The walk
This journey follows the St James Pilgrims’ Way out of France and through Spain. It opens with the crossing of the Pyrenees, where you swing away from the Spanish coast through a lush green landscape.
From the citadel of Saint Jean Pied de Port to Logroño, you set off exploring varied landscapes through regions which have a strong local identity: the Basque Country, Navarre and la Rioja. The journey is marked by cultural sites of an extraordinary richness: Roncesvalles, Pamplona, Puente la Reina and even Estella…
Immerse yourself, step by step, in the culture of Spain and allow yourself to be surprised by the Camino Francés, which is without doubt the most cosmopolitan long-distance walk in the world…
Highlights
- Crossing the Pyrenees via the Roncesvalles pass.
- A succession of varied landscapes: from the Basque country through Navarre to Rioja.
- Pamplona and its architecture.
Itinerary
SAINT JEAN PIED DE PORT
Check in at your hotel at the end of the afternoon in the pretty fortified town of Saint Jean Pied de Port. Have a look at the historic heart of the citadel which was remodelled by Vauban. Overnight stay with half board. You can leave your vehicle in the square in front of the hotel (Parking not secure).
SAINT JEAN PIED DE PORT - RONCESVALLES 26km
This climb takes you to the col de Roncesvalles (or Ibañeta), the emblematic crossing-point over the French-Spanish border. You arrive then at Roncesvalles, the biggest hospice in the Pyrenees (with its famous church and cloisters). Overnight stay and half board.
RONCESVALLES - ZUBIRI 22km
You follow a pleasant forest walk from Roncesvalles to Zubiri, passing through villages with Basque names. Overnight stay and half board.
ZUBIRI - PAMPLONA 21km
This walk takes you across the valley of Esteribar. Then you arrive at Pamplona, the first big town of the Camino Francés, capital of Navarre and a place where numerous traces of the old and modern-day pilgrims. Worth seeing: the cathedral and the old quarter of Pamplona.
PAMPLONA - PUENTE LA REINA 24km
On this day you cross the Sierra del Perdón which offers a fine view. You arrive in the medieval town of Puente La Reina, which is situated at a crossing point of pilgrims’ routes and is well-known for its 11th century Romanesque bridge. Overnight stay and half board.
PUENTE LA REINA - ESTELLA 22km
Today’s walk takes you to Estella, a pretty little town which is also called ‘Estella the Beautiful’. It is graced with old houses, a palace and churches which all add to its renown. Overnight stay and half board.
ESTELLA - LOS ARCOS 22km
You walk from Estella to Los Arcos, a medieval town and a place not to be missed on the track of the Camino Francés. Worth seeing: the church of Santa María, a huge building incorporating many architectural styles. Overnight stay and half board.
LOS ARCOS - LOGROÑO 28km
As you approach Logroño, you leave Navarre and enter la Rioja. Logroño, the capital of la Rioja is an interesting town. It is worth visiting the beautiful cathedral of Santa María de la Redonda and the old part of the town. Overnight stay and half board.
LOGROÑO
End of the trip after the breakfast
Map
Organization
SNCF Railway of Saint Jean Pied de Port
- Half board 4 (Except dinner in Saint Jean Pied de Port)
- Luggage transfer between each walking stage (depending on the option chosen)
- Provision of the topo-guide (1 topo-guide per room reserved).
- Tourist tax.
- Picnic lunch
- Insurance, drinks and personal expenses
- Transfers from your home to the meeting point and dispersal
- Registration fees (+15€ per person)
- Shipping costs abroad (+20€ per file)
- The priority processing fee for any registration on D-15 (+45€ per file)
- Shuttles or cabs to pick up your car or to shorten certain stages
- Parking fees.
In 1*, 2 ** and 3*** (Spanish tourist classification) hotels and “casas rurales”.
Date and price
| Arrival dates | Price pp | Booking |
|---|---|---|
| 06/02/2025 to 06/02/2025 | € | Booking |
