The last 100 km of the Camino Primitivo. From Lugo to Santiago de Compostela
1 pax min.
The Camino Primitivo or the Original Way, as it name indicates, is the first Camino de Santiago. The path that followed the first of all pilgrims, King Alfonso II, from Oviedo to Santiago de Compostela to visit the newly discovered tomb of the Apostle, in the 9th.
This Camino is made by many fewer pilgrims, the main reason is that this path is the toughest of all routes to Santiago, especially the first stages. Therefore the path is quite unspoilt, it runs mostly along trails and in comparison to other Caminos it has not many facilities. In return, by following this route you will see the historic cities of Oviedo and Lugo
From Lugo we can choose between to routes: the alternative one runs by Friol and Sobrado de los Monjes where it joins the Camino del Norte and later by Arzúa where it joins the final stretch of the Camino Frances. And the traditional route that converges the Camino Francés in Melide. The variant through Friol is not well waymarked.
Program
Day 1: Flight to Santiago de Compostela or La Coruña.
Transfer to the hotel in Lugo. Free time to visit this beautiful city, above all its Roman wall, the Cathedral and the old town.
Day 2: From Lugo to Guntín, 20 km approx.
We leave the city of Lugo across the river Miño, the most important of the Galician rivers and very connected to the Camino de Santiago. We already left the mountains and today’s stage is relatively plain, so we’ll gradually recover our strength, . The Camino runs mainly by secondary roads where there’s hardly any traffic and always passing through small villages.
Day 3: De Guntín a Melide, sobre 27 km.
Today’s stage leads us towards the Camino Francés, since Melide is the junction where both paths join. Melide is well known by its “pulperías” which we won’t forget to visit.
Day 4: From Melide to Arzúa, 15 km approx.
Today’s stage is short but also beautiful. We`ll change from the quietness of the Camino Primitivo to the crowd of the Camino Francés and we’ll start finding many pilgrims.
On leaving Melide we can visit the Romanesque church of Santa María that also has a ver wel-preserved frescos. This path runs in the early kilometres by a nice eucalyptus forest, and it will be with us until our destination.
Day 5: From Arzúa to Lavacolla, 30 km approx.
This stage also goes through eucalyptus forests and brings us even closer to our destination. We,ll pass through different towns, among which you,ll find St. Irene and Amenal. In Lavacolla pilgrims were accustomed to have a bath in the river before entering the next day in Santiago.
Day 6: From Lavacolla to Santiago de Compostela, 12 km approx.
Finally we get closer to our destination. We have ahead a short stage, perfect to reach the Cathedral of Santiago before 12 noon to attend to the Pilgrim’s Mass which is held every day at this time.
Before entering the city we will pass through the Monte del Gozo, whose name comes from the joy felt by the pilgrims when seeing the city for the first time.
Day 7. In Santiago de Compostela
Free day to visit this beautiful city, proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. We can visit the market town, Plaza de Abastos or one of its museums e.g. the Museum of Pilgrimages and the Cathedral Museum.
Transfer to the airport.
*There is the possibility to extend the stay in Lugo or Santiago, if you are interested in it please don’t hesitate to contact Viajes Orbis. When extending your stay, apart from having more time to enjoy the city, we can arrange some excursions.
*It is also possible to combine various trips, e.g. follow the Way of Saint James until Finisterre.
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