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.
The Heming-Way: Saint Jean Pied de Port to Pamplona
Follow Hemingway’s Footsteps Over the Pyrenees into Historic Pamplona
Starting from
€460
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
67.3km
6 days
Comfort
Moderate plus
Popular time
september
Starting from
€460
Starting from
€460
Route Summary
Stage 1 of 8
67.3km
6 days
Comfort
Popular time
september
Best time to go:
Moderate plus
Overall
Distance:
21.3 min | 22.4km average | 24.5 max
Ascent:
438.4 min |817m average | 1529.2 max
Cardio:
3 3.7 5
View the popular times to visit this route
Overall
Distance:
21.3 min | 22.4km average | 24.5 max
Ascent:
438.4 min |817m average | 1529.2 max
Cardio:
3 3.7 5
Highlights
Map of Hemingway's Favorite Spots
Receive a detailed map highlighting the cafes, bars, restaurants, and hotels frequented by Ernest Hemingway. Explore these iconic locations at your own pace, with insights and anecdotes about the places that inspired his literary masterpieces.
Authentic Basque Culinary Experiences
Savor the rich flavors of Basque cuisine with specially curated meals at local eateries. Enjoy traditional dishes made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients, including pintxos, seafood, and regional specialties that capture the essence of Basque culinary heritage.
Pamplona
The city is famous for its ‘Running of the Bulls’ festival each July! Once you arrive in one of Spain’s most famous and historical cities, take in the Gothic-style architecture and walk through the streets that inspired Hemingway’s novel 'The Sun Also Rises'. From mediaeval city walls to the impressive La Catedral de Santa María la Real de Pamplona, you can easily spend hours wandering the streets and working up an appetite to enjoy either a traditional Basque-influenced dish or a more modern fusion style!
Map of Hemingway's Favorite Spots
Receive a detailed map highlighting the cafes, bars, restaurants, and hotels frequented by Ernest Hemingway. Explore these iconic locations at your own pace, with insights and anecdotes about the places that inspired his literary masterpieces.
Authentic Basque Culinary Experiences
Savor the rich flavors of Basque cuisine with specially curated meals at local eateries. Enjoy traditional dishes made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients, including pintxos, seafood, and regional specialties that capture the essence of Basque culinary heritage.
Pamplona
The city is famous for its ‘Running of the Bulls’ festival each July! Once you arrive in one of Spain’s most famous and historical cities, take in the Gothic-style architecture and walk through the streets that inspired Hemingway’s novel 'The Sun Also Rises'. From mediaeval city walls to the impressive La Catedral de Santa María la Real de Pamplona, you can easily spend hours wandering the streets and working up an appetite to enjoy either a traditional Basque-influenced dish or a more modern fusion style!
Start Planning Now !
SAINT JEAN PIED DE PORT
PAMPLONA
Services
Included in this package
Bed & Breakfast
Specially Hand-Picked Accommodation
Our Holiday or Pilgrim Pack
24/7 On-Call Support
Virtual Face-to-Face Pre-Departure Briefing
Add-On
Premium Accommodation
Airport Pick-Up
Additional Nights
Dinners
Luggage Transfers from Hotel to Hotel
Day Tours to Local Sites of Interest
Not included: Flights/trains, Insurance, Drinks/Lunch
Itinerary
Day
1
km
SAINT JEAN PIED DE PORT
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.
Day
2
24.5 km
SAINT JEAN PIED DE PORT RONCESVALLES
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:
-
Stay at the Refuge Orisson: This is basic but welcoming accommodation halfway along the route, which splits the day into two parts.
-
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.
-
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.
Day
3
21.5 km
RONCESVALLES ZUBIRI
The Camino crosses two stunning mountain passes before winding through woods and meadows. It then arrives at Espinal, where you’ll be treated to breathtaking panoramic views of the countryside with the Pyrenees in the background. The River Arga flows alongside this stretch of the Camino, continuing all the way to Larrasoana.
Day
4
21.3 km
ZUBIRI PAMPLONA
The Camino follows the River Arga, passing the foothills covered in beech, oak, and Scots pine trees. As you get closer to Pamplona, famous for its “Running of the Bulls” festival each July, the landscape becomes more developed, with reforested conifers and farmlands becoming more common.
Day
5
km
PAMPLONA
After breakfast, we bid you farewell. There is a lot to see and do in Pamplona, but we recommend just walking through the city’s streets, admiring the architecture, food, and wonderful people that inspired the great Ernest Hemmingway.
Day
1
km
SAINT JEAN PIED DE PORT
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.
Day
2
24.5 km
SAINT JEAN PIED DE PORT RONCESVALLES
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:
-
Stay at the Refuge Orisson: This is basic but welcoming accommodation halfway along the route, which splits the day into two parts.
-
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.
-
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.
Day
3
21.5 km
RONCESVALLES ZUBIRI
The Camino crosses two stunning mountain passes before winding through woods and meadows. It then arrives at Espinal, where you’ll be treated to breathtaking panoramic views of the countryside with the Pyrenees in the background. The River Arga flows alongside this stretch of the Camino, continuing all the way to Larrasoana.
Day
4
21.3 km
ZUBIRI PAMPLONA
The Camino follows the River Arga, passing the foothills covered in beech, oak, and Scots pine trees. As you get closer to Pamplona, famous for its “Running of the Bulls” festival each July, the landscape becomes more developed, with reforested conifers and farmlands becoming more common.
Day
5
km
PAMPLONA
After breakfast, we bid you farewell. There is a lot to see and do in Pamplona, but we recommend just walking through the city’s streets, admiring the architecture, food, and wonderful people that inspired the great Ernest Hemmingway.
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How to Get There
Getting to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, France
It is best to fly to France (Biarritz or Paris), then come back from Spain (Santiago, Bilbao, Santander or Madrid).
Fly into Biarritz
Fly into Paris
Getting home from Pamplona, Spain
Fly from Bilbao
Fly from Santander
Getting to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, France
It is best to fly to France (Biarritz or Paris), then come back from Spain (Santiago, Bilbao, Santander or Madrid).
Fly into Biarritz
Fly into Paris
Getting home from Pamplona, Spain
Fly from Bilbao
Fly from Santander
Start Planning your Adventure Now
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