The first stage of the Camino Francés after St.-Jean-Pied-de-Port is the toughest on the entire Camino Francés - the French Camino, in particular the first 10 kilometers from St. Jean Pied de Port, until you reach the top of the Pyrenees. During this 25 km. long stage, there is only one place to buy food or stop to eat and it is not possible to divide this stage, as there are no hotels/pensions along the way. Read more about the stage under the stage description.
The next few stages, until you reach Pamplona's suburbs, remain hilly. At the same time this is one of the most beautiful sections of the French Camino through forests, along rivers and through picturesque villages.
Under each stage description you'll find elevation maps and pictures of the terrain.
Service functions are relatively limited between St Jean Pied de Port and Pamplona. There are, however, several villages along the way with restaurants and other services, but the frequency is not as high as other sections.
More information on Saint Jean Pied de Port - Pamplona
The terrain after Pamplona is easier than before Pamplona. But, immediately after Pamplona, you will find that your hike is not completely flat. Instead, along the way, several hills must be traveled; although flat stretches become longer and more frequent the closer you get to Logroño, where vineyards start taking over. It is a lovely section of the Camino, with very diverse landscape and quaint villages.
You'll pass several small bodegas along the way, where it's perfect to make a short stop and maybe get a wine and tasting tour. In addition, both Navarra and Rioja are known for their excellent cuisines, two wonderful opportunities to experience excellent Spanish food on this trip.
Service functions are generally good with many smaller towns along the way.
More information on Saint Jean Pied de Port - Pamplona
The terrain becomes gentler before arriving to Pamplona without becoming completely flat. There will be several hills along the way, but the flat stretches begin to be longer, more frequent and easier as you as you near Logroño. Vineyards, quaint villages and a diverse landscape greet you through this lovely stretch of the Camino.
You'll pass several small bodegas along this stage, where you can enjoy a short stop and perhaps tour a bodega or two to include wine tasting in this region. We recommend enjoying and trying as much as possible.
In addition, both Navarra and Rioja are known for their excellent gastronomy, and provide you with plenty of really good opportunities to experience the cuisine of these two regions during your trip.
Service functions are generally good with many smaller towns along the way.
More information on Pamplona - Logroño
The terrain from Logroño until Burgos is quite easy, often very dry and relatively flat. The Camino goes through vineyards, particularly at the beginning, as far as the eye can see. The Ebro River runs just a few kilometers north of the route, causing this area to be where some of the best Rioja wineries are located. If you have time, it is certainly recommended that you stay an extra night in Logroño to visit this beautiful region.
To the south you walk with the view of the mountains, the source of the Rio (River) Oja. There are two unforgettable UNESCO heritage experiences here to visit; firstly, the Monasteries of Santo Domingo de la Calzada and secondly the dinosaur and other archaeological sites at Atapuerca, just east of Burgos. Again, both are essential visits. In addition, of course, are Logroño and Burgos, both glorious cities, the latter with its impressive cathedral in the center of town. Along the way, is Santo Domingo, a beautifully preserved and historic part of the pilgrimage. All in all, this trek offers an enormous variety of experiences.
Service functions are generally good, but the distance between the cities is now little longer. In the evenings, however, there are always restaurants in or near the hotel. The route goes almost every day through cities, which have supermarkets, banks, laundry services, shops and other possibility for stocking up.
Possibility of dividing stages: Yes (see stage descriptions).
More information on Logroño - Burgos
The terrain between Burgos and León is easy and relatively flat. The biggest challenge might be the sun, the heat and sometimes the long stages that you might decide to divide.
The area is dry, without much shade or many trees, but the route has a lot of charm, in so many ways, and is definitely worth the trip.
Service functions are ok, although the cities are often small. You will pass through several towns every day, but a bit of lunch planning in advance is important. In the evenings there are always restaurants in or near the hotel.
Possibility of dividing stages: Yes, usually (see stage descriptions).
More information on Burgos - León
From Leon you will see that the number of pilgrims increases, and there are many reasons for this. First, the stretch from Leon is in many ways one of the most interesting, with many historical sights along the way (most importantly; the Cathedral of León, the medieval bridge in Hospital de Orbigo, the Bishop's Palace of Gaudí in Astorga, the Iron Cross and the Monastery of Samos), lots of beautiful villages, excellent facilities and, above all, a varied terrain through beautiful landscape.
Spain is More guests, who start their pilgrimage in León, often take the bus the first 35 km. to Hospital de Orbigo. Many people also choose to walk from León, making the trip one day longer. If you chose to walk from León, the first stage is flat, through industry and suburbs for the first 10 kilometers. Afterwards, the huge plain opens before you, followed afterwards to Rabanal del Camino, where the terrain gets quite hilly.
Many others choose to split the stage between Villafranca and O'Cebreiro, as this is long and relatively difficult. If you don't have time to split this stage, but are finding it too tough while traveling, there are good alternatives to travel by bus and taxi at that particular point. With an extra accommodation in Molinaseca or Villafranca, you can take a trip to Las Medulas, which is a spectacular UNESCO-protected nature area where ancient Romans mined for gold.
Possibility of dividing stages: Yes.
More information on León - Sarria
The stretch throug Galicia from Sarria to Santiago is the most popular and by far most used Camino-section, which can be clearly seen by the number of pilgrims on this route. It's very charming to come into contact with people from around the world, all of them walking in the same direction and with the same goal in mind. Sarria is 115 km east of Santiago and is the minimum distance required to walk to obtain the Compostela of Santiago.
Sarria, is also a good starting point for the Camino because there are bigger towns with all the necessary facilities you might need along this route. On this route there are two really exciting excursions, one to the huge monastery of Samos, from where you can walk back along the Camino to Sarria, and the other to Lugo and ahead to the world's best preserved Roman city wall.
The first stages after Sarria are fairly hilly, but also some of the most idyllic on the whole Camino. Many have said that these stages are their favourites of the entire Camino - it is so beautiful. You'll pass small farming communities, with stone houses and cobbled paths, you'll walk along the fields where cows graze and through forests where all you hear is the river's murmur. Nature is the main attraction along this way until reaching Santiago de Compostela. This stunningly beautiful town exudes atmosphere in the Old Town's sector of winding streets. It's the perfect ending to your Camino de Santiago. Service functions are generally very good.
Possibility of dividing stages: Yes.
More information on Sarria - Santiago de Compostela