The French Way French Way

The French Way, Camino Francés, starts in St Jean Pied de Port in the French Basque Country. Your Camino will start 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 Walking Option: You can split the long walking 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.

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.

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.

After your night in Pamplona, you will leave this beautiful city behind you as , the Camino takes pilgrims towards the ‘Alto del Perdón’ (Hill of Forgiveness) pass. Get your picture taken with the photogenic pilgrim sculpture at the ‘alto’ and enjoy fantastic 360 panoramic views of Pamplona and the valley. From there, you will begin your descent towards Puente la Reina (Queen’s Bridge) with its quaint medieval alleys and impressive 11th century bridge over the River Arga.

After your night in Puente de la Reina, your Camino de Santiago route continues along peaceful tracks for most of today to Estella. You will walk along rolling farmland, passing small towns and villages nested among olive groves, cereal crops and vineyards. Cirauqui (Zirauki), perched on a hilltop, is a pretty little village of winding medieval streets where you will find one of the best preserved stretches of Roman road. Estella-Lizarra is your finish point for today, a nice historic town with plenty to do and see.

After your night in Estella where you will hopefully had a few moments to explore the town and its many monuments, your Camino to Santiago continues to the town of Los Arcos. Just outside Estella you will find Bodegas Irache, the Wine Museum and its free wine fountain, stop for a rest and sip of the local Rioja! Most of your walk today will be along nice tracks, among vineyards, olive trees and cereal fields. From Villamayor de Monjardín to Los Arcos, you will cover approximately 12kms without passing a single village so make sure you have plenty of water and a few snacks.

After your night in Los Arcos, you will continue your Camino on a very enjoyable track across rolling countryside, leaving Navarra and entering the world-famous wine making La Rioja region.  You will pass the dramatic ruins of Clavijo Castle before entering the city of Logroño, capital of La Rioja and home to some of the best tapas scene on the Camino. Head for Calle Laurel to sample the local Rioja-style specialities.

Easy Walking Option:You can split your long stage from Los Arcos to Logroño, into two stages of 18km and 10km, if you would like to walk at a more relaxed pace. You would stay overnight in a period hotel in the lovely hilltop village of Viana.

After your night in Logrono, you can expect a long day but it should not be too challenging.  Leave Logroño by the old pilgrims’ gate ‘Puerta del Camino’. The first part of the day takes you out of the city but you will eventually get back to the vineyards of La Rioja. Your first stop is Navarrete, a 12th century town built by the ‘Knights of the Holy Sepulchre’. Here you can admire the fabulous Baroque church of ‘La Ascensión’. You will finish the day in Nájera, another medieval town with a history with a strong link to the Camino. From Nájera you will enjoy get great panoramic views of the whole region.

After your night in Najera, your Camino takes you along some quiet country roads with the La Demanda Mountain to the South. You will pass the small village of Azofra, dedicated to the La Rioja patron: La Virgen de Valvanera. Azofra is also the starting point for the ‘Monasteries route’, off the Camino de Santiago route but is worth visiting if you have additional days, particularly the Yuso and Suso monasteries of San Millán de la Cogolla, considered the birthplace of Spanish language. You will finally arrive in Santo Domingo de la Calzada, a town with a beautiful Medieval centre and a history closely linked to the Camino de Santiago.

After your night in Santo Domingo de la Calzada, today you will start your day walking on uneven terrain through woodland and then crop fields. Part of today’s trail runs parallel to busy main roads. As you get closer to Belorado, you will start catching a glimpse of the Oca Mountains, the last mountain range before the Meseta (the central Spanish Plateau). Your stop for the night is Belorado, a small and pleasant village in the Burgos province. Visit the Santa María Church where you will find images of St James.

After your night in Belorado, most of your walk today will be along earthen tracks and peaceful trails on your way to the little town of Villafranca Montes de Oca, the Camino weaves its way through gorgeous woodlands of fragrant oak and pines.  Pass though the hamlet of San Juan de Ortega where you can visit its famous mausoleum before continuing onto Atapuerca famous for its UNESCO World Heritage prehistoric caves where fossils and stone tools of the earliest known hominins in Western Europe have been found.

Easy Walking Option: This long walking day between Belorado and Atapuerca, can be split into two stages of 11km and 18km if you would like a more relaxed pace. You would stay overnight in a lovely 3* hotel in the town of Villafranca Montes de Oca.

After your night in Atapuerca famous for its UNESCO World Heritage prehistoric caves, you will continue following your Camino trail to the town of Burgos.  Take some time to explore Burgos: admire the beauty of its historic centre, enjoy a stroll along the magnificent promenade by the river and taste delicious local tapas in the old town. Burgos has been referred to as the Gothic capital of Spain and the citys cathedral is probably one of the most impressive in the country.

