The Way of St. James (300KM)

23 Sept to 10 Oct 2023
(17 Days, 16 Nights)

We will depart from KLIA, Malaysia and arrive in Oviedo on the same day where we will rest and prepare for the journey ahead.

Today, we will take a break and explore Oviedo, a charming old town and cathedral before settling in for the night, ready to begin your journey the next day.

On our first day of the Camino from Oviedo to Grado, we will journey with an easy, though long, day's walk. The route will be almost perfectly signed, and the landscape will be pleasant as we get our first taste of Asturias.

Today, we will travel from Grado to Salas, enjoying paths that are sometimes shaded by woodland, and which run either within earshot of the road or directly on it. The route will frequently follow rivers and streams.

As we make our way from Salas to Tineo, we will ascend a wooded valley out of the town. Along the way, there will be an opportunity to take a detour and view a waterfall. Eventually, we will reach a main road.

On day four of the Camino, we will walk a short distance from Tineo to Campiello. The route offers great views as we ascend to the ridge and then descend towards the abandoned monastery.

During our journey from Campiello to Berducedo, the highlight of the route will be the fabulous 360-degree views we'll experience once we reach the ridge. Along the way, we will also have the opportunity to ponder on three ruined 'hospitales'.

Today, we will need to start early from Berducedo to Las Grandas, in order to witness the sun coming up over the ridge behind us. We'll have a late breakfast at a delightful café in the next village.

The walk from Grandas to Fonsagrada offers stunning views of the countryside, but also includes a challenging climb to the ridge top. The route passes through ancient woodland and small chapels, and there is a potential lunch stop at a quaint bar in Acevo.

On the 8th day of the walk, from Fonsagrada to Castroverde, we will experience one of the most pleasant days on the Camino. The route includes plenty of track and path walking, and we will enjoy beautiful scenery including wide-ranging vistas from the ridge-top windmills and peaceful valleys where rural Galician life can be viewed.

The walk from Castroverde to Lugo is a relaxed day's walk on good tracks and quiet roads, passing through gentle countryside and pretty stone villages before arriving at the highlight of the camino, Lugo. The historic centre is surrounded by massive and ancient stone walls, so be sure to leave enough time to explore.

Let's take a break today in Lugo and explore! This ancient Roman city is a highlight of the Camino Primitivo, with its massive and ancient stone walls surrounding the historic center. You can wander through the narrow streets and visit the impressive Cathedral of Santa Maria, the Romanesque Church of San Pedro, and the Palace of the Arts. So be sure to take your time and enjoy the city.

Continuing our journey from Lugo to As Seixas, the route is peaceful and passes through farmland, woodland, and small villages. Along the way, we'll have the opportunity to see some historical churches and bridges, including the notable Roman bridge of San Roman.

Today's walk from Seixas to Arzua is a gentle one, with easy terrain and a long but manageable distance. About halfway through, we will reach Melide, where the popular Camino route merges with ours. This may mean more crowds and less solitude, but it also presents the chance to exchange stories with other pilgrims at the various bars along the way.

The route from Arzua to A Rua or Pedrouzo is also a relaxed one, allowing us to enjoy the walk and stop at the many bars along the way. While the route largely avoids the main road, there are some brief encounters with it.

On the final day of our walk, we will journey from A Rua or Pedrouzo to Santiago de Compostela. The excitement and anticipation will build as we approach the city, knowing that we are about to complete our pilgrimage and receive our pilgrim certificates

Upon arrival in Santiago, we will make our way to the Camino Pilgrim Passport office to obtain our certificates. Afterward, we will have free time to explore the beautiful Praza do Obradoiro and visit the breathtaking Cathedral, where we will witness the tomb of St. James the Great.

On Monday, we will have a free day to explore the charming old town of Santiago de Compostela. One of our stops will be the San Martín Pinario monastery, known for its impressive Baroque-style façade and 16th-century Plateresque façade. Another must-visit destination is the Mercado de Abastos, a bustling covered market offering an array of fresh local produce, seafood, meat, and cheese. We will also take a leisurely stroll through the picturesque Alameda Park, which boasts stunning views of the historic city center.

As our Camino journey comes to a close, we say farewell to Santiago de Compostela and begin our journey back home. We will depart today and spend the night on the road, arriving back home the following day.