Full Camino Frances

You’ll be booked into a hotel in the heart of the small town. While in town, you should visit the 14th Century Gothic church, Notre-Dame-du-Bout-du-Pont, the hilltop citadel (remodelled in the 17th Century), and follow the cobbled Rue de la Citadelle downhill and over the river for views back over St-Jean-Pied-De-Port.

The first day of the Camino is considered the most challenging as it crosses the Pyrenees. The “Camino Napoleon” starts with a steep climb, passing through orchards and later, Alpine-style meadows. The path weaves alongside leafy beech woods until you reach the Spanish border. Alternatively, the Valcarlos Camino follows the road through the valley, running along the River Nive or River Valcarlos. Don’t miss the Collegiate Church as you descend into Roncesvalles.

If you prefer a more relaxed pace, we offer three options:

1. Stay at the Refuge Orisson: This is basic but welcoming accommodation halfway along the route, which splits the day into two parts.

2. Stay 2 nights in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port: You can use a taxi to/from Refuge Orisson to avoid the entire walk in one day.

3. Take the Valcarlos Route: This alternative route splits the day into two stages (12km and 14km), staying in a 2-star hotel. However, this route follows the main road and is not as rewarding as the Camino Napoleon.

Important: The Napoleon Route is closed for pilgrims from November 1 to March 31. During this period, pilgrims must use the Valcarlos route. Traveling on the Napoleon Route during these months is forbidden, and any pilgrim needing rescue from the Pyrenees may be fined €5,000.

The Camino crosses two stunning mountain passes before winding through woods and meadows. It then arrives at Espinal, where you’ll be treated to breathtaking panoramic views of the countryside with the Pyrenees in the background. The River Arga flows alongside this stretch of the Camino, continuing all the way to Larrasoana.

The Camino follows the River Arga, passing the foothills covered in beech, oak, and Scots pine trees. As you get closer to Pamplona, famous for its “Running of the Bulls” festival each July, the landscape becomes more developed, with reforested conifers and farmlands becoming more common.

When leaving Pamplona behind, you are also leaving behind the Atlantic area of Navarra. From here onwards, the landscape will be dominated by cereal crops, Holm oaks and Mediterranean brushwood. The Pamplona basin is left behind too when you cross the Alto del Perdon (Hill of Forgiveness), so-named because of the centuries old pilgrim tradition of travellers forgiving others, and asking forgiveness for themselves, with each step up the hill.

As you leave Puente La Reina you will cross the ‘Puente Románico’, a six-arched Romanesque bridge over the Arga River. The Camino to Estella is very uneven and quite agricultural. Small towns and villages are dotted amongst cereal fields, vineyards and olive trees. This is one of the quieter sections of the Camino Frances.

Today you go through the Rioja area of Navarra. Enjoy the pastoral scenes of olive trees, cereal fields and, most importantly, vineyards as you pass through. From Villamayor de Monjardin to Los Arcos, you will cover 12km without coming across a single village.

Today we leave Navarra and journey into Rioja. Expect a pleasant hike into the undulating countryside. On this route you will pass the stunning ruins of Clavijo Castle. Finally, we come to the town of Logrono, strategically situated on the border between Alava and Navarra.

If you would like to walk at a more relaxed pace, we can arrange to split this section into two days (17km on the first day, 10km on the second day), with a stop over in Viana. Here you will be staying at a charming 2-star hotel.

This first day is an easy stage through a landscape dominated by vineyards. After 12km, you will pass Navarrete, a town built in the 12th Century by the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre. Here, you will have a chance to stop for refreshments and to visit the fabulous Baroque Church of La Ascension. Finally, arriving in Najera in the afternoon, you can enjoy the panoramic views from this hilltop town.

Country roads dominate this stage, which runs between the Cantabrian mountain range to the north and the La Demanda mountain range to the south. Enjoy a shorter walking day with great views. There is the possibility to visit the Monastery of Valvanera deep in the middle of the ‘Sierra de la Demanda’. Later today, you will arrive in Santo Domingo de la Calzada; another great milestone on the road to Santiago.