Take some time to explore Burgos: admire the beauty of its historic centre, enjoy a stroll along the magnificent promenade by the river and taste delicious local tapas in the old town. Burgos has been referred to as the Gothic capital of Spain and the citys cathedral is probably one of the most impressive in the country. After your night in Burgos, your Camino will continue along earthen tracks, among the immense crop fields of the region. On your way to Hornillos del Camino, you will cross small woods of holm oak and conifers but in general there is little shade along this stretch of the Camino de Santiago so make sure you take enough water with you, as well as hat and sun cream. Hornillos del Camino, with only 70 inhabitants, is a classic Camino village of medieval origin.

After your night in Hornillos del Camino, you will continue walking in the peaceful vastness of the Meseta, with only nature and huge crop fields around you. After leaving Hornillos, the Camino de Santiago gradually climbs up a plateau before descending to the valley of the River Bol and the pretty town of Castrojeriz. In Castrojeriz, you can visit the 9th century hilltop castle, recently reopened to visitors. Castrojeriz celebrates its Garlic Festival in July.

After your night in Castrojeriz, your Camino will leave the final plains of the Burgos region and reach the highest point of the Meseta: Alto Mosterales. After crossing the Pisuerga River you will enter the Palencia province and the vast plains of ‘Tierra de Campos’, the Land of Fields, and you will soon understand why. Stop to visit the 14th century church ‘La Asunción’ in Boadilla, famous for its Gothic architecture and the gorgeous carved baptismal font. Approaching Frómista you will walk along a stretch of the Canal de Castilla, a 18th century canal.

Visit the beautiful 11th century Church of St Martin in Frómista. After your night in the town, your Camino trail takes you along a track parallel to the road, but you can take an alternative more scenic route at Población de Campos, via Villovieco, along the peaceful banks of the Ucieza River. You will rejoin the Camino at Villalcázar de Sirga and finish your day’s walk at Carrión de los Condes.

After your night in Carrion de los Condes.  Visit the impressive San Zoilo Monastery.  For 13km, your Camino will follow natural tracks along the old Roman road called ‘Via Aquitania’ and also along a stretch of the original paved road. The ‘Via Aquitania’ used to link Bordeaux and Astorga and was frequently used by French pilgrims on their way to Santiago.

After your night in Calzadilla de la Cueza, your Camino today is full of ‘cuezas’ or little valleys, so some of the walking may be slightly tougher than the previous days.  The Camino route moves away from the road and continues along nice peaceful oak woods before emerging to cereal fields. You will cross the river Valderaduey into the León province and head to Sahagún where the church of San Lorenzo is well worth a visit.

After your night in Sahagun, your Camino leaves the vast ‘Tierra de Campos’ behind and continues across cereal and grain crops, taking pilgrims to the plateau of León.

Today, you will pass the pretty village of Reliegos on your way to El Burgo Ranero. Also on this section of the Camino, you will have the opportunity to take the ‘Via Traiana’ which is another trail to Santiago, starting in Bordeaux.

After your night in the town of Mansilla de las Mulas, you will walk passed crop fields before spotting the first signs of industrial activity further on, as you approach the city of León.  From Portillo Hill onwards you will be able to spot the beautiful city of León ahead.

After your night in León, your Camino will continue through beautiful Spanish countryside.  You will be happy to know that, the Camino from León is pretty flat and easy. You will walk along crop fields: grain, corn, potatoes… and pretty apple orchards can be seen along the way to Mazarife.

After your night in Mazarife, with the suburbs of León city long behind you, you will start a pretty hike along footpaths and dirt tracks towards one of the prettiest villages on the Camino: Hospital de Órbigo where you will cross the famous and picturesque ‘Puente de Órbigo’ bridge, before continuing onto Astorga.

Easy Walking Option: Split your long walking day above between Mazarife and Astorga into two stages of 14km and 17km, if you would like to walk at a more relaxed pace. You would stay overnight in a charming hotel in the town of Hospital de Órbigo.

After your night in Astorga, you will gradually make your way up towards the stunning León Mountains and the lush Bierzo region, taking paths surrounded by broom, heather and oak trees before reaching Rabanal del Camino.

After spending the night in Rabanal del Camino, this is one of the most rewarding days ahead on the Camino as it climbs to ‘Mount Irago’. Stop at the Iron Cross on top of the mountain, one of the most special places on the French Way, where you can place a memento and visit the St James chapel before descending to the lush area of El Bierzo.  On your way to Ponferrada, pass through the lovely town of Molinaseca. Once in Ponferrada, you should explore the old town, its impressive 12th century Templars Castle, and make sure you try the local specialities, such as botillo and some of Spain’s most delicious cured meats.

Easy Walking Option: You can choose to split your long walking day above between Rabanal del Camino and Ponferrada, into two stages of 16km each, if you would like to walk at a more relaxed pace. You would stay overnight in a charming hotel in the pretty mountain village of Acebo.

