The Primitive Way by bike through Asturias: Preparations and tips

Entering the Plaza del Obradoiro on two wheels is the main goal for anyone who decides to complete the Camino de Santiago Primitivo by bicycle. A goal that more and more cyclists share. There are six stages that complete the route from Oviedo, three of them through Asturias.

It is the first pilgrimage route, so it is the oldest. It links Oviedo with Santiago de Compostela. The first pilgrim king was the Asturian-Galician monarch Alfonso II the Chaste. He wanted to travel to Santiago to confirm that the remains that had just appeared in Compostela were those of the apostle.

The total distance covered is 330 km and is usually between 5 and 7 stages. The hardest part is between Salas and A Fonsagrada.

Autumn and spring are the seasons of the year, par excellence, preferred by pilgrims to make the Camino de Santiago. Avoiding extreme weather conditions is useful information for your next goal on two wheels.

The best choice for a bike to accompany you along the Camino de Santiago is a mountain bike or an E-bike. The Asturian Primitive Way is made up of mostly unpaved and stony roads. Therefore, a mountain bike is the best alternative to enjoy the adventure.

The E-bike is a great alternative for those who are not in the best physical condition. The assistance of the bike's own motor will help the cyclist to complete the stages in a less demanding way.

There are several types of mountain bikes.

Trail bikes or also called 'All Mountain'. They are the all-terrain bikes. That is why they are the most recommended model for the Camino de Santiago. They adapt to all types of terrain. Perfect for enjoying Asturias on two wheels.

Electric bicycles or E-Bikes. Nowadays the market offers the possibility of acquiring an electric bicycle for both road and mountain. The motor provides assistance to the cyclist to facilitate any type of route. After 25 kilometres per hour, the motor stops running. The recommendation is that the electric bicycle should be a mountain bike.

Bikepacking' is the name given to cycling with panniers. A modality that has reached all kinds of ways of cycling. This way of equipping your bike is essential for the Camino de Santiago.

Nowadays there are all kinds of saddlebags or bags. From those that fit under the saddle to those that can be attached to the frame of your bike or even to the handlebars. Not forgetting the classic ones that fit on either side of the rear wheel.

The usual way to measure their size is by litres. The more litres, the larger the size of the bags. The larger ones are usually located at the rear of the bike.

These backpacks, bags or saddlebags are the suitcases of the pilgrims. In it they carry everything they need for all the stages scheduled to complete the Camino de Santiago.

Spare clothes, everything necessary for personal hygiene, food or even tents are usually the objects that carry the cyclists in their saddlebags.

Fifty kilometres, on average, is the ideal distance to programme each of the stages that make up the Primitive Way. A total of six days of cycling to enjoy on two wheels. Of all of them, three are those that pass through Asturias.

Depending on the physical level, the duration of the stage will be longer or shorter, but the distance of 50 kilometres is designed so that the stage can be completed without major consequences in a single day.

Stage 1
Oviedo - Salas. 47km (+1.186m)
Stage 2
Salas - Pola de Allande. 61km (+1.354m)
Stage 3
Pola de Allande - A Fonsagrada. 70km (+2.007m)

Stage 1. Oviedo - Salas / 47km (+1.186m)

In this first section you will hardly find too many difficulties to complete it by bike. Perhaps the descent between Villamar and Llampaxuga is the area where you should take more precautions.

After the descent you will find the first climb of the Primitive Way in Asturias: El Alto del Escamplero. A climb of 1.74 kilometres with a positive difference in altitude of 168 metres.

On the way to Salas you will find a new challenge in the form of a climb. This time to the Alto del Fresno. A 5-kilometre climb with almost 400 metres of positive difference in altitude.

Stage 2. Salas - Pola de Allande / 61km (+1,354m)

In this second stage you will have to turn off the road or take the alternative path that has been designed exclusively for bicycles. The most difficult part of this alternative route is on the path.

To continue along the road, join the N-634 towards La Espina, with hardly any traffic. Further on, take the AS-216 road, a busier area.

Just before reaching Pola de Allande, you have to climb the Alto de la Lavadoira, which reaches an altitude of 806 metres.

Stage 3. Pola de Allande - A Fonsagrada / 73km (+2,007m)

This is the longest stage. It is around 70 kilometres on the official route, but on the bicycle it is necessary to make a detour, as in the second stage, to reach 73 kilometres.

The day runs in the middle of the mountains. The first stretch to Berducedo is the ascent to Puerto del Palo. This is the hardest climb on the Primitive Way. It reaches an altitude of almost 1,200 metres with sections reaching a gradient of 10%.

Before finishing in A Fonsagrada and to say goodbye to the Asturian territory, the Alto do Acebo will be the last hurdle for the pilgrims. It is a long climb, but stretched out, reaching an altitude of .100 metres.

Conclusion

The Camino de Santiago by bicycle on the Camino Primitivo in Asturias offers a challenging and rewarding experience for cycle tourists. The first three stages, which cover beautiful Asturian landscapes, are notable for their combination of demanding climbs, such as the Alto del Escamplero and the Puerto del Palo, and descents that require caution. Choosing the right bike and preparing the necessary equipment, such as panniers, is key to fully enjoying this adventure. Riding in autumn or spring, when the weather is more favourable, will allow each cyclist to enjoy the journey to Santiago de Compostela to the full.

The Camino Primitivo is one of those unforgettable cycling routes through Asturias!