Spain - Camino Frances - From Saint-Jean to Santiago de Compostela

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Self-guided walk on the Camino Frances - 36 walking stages

Self-guided walking on the Way of Saint James from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France, the Camino Frances (The French Route) reaches Santiago de Compostela in 37 nights and 778 km, hotels, dinners and luggage assistance.

This tour includes the hotels, meals, luggage transfer, one guide book, maps, English speaking email or phone assistance.

The full Camino Frances (The French Route) from St. Jean Pied de Port to Santiago de Compostela is made up of 36 stages in this suggestion of program. If you find some of the stages too long or not enough this self-guided itinerary can be customized according to your level of walking or your plans. We have included 2 rest days in Burgos and Leon but we can add more rest days or move them off if you prefer.

Just ask me what you would like and I will tell you how it is feasible.

Day 1

Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. This fortified medieval city is the last stage in France before reaching Spain and Roncevaux Pass across the Pyrenees. Hotel in BB.

Day 2

Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port - Roncesvalles- 26 km - 6h30 walk. Ascent : 1400 m. + 1400 m / –786 m First step of the crossing of the Pyrenees, the gateway to reach the Roncesvalles pass. 1400 meters of ascent : this is one of the toughest part of the Way. The Camino Napoleon is a mythical part of the Camino.Take time to visit the "Collegiate Church" in Roncesvalles. Overnight in a HOTEL in RONCESVALLES NOTE: This day can be split into 2 stages of 12km and 14km if you’d like to walk at a slower pace.You can also be transferred up to Orrisson to shorten this stage.

Day 3

Roncesvalles - Zubiri - 22 km - 5h30 walk. A mountainous stage through many villages and hamlets. The route follows the road to the Col of Erro. The descent along the river Arga is really gorgeous

Day 4

Zubiri - Pamplona - 23 km - 5h45 walk. This path along the valley of the river Arga wanders through meadows and glades,churches which dominate stronghold villages and hamlets. The Arre Monastery marks the entrance of Pamplona. HOTEL in the center of Pamplona

Day 5

Pamplona - Puente La Reina - 25 km - 6h15 walk. +442 m / -525 m The Pyrenees are already far away, but you will cross another mountain called « Sierra del Perdon » through the first olive groves. This stage ends in the medieval town of Puente la Reina where all the European routes converge in a unique Way to Santiago called the "Camino Frances ». PUENTE LA REINE HOTEL***

Day 6

Puente La Reina - Estella - 22 km - 5 hour walk. +466 m / -405 m Estella "the city of the star" is one of the jewels of the Camino with its churches, palaces, old streets

Day 7

Estella - Los Arcos - 22 km - 5h30 walk. + 288 m / -273 m This step will take the variant to visit the imposing monastery of Irache and enjoy a nice curiosity, a Wine fountain. You will continue far from roads and villages across fields and vineyards to arrive at Los Arcos. HOTEL**

Day 8

Los Arcos - Logrono - 28 km - 7 hour walk. This stage takes you from Navarra to the Rioja and its famous vineyards. A walking day rich in monuments in Torres del Rio and Viana on your way to Logroño. Logroño center town **Hotel

Day 9

Logrono-Najera- 26 km - Cross the Rioja by the Ebro River. The Camino Frances or French Way leads you to Najera, another historic town of the Camino, capital of the Kingdom of Navarre in the 11th and 12th centuries. HOTEL**

Day 10

Najera- Santo Domingo de la Calzada- 22 km - 5h30 walk. Wonderful wide country tracks through vineyards, cereal crops and gently undulating farmland. Arrive into the famous Santo Domingo de la Calzada along the main road .”Saint Dominic of the road” has dedicated most of his 11th century life to improving the Way of Saint James for the pilgrims. Night in the village.

Day 11

Santo Domingo de la Cazalda - Belorado - 22 km -5h30 walk. A hilly landscape which will take you to Belorado on walking tracks, but the road is not far on that part of the Way. Belorado is another historic town along the Way created in the steep valley of the Rio Tiron. Hotel **

Day 12

Belorado - Atapuerca - 30 km - 7h30 walk. A section of this stage is along the road but you will leave it quickly to enter rocky trails and grassy paths. After Villafranca you will follow the steps of the medieval pilgrims who used to fear these forests and moor lands because of the wolves and burglars, and you will reach San Juan de Ortega which is one of the highlights of the Way.

Day 13

Atapuerca - Burgos - 17 km - 4h30. The walk today will lead you to Burgos, through thick forests, bold hills and desertic villages.

Day 14

Burgos - Burgos is too rich in monuments to make a complete list, but take the time to visit the Gothic Cathedral Santa Maria, one of the most beautiful in Europe.

Day 15

Burgos - Hornillos Del Camino - 19 km– 5h00 walk A long walking day to leave Burgos and head into the countryside where the crop fields of the region will soon appear.The Camino follows lovely tracks through farmlands, pastures and crops towards Hornillos walk up to a plateau before descending to the valley of the River Bol and Castrojeriz.

Day 16

Hornillos Del Camino - Castrojeriz- 19,5 km – 5h00 walk The heart of the Meseta is rich in Romanesque churches, poppies and wheat fields. The medieval bridge over the Rio Pisuerga takes you to the Palencia Provincia and Castrojeriz.

Day 17

Castrojeriz - Fromista - 25 km – 6h15 de marche The way follows the towpath of Castilla Canal, a haven of freshness, up to Fromista. Along the way take a moment to visit the 14th century church "La Asuncion" in Boadilla. The church is renowned for its gothic architecture and the gorgeous carved baptismal font.

