Introduction to El Camino

People have been walking the Camino for centuries. In this week, trekkers will visit all the same villages, churches, monasteries and locations as on the other treks but at a slightly slower pace with shorter over all distances being travelled by foot. This is a perfect way to get acquainted with the Camino and participate in this ancient pilgrimage while maintaining a gentle easy pace.

Saturday March 17

Flights arrive into the Oviedo Airport. Note: plan for your arrival time to be mid-day (approx. noon to 2:30pm) or 5:30pm at the very latest. The Airport is 3/4 of an hour away from the hotel. Shuttle details provided upon booking.

Your first dinner and night will be spent in Villaviciosa at a family run hotel, formerly a 17th century palace. Each room is unique and furnished with antiques and the kind of knick knacks you would find in such a home.

Sunday March 18

From the hotel we’ll follow a 12 km route along which we’ll visit churches from the 13 century. A highlight of this leg of the Camino is the Romanesque Monastery of Valdediós visited by the religious pilgrims who trekked this path. This was an important area in the Middle Ages and in almost nearly town or village there is a building of historical value.

Hiking Details: approx. 12 km, last leg has 300m climb, graded as moderate.

The bus will pick us up at the end of the day’s route and deposit us at next hotel in a hilltop village with lovely views and narrow streets. Lodging here is the 4 star hotel Spa which offers a place to unwind from the days hike and relax in the hotel’s water circuit, saunas and a selection of massages from which to choose.

Monday March 19

The bus will take us back to where we left off the route the day before. From here the Camino follows through hilly countryside known for its cider and apple orchards. A highlight is the 13 century church of San Martin and other ancient buildings. The route ends in Pola Siero where the bus will be available to shuttle hikers to the hotel. For those who have the energy, they can walk the extra 4 km to the hotel.

Hiking Details: approx. 13km to Pola Seiro, an easy mix of country roads and paths.

We will stay at a 4 star hotel that looks over the countryside to the mountains beyond. The hotel has its own “sidraria” serving locally made cider.

Tuesday March 20

From the hotel we’ll head towards Oviedo, the capital of the Provence of Asturias. After a hike of approximately 10km, the bus will be made available. Anyone who would like to, can walk the extra 6 km into the city centre.

At the centre of this beautiful medieval town is the magnificent cathedral of San Salvador which had equal importance to the pilgrims of the middle ages as the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.

Hiking Details: approx. 10km, an easy mix of country roads and paths.

The hotel was designed by one of Spain’s most famous modern Architects, Calatrava. The futuristic building gives its guests a wonderful contrast to the historic and ancient buildings and monuments up to this point and in the days to come. Dinner will be in one of the regions typical “Sidrarias” serving a variety of Asturiano Tapas.

Wednesday March 21

Departing the hotel we will walk through the city of Oviedo to the country side and mountains. Highlights along this part of the Camino are medieval hermitages and bridges, chestnut forests and country paths, that lead to the village of Premoño and a 16th century pilgrims hospital where the bus will be made available to carry us to the hotel.

Hiking Details: approx. 14.5km, moderate, 200mt climb and decent of approx. 200mt, mainly paths.

The hotel is in a beautiful 18th century country house with its own chapel, and lovely views over the countryside. We will be staying 2 nights here as it is midway between 2 legs of the Camino.

Thursday March 22

The bus will drop us a few kilometres along the Camino from where we finished the day before. The group will walk to Peñaflor where there is a lovely 16th century bridge and the church of San Juan de Peñaflor, which has Romanesque origins. Dotting the landsscape will be “hórrios” and “paneras”, the wood and stone constructions for keeping grain and corn. From here we’ll travel approximately 15 km towards the small town of Cornellana on the other side of a low mountain pass. HIghlights are old palaces, farms and lovely countryside. The bus will retreive us at Cornellana and deliver the group to the hotel.

Friday March 23

From Cornellana we will walk towards the medieval village of Salas a distance of approximately 9 km that passes the 11th century Monastery of San Salvador and follows the river Nonaya, crossing bridges and small villages on the way.

Hiking Details: approx. 9km of a steady climb of 250m.

The night will be spent in a 6th century castle reformed into a delightful hotel. The owner of the hotel is also the Chef and promises a sample of Asturiano cooking with a lighter more innovative touch.

Saturday March 24

The bus will pick you up and drive you to 10km from Santiago de Compostela. From here it is an easy walk into the city through pretty countryside. We will walk to our hotel, the Parrador of Santiago, which is on one side of the “Plaza” where the famous cathedral is. The Parrador is one of Spain’s most famous hotels, not only for its magnificent location but also for the building in which it is housed.

Hiking Details: approx. 10km, easy on mix of country roads and paths.

A guided tour of the city will be provided later in the afternoon. Dinner in be a typical restaurant, sampling some of Galicia’s delicious cuisine.

Sunday March 25

This is the conclusion of your Mountain Trek “Adventure Trek”. Check out, and shuttle departures for the Santiago de Compostela Airport are between 5:30am - 7:30am for flights departing between 7:00am – 9:00am. If you choose to leave at a later time on Sunday, a taxi will be at your own expense, at approx. 20 - 25€.

NOTE: staying an extra day on Sunday is optional and at your own expense. Inform us at the time of booking, as we will hold a room for you at our discounted group rate at the Parrador Hotel.

For those choosing to stay another night, Mass at the Cathedral and a tour the rest of the city will be available. The afternoon you’ll have free and dinner in the Parrador can be arranged.

Monday March 26

Check out, and the shuttle will pick guests up for the Airport. (For those staying an extra night)