From Oveido to Santiago

The Camino Primitivo, also known as the 'Interior Route' or the 'Orginal Way' is the oldest route mentioned in Santiago's pilgrim history. It was used by the first devout pilgrims from the newly-formed kingdom of Asturias. The city of Oviedo, which was the capital of the kingdom and the centre of Christian Spain, marked the main starting point of the Camino Primitivo. However, the route was also followed by pilgrims who began their journeys in other parts of Northern Spain and Europe.

The Camino Primitivo might very well have been the route taken by King Alphonse II, the Chaste, during the 9th century. This monarch played a decisive role in confirming that the remains unearthed in Santiago de Compostela belonged to the apostle Saint James. The Camino Primitivo was probably the safest and most-travelled route until the ‘Camino Francés’ established its position as the major route in the late 10th century. Nonetheless, the Camino Primitivo remained a popular alternative.

The route is challenging and crosses rural terrain. The mountain passes top heights of around 1100 metres, but the effort is rewarded by magnificent views. I have been walking this route in the spring of 2012, together with my mother. Below you'll find a scheduale of the stages we did.