Conquer the Virtual Camino Primitivo Challenge: Walk the Original Way from Home
Walk the oldest of the Camino de Santiago routes from wherever you already move. The Camino Primitivo, or Original Way, runs about 341 km (roughly 212 miles) from Oviedo through the mountains of Asturias and Galicia before joining the French Way near Santiago de Compostela, and Route Rally turns every synced walk, run or daily step into progress along it. The most demanding of the Caminos, it rewards stronger walkers with wild, remote scenery.
- Route: Camino Primitivo
- Distance: 340.7 km
- Elevation gain: 7500 m
- Demanding mountain pilgrimage
- Best for: Stronger walkers and hikers, hill-walking goals, and multi-week rallies of your own
Planning your challenge
A walker averaging 30 km/week finishes in about eleven weeks; a hiker building hill mileage may treat it as a focused season goal.
This is a Medium route by Route Rally distance bands but with the most climbing of the Caminos, so it suits walkers who want a tougher challenge.
Works well for experienced walkers and hikers who want the original, more mountainous pilgrimage.
Create your own rally at your own pace, solo or with a group to share the climb.
Why this route
- The Camino Primitivo, or Original Way, is the oldest Camino, the route taken by the first pilgrims from the Asturian court.
- The Route Rally route runs about 341 km (212 miles) from Oviedo through the mountains of Asturias and Galicia before joining the French Way near Santiago.
- It is the most mountainous and demanding of the Caminos, which gives it a distinct identity for stronger walkers and hikers.
- As a virtual challenge you cover the distance in your own time, so hill walks, hikes and steps all count towards Santiago.
- It rounds out the Camino de Santiago series with a tougher, more remote option alongside the gentler routes.
Highlights
- Start in Oviedo, the historic capital of Asturias
- Climb through the green mountains of Asturias on the original pilgrim path
- Cross into Galicia and join the French Way for the final stretch
- Finish at the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
Common questions
How do my hill walks count towards the Original Way?
Your tracker does the recording and Route Rally does the rest, moving you west from Oviedo as each walk, hike, run or ride lands. Distance is what it measures, not climbing, so a steep hill day counts the same as a flat one of the same length: at 30 km a week Santiago arrives in about eleven weeks.
Do I have to walk in the Asturian mountains?
No. The Primitivo is a distance to cover, so your local hills, or no hills at all, will get you to Santiago. The real route is the most mountainous of the Caminos and that reputation is half the reason people choose it, but the virtual version asks only for about 341 km, however level the ground under you.
How long is the virtual Camino Primitivo?
The Route Rally route covers about 341 km, or roughly 212 miles, Oviedo to Santiago de Compostela on the Original Way through the mountains.
Is the Camino Primitivo harder than the others?
In the real world it is the most mountainous Camino, with the most climbing. As a virtual challenge you are working towards the distance, but its identity as the tough, original route makes it a great goal for stronger walkers.
How long does it take to walk?
At 30 km a week it takes around eleven weeks, while 50 km a week brings Santiago inside seven weeks. The end date is yours to choose when the rally is created.
Start your Camino Primitivo Conquest
Joining is free. Connect Strava or Apple Health once and every ride, run or walk you record syncs automatically, moving you along the route without anything else to log.