Description
The landscape and the journey
Dave Whitson and Laura Perazzoli contrast Spain’s northern coastal pilgrimage with the more mountainous inland Camino Primitivo. Both reach Santiago, allowing you to choose by landscape, time and preferred walking experience.
Routes and itinerary options
The approximately 820-kilometre Camino del Norte has 32 stages from Irún. Camino Primitivo has twelve stages, with Oviedo a key starting point. Connections between the routes and the continuation to Finisterre help combine sections into one journey.
Maps and practical planning
1:100,000 maps, larger town plans, stage summaries and Cicerone GPX files accompany albergues, accommodation, food and facilities. San Sebastián, Bilbao, Oviedo and Lugo provide cultural landmarks. Use the route information to compare stages, plan your stops and check practical arrangements before departure.
Choosing the right trip
Both routes involve demanding days, particularly Primitivo’s mountain terrain. Choose realistic distances and consider late spring, summer or early autumn; more accommodation closes during winter. Choose an itinerary that fits your experience and available time, allowing flexibility for weather and local conditions.
About this edition
English-language paperback by Dave Whitson and Laura Perazzoli. Third edition, published in 2019. 312 pages. ISBN 9781786310149.
