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4.9

Camino Francés (St-Jean-Pied-de-Port - Logroño)

Camino Francés (St-Jean-Pied-de-Port - Logroño)

Camino de Santiago Francés

Camino Francés is by far the most favoured, most traditional and internationally the most celebrated of the many Camino routes. The French Camino starts in the French village St. Jean Pied de Port and passes shortly hereafter the boarder to Spain. From here it crosses Northern Spain on a route that is all together 800 km. to Santiago de Compostela. Therefore it is also known as the French Camino. A Camino experience of a lifetime.

  • From 750 Euro/pers.
  • 160 Km
  • 9 days / 8 nights
  • Difficulty
    ?
    NOTE: nowhere, in any Camino, will steep cliffs be found next to path!

    1: Very easy. Flat and without significant gradients. Good and normally wide paths.

    2: Easy. Slightly hilly. Good and normally wide paths.

    3: Medium. Hilly, possibly with longer distances between service facilities/cities. Good, sometimes narrow paths.

    4: Medium/Hard. Longer, steeper climbs, perhaps with few servicefacilities/cities. Good, sometimes narrow paths.

    5: Hard. Long gradient(s), possibly few facilities. Very hilly. Good, sometimes narrow paths.
  • Nature

This is the Camino de Santiago from St. Jean Pied de Port in France, across the Pyrenees, through Navarre 's renowned capital of Pamplona and the region's hilly landscapes, to the vineyards of Rioja and Logroño's atmosphere-packed Old Town.

A trip that has it all; plenty of authentic charm, picturesque villages and immense natural beauty through one of Spain's most acclaimed gastronomic regions, where you can enjoy Spanish cuisine at its best.

It’s a varied and certainly commendable part of the Camino de Santiago.

On this Pilgrimage you will hike the first 7 stages of the 33 stages to Santiago. This trip can, of course, be combined with the rest of the route, if you want to extend your walk.

Make your trip personal! Spain is More offers and guarantees the following on this trip:

✔ Daily Departures all year round

✔ Hotel-to-Hotel Baggage Service is optional.

✔ Your personal Pilgrim's Passport.

✔ Specially Selected Hotels - always with private bathroom - selected for best location, service and authentic charm.

✔ Spain is More Camino Guidebook (which you will receive some weeks before departure) contains practical pilgrim information, suggestions for packing list, recommended restaurants, maps of all cities along The Camino- and hotel location, Pilgrim's Passport/Credential, advice and guidance, service phone numbers and much more, all to make your trip on The Camino an experience of a lifetime!

✔ This trip can be combined with other Camino routes.

✔ Dividing stages: Yes, except first stage.

It includes

From 750 Euro/pers.Per person in a double room.

Single room supplement: 260 Euro

It includes
  1. 8 nights in a double room - always with private bath/toilet.
  2. 8 x breakfast.
  3. Transport from Madrid, Bilbao or Barcelona to Pamplona.
  4. Transport from Pamplona to St-Jean-Pied-de-Port.
  5. Transport from Logroño to Madrid, Bilbao or Barcelona.
  6. The price includes Spain-is-More-Digital-Travel Guidebook.
  7. Credencial/Pilgrim Passport
  8. 24/7 emergency telephone.
  9. Taxes.
Not included
  1. Some short local bus or taxi journeys, e.g. from airport to bus or train station in the same city.
Optional
  1. Personalise your Camino: Divide stages, transportation to startingpoint from anywhere in the world and back. Please ask us, we will be happy to assist you.
  2. Baggage Transport on the pilgrim route can be purchased. If you buy a luggage service your bag / suitcase will be transported from hotel to hotel on the scheduled days of hiking. Price 80 € per unit of max 15 kg.
  3. Extension of stay in Madrid, Barcelona, St-Jean-Pied-de-Port, Bilbao etc. can be purchased. 
  4. The price include 1 Spain-is-More-Digital-Travel Guidebook.
  5. Cancellation insurance: available in the trip confirmation process.(can be added when ordering).
Description

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
Detailed itinerary
Detailed itinerary (view all days )
Day 1.- Arrival to St. Jean Pied de Port

St. Jean Pied de Port is often considered the official starting point for the Camino de Santiago, and this idyllic French village is also the ideal place to start your camino as it offers good food and a pleasant and peaceful atmosphere.
Here you will find French village charm, history, monuments and good restaurants in abundant quantities.

Day 2.- St. Jean Pied de Port - Roncesvalles 24 Km

St. Jean Pied de Port is considered the official starting point for the Camino de Santiago.  This idyllic French village is also the perfect place to start your Camino, as it offers good food in a pleasant and peaceful atmosphere.
 Here you will find French village charm, history, monuments and good restaurants in abundance.

