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Puente la Reina bridge reflection from the water along the Camino route in France

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Camino Frances Route

Explore the Iconic French Way

The Camino Frances (or the French Way) is perhaps the most famous of the nine major Camino de Santiago routes. It’s 800KM of trail has 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 Camino French Way traditionally starts in St. 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.

Camino Frances Map

800km

of walking trails

30 +

days of walking

8

different stages

Camino Frances Stages

The Camino Frances is a pilgrimage from St 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 landscape from the mountainous region of the Pyrenees, to the flat plateau of Northern Spain and the undulating hilly landscape of Galicia. To complete the full French Way you do need to have a reasonable level of fitness and also over a month free to give you the time to walk and incorporate a few rest days along the way. We can assist with booking this trip for all budgets. So do not hesitate to get in touch if you would like to find out more about completing the full Camino Frances and to get a personalised quote and itinerary.
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The most iconic route the Camino Frances has a variety of terrain, hilly, flat and never boring!

For those who are short on time, but still want to experience the beauty of the Camino, you can walk from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela in 5 days. You will still receive your certificate of completion, or Compostela. Take an extra day or 2 to experience Santiago at the end.

The final stage of the famous Camino Frances (or French Way) is the most popular Camino package. It traverses the beautiful hilly landscapes of Galicia. Reward your efforts in Santiago de Compostela, the heart and hub of all pilgrimages on the Way of St James.
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Most popular section of the Camino, hilly with many shaded sections. Guaranteed to meet people.
Most Popular: Experience the last 100km of the famous Camino Frances. The route begins in Sarria and finishes in Santiago de Compostela, traversing the hilly landscapes of Galicia. Reward your efforts in Santiago de Compostela, the heart and hub of all pilgrimages on the Way of St James.
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Most popular section of the Camino, hilly with many shaded sections. Guaranteed to meet people.

This specific route is the starting point of the Camino Frances. It begins in France at St-Jean-Pied-de-Port and finishes in Pamplona, the town famous for its Running of the Bulls festival in San Fermin, described by Ernest Hemingway in his novel The Sun Also Rises. At first, it follows the Route de Napoleon over the Roncesvalles Pass (1500m) in the Basque country, and then crosses into more gentle terrain in the great region of Navarra.
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Napoleon Route forbidden from the 1st November to the 1st April. Alternative route via Valcarols must be taken.

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.
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San Fermin Running of the Bulls Festival takes place from 6th to 14th July - Accommodation is more expensive and there does be limited availability at this time.

The third section of the Camino Frances starts from Logrono in the heart of the famous Rioja region and finishes in medieval Burgos. This section is slightly flatter than the previous; it crosses the hilly province of Burgos, passing typical villages, vineyards and ruined castles.
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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 Burgos, the medieval 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 a comfortable accommodation and the best local food!
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There is little to no shade on the Meseta so you will need to protect yourself from the Sun.

On this section, you’ll walk from Sahagun, a medieval 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 (900m) and passes through its wealthy villages before ending in Leon.
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Procession of Los Pasos during Easter Week is a highlight in Leon.

You’ll start in Léon, one of the greatest cities in Spain and finish in Ponferrada, built by the 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 comfortable hotels and traditional guesthouses.
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On this section you move up into the mountains so be sure to have light layers packed.

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 symbol of Galicia and are on the Galician Flag.


The remains of Don Elias Valina Sampredo, the father of the modern Camino and ‘inventor’ of the yellow arrow, are also in the Church.
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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.

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