Camino Frances

Explore the Iconic French Way

The Camino Frances (or the French Way) is the most famous of the nine major Camino de Santiago routes. The 800km of the Camino de Santiago Frances trails have inspired many artists, writers and filmmakers – such as Paulo Coelho in his bestseller The Pilgrimage and 2010’s Hollywood movie The Way starring Martin Sheen.

The French Way traditionally starts in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France, before traversing the Pyrenees and continuing through the La Rioja wine region and along the rolling hills of northern Spain, before finishing in Santiago de Compostela, the burial place of St James.

Whether you walk the Camino Frances route to take quality time with friends and family, solo to rediscover yourself, or in a Guided Group tour to learn more about this historic trail, the experience you will have on the French Way of St James will stay with you forever.

The Camino Frances (or the French Way) is the most famous of the nine major Camino de Santiago routes. The 800km of the Camino de Santiago Frances trails have inspired many artists, writers and filmmakers – such as Paulo Coelho in his bestseller “The Pilgrimage” and 2010’s Hollywood movie “The Way” starring Martin Sheen.

The French Way traditionally starts in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France, before traversing the Pyrenees and continuing through the La Rioja wine region and along the rolling hills of northern Spain, before finishing in Santiago de Compostela, the burial place of St. James.

Whether you walk the Camino Frances route to take quality time with friends and family, solo to rediscover yourself, or in a Guided Group tour to learn more about this historic trail, the experience you will have on the French Way of Saint James will stay with you forever.

camino frances santiago de compostela route map

Starting from

554

For those who are short on time, but still want to experience the beauty of completing the Camino, you can walk from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela through the beautiful hilly landscapes of Galicia in just 5 days. You will still receive your certificate of completion, or Compostela, upon arrival at Santiago Cathedral. Take an extra day or 2 to experience the magical city sights at the end. The final stage of the famous Camino Frances (or French Way) is the most popular Camino package.

Stage 8 of 8

activity

113.5km

7 days

Comfort

Moderate

Moderate

Challenge

Jan
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Most popular section of the Camino, hilly with many shaded sections. Guaranteed to meet people.

Starting from

1052

For those who are short on time, but still want to experience the beauty of completing the Camino, you can walk from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela through the beautiful hilly landscapes of Galicia in just 5 days. You will still receive your certificate of completion, or Compostela, upon arrival at Santiago Cathedral. Take an extra day or 2 to experience the magical city sights at the end.

The final stage of the famous Camino Frances (or French Way) is the most popular Camino package.

Stage 8 of 8

activity

113.5km

8 days

Comfort

Moderate

Moderate

Challenge

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Popular Time
Good Time
Off/Low Season
Not Possible

0

This route marks the beginning of the Camino Frances. It starts in the French town of St-Jean-Pied-de-Port and finishes in Pamplona, known for the famous "Running of the Bulls" festival each July during San Fermin, as described by Ernest Hemingway in The Sun Also Rises. The path begins with the Route de Napoleon over the Roncesvalles Pass at 1,500 meters, leading into the Basque country. It then continues into the more gentle terrain of Navarra.

Stage 1 of 8

activity

67.3km

5 days

Comfort

Moderate plus

Moderate plus

Challenge

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
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Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Popular Time
Good Time
Off/Low Season
Not Possible

Napoleon Route forbidden from the 1 November to 31 March. An alternative route via Valcarlos must be taken.

Starting from

494

Start your walk in Pamplona, famous for its Bull Running festival, and finish in Logrono at the heart of the Rioja wine region. Enjoy an attractive hike in hilly Navarra with its 12th Century castles, picturesque villages, and vineyards. Why not stop along the way and sample some of the wines that are so synonymous with high quality?

Stage 2 of 8

activity

94.7km

6 days

Comfort

Moderate

Moderate

Challenge

Jan
Feb
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0

Starting from

562

The third section of the Camino Frances starts from Logrono in the heart of the famous Rioja region and finishes in mediaeval Burgos. This section is slightly flatter than the previous one; it crosses the province of Burgos, passing typical villages, vineyards and ruined castles. You will also pass between the Cantabrian and La Demanda mountain ranges, offering stunning views.

Stage 3 of 8

activity

120.5km

7 days

Comfort

Moderate

Moderate

Challenge

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
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Oct
Nov
Dec
Popular Time
Good Time
Off/Low Season
Not Possible

As you progress on this section the terrain has more inclines than declines as you move into the mountains. With plenty of shade some light layers would be recommended.

Starting from

660

Starting from Burgos, the mediaeval city and hometown of ‘El Cid’, and finishing in Sahagun, a town renowned for its unique Romanesque churches, this Camino is certainly one of the most rewarding in terms of culture and natural surroundings. This walk can be physically demanding and requires a reasonable level of fitness. However, it’s a highly rewarding walk that includes numerous cultural highlights. Every day during the walk, you are guaranteed authentic accommodation and the best local food!

