On this website, in the section Suggested Stages, you have indicated the main routes of The Way; these stages are for those who are used to walking and like challenges. It is important to plan ahead the distance that you will cover each day; this way you will be able to decide where to sleep depending on the time of the year. The Primitive Way is a journey along the different villages of Asturias and Galicia. It is important to highlight that it has historic variations/routes. Some of these routes coincidential with the oficial route and others have been set aside for different reasons that will not be discussed on the site. On this website, for the time being, we indicate the main historic route located in The Principality of Asturias which is called: The Historic Route of Hospitals. We will continue adding the variations related to each territory, together with the ones that are linked to this Way from other Ways. When planing your route, you should bear in mind this historic variation; from the moment you start your way, or even before, you will hear about it. People will be asking you until you get to Tineo: which route are you going to take: Pola de Allande or Hospitales? Now that you are probably considering this new route, we must say that you will not do more or less stages. They will be the same (or even less kilometres). It is your choice to do the official route or the historic one. Without any doubt, you must decide which route to take before you get to Tineo. Why at this point? That will be point in which you will choose one route or the other one, so it is better to plan ahead just in case. If you choose the oficial route, that is Tineo-Pola de Allande, study in-depth the photos of the stage that are included in the secction Suggested Stages. If you choose the historic route, you should bear in mind the weather forecast. With heavy rain, fog, strong winds, snow or storms, it is advisable not to take this route for you own safety. The route is about 15 kilometres and there is no help available, only the one provided by other pilgrims. Telephone coverage is scarce so you will be lucky if you can contact the emergency services in case of a major accident. The historic route has two possible paths that can be taken once you get to El Puerto de La Marta. If you are doing the way for the first time, at this point we recommend taking the path on your left and continue until El Puerto de El Palo. Although in Spanish this name indicates a mountain pass, do not worry, you will not have to go uphill for a long time. The path is wide and comfortable until getting to a gentle slope just before going uphill to Puerto de El Palo, where you will reach Montefuerado. We recommend stopping for a while a contemplate the ruins of Fana de la Freita (historic gold mine work from the Romans). If it is not your first time on The Way we recommend following the path on the right and go down until La Braña de Vallinadosa. This part is easy, but when getting to a lagoon just before La Fana La Freita. The Way is a little bit chaotic, withou any signs. But dont worry, you wil not get lost because the way it is intuitive (check the photographs of that stage on the website when in doubt). However, you must be careful in that part with the shrubs; it is an area with livestock and you might find some unwelcome beings on your skin at the end of the day (ticks) If you opr for this option, dont miss: the views at the foot of the lagoon that you will find once you finish the path you are going down, the views at the foot of Fana la Freita and the cave of Xan Rata. You can plan everything better from Campiello, or El Espin, since you can see how the day presents itself. From Campiello, or El Espin, you can see Pico Mulleiroso and part of the route to the left. This historic route is a must in The Primitive Way because of its marvellous landscapes and beauty (no matter you look West or East along the Asturian route). At the same time you are enjoying the beauty around you, you will be able to see historical remains from the old hospitals that were shelters to many pilgrims in the past. You will be able to see and admire the enormous work of the roman mining in a lot of traces (like water channels or montium ruins in La Fana la Freita) and the amazing views that will be kept in your memory forever, views and moments that you will not be able to experience if you choose the route through Pola de Allande. To do this variant it is advisable to take a short stage from Tineo to Campiello, Borres, El Espin, or Colinas de Arriba and spend the night in any of these small towns. From any of the stopping places you will follow a part of the Camino coinciding with the Camino to La Pola de Allande. The first point where you can start the Hospitals route is the place called La Solana. This point is located one kilometer of Borres. It is signposted. If your stopping point is Colinas de Arriba, you can also start the route from this place. There is a sign and a milestone (mojón) that perfectly indicates the way. You wont get lost. Remember to carry enough water and food if the day is hot. The stage, either from Campiello or from Borres, finishes in Berducedo and it will be the variation that you will do one you get to Puerto de la Marta. IMPORTANT PIECE OF ADVICE FOR THIS HISTORIC ROUTE If you do this route with bad weather conditions, use the App from the Instituo Geográfico Español (spanish national geographical institute). Yoy can dowload App from Google Play or the App Store. MAPS OF SPAIN On the upper left corner of the map you will find a icon. Click on the first option: Camino de Santiago. There, you wil find all the ways.Click on «Caminos del Norte» (Ways in the north), then click on «Camino Primitivo» (Primitive Way) and download the Hospitales Route on you mobile phone. You will have to turn on your GPS. This will allow you to know your position in every single moment, even if the route is not well marked or the weather conditions are not the best. PLANNING THE STAGES Although we assume you have a few more days to complete the Camino, we recommend that you consider the distance between accommodations and consider splitting some stages for the following reasons: 1. The terrain in both Asturias and Galicia, and 2. The distance between the start and finish of each stage makes reaching the finish line difficult if the distance to be covered is significant. 3. You will be able to complete the Camino more peacefully, with fewer kilometers per section covered in each stage, and you will enjoy the surroundings at each point.

POSSIBLE OPTIONS IN THE HOSPITALES ROUTE