After a brief walk through a wooded area, the Camino takes us through crop fields interspersed with small brooks. This landscape warns us of the approaching mountain range and, indeed, we can soon see the Oca Mountains looming on the horizon. This afternoon, you will have the chance to relax in the lovely main square of Belorado. On the route, don’t miss the Altarpiece in the 16th Century church of San Juan Bautista, in Granon.

Until you get to Villafranca Montes de Oca (14km away), this stage is similar to the previous one. However, as you go deeper into the woods, you will soon discover the beautiful Oca Mountains before you. In St Juan de Ortega, have a look at the Gothic Mausoleum.

After a quiet sojourn in the mountains you will make your way down into the valley of the Pico River. Here, the tranquil landscapes disappear, making way for the roads and buildings that characterise the provincial capital city of Burgos and its outskirts.

From Burgos you will go through the crop fields that are typical of the region. You will pass small scattered woods of Holm oak and conifers, which serve as a memory of the time when one of the largest forests in continental Europe existed on these lands.

You will resume your walk towards Castrojeriz upwards to another plateau and then descending towards the valley of the River Bol. Today is a pleasant day spent between pasture and crop fields. Once you reach your destination, be sure to see The Castle of Castrojeriz.

After Castrojeriz, situated on the hillside between the valleys of the rivers Odrilla and Pisuerga, is Alto Mosterales – the highest point of the Meseta, and the last plains of the Burgos region. The river Pisuerga brings you into the province of Palencia and on into the Tierra de Campo. Don’t miss Boadilla and its 14thCentury church ‘La Asuncion’, reputed for its Gothic pillory and beautifully carved baptismal font.

Although this stage of the Camino passes through areas that have been heavily influenced by man, we follow the charming banks of the river Uciesa under the shade of the trees. Today, the Camino takes a relatively straight trajectory. Numerous rest areas have been set out along the path. Passing Villalcazar de Sirga, you will come across a good example of a Campos village; there are few houses and inhabitants, but there is an impressive church full of treasures.

For 13km you will follow the historical ‘Aquitana Camino’ (another famous Camino to Santiago which begins in Bayonne, France) through isolated countryside, passing popular woods and crossing over several irrigation channels used for agriculture in the region.

Expect hilly terrain as you depart Calzadilla De La Cueza and cross some ‘cuezas’, or little valleys. This part of the Camino leaves the road and heads through oak woods, before coming back to familiar cereal fields and crossing the river Valderaduey on your way to the countryside of Leon. In Sahagun, the church of San Lorenzo is certainly worth a look.

In Sahagun, you will leave Tierra del Campo behind, moving on through the cereal and grain-covered plateaux of Leon. Your destination is El Burgo Ranero, a small town typical of the province of Leon, where you will rest for the night.

Going down from the plateau towards the capital of the province, Leon, you pass the pretty village of Reliegos. On the Camino you will have the chance to take the ‘Via Traiana’, another Camino route to Santiago de Compostela that originates in the city of Bordeaux.

You will continue alongside farming land before seeing the first signs of industrial activity ahead. From Portillo Hill you will be able to make out the beautiful city of Leon. The historic centre of Leon is well preserved and worth visiting. Over the course of time, Leon became the capital of the kingdom in the Middle Ages; a historic enclave on the pilgrim’s road to Santiago de Compostela. Don’t miss The Pulchra Leonina (the ‘Sistine Chapel’ of Spanish architecture) and the old Hospital de San Marcos.

Leaving Leon, the urban area continues almost as far as the site of Virgen del Camino (about 7km outside Leon), where a local shepherd once sighted the Virgin Mary. The area is now marked by a number of statues depicting the historical scene. From this point, the route becomes more interesting as you follow the historical Camino along the Plateau of Leon.

You pass the famous ‘Puente de Orbigo’ and leave behind the Plateau of Leon. The Leon Mountains can be seen up ahead and the end of this stage will bring you to Astorga, the capital of the ancient region of Maragateria. Not to miss in Astorga: the Episcopal Palace, the cathedral, and the city walls.

We are now deep in the Maragateria region as we gradually make our way up to the foothills of the Leon Mountains. This part of the countryside is characterised by broom, oak, and conifer plantations. Your destination is the mountain town of Rabanal Del Camino.