After your night in Ponferrada, the Camino takes you across the heart of the lush region of El Bierzo, nestled in the mountains. Take the opportunity to taste the local delicious cherries if you are travelling in Summer, exquisite cured meats and other regional delicacies. In Villafranca, known as ‘little Compostela’, visit the garden of the Iglesia de Santiago, St James Church. The church has a ‘Forgiveness Gate’, Puerta del Perdón, that only opens during Holy Years.

After your night in Villafranca, known as ‘little Compostela’, visit the garden of the Iglesia de Santiago, St James Church. The church has a ‘Forgiveness Gate’, Puerta del Perdón, that only opens during Holy Years.  Your route passes by the ranges of ‘Os Ancares’ and ‘Serra do Courel’ and it should be noted that this stage to O Cebreiro holds a steep climb in only a few kilometres but the views are truly spectacular.

Easy Walking Option: Split your long walking day above, from Villafranca del Bierzo to O Cebreiro, into two easier stages of 21km & 9km. You will stay in the small hamlet of Herrerías, in a traditional farmhouse with views of the mountains, and getting ready for your ascent to O Cebreiro.

After your stay in the village of O Cebreiro you will walk the ‘Serra de Ranadoiro’ (Ranadoiro Mountains) and reach Alto do Poio where you will encounter the pilgrim statue and enjoy fantastic panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. From the Alto you will start descending into the village of Triacastela.

After your night in Triacastela, you have the choice of two Camino options, the ‘San Xil’ Camino offers scenery that will lift your spirits. It has many ‘corredoiras’ (narrow forest tracks) with paved pathways through native Galician oak woods. If you wish to visit the impressive Samos Monastery, you will walk across the valley of the river Ouribio to reach Samos and continue on to reach the larger town of Sarria.

Easy Walking Option: Split your walk from Triacastela to Sarria with a stay in the village of Samos.

After your night in Sarria, expect a calm walk through pretty villages and peaceful hamlets under the shade of oak trees and along quiet country roads. Along the way, you will spot many Galician traditional ‘hórreos’ (granaries). Visit the beautiful Romanesque church in the village of Barbadelo. Your destination for the night is the town of Portomarin.
Easy Walking Option: You can choose to split this walking day between Sarria and Portomarin in two and stay in the hamlet of Morgade.

After your night in Portomarin, your Camino will cross the river Miño (Galicia’s longest river) and rise uphill steadily towards the Serra de Ligonde. You will pass nice hamlets such as Gonzar and Ventas de Narón. Stop to visit the Romanesque Church of Santa María in Castromaior and the Romanesque church in Eirexe, with its portal featuring a sculpture of Daniel with animals, as well as Pilgrim Santiago.

Easy Walking Option: You can choose to split this walking day in two and stay in the hamlet of Ventas de Narón.

After your night in Palas de Rei, the Camino trail continues downhill, passing the village of Casanova and the delightful village of Leboreiro. You should take a break in the lively market town of Melide (454m), where you should try octopus, Galicia’s most classic dish, in one of the many ‘pulperías’. The Camino crosses several streams and follows a forest track bringing you to the village of Boente and the church of Santiago. Next is the pretty medieval hamlet of Ribadiso and finally the town of Arzúa (389m), famous for its local cheese. In Arzúa, you should visit the churches of Santa María and A Magdalena.
Easy Walking Option: You can choose to split this walking day in two and stay in the the town of Melide

After your night in Arzúa, your Camino will take you through pretty woods, sleepy villages and across streams for most of the day. The chapel of Santa Irene, with its unique statue of Santiago, is worth a visit. En-route, don’t miss the lovely hamlet of Rúa (310m) where you can choose to stay tonight and split this walking day. The rest of the route to Amenal is along a mix of good and calm country roads and forest tracks.

After your night in Amenal, your next point of interest is Lavacolla in the outskirts of Santiago, where pilgrims used to wash themselves in the river in preparation for their arrival in Santiago de Compostela. Rows of tall eucalyptus trees line your journey to Monte do Gozo (‘Mount of Joy’ 368m) and it is from here that will catch your first glimpse of the spires of the cathedral in Santiago. When you arrive in the city (264m, population 80,000), explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site’s architecture and delight in the wonderful atmosphere of this spiritual and cultural city. With only 16.5km to walk today, you should be in Santiago in time for the pilgrim mass (12pm). After visiting Santiago Cathedral and recovering from your walk, take time to explore this gem of a city, small and vibrant. Its old town will enchant you. In Santiago the Compostela you will find not only pilgrims but also locals and students, enjoying a few bites and socialising over a glass of wine in the many bars, restaurants and cosy cafes. Read our blog post: Top 10 things to do in Santiago de Compostela for ideas before your trip.

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Easy Walking Option: Last stop before reaching Santiago.  Choose to stay in Lavacolla and after a deserved rest, arrive in Santiago the next day feeling refreshed and calm.

End of your Camino de Santiago tour after breakfast this morning. Consider adding an extra night in this gem of a city or perhaps a day tour.