Stage 4 of 8

activity

123.9km

8 days

Comfort

Easy

Easy

Challenge

Jan
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Not Possible

There is little to no shade on the Meseta so you will need to protect yourself from the Sun.

Starting from

406

On this section, you’ll walk from Sahagun, a town renowned for its architecture, and finish in Leon, one of the greatest cities in Spain. The Camino de Santiago, or Way of Saint James, crosses the vast Castilian Plateau (at an elevation of 900m) and passes through its wealthy villages before ending in Leon, one of the most important kingdoms of mediaeval Spain before the country’s unification.

Stage 5 of 8

activity

55.2km

5 days

Comfort

Easy

Easy

Challenge

Jan
Feb
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Off/Low Season
Not Possible

Procession of Los Pasos during Easter Week is a highlight in Leon.

Starting from

494

You’ll start in León, one of the greatest cities in Spain and finish in Ponferrada. Built by the Knights Templars in the 12th Century. The Camino de Santiago, or Way of Saint James, starts on the central high plateau and traverses the untouched Leon Mountains. As with all of our tours, you’ll be treated to the very best local gastronomy, and stay in traditional guesthouses and hotels.

Stage 6 of 8

activity

103.9km

6 days

Comfort

Moderate

Moderate

Challenge

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Popular Time
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Off/Low Season
Not Possible

On this section you move up into the mountains so be sure to have light layers packed.

Starting from

494

Starting in the mountain-hugging town of Ponferrada and finishing in Sarria, a bustling market town, this Camino crosses the magnificent O Cebreiro Mountains before winding down to a more gentle terrain. O’Cebreiro is a megalithic village with round stone houses, with an amazing church, Santa Maria Real, where you can find the most important religious remains of Galicia (the miracle of Santo Milagro with a Chalice and Paten turning into the body and blood of Jesus Christ). The Chalice and Paten are the symbols of Galicia. The remains of Don Elias Valina Sampredo, the father of the modern Camino and ‘inventor’ of the yellow arrow, are also in the Church.

Stage 7 of 8

activity

92.2km

6 days

Comfort

Moderate plus

Moderate plus

Challenge

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
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Oct
Nov
Dec
Popular Time
Good Time
Off/Low Season
Not Possible

This section is one of the hilliest with one of the steepest climbs so bear this in mind when setting out each day and also check the weather.

Starting from

3323

The Camino Frances is a pilgrimage from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France over the Pyrenees and across the north of Spain to Santiago de Compostela and the tomb of St James. Passing through famous Spanish towns and cities such as Pamplona, Burgos, Leon and Ponferrada, you have plenty of opportunity to enjoy the unique culture of this region. The walk will have you traversing varying landscapes from the mountainous Pyrenees, to the flat plateau of Northern Spain to the undulating hilly landscape of Galicia. To complete the full Camino Frances' length you need to have a reasonable level of fitness and also more than a month free to give you the time to walk and incorporate a few rest days along the way.

Stage 1 of 8

activity

771.1km

36 days

Comfort

Moderate plus

Moderate plus

Challenge

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Popular Time
Good Time
Off/Low Season
Not Possible

The most iconic route the Camino Frances has a variety of terrain, hilly, flat and never boring!

Starting from

915

The last stage of the famous French Way is the most popular route with most pilgrims. Departing from Sarria, you will cross the beautiful mountainous landscapes of Galicia and marvel at Santiago de Compostela as you enter the city to claim your certificate of completion, or Compostela, upon arrival at the Cathedral This can be completed in 6 days of walking with your furry best friend at your side.

Stage 8 of 8

activity

113.5km

8 days

Comfort

Moderate

Moderate

Challenge

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Popular Time
Good Time
Off/Low Season
Not Possible

The final stage of the famous Camino Frances (or French Way) is the most popular Camino package. With this package, you can go from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela in 6 days. You will still receive your certificate of completion, or Compostela, at the end. The route traverses the beautiful hilly landscapes of Galicia. Keep in mind that having the right equipment is essential for a successful Camino experience. A lightweight, manual wheelchair is recommended, as it will be easier to push over long distances. Take an extra day or 2 to experience the rich history and culinary offerings of Santiago at the end of your journey.

Stage 8 of 8

activity

113.5km

8 days

Comfort

Moderate

Moderate

Challenge

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Popular Time
Good Time
Off/Low Season
Not Possible

This route is the starting point of the Camino Frances. It begins in France at the town of St-Jean-Pied-de-Port and finishes in Pamplona, the town famous for its ‘Running of the Bulls’ festival in San Fermin each July, described by Ernest Hemingway in his novel The Sun Also Rises. At first, it follows the Route de Napoleon over the Roncesvalles Pass (at an elevation of 1,500m) into the Basque country, and then crosses into more gentle terrain in the great region of Navarra.

Stage 1 of 8

activity

67.3km

6 days

Comfort

Moderate plus

Moderate plus

Challenge

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Popular Time
Good Time
Off/Low Season
Not Possible

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