Cycling El Camino Primitivo

Hey explorer! 

Welcome to Adventure Fix, the newsletter that helps you discover extraordinary journeys and experiences across the globe. 

While we love sharing some of the most remote and far-flung places around, there’s also a joy that comes from taking a new look at a classic adventure.

Today, we’ll do just that and head to Oviedo, Spain to…

Mountain bike the Camino Primitivo.

This wild, dramatic route follows a little-known pilgrims' trail to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia.

Cyclists ride along the very trail that The King of Spain himself used when he was the first one to cross Camino Primitivo in the 9th century.

Cycling El Camino Primitivo

Bucket-listers from around the globe come to Spain every year to hike the various versions of “El Camino”. Few choose to take the Camino Primitivo because it is the most challenging way to reach Compostela.

The easier routes often take walkers on long stretches near major highways and lead to crowded hostels, which in our books is no fun.

The Camino Primitivo on the other hand gives adventurers a more raw and exciting experience taking them through the open pastures, forested valleys, ancient villages, and remote mountains of Northern Spain.

Over 8 days cyclists pedal 200 miles (322 km) through Asturias and Galicia.

The route links between two cathedrals, in Oviedo and Santiago de Compostela, and it takes you on a fierce ride.

Sinuous single track leads to challenging climbs that are rewarded by exhilarating descents with some great natural trails and technical riding.

You’ll travel through the lush rolling valleys of Asturias and over the challenging Sierras of the Cordillera Cantabrica before a fantastic finale along the famed Camino Frances and its flowing, ancient trails.

This journey allows true mountain bikers to experience the Camino de Santiago as pilgrims by overnighting in tiny mountain villages as well as the historic cities of Oviedo, Lugo, and Santiago.

While the main event is cycling, there will be plenty of chances to savor the cuisine and culture of Northern Spain.

Whether indulging in Galician-style octopus washed down with a crisp Albarino white to being captivated by the eerie wail of bagpipes on arrival into the cathedral square in Santiago, this trip promises a balance between adventure and classic travel experiences.

Explore More

If you would like to learn more, here are some links you can check out to get more information about cycling El Camino Primitivo.

• Mountain Biking the Camino Primitivo (tour)

• Doing the Camino Primitivo by Bicycle (article)

• El Camino Primitivo Cycling Route (map and coordinates)

How to Cycle the Camino Primitivo

Cycling the Camino Primitivo can be done independently or as a guided trip.

You’ll get the most out of this adventure if you’re an experienced biker with a high level of fitness and enjoy riding more challenging trails.

You should be comfortable riding sections of technical or exposed singletracks with some testing obstacles such as drop-offs and steep downhills.

The best option if you decide to go with a tour company is Saddle Skedaddle. From our research, they’re the most established company offering guided tours, many others only offer self-guided guided. They have some scheduled traditional mountain biking trips as well as a few e-bike departures this upcoming summer season.

June to August are the months with the best cycling weather. June is ideal because it’s not too warm and there are far fewer crowds.