HOW TO COMBINE THE CAMINO PRIMITIVO WITH OTHER ROUTES.
Historically, most people would pick one Camino route and stick to it. But increasingly, there’s more interest in mixing things up and making your journey your own.
The Primitivo is a fantastic Camino route and takes around 11–15 days to complete. But, as it’s not the longest route, many choose to combine it with another Camino, either before or after.
This blog post sets out some different options for making the Camino Primitivo your own.
Camino del Norte + Primitivo
This is probably the most common combination. The Camino del Norte runs all the way from Irún to Santiago, following the rugged northern coast of Spain. It’s around 830 km in total and usually takes 30–35 days if walked in full.
If you want to combine it with the Primitivo, you can start on the Norte and then join the Primitivo between Santander and Gijón, at the small town of Villaviciosa. From there, the Primitivo turns inland and heads toward Oviedo, while the Norte continues along the coast.
If you do this, the total distance is roughly 870km, depending on where you start. Most people take about 40 days to walk the combination.
Why do it?
We love this idea because it gives you the best of both worlds – coastal scenery and mountain trails. The Norte has stunning sea views and quieter stretches, while the Primitivo is more rugged and rural. It’s a nice contrast and keeps things interesting.
The downside?
If you’ve been walking the Norte for a while, you’ll lose some of the people you’ve been travelling with when you turn inland. It can also feel slightly less “complete” since you’re not finishing the Norte itself. But, honestly, it’s still a brilliant mix of Camino experiences.
Camino Sanabrés + Primitivo
This one’s a bit of a twist. Instead of following the Primitivo all the way from Lugo to Santiago, you can take a train from Lugo to Ourense and then walk the Camino Sanabrés into Santiago.
We actually did this, and we loved it. The Sanabrés is around 105 km from Ourense to Santiago, so it takes about 4-5 days to complete.
Why do it?
It’s a quieter and more scenic option that avoids the busy last 100 km of the Primitivo (where it merges with the Camino Francés). The Sanabrés passes through lovely countryside and small towns that still feel untouched by mass pilgrimage. Honestly, on our last day into Santiago we only saw three pilgrims until we reached the very edge of the city!
The weather can also be a bit better further south.
It’s a particularly good choice if you’ve already walked into Santiago on the Francés before – this way, you get a totally different experience.
The downside?
You’ll lose the people you met on the Primitivo since you need to take a short train ride to connect routes. But for us, it was worth it for the peace and quiet (and the scenery).
You can find our detailed guide to walking the Camino Sanabrés from Ourense to Galicia here.
Camino San Salvador + Primitivo
If you’re coming from León, you can take the Camino San Salvador to Oviedo, and from there, continue on the Primitivo.
The San Salvador is a short but beautiful route, about 125 km, and it usually takes 5–6 days to walk. It’s quite challenging, with a lot of climbing through green valleys and mountain passes, but the landscapes are spectacular.
Once you reach Oviedo, you’re perfectly placed to start the Primitivo. So, the full combination would be San Salvador + Primitivo, roughly 450 km in total, which takes around 18–20 days.
Why do it?
It’s a great option if you want a tougher, more traditional Camino experience.
It’s also ideal if you’ve already walked the Francés and want a completely different connection route that links naturally into the Primitivo.
The downside?
The San Salvador can be demanding, with long days and steep climbs, and it’s not as well waymarked as some of the other Caminos. But if you like a bit of adventure and solitude, it’s brilliant.
Finisterre (After the Primitivo)
If you finish the Primitivo in Santiago but aren’t quite ready to stop walking, keep going! You can head out to Finisterre (and even Muxía if you’re feeling ambitious).
The walk to Finisterre is about 90 km, and it takes around 3–4 days. Add another day or two if you go on to Muxía.
Why do it?
There’s something special about reaching the ocean – it feels like a real end point. After the green hills of Asturias and Galicia, standing on the cliffs at Finisterre watching the sunset feels like closure.
The downside?
It’s busier than you might expect, and after the quiet of the Primitivo, it can feel like a bit of a culture shock. But still, it’s a fitting finale if you want to end your Camino by the sea.
Find our detailed guide to walking the Camino Finisterre here.
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Written by Emma
Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.
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