Camin del Oriente

Along the dramatic coastline of Asturias, where the Cantabrian Sea meets the Picos de Europa, the Camin del Oriente leads pilgrims from the eastern border toward Covadonga - the birthplace of the Reconquista and one of Spain's most sacred sites. This coastal route offers an alternative approach to the mountain sanctuary where the Virgin appeared to the Visigothic king Pelayo.

📜 History & Significance

Covadonga holds a unique place in Spanish Catholic identity. Here, according to tradition, King Pelayo and a small band of warriors defeated a Muslim army in 722 AD - the first victory of the Christian Reconquista that would take seven centuries to complete. The victory was attributed to the Virgin Mary, whose shrine in the mountain cave became a national pilgrimage destination.

The Camin del Oriente ("Path from the East") traces one of the traditional approaches to Covadonga, following the coast before turning inland toward the mountains. It complements other Asturian pilgrimage routes that converge on this sacred site.

🥾 Route Overview

The Camin del Oriente covers approximately 74 km from Llanes to Covadonga, typically completed in 3-4 days of walking. The route follows the coast through fishing villages before ascending into the foothills of the Picos de Europa.

From Llanes, the path heads west along dramatic coastal cliffs and beaches before turning south toward the mountains. The final approach climbs through forests to Covadonga, where the sanctuary awaits amid peaks that rise to nearly 2,500 meters.

☩ Key Pilgrimage Sites

The Sanctuary of Covadonga comprises two main elements: the Holy Cave where the Virgin appeared and Pelayo is buried, and the neo-Romanesque basilica built in the 19th century. Above, the mountain lakes of Enol and Ercina offer a contemplative setting in the heart of the Picos de Europa National Park.

Along the coast, Romanesque churches and fishing village chapels mark the path, while the transition from sea to mountains provides a powerful pilgrimage narrative.