CAMINO PRIMITIVO – THE ORIGINAL WAY – 11 Days

DISTANCE - ABOVE AVERAGE

Distance training is a major consideration in your overall training program. As you progress, incorporate longer walks into your training plan.

Schedule one or two long walks each week, gradually increasing the distance until you can comfortably cover 17-25 km in a single day. Also include walks on consecutive days to help your body adapt to the demands of walking for multiple days in a row. Take every opportunity you can to walk. If you have a fitness watch or phone, you should try to reach >15,000 steps every day.

Ensure you can comfortably walk the average distance per day displayed in the graph, at least one month before you undertake your hike.

ELEVATION - BELOW AVERAGE

Elevation is not a major consideration in your overall training program. However, you should still incorporate some form of resistance training to increase your endurance.

UNEVEN TERRAIN

Preparation for hiking on uneven terrain demands a blend of physical and mental readiness.

Begin with balance-enhancing exercises, such as one-legged stands and stability ball workouts, laying a groundwork for stability and coordination. Strengthening the lower body is especially important, achieved through the incorporation of squats, lunges, and step-ups. Gradually increase the complexity of the terrain on which you walk, moving from gravel paths to rocky trails. Cultivate mindfulness during your practice, directing focused attention to both your immediate surroundings and precise foot placement.

The importance of suitable footwear cannot be overstated; prioritise options that offer robust support and reliable grip to navigate varying terrains with confidence. Build endurance through consistent hikes, progressively increasing distance and difficulty.

AVAILABILITY

This walk is available from the start of March through to October. Regardless of when you travel there are often celebrations along the Camino, specific to the individual towns or regions. From Galician literature festivals to the nationwide celebrations of Semana Santa, walking the Camino is a colourful experience.

WEATHER

The route runs across northern Spain and through a variety of terrain, including some small mountains. This can make it very cold around the edges of the walking season. During the early and latter part of the season, conditions can be changeable from temperate warms days through to frosty mornings, cold days and very cool nights. From May to September, rainy days are less frequent and temperatures are steadily between 20-24 degrees, however, it is possible that you may experience a few cloudy days.

THE WALKING

We grade this 215 km walk as Moderate to Challenging only due to the distances walked each day, day after day.  Although the ascents look substantial nearly on all of the days, the elevation is spread relatively evenly over the days walk. This means you don’t really feel that you are walking up substantially. Except on the Grandes de Salime day. The Camino is a well-trodden route, so the trails are very well defined for the most part. You will follow an ancient pilgrim trail and therefore, whilst sections of the walk will take you deep into the picturesque countryside, you will also walk through an urban environment as you begin and this walk and alongside roads ( less so than the French Camino), as you follow the truest route possible.

You should be used to walking up to 28km with up to 800m of ascent and descent. On any typical day, you will hike on designated walking trails, farm and forest tracks and cover long sections in the open countryside. You will sustain climbs to hilltop towns, villages, and the rolling countryside. You will also walk on some roads, so please be mindful of all road users at all times.

A moderate active lifestyle makes walking more enjoyable, an exercise regime of 2 to 3 times a week is needed, in addition to your usual walks. The route is very well waymarked by the iconic scallop-shell markers and with many other walkers on the trail, it’s very easy to find your way.
For each of the walks, you will be provided with comprehensive daily walk notes, a map and the GPX tracks if you wish to use them for your own device.

HOW TO GET THERE AND AWAY

HOW TO GET THERE

The tour starts in Oviedo and finishes in Lugo. The Asturias Airport to the north of Oviedo is the closest airport; combining this with a taxi is the quickest way to reach Oviedo. But it is possible to fly into the following airports; Madrid and take a pleasant train ride or Bilbao Airport and take a bus (the train takes a lot longer). From Santiago de Compostela, it is a 5 hr bus ride or an 8 hr train ride.

From Madrid Airport train station, a 4 to 5-hour train journey connecting through Leon (changing once at Madrid Chamartin station). If travelling from Bilbao Airport, there is a bus journey which is around 4 hours. A private transfer can be arranged if you are flying in and out of Santiago de Compostela.

HOW TO GET AWAY

There is an excellent train network in Spain that can be used to get away from Lugo see trainline.com.

You could also make the 3 hr bus journey or a quicker taxi ride to Santiago de Compostela. There is an airport at Santiago de Compostela which can fly you to just about anywhere. Check Skyscanner or Kayak for flights.

INSURANCE

We require that you have adequate travel insurance against potential losses, damage or injury, including cancellation costs and loss of luggage.

For all trips requiring international travel, you must have purchased travel insurance including medical evacuation coverage.

We also charge a cancellation fee if you cancel your walking holiday after we have confirmed it to cover costs incurred from our suppliers and in the office.  See the FAQ section for more information.

CONTACT AUSWALK

If you have any questions, feel free to ask one of our destination consultants or to speak with one of our guides. You can get in touch with us via our contact form, email us at info@auswalk.com.au, or call us on +61 3 9597 9767.