St. Jean Pied de Port is located at the foot of the Pyrenees, which makes the location unique, but the mountains also account for a significant challenge on the Camino as they have to be crossed in order to continue the journey. The first stage is one of the most beautiful on the whole Camino, yet certainly the toughest, without the possibility of shortening this stage.

If approximately 18 kilometers of hard climb sounds like a lot, we can arrange transportation for the first 10 kilometers – which are the toughest – or all the way to Roncesvalles (you may also begin your walk in Roncesvalles, which will result in a price reduction of approximately 50€/person). 



The benefits of starting in St. Jean Pied de Port are: 1. The city is well worth a visit. 2. This stage is immensely beautiful. 3. By starting here, you will experience the Camino from the start. 4. Last, but not least, the hardest stage is already over on the first day.

See Timelap of the stage here.

Distance: 24 Km

ALTITUDE PROFILEm
RoncesvallesSt. Jean Pied de Port
Day 3.- Roncesvalles - Zubiri 21 Km

Roncesvalles is a widely used starting point for pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago since the route from here is a bit easier than the previous one, as it primarily descends towards Pamplona.



However, the terrain is still very hilly and relatively hard. Nonetheless, you will walk through a series of idyllic and very well-maintained villages, some of the most beautiful villages you will experience throughout the trip, as well as forested hills that provide shade and wonderful ambiance. There are several small, but tough ascents along the way but, generally your hike will descend 400 meters this day.



Distance: 21 Km

ALTITUDE PROFILEm
ZubiriRoncesvalles
Day 4.- Zubiri - Pamplona 20 Km

During most of the day, this stage follows the Arga River but despite this, you have to climb some hilltops. The stage also passes through a large number of small villages as Pamplona's suburbs are beginning to appear. Before being rewarded with Pamplona's old district, you will have to successfully complete the climb towards the city center.

In return, you will experience Pamplona’s atmosphere-filled center, which is one of Spain's most attractive. Pamplona is famous for its tapas and pinchos. In the accompanying guidebook we give you our recommendations for the best places, so you can experience Pamplona in just the right way. If you want more time to explore and enjoy the city, an extra night is certainly recommendable.

Note: If you want to stay in Pamplona during the Sanfermines festival from the 6th to the 17th of July each year, the price will be significantly higher. In addition, it’s necessary to book at least eight months in advance during this period. 



Distance: 20 Km

ALTITUDE PROFILEm
PamplonaZubiri
Day 5.- Pamplona - Puente la Reina 24 Km

Climbing Mount Alto del Perdón (see picture) is the biggest obstacle on this day, but if the climb seems too hard, will you discover a recommendable detour in our guidebook. However, despite the difficulty we recommend the climb, because from the top you will have a spectacular view of Pamplona and the Pyrenees in one direction and a view of the easier upcoming stages of the route in the other. 
Today's stage ends in Puente de la Reina, which has a beautiful old town and a famous bridge from where the Camino heads west (The Queens bridge, Puente de la Reina).

Distance: 24 Km

ALTITUDE PROFILEm
Puente la ReinaPamplona
Day 6.- Puente la Reina - Estella 22 Km

A few minor but steep hills bring you to Estella. Especially during the early part of this stage you will pass through many vineyards.  It's recommendable to take the several opportunities to visit some of them and in this way also enjoy a little rest along the way. 

Distance: 22 Km

ALTITUDE PROFILEm
EstellaPuente la Reina
Day 7.- Estella - Los Arcos 23 Km

Estella is a history-rich and exciting city with a beautiful old town.

Today's stage begins with a relatively gentle ascent and continues into flat and easy walking as you travel. There are several wineries along the way which can be visited, with a few of them also serving as excellent restaurants.

There’s not much shade available at this stage, so if you walk in the summer or on a sunny day it advisable to get an early start. Torres del Rio is situated on a hilltop and has a nice old town in which to relax and explore.

Distance: 23 Km

ALTITUDE PROFILEm
Los ArcosEstella
Day 8.- Los Arcos - Logroño 26 Km

This is a flat and easy stage compared to everything you've experienced so far. You will pass several historical villages along the Camino. You will begin to be surrounded by vineyards, a sign that welcomes you to Logroño and La Rioja.

Logroño is La Rioja's largest city and, of course, the center of many of the Rioja wineries. Besides an excellent glass of wine for which Logroño is so well-known, is also its great cuisine. In the city's well-preserved old town center there are also countless delicious tapas bars. 

Distance: 26 Km

ALTITUDE PROFILEm
LogroñoLos Arcos
Day 9.- Departure

Return if you choose to stop your camino in Logrono.