Stage 7: Grandas de Salime - Puerto del Acebo

Stage 7: Grandas de Salime - Puerto del Acebo 13.2 Kms

The last stage of the Primitive Way in Asturias, which runs entirely through the municipality of Grandas de Salime, from its capital to the provincial border with Lugo, at the Alto del Acebo.

The route, which is just 13.19 km long, is a continuous climb, straight and not very steep (except for the final climb to the top), with a difference in altitude of some 600 m over the distance.

Most of the route is on dirt or gravel tracks, with very few tarmac roads (only 2.91 km of the total). It passes through the small villages of Cereixeira, Castro, Xestoselo and Penafonte, and between them there are large natural areas, where the path often runs through veritable galleries of vegetation, very pleasant to walk through.

The cultural heritage is mostly made up of small chapels (such as those of Malneira and Padraira), parish churches of great interest such as Penaseita, and fine mansions typical of the traditional architecture of the area. Also of note in the village is the large archaeological site of Chao Samartín, declared an Asset of Cultural Interest in 2014 and to which a modern interpretation centre is linked, displaying many of the pieces of interest found in the various archaeological excavations carried out in the castro.

Historical references to the passage of pilgrims are centred on the hospitals that gave them aid during medieval and modern times. The existence of a hospital in Cuiña is documented, just before reaching the Alto del Acebo, of which nothing remains today.

After passing the Alto del Acebo, the Primitive Way enters the province of Lugo, its next major stop being the town of A Fonsagrada.