful springtime Camino experience.

 

Trail Journal

Pre-Hike

Camino Primitivo

Camino Primitivo

Camino Primitivo Packing List

Camino Primitivo Packing List

Jun 1, 2025 | , ,

I hiked the Camino Primitivo immediately after my Italian Via Francigena pilgrimage in Spring 2025. In fact, I flew directly from Rome to Oviedo and began my fifth Camino route with almost all the same gear that I used in Italy. There were a few minor changes between...

11 Differences Between the Camino and Via Francigena

11 Differences Between the Camino and Via Francigena

May 26, 2025 | ,

In February, I publicly announced my plans to walk 400+ kilometers on the Via Francigena. Soon afterward, several friends began referring to this upcoming trek as my "Italian Camino." I can see their point of view. This new pilgrimage resembled my other trips on the...

Resources

Links to my other caminos