The Camino Francés: From the Pyrenees to Santiago

The Camino Francés is the beating heart of the Camino de Santiago — a legendary pilgrimage stretching over 780 km from the foothills of the French Pyrenees to the sacred city of Santiago de Compostela. Whether you’re walking for spiritual renewal, cultural discovery, or the sheer joy of the journey, this section is your trusted companion. Here you’ll find in-depth articles, stage-by-stage guides, practical advice, and curated resources to help you prepare, walk, and reflect. From albergue etiquette to elevation profiles, we’ve got every step covered.

a fantasy image of a landmark on the Camino Francés

The Camino Francés: Complete Guide to the French Way

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Explore the Camino Francés, a transformative pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. Discover highlights, practical tips, and personal insights.

camino Francés route

Stages of the Camino Francés Route: The Complete Pilgrim's Guide

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Complete guide to the Camino Francés Route with a map of stages, descriptions of each stage of the Camino Francés and pilgrim information for each stage of the Camino Francés Route

Catedral Metropolitana de Santa Maria la Real de Pamplona - Camino Francés - Pamplona to St Jean Pied a Port

Camino Francés: Pamplona to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port

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Travelers from around the world often choose to fly into Madrid as a starting point for their Camino Frances adventure. However, the path from Pamplona to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port poses more of a challenge.

Artists impression of the Camino Francéss and the view outside of St Jean Pied-de-Port

Camino Francés: St. Jean-pied-de-port to Roncesvalles - Stage 1

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A guide to the Camino Francés from St-Jean-Pied-De-Port to Roncesvalles. A challenging but rewarding journey through the Pyrenees Mountains with stunning views.

Camino Frances stage 2 Roncesvalles to Zubiri

Camino Francés: Roncesvalles to Zubiri - Stage 2

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Discover the beauty of the Camino Francés on Stage 2: Roncesvalles to Zubiri. From stunning views of the Pyrenees to quaint villages, this is a must-do for any pilgrim.

Puente La Reina bridge along the Camino Francés

Camino Francés: Zubiri to Pamplona - Stage 3

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A guide to the third stage of the Camino Francés covers 20km from Zubiri to Pamplona, with diverse terrain and landmarks like Puente La Reina bridge and St. James statue. Pamplona offers rich history, scenery, and culture. A must-walk for any pilgrim.

Artists Impression of Alto del Perdón mountain pass Spain

Camino Francés: Pamplona to Puente La Reina - Stage 4

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A Guide to Stage 4 of the Camino Francés from Pamplona to Puente la Reina. A mix of city and rural landscapes with the Gothic cathedral of Pamplona and the 11th-century Puente la Reina bridge.

Depiction of Medieval Pilgrims along Camino Francés Route from Puente la Reina to Estella

Camino Francés: Puente la Reina to Estella - Stage 5

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Guide to Stage 5 of the Camino Francés from Puente la Reina to Estella and the Romanesque church of Eunate. With a distance of approximately 22 km

A monk standing in front of a door at Monasterio De Santa Maria La Real De Irache Estella Spain

Camino Francés: Estella to Los Arcos - Stage 6

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Guide to Stage 6 of Camino Francés, Estella to Los Arcos, is a 21 km route featuring stunning landscapes, ancient history, and religious landmarks.

Los Arcos to Logroño Dirt Road

Camino Francés: Los Arcos to Logroño - Stage 7

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A guide to Los Arcos to Logroño, Stage 7 of the Camino Francés, a 28-kilometer walk through picturesque vineyards and historic landmarks.

Santiago de Compostela, Camino Frances, artist's impression

Camino Francés: Monte De Gozo to Santiago de Compostela - Stage 27

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The final 4.7km stage from Monte de Gozo to Santiago de Compostela mixes tranquil countryside with urban bustle, ending at the iconic Cathedral, marking a poignant end to the Camino Frances journey.

A Pilgrim approaching the village of Monte de Gozo Camino Frances Spain

Camino Francés: Arzua to Monte de Gozo - Stage 26

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Arzua to Monte de Gozo is a 37.1 km route through diverse landscapes and towns, with a significant ascent to Monte de Gozo. The journey provides various rest stops and historical highlights.

Artist's impression of the lighthouse at Finisterre

Camino Francés: Arzua to Finisterre - Stage 25

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Navigating the Camino de Santiago from Arzua to Finisterre can be simplified with either a bus or taxi. Each provides a scenic and comfortable journey through Galicia's heart.

Pilgrims walking the route from Palas De Rei to Ribadiso De Baixo, along the Camino Frances, Spain, in summer

Camino Francés: Palas De Rei to Ribadiso De Baixo - Stage 24

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Covering 25.8 km (16 miles) from Palas de Rei to Ribadiso da Baixo, this stage of the Camino Francés winds through hamlets and forests, reaches culinary hotspot Melide, and concludes by the Iso River in Ribadiso da Baixo. It has moderate elevation changes.

Pilgrims approaching the village of Palas De Rei, Spain, along the Camino Frances

Camino Francés: Gonzar to Palas De Rei - Stage 23

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Covering 28.8 km, the Gonzar to Palas de Rei stage on the Camino Francés traverses rural landscapes, reaching the historic Ligonde and Eirexe before concluding in Palas de Rei. It is a manageable stage with moderate elevation changes and multiple rest stops.

Pilgrims approaching the village of Gonzar, Galicia, Spain, along the Camino Francés

Camino Francés: Barbadelo to Gonzar - Stage 22

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The 25.6 km (14.8 miles) Barbadelo to Gonzar stage on the Camino Francés passes through rural paths and woodland to Morgade, then to the historic town of Portomarín, and ends in the hamlet of Gonzar. The stage has moderate elevation changes and key rest stops.

Pilgrims walking through the village of Ferreiros on the Camino de Santiago Galicia Spain

Camino Francés: Calvor to Barbadelo - Stage 21

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The 23.9 km (14.8 miles) stage from Calvor to Barbadelo on the Camino Francés journeys through Sarria and rural landscapes, ending in Barbadelo. The terrain includes woodland, roads, and farmlands. Key stops are Sarria and Barbadelo.

The Camino Francés path from Hospital Da Condesa to Calvor, Spain

Camino Francés: Hospital Da Condesa to Calvor - Stage 20

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The Hospital da Condesa to Calvor stage spans 23.6 km on the Camino Francés. Starting with an ascent from Hospital da Condesa to Biduedo, the path then descends to Triacastela. The terrain for this stage includes a mix of dirt paths, woodland trails, and minor roads.

The Camino Francés path from ruitelan to hospital da condesa, Spain on a sunny day

Camino Francés: Ruitelán to Hospital Da Condesa - Stage 19

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The Ruitelán to Hospital da Condesa stage on the Camino Francés spans 18.6 km (11.5 miles), featuring uphill and downhill stretches across varied terrain. It begins with a climb to La Faba, Laguna