Day 18

Fromista - Carrion De Los Condes - 19km – 5h00 walk Walk towards Carrion on the tarred historical road which farther turns into a very lovely dirt track through fields to finally end in the vestiges of Carrion de los Condes.

Day 19

Carrion De Los Condes – Calzadilla De La Cueza - 28 km- 7h00 walk Monotonous straight line which will lead you to enjoy the silence of the day and enjoy the area. You will pass through the village of Calzadilla de la Cueza with dried mud brick houses.

Day 20

Calzadilla De La Cueza - Sahagun - 15 km - 4h00 walk Follow the path towards Sahagun and the three brick Churches. Keep straight on the path to El Burgo de Ranero.

Day 21

Sahagun - El Burgo Ranero -18 km – 4h30 walk This famous monotonous straight path leads you to El Burgo.

Day 22

El Burgos Ranero- Mansilla De Las Mulas- 19km, 11 miles - 5h00 walk Today, you will pass the pretty village of Reliegos on your way to Leon. You have 2 route options to reach Mansilla, an ancient stronghold town which is still a charming place surrounded by fortress walls.

Day 23

Mansilla De Las Mulas- Leon 17km, 11 miles – 4h30 walk A short stage which starts in crop fields on your way to the vibrant Leon. Take the time to visit the Cathedral San Isidoro and San Marcos which are the treasures of Leon and stroll through the streets which converge to the Plaza Mayor.

Day 24

Leon – Take the time to visit the Cathedral San Isidoro and San Marcos, the medieval streets around The Plaza Mayor, which is the heart of the lively city.

Day 25

Leon - Villadangos del Paramo - 22 km - 5h30 walk. Follow the Camino Real along the N120 road. The track leads you to Villadangos. HB and night in your hotel.

Day 26

Villadangos del Paramo - Astorga - 26 km - 6h30 walk. This stage takes you to a quaint village named Hospital de Orbigo with its long and famous medieval bridge. Keep straight on along cultivated fields and green oaks woods, the Leon Mounts stand out on the horizon. You arrive in Astorga, the crossroad of two main routes, the French way and the Via Plata starting in Sevilla. The Cathedral, churches, convents and hospitals are the witness of its glorious past. HB and night in your hotel.

Day 27

Astorga - Rabanal del Camino - 19,5 km- 5h walk. Ascent : 1200 m The 1200m ascent of the Leon Mounts is an easy narrow road or track lined by villages, moor and forests before reaching Rabanal del Camino, an ancient city renovated by the English Saint James Confraternity. HB and night in your hotel

Day 28

Rabanal del Camino - Ponferrada - 32 km - 7h15 walk. Ascent : 1500 m (It is possible to split the day and to sleep in Acebo (with 2 x 16 km walks) There are three distinct parts during this walking day: the 1500m ascent of the Cruz de Ferro, the moor landscape and then the way winds down to the village of Acebo through a dramatic mountain landscape. The Bierzo Valley is enclosed westward by a mountainous frontier before Galicia. You are in Ponferrada protected by its fortified towers. HB and night in your hotel.

Day 29

Ponferrada - Villafranca del Bierzo - 23 km- 5h45 walk. Despite the recent urbanization of Ponferrada, you will discover a great architecture in Camponaraya and Cacabelos. In Villafranca del Bierzo you will enjoy the wealthy heritage. HB and night in your hotel.

Day 30

Villafranca del Bierzo - O Cebreiro - 28 km - 6h45 walk. This is the last mountain stage before arriving in O Cebreiro which represent the door to Galicia. Its “pollazas”, sort of cottages and its church built in 1000 where you enter the Medieval Past and its legends. End of your walk in Cebreiro. Night and Half board in you hotel

Day 31

El Cebreiro – Triacastela. 21 km- 5h30 walk. A very beautiful ridge path leads up to the San Roque Pass and then starts a long descent towards Triacastela, from hamlets to hamlets.Night and Half board in Casa Rural in Triascastela. (In case this hotel is full when you reserve, you will spend the night in Samos. Taxi to Samos and way back : 10 € per person)

Day 32

Triacastella – Sarria 21 km- 5h30 walk. Here you are in the rolling Galician landscape, uphills and downhills, farms and brooks, chapels and wayside crosses. Here is the real Galicia landscape !Night and Half board in Sarria.

Day 33

Sarria - Portomarin – 21.5 km – 5h30 walk. After a short drive from Samos to Sarria, the way crosses over a medieval bridge and through a Chestnut tree forest, from one hamlet to another linked by trails bordered by high stonewalls. In Portomarin the San Juan fortified church is worth the visit.Night and Half Board in Portomarin.

Day 34

Portomarin – Palas del Rei – 24 km- 6 h walk. The way continues through peaceful villages to Hospital de la Cruz where begins eucalyptus forests. Arrival in Palas del Rei. Night and Half Board in Palas del Rei.

Day 35

Palas del Rei – Arzua – 26km – 6h30 walk. On the way admire and observe the beautiful traditional houses. Arrival in the historical city of Arzua.Night and Half Board in Arzua.

Day 36

Arzua- Labacolla- 26 km- 6h30 walk. Another long day which is very important before reaching St James : here the tradition among the pilgrims is to wash before honoring St James. Night and Half board.

Day 37

Labacolla- Santiago- 12 km – 3h walk. The last walk to the Monte Gozo, before walking under la Porta do Camino (the Door of the Way) that opens on Santiago de Compostela. Night and breakfast in Santiago. The Dinner is not included.

Day 38

Santiago End of your travel after breakfast.