El Camino: Hike, Bike, and Horseback

WHAT MAKES THIS ADVENTURE SPECIAL:

The Camino Primitivo invites you into a different pace of being—one shaped by simple moments: a quiet breakfast, a long walk, a warm greeting from a stranger. It’s the oldest route of the Camino de Santiago and one of the least crowded, making it an ideal path for a pilgrimage rooted in presence and discovery.

This journey carries you through mountains, forests, and small northern Spanish villages—places where history and landscape shape the rhythm of each day. You’ll follow the iconic yellow arrows on foot, on horseback, and by e-bike as you move from Oviedo to Santiago, meeting locals whose hospitality feels deeply tied to the land they love.

HIGHLIGHTS

Walk an uncrowded, deeply authentic Camino de Santiago
Experience a rare solar eclipse along the route
Travel the original path from Oviedo to Santiago
Journey on foot, on horseback, and by electric bike
Explore Oviedo, Salas, Lugo, and Santiago de Compostela
Learn about the roots of the Camino pilgrimage
Savor northern Spain’s unique regional cuisine
Stay in handpicked palaces, village homes, and rural inns
Take on the “pilgrim triathlon” challenge
Feel the energy of the Camino—a journey that changes you

PLUS:

+ Knowledgeable guides with decades of experience and personal connections with locals
+ Opportunities to challenge your body and reconnect with Nature
+ 3 month pre-trip physical and mental preparation guide
+ Post-trip integration guide
+ Talk to a real human when booking and planning your trip!

Contact us:
720-743-5516 | INFO@ROOTADVENTURES.COM

Detailed itinerary

click “+” to explore daily activities

Arrive in Oviedo, Asturias, the historic capital of the region and the official starting point of the Camino Primitivo. Wander its pedestrian-only old town, admire pre-Romanesque churches and elegant palaces, and settle into the evening rhythm of cider houses and tapas bars.
*Fly into Asturias Airport (OVD) anytime on Day 1.
Sample Acommodations: OVIEDO / Hotel NH Oviedo Principado – Classic, comfortable hotel in the heart of Oviedo, ideal for starting the Camino with all urban amenities close at hand.
Meals: D
Oviedo → Grado → Salas → Tineo
Day 2 distance: 25.8 km
Day 3 distance: 24.9 km
Day 4 distance: 20.2 km
We begin the Camino the traditional way — on foot. These first three stages guide us through some of Asturias’ most iconic landscapes: rolling green hills, forest paths, quiet meadows, and villages that feel untouched by time.
Each day offers a blend of challenging ascents and soulful rewards — a small chapel where we stamp our credentials, a scenic pass that opens to a panoramic valley, or a welcoming town square in Grado or Salas where we unwind and enjoy Asturian cuisine.
Evenings are spent in carefully selected accommodations where you’ll rest, replenish, and prepare for the next stretch of the journey.
Sample Accommodations:
Day 2: GRADO / Villagrado Suites – Elegant, peaceful apartments in the historic centre of Grado, perfect for a comfortable rest after the first stage.
Day 3: SALAS / Casa Sueño – A cosy hostel in Salas with charm and excellent service, a restorative break before continuing on your way.
Day 4: TINEO / Palacio de Meras Hotel and Restaurant – Historic hotel with restaurant and modern amenities in Tineo, where you can recharge your batteries with taste and tradition.
Meals: B, L, D
Borres → Berducedo → Grandas de Salime → Fonsagrada
Day 5 time: ~6 hours on horseback
Day 6 time: ~5 hours on horseback
Day 7 time: ~5 hours on horseback
We shift into a pilgrimage steeped in medieval tradition — traveling the Camino on horseback, just as nobles and long-distance pilgrims once did.
*No previous riding experience required.
With expert local equestrian guides, we ride through rugged mountain terrain, meadows, forest roads, and remote rural paths. These are some of the most demanding stretches of the Primitive Way, and experiencing them on horseback gives you a unique perspective of the land and its long history.
Each day flows between walking, trotting, and gentle galloping, balanced with generous breaks to rest the horses, enjoy regional meals, and take in the landscape.
This section is both grounding and exhilarating — a highlight for many pilgrims.
Accommodations:
Day 5: BERDUCEDO / Casa Rural Araceli – A warm home among the mountains, where silence and hospitality provide shelter for the weary pilgrim.
Day 6: GRANDAS DE SALIME / La Barra Hotel – Simple and friendly accommodation, perfect for catching your breath before tackling the last slopes of the Camino.
Day 7: FONSAGRADA / Albergue Pensión Cantábrico – Centrally located, highly rated guesthouse in A Fonsagrada, perfect for recharging your batteries.
Meals: B, L, D
Fonsagrada → Lugo → Melide → Santiago de Compostela
Day 8 distance: 54.3 km
Day 9 distance: 47.8 km
Day 10 distance: 53 km
For the final three days, we embrace modern pilgrimage with electric bikes — the perfect way to enjoy the rolling hills of Galicia without losing the sense of effort and intention.
The e-bikes offer steady support through climbs and long distances, letting you stay fully present with the scenery, the culture, and the spiritual significance of nearing Santiago.
We join pilgrims from the French Way as we approach Lugo and Melide, feeling the energy grow with each kilometer.
The journey culminates at Obradoiro Square, where the Cathedral of Santiago rises before you. Collect your Compostela certificate and savor the emotion of a pilgrimage completed — carried by your own steps, your horse’s strides, and your final pedal strokes.
Congratulations. You’ve arrived.
Sample Accommodations:
Day 8: LUGO / Hospedería San Froilán – Charming traditional guesthouse in Lugo, combining comfort and an ideal location for exploring the walled city.
Day 9: MELIDE/ Casa da Ponte de Penas – Charming rural hotel in Melide, with a swimming pool and peaceful natural surroundings for a restful break.
Day 10: SANTIAGO / Hotel Pazos Alba – Elegant and well-located accommodation in Santiago de Compostela, the ideal finishing touch to the Camino.
Meals: B, L, D
Farewell & Departure
After a restorative night in Santiago, we’ll say goodbye for now.
Some may stay to explore the city’s winding stone streets and vibrant markets, while others begin the journey home—carrying the quiet strength, clarity, and connection found along the Camino.
This isn’t just the end of a trek; it’s the beginning of whatever comes next, shaped by every step, stride, and pedal that brought you here.
Buen Camino—until we meet again.