You’ll be booked into a hotel in the heart of the small town. While in town, you should visit the 14th Century Gothic church, Notre-Dame-du-Bout-du-Pont, the hilltop citadel (remodelled in the 17th Century), and follow the cobbled Rue de la Citadelle downhill and over the river for views back over St-Jean-Pied-De-Port.

The first day of the Camino is considered the most challenging as it crosses the Pyrenees. The “Camino Napoleon” starts with a steep climb, passing through orchards and later, Alpine-style meadows. The path weaves alongside leafy beech woods until you reach the Spanish border. Alternatively, the Valcarlos Camino follows the road through the valley, running along the River Nive or River Valcarlos. Don’t miss the Collegiate Church as you descend into Roncesvalles.

If you prefer a more relaxed pace, we offer three options:

1. Stay at the Refuge Orisson: This is basic but welcoming accommodation halfway along the route, which splits the day into two parts.

2. Stay 2 nights in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port: You can use a taxi to/from Refuge Orisson to avoid the entire walk in one day.

3. Take the Valcarlos Route: This alternative route splits the day into two stages (12km and 14km), staying in a 2-star hotel. However, this route follows the main road and is not as rewarding as the Camino Napoleon.

Important: The Napoleon Route is closed for pilgrims from November 1 to March 31. During this period, pilgrims must use the Valcarlos route. Traveling on the Napoleon Route during these months is forbidden, and any pilgrim needing rescue from the Pyrenees may be fined €5,000.

Leaving the Pyrenees behind us, we head towards Pamplona through the undulating terrain of the Basque Country via woodlands and hilly cultivated lands. One section of this route today ascends an elevation of nearly 500m. This can be tough going but is ultimately very rewarding when you arrive in Pamplona.

When leaving Pamplona behind, you are also leaving behind the Atlantic area of Navarra. From here onwards, the landscape will be dominated by cereal crops, Holm oaks and Mediterranean brushwood. The Pamplona basin is left behind too when you cross the Alto del Perdon (Hill of Forgiveness), so-named because of the centuries old pilgrim tradition of travellers forgiving others, and asking forgiveness for themselves, with each step up the hill.

As you leave Puente La Reina you will cross the ‘Puente Románico’, a six-arched Romanesque bridge over the Arga River. The Camino to Estella is very uneven and quite agricultural. Small towns and villages are dotted amongst cereal fields, vineyards and olive trees. This is one of the quieter sections of the Camino Frances.

Today is another beautiful day, travelling through vineyards and red earth crop fields. We also pass by a few famous landmarks of the Camino de Santiago such as the Monasterio of Irache and its bodega, and the steep climb up to Villamayor de Monjardin. Shade also decreases as we get closer and closer to Logrono, capital city of the well-known wine producing region of La Rioja.

Logrono is a city rich in traditions that have been preserved since the Middle Ages. The pilgrim’s route to Santiago de Compostela made this one of the most important towns on the Camino Frances. On this day you can visit a local winery for a winery tour and tasting! You will be spending an additional night here before we bid you farewell!