The Camino Francés - The full route from St. Jean to Santiago

You arrive at your first hotel in Saint Jean Pied de Port, where you are given a welcome pack with route descriptions, maps, pilgrim passports, luggage tags and other information about the trip. You can spend the rest of the day recharging for the walk ahead.

Hotel (example): 64220 Saint Jean Pied de Port

The Camino Francés starts in Saint Jean Pied de Port in the Basque Country. This first day of walking is considered by many to be the toughest of the trip, as it crosses the Pyrenees. This part of the route is known as the "Ruta de Napoleón" (Napoleon's Route) and goes past orchards, farms and up alpine passes over the border with Spain and down to Roncesvalles

Hotel (example): Hôtel Roncesvalles

From Roncesvalles, the Camino continues through oak and beech forest. During the day you also cross the two mountain passes Alto de Mezquiriz and Alto de Erro. From there the route descends towards the village of Zubiri and the old bridge "Puente de la Rabia" (Rabies Bridge) over the river Arga.

Hotel (example): Hosteria de Zubiri

Today the Camino runs through the valley along the Arga River. As you approach Pamplona, the landscape slowly becomes more and more influenced by people. You finally reach Pamplona, famous for the annual bull run for the San Fermín festival.

Hotel (example): Hotel Alda Centro Pamplona

You leave beautiful Pamplona behind as the route takes pilgrims on to the 'Alto del Perdón' (Hill of Forgiveness) pass. Here you can enjoy the beautiful views of Pamplona and the valley before heading towards the Puente de la Reina (Queen's Bridge).

Hotel (example): Hotel Jakue

On the Camino to Estella, the terrain is uneven and the area is cultivated with different kinds of cereal fields, vineyards and olive trees between the small villages.

Hotel (example): Hotel Yerri

The Camino to Santiago de Compostela continues to the town of Los Arcos. Just outside Estella you will find 'Bodegas Irache', a wine museum with a free wine fountain. Most of today is along quiet footpaths through vineyards and cereal fields. From Villamayor de Monjardín to Los Arcos you walk about 12km without passing through a single village.

Hotel (example): Hotel Monaco

Today you leave Navarre and move into La Rioja, where the famous wines come from. The first place you'll come across on the route is Logroño - a town strategically located on the border between Álava and Navarre.

Hotel (example): Hotel Condes de Haro

From Logroño to Nájera you walk along two roads that cut through the vineyards. Today's walk is quite easy and straightforward.

Hotel (example): Duques de Najera

Today the Camino takes you along quiet country roads, with the La Demanda mountains as a backdrop to the south. You finally reach Santo Domingo de la Calzada, a beautiful old town with an interesting medieval centre.

Hotel (example): Hospederia Cisterciense

Today you walk along the N-120, which goes through fields and forests and over small streams. Today's stage ends in Belorado, a pleasant little village in the province of Burgos. Visit the Church of Santa Maria, where you can see pictures of St. Mary. St James.

Hotel (example): Hotel Jacobeo

Today's hike takes you along hiking trails on your way to the village of Villafranca Montes de Oca. The landscape is very similar to yesterday's landscape until you enter the forests around the Oca Mountains. A transfer will pick you up in San Juan Ortega and take you to Atapuerca for the night. 

Hotel (example): Casa Rural El Pesebre

Today your Camino walk takes you to the city of Burgos. After the quiet areas of the Atapuerca Mountains, you start walking towards the valley and the river Pico. You finally reach Burgos, where you can visit the Gothic cathedral in the old town.

Hotel (example): Hotel Norte y Londres

After breakfast a transfer will take you to Rabe de las Calzadas, from where you contiue the Camino between the region's vast grain fields. On the way to Castrojeriz, you continue your walk on the peaceful plateau surrounded by nature and grain fields. The route climbs before descending into the valley of the Bol River and the pleasant village of Castrojeriz, where you can visit the old castle, which dates back to the 800s.

Hotel (example): La Posada de Castrojeriz

Today you leave the Burgos region and enter the highest point of the tour on the Spanish plateau - Alto Mosterales. After crossing the Pisuerga River, you reach the province of Palencia and the great plains of the 'Tierra de Campos'. On the way to Frómista you walk along a section of the Canal de Castilla, a constructed canal from the 18th century.

Hotel (example): Hotel San Martin

Today, the Camino passes through large cultivated areas. The route runs parallel to the road and there is little protection from rain, wind and sun. For this reason, you will find several covered rest areas along the way.

Hotel (example): Hotel San Zoilo

The first 13km of today's route follow the ancient Roman road 'Via Aquitania' and sections of paved road. In ancient times, the 'Via Aquitania' linked Bordeaux and Astorga and was often used by French pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela.

Hotel (example): Albergue Los Templarios

On this section of the Camino, you will have the opportunity to walk the 'Via Traiana', which is another trail to Santiago and starts in Bordeaux. From Sahagún you leave Tierra de Campos and head into the grain-filled León plateau.

Hotel (example): El Peregrino

From El Burgo Ranero you have an easy hike ahead of you. The trail continues through the beautiful village of Reliegos before descending gently to Mansilla de las Mulas.

Hotel (example): Hotel Astura

Today you walk along fields and slowly the terrain starts to become more industrial as you approach León. From Portillo Hill you can look out over the beautiful city.

Hotel (example): Hotel Paris

You walk through León along the wide streets and towards the historic building "San Marcos Pilgrim Hospital" (today a 4-star Parador hotel). You cross the Bernasga River, after which the day's walk takes you through the flat countryside, which is watered by a series of interconnecting canals. If you have the energy, you can walk all the way to the day's destination, Hospital de Orbigo (35km), or shorten the walk to 27km by taking the public bus from Leon to La Virgen del Camino and starting the walk there.

