In Asturias, Spain, the 'Primitive Route' of the Way of St. James

[Iberia Airlines]

Today on the feast day of St. James it's worth noting that the Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James), the famed mediaeval pilgrimage route from Paris down to Galicia's capital Santiago de Compostela, is famous for not just its spirituality but its history, culture, and pristine nature, making it one of the world's most popular hiking routes.

The verdant principality of Asturias, right next door to Galicia, is home to the single longest stretch of the Way of any of Spain's regions (some 230 to 300 kilometres/145-185 miles, depending on how you measure it). Crossing mountains, valleys, meadows, fishing villages, sophisticated cities, rugged coastline, and forests, there are actually two variations of the Way across the principality, the Northern Route and the Primitive Route, sometimes crisscrossing each other and each providing unforgettable experiences, whether you make the journey as a spiritual pilgrim, nature lover, history buff, culture craver, or some combination of the four.

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