Today is one of the most rewarding days along the French Way. Enjoy the beautiful broom and heather surroundings as you ascent to Mount Irago. Witness the ‘Iron Cross’ on the mountain pass before making your way downwards to the wealthy area of Bierzo.

If you would like to walk at a more relaxed pace, we can arrange to split this section into two days (24km on the first day, 8km on the second day). Accommodation is in a superb chalet hotel in Molinaseca.

Today you will cross the region of Bierzo, a sunken plain nestled within a ring of mountains. It is a fertile land, with an agreeable climate that allows the cultivation of many types of fruit and vegetables. In Villafranca, don’t miss the garden of the ‘Iglesia de Santiago’.

If you would like to cycle at a more relaxed pace, we can arrange to split this section into two days, with a stop over in La Portela de Valcarce overnight.

Prepare for a challenging day with an ascent of 1000m. You will pass through the narrow valley of the river Valcace before tackling the ascent of O Cebreiro. Situated between the ranges of Los Ancares and La Sierra do Courel, this stage involves a steep climb in the course of only a few kilometres.

From O Cebreiro the trail passes through the Sierra de Ranadoiro (Ranadoiro Mountains) and, after crossing the Alto do Poio, it descends into the valley to the village of Triacastela, which gets its name from the three castles that once stood here – none of which exist today.

Of the two Camino options, the ‘San Xil’ Camino offers scenery that will uplift your spirits and encourage you on your way. It has many ‘Corredoiras’ (narrow forest routes) with paved pathways that cut through typical Galician oak woods. If you wish to visit Samos, you will pass through the narrow valley of the river Ouribio, mostly following the main road.

Expect a peaceful walk in shady oak woods and pretty villages on quiet country roads. The village of Barbadelo (at an elevation of 580m) has a beautiful Romanesque church that is worth a visit. The next significant village is Ferreiros. When you arrive in Portomarin (an elevation of 550m) you can relax on one of the numerous terraces of the town’s main plaza.

From the village, the Camino crosses the river Minho and climbs uphill. On your way, you’ll be crossing Gonzar and passing the Romanesque Church of Santa María, Castromaior. The calm of the Galician Cemetery in Ligonde on a sunny day is a rest in itself. In Eirexe, the Romanesque portal of the church is a beauty, featuring a sculpture of Daniel, as well as a statue of Santiago de Peregrino. You will then arrive in Palas de Rei (at an elevation of 565m).

Today, the Camino continues slightly downhill, passing the village of Casanova and the charming village of Leboreiro. At Melide (an elevation of 454m), stop in one of the many restaurants to try some local specialities. Later today, the Camino will follow a forest track and cross several streams bringing you to the village of Boente. Then, you’ll encounter the mediaeval village of Ribadiso, and finally Arzua (at an elevation of 389m). This small town has two churches that you can visit, Santa María and La Magdalena.

This shaded section of the Camino will pass through woods, along streams, and through sleepy villages. Take your time and visit the chapel of Santa Irena, with its unique statues of Santiago. The rest of the way to Rua-O Pino is on a quiet country road. Rua (at an elevation of 310m) is one of the less crowded stopping points before Santiago de Compostela.

You’re nearly there! The next stage will be Lavacolla, where pilgrims traditionally washed in the river before reaching Santiago de Compostela. Tall eucalyptus trees line your way to Monte del Gozo, or Mount of Joy. From here, you can see your goal – the Cathedral of Santiago! After a descent to the city you’ll be able to witness this UNESCO World Heritage Site up-close. Marvel at the architecture and relish the wonderful atmosphere in this cultural and spiritual mecca, and contemplate all you’ve experienced on your amazing journey.

After breakfast, we bid you farewell.
If you wish to stay in the area, we recommend that you:
– Take your time and visit the magnificent historic centre of Santiago.
– Continue with us along the wild Camino Fisterra (Finisterre Way), and stay overnight at the hotel in the lighthouse!
– Or take a bus to Fisterra to visit the unspoilt sandy coves and beaches of the west coast. With very few tourists, you are guaranteed a very special experience. Buses depart from Santiago Bus Station at 9am and 10am. Buses return to Santiago at 4:45pm and 7pm. The journey takes 3 hours.