Hotel (example): Don Suero De Quinones

From the Hospital de Orbigo, the walk is a leisurely affair, after yesterday's long hike. There are very few villages on the route, and only a few hills to tackle on the way before the route descends to the beautiful town of Astorga. We recommend arriving as early as possible in Astorga, so have time to explore the town, which is certainly worth a visit.

Hotel (example): Hotel Ciudad de Astorga

Your Camino walk today takes you away from the Castile plains and towards the León mountains. As you walk through this region - also known as "Maragatería" - you will pass through several small villages where you can stop for a coffee break and to buy food. In Rabanal del Camino there is a small Benedictine monastery where pilgrims are invited to enter and sing Gregorian hymns and pray.

Hotel (example): La Posada de Gaspar

Today the trail takes you up to the highest point of the tour, which is the Foncebadon mountain pass - 1505moh. Today's highlight is the iron cross "Cruz de Ferro", where passing pilgrims have been laying stones for centuries. The road up is steep in places, but most find the descent to Molinaseca the day's biggest challenge. You enter the El Bierzo region, a lush valley with a favourable microclimate. Molinaseca is one of the prettiest towns along the Camino.

Hotel (example): hotel Bierzo Plaza

Today you begin the trek to the chaotic city of Ponferrada, the largest city before you reach Santiago de Compostela. You pass through the town and cross the flat El Bierzo valley, famous for its lush soil - where vineyards thrive and orchards of apples, pears, cherries and chestnuts are in full bloom during spring (if you suffer from hay fever, prepare for a tough walk through this area). You finally arrive in the ancient town of Villafranca, where the wide streets remind pilgrims of Florence.

Hotel (example): Hotel Casa Mendez

Today offers more mountains and you walk up the valley that leads you into Galicia and finishes the hike at the foot of the mountains. Tomorrow you'll head up into Galicia, so make sure you get some rest.

Hotel (example): Casa Carolo

The climb to O' Cebreiro is often described as very tough, but the 7.5km climb can actually be quite amazing when the weather is clear and you get the reward of excellent views of the Bierzo to the south. At the top you reach the almost magical town of O' Cebreiro, one of the highlights of the Camino. After the town there are two small climbs that take you up to 1335moh before the ride descends to Triacastella. The landscape changes as you enter Galicia. The terrain is hillier the next few days, but there are no stretches as challenging as today's stage.

Hotel (example): Jacotrans Leon - José Luis

This is one of the most beautiful sections of the Camino. In Samos you can visit the beautiful Benedictine Monastery. After Samos, the Camino leads you through forests and small villages and along quiet rivers. You finally reach the bustling town of Sarria.

Hotel (example): Jacotrans Leon - José Luis

The hike from Sarria starts with a steep climb through forests of oak, birch and chestnut trees. You walk through small villages scattered across the cultivated landscape of grazing animals and woodlands all the way to Portomarin. The walk follows small quiet gravel roads and natural paths, shielding you from the sun or rain. After a steep descent, you finally reach Portomarín, where you cross the great Miño River, along the banks of which you can see the remains of the old part of the town. There are several cafés along the way where you can stop for lunch.

Hotel (example): Pension Arenas

Today's stage is several kilometres long and the first part of the route goes steeply uphill to Sierra Ligonde. The Camino zigzags across the highway and the paths are flanked by trees, shielding them from the worst of the road noise. There are coniferous forests, cereal fields, meadows and oak and chestnut trees that beautifully adorn the route. You pass through several small villages and cross the Ligonde and Portos rivers along the way. At the end of the route, the scent of eucalyptus trees suddenly hits you. After passing Alto do Rosario, the route descends into Palas de Rei.

Hotel (example): Hotel Mica

Today you criss-cross six river valleys and two thirds of the route is on forest paths. Melide is a nice place to stop and taste one of their famous squid dishes "pulpo la gallega". We can recommend "Pulperia Ezequiel" on the main street.
This area is full of medieval castles, Romanesque churches and ruins. In the early 1300s, the area was quite dangerous for pilgrims because a nobleman named Álvaro Sánchez de Ulloa attacked them from the nearby castle of Felpós and demanded unfair prices for going on - sometimes it even ended violently. You can rest easy, though, because he no longer lives there.

Hotel (example): Hotel Arzua

Two thirds of the day's walk is along small paths where conifer, eucalyptus, birch, oak and chestnut trees shade the sun (or rain). In between, there are small meadows and orchards near the many small towns you pass through.
There are several steep climbs along the route and especially leading up to Alto de Santa Irene. From here, the Camino becomes more frequented by pilgrims from all over the world on their way to Santiago de Compostela.
Arzúa has two old Romanesque churches. The main church in the town's central square is dedicated to St. James. James. It has an impressive Baroque tower, which was added in the 1600s.

Hotel (example): Hotel Ruta Jacobea

This is your last and shortest walking stage. As you approach Santiago, the route becomes paved and the pilgrims fill in more and more. The long climb to Monte Gozo can be particularly challenging. There are some very steep climbs along the way and just when you think you have arrived, there is another challenging hill. Depending on what time of day you arrive there may be large crowds when you arrive in Santiago. Enjoy the experience of being part of it all!
The walk through the suburbs to the city is fully rewarded when you enter the old town. Follow the other pilgrims and the signs pointing you towards the cathedral.
If the cathedral is too crowded, it is possible to find a quieter church (there are many) where you can give thanks - like so many other pilgrims - for your safe arrival in Santiago. You can then return to the cathedral tomorrow when there are fewer visitors.

Hotel (example): Hotel Universal

You have now completed one of the world's most legendary hikes and can be truly proud of your achievement. You check out of the hotel in the morning. If you would like an extra night in Santiago after the tour, this can be selected on the booking form.