The Camino Calls, and We Answer
Back in December of 2019, I posted some noodlings about the call of the Camino and where we might walk next. While both of the options I discussed there are still very much in our future plans, a more immediate Camino adventure calls: the Camino Primitivo.
Francine and I have been talking about this particular Camino for close to a year. It’s relatively short and relatively wild compared to others. The kicker came when Francine’s hiking buddy Callie said she was interested as well. I broached the subject with my work and got a green light.
And now we have airline tickets. God willing, we are going to walk the Primitivo in May of this year. Huzzah!
So what precisely is the Camino Primitivo?
The Camino Primitivo is the original Camino route (more or less) established by King Alfonso II of Asturias in the year 814. It begins in the capital city of the former Kingdom (now Principality) of Asturias. It goes through two of Spain’s regions, Asturias and Galicia. Along the way, it crosses the Cantabrian Mountains. There are a lot of forests, hills, and even a mountain pass.
Although it can be walked in 13 days (see the map below) our plan is to take 14 plus a couple of zero days. We also have several “slop” days to account for injuries, fatigue, or following where the Spirit leads.
This past weekend, Francine and I walked a half-Camino day, about 13km of urban hiking with a lunch towards the end. Unlike the “inadvertent Camino day” of yore, this was on purpose. We walk 5 – 8 km most days during the week, and then on Saturday have a longer walk. Eventually this “longer walk” will stretch out to a full Camino day of maybe 24km, and I suspect our daily walks will also lengthen as we get in shape for Camino.
At some point, we’ll probably slip into our usual training regimen.
We are currently walking a virtual Camino del Norte, tracking our kilometers as we did when we walked our virtual Camino Francés in 2020 – 2021. With any luck, we’ll end up in virtual Oviedo in time to get on the airplane to go to real-world Oviedo!
We leave in 86 days.
(originally published at Pilgrims on the Way, edited for days to start)