Camino from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Pamplona 4 days

Rate:
Price: 4 nights from €381
  • Activity Walking or Easy Walking or Cycling or Easy Cycling
  • Distance 67 km
  • Duration 4 Nights
  • Difficulty Moderate+
  • Tour Type Self-Guided Caminos
  • Time To Go March to November
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Camino from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Pamplona in 4 days

The Camino from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Pamplona in 4 days is the first stage of the Camino Francés. This route is excellent if you’re limited on time but want an actual Camino experience. This short section of the famous French Way offers a perfect introduction to the Camino de Santiago.

The Camino journey starts in the pretty walled town of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in the French Basque Country. It takes pilgrims across the Pyrenees, into the city of Pamplona and finally to the medieval village of Estella Lizarra.

A specific fitness and hiking ability level is necessary to undertake this route – check out our Camino Fitness Bible for some tips! We also have some more information in our Hiking Fitness Ebook, which you can download for free. This ebook will help you prepare for challenging Camino routes with helpful tips and advice for pilgrims.

This is one of the most challenging stretches of the Camino de Santiago and one of the most spectacular ones, particularly if you take the ‘Napoleon Route‘ over the Roncesvalles Pass (1450m). The views of the Pyrenees are definitely worth the effort!

The 67-kilometre Camino from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Pamplona is considered a moderately challenging walk through scenic landscapes. It is a four-night trip, and you will walk for over three days. On day 1, you will walk for 25 km, on day 2, you will walk for 21 km, and on Day 3, you will walk for another 21 km.

Along the Camino Francés route, you will meet fellow pilgrims from all over the world, as St Jean is one of the most popular Camino starting points.

If you are travelling in July, you might be able to catch the world-famous San Fermín bull festival in Pamplona.

Click below to create your walk or bike trip on the Camino from St Jean Pied de Port. You can also choose any starting and ending points along the Camino Francés.

Map of the Camino from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Pamplona

Itinerary of the Camino from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Pamplona

Saint Jean Pied de Port

Stage: Saint Jean Pied de Port

You arrive in Saint Jean Pied de Port.

25 km

Roncesvalles

Stage: Roncesvalles

The French Way, Camino Francés, starts in St Jean Pied de Port in the French Basque Country. Your Camino begins after your night in Saint Jean Pied de Port.  This is one of the most challenging but beautiful parts of the route, especially if you take the ‘Napoleon Route’ over the Roncesvalles Pass (1450m). The ‘Napoleon Route’ starts with a steep climb past country houses before reaching mountain meadows, the cross and some spectacular mountain views. The views of the Pyrenees are worth the effort!

Easy Option: You can split the long stage from St Jean Pied de Port to Roncesvalles into two stages of 12km and 13km, if you would like to walk at a more relaxed pace. You would stay overnight in the village of Valcarlos. We would recommend taking this option during the winter months when snow can make the higher route impassable.

21 km

Zubiri

Stage: Zubiri

Roncesvalles (‘Orregaga’ in Basque) is a popular Camino starting point for Spanish pilgrims. Here you should visit the St James chapel, as well as the Royal Collegiate Church of Saint Mary. After your night in Roncesvalles, the Camino de Santiago French route continues through beech and oak woods before entering Espinal. You will also cross two mountain passes: Alto de Mezquiriz and Alto de Erro. You will then descend towards the village of Zubiri and its medieval ‘Puente de la Rabia’ (the Rabies Bridge) over the River Arga.

21 km

Pamplona

Stage: Pamplona

After your night in Zubiri, the Camino de Santiago follows the river Arga to the town of Larrasoaña, an important stop for pilgrims in Medieval times. The second half of the day will get busier, as you approach the bustle of Pamplona city. Famous for its Running of the Bulls festival, San Fermín, taking place in July, Pamplona has many other attractions to visit. Explore the city’s medieval streets, visit the cathedral, taste some of the fantastic local food and wine and Hemingway fans can go for a coffee in one of the writer’s favourite haunts in the main square: Plaza del Castillo.

Accommodation

Country Cottages

Country Cottages or  'Casas Rurales' are beautifully restored country homes and farmhouses in the heart of peaceful rural communities. Our Country Cottages are renowned for their exceptional food, unique settings and personal touch. Rest assured when you select Country Cottage you will enjoy the full experience of our collection of beautiful Casa Rurales when and where this option is available, however, bear in mind, that sometimes due to location factors, only our choice of standard collection hotels and guesthouses may be available. All rooms are en-suite.

Country Cottages

Standard Hotels

We have hand-picked hotels and guesthouses along the Camino for their character and warm hospitality. Up to 3-stars, you will be staying in the centre of town and close to your Camino trail. All rooms are en-suite with bathroom. For our family packages, we have hand-picked establishments with outdoor space and swimming pools where possible. Where accommodation with private outdoor space is not available, we have selected comfortable hotels with spacious common areas as well as a convenient location close to recreational areas and sights. As your comfort is our priority, we try to book hotels located within walking distance of the Camino. Despite our effort, on rare occasions your accommodation can be located a few kilometers away from the trail, so we organise transportation to/from your accommodation.

Standard Hotel & Guesthouse

Superior Collection

Stay in very special hotels and unique properties along the Camino.  We have selected luxurious 4 and 5-star hotels, boutique guesthouses, relaxing country homes and stunning heritage ‘Parador’ hotels so you can feel pampered. Rest assured when you select Superior Collection, you will enjoy the full experience of our best hotels and top guesthouses when and where this option is available, however, bear in mind, that sometimes due to location factors, only our choice of standard collection hotels and guesthouses may be available. All rooms are en-suite.

Superior Collection

Access

How to Get There

Live information on Rome2Rio. We can also arrange private transfers if you prefer, just ask us.

Saint Jean Pied de Port

Biarritz Airport 55km: You can take a shuttle bus from Biarritz Airport (25 min approximate travel time) to Bayonne Gare (station). From there, you can take a train to St Jean Pied de Port five times a day (approx. total journey time. 1h40 – 2h25 in total). See www.voyages-sncf.com and http://en.biarritz.aeroport.fr/. Alternatively, contact the team for airport transfers.

Pau Airport 90km: Airport Shuttle bus is available from the airport to the town’s train station every hour (except Sundays and public holidays). See http://www.pau.aeroport.fr/. From the town you can take a train to St Jean (up to 5 times/ day; not on Sun

day), with a change in Bayonne. Travel time is about 3h-5h, depending on the time you need to wait in Bayonne. See: en.oui.sncf.

Bordeaux Airport 235k: Shuttle bus to the train station (45min), then train to St Jean Pied de Port via Bayonne See www.voyages-sncf.com.

Pamplona

Bilbao Airport 155km: The Burundesa bus company links Pamplona with Bilbao (2h) with 10 departures a day. It is possible to fly from there with Aerlingus.
See: http://laburundesa.com/pamplona-bilbao/

Biarritz Airport 103km: Train from Pamplona to Biarritz airport (2:15min) http://alsa.es

Santander Airport 253km: The Burundesa bus company links Pamplona with Santander (2h) with 2 departures a day. From the bus station in Santander, simply get a direct city bus to the airport (20min), and Ryanair operates flights from there. See: http://laburundesa.com/pamplona-santander-2/

Madrid Airport 391km: Train 3h renfe. Metro to the airport (45min)

Whats Included

  • Included: Selected accommodation with private bathrooms, Holiday Pack on your mobile phone (Route ebook and Google Maps) and a 24/7 support number providing assistance during your trip, for instance organising a support vehicle if needed.
  • Not included: Flights, drinks, city tax, Travel Insurance (Recommended)
  • Optional: Luggage transfers (On by default. One bag up to 20kg per person), dinners (On by default, where available), bike rental (On by default) and airport transfers, etc…

 

Note on Accommodation: We aim to book you into each of the towns listed on the itinerary, however in case of low availability we may book you 2 nights in the same town with provided transfers. If you are booking Superior collection or Country cottages, please note it is subject to availability and therefore cannot be guaranteed. Superior/Country cottage accommodation may be away from the route with included transfers. More details.

Specialist:Claire

More byClaire
Claire

Specialist:Claire

Customer Experience Agent, Claire hails from the lovely Midlands and spent some years living in Galway in the West of Ireland, where she completed a degree in languages. She also lived several yea...

More byClaire

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