The Primitive Way

Stage: Alto do Acevo-Paradavella

  • Length 24.6 Km
  • Difficulty Low
  • Estimated Duration 4h 55min
  • Listen to the stage itinerary

A lovely spot covered in snow during the harsh seasons and lush vegetation with sharp contrasts during the milder months. Fonfría and its freshwater spring are our first destination.

O Acevo - San Xoán do Padrón

San Xoán do Padrón - Paradavella

Alto do Acevo- Fonfría

  • Length 4.9 Km
  • Difficulty Low
  • Estimated Duration 1h 00min

The Primitive Route enters Galicia via the mountain pass at O Acevo (1,030 m). It is a lovely spot covered in snow during the harsh seasons and lush vegetation with sharp contrasts during the milder months. From here it is 171 km to Santiago. Fonfría and its freshwater spring are our first destination.

Alto do Acevo - Fonfría

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Fonfría- Paradanova

  • Length 5.8 Km
  • Difficulty Low
  • Estimated Duration 1h 10min

This was home to a major pilgrim hospital located on land held by San Xoán de Paradanova, which was still operating at the start of the 20th century. We pass through Barbeitos and then Paradanova, where there are two alternatives: one running through San Xoán de Padrón and the other via A Proba de Burón.

Fonfría - Paradanova

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A Proba de Burón

Paradanova- San Xoán do Padrón

  • Length 3 Km
  • Difficulty Low
  • Estimated Duration 35min

The first option leads to the ‘holy fountain’ located in the town centre of A Fonsagrada, linked to Jacobean tradition by a miracle attributed to St. James the Apostle. From there we head to San Xoán do Padrón.

Paradanova - San Xoán do Padrón

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Chapel in Silvela, A Fonsagrada

San Xoán do Padrón- Hospital de Montouto

  • Length 7.1 Km
  • Difficulty Low
  • Estimated Duration 1h 25min

We continue on to Montouto, where the two options converge. As indicated earlier, the alternative to the A Fonsagrada route passes through A Proba de Burón. The town’s medieval tower is the last vestige of the old fortress of the Count of Altamira, the object of attacks during the Irmandiños – social revolts against the nobility – in the 15th century.

San Xoan do Padrón - Hospital de Montouto

Montouto Hospital

Dolmen at Montouto Hospital

Hospital de Montouto- Paradavella

  • Length 3.7 Km
  • Difficulty Low
  • Estimated Duration 45min

From Montouto the route continues to the typical locality of Paradavella, noted for its pallozas, primitive rural dwellings.

Hospital de Montouto - Paradavella

Hórreo (raised granary) in Paradavella

Stage: Paradavella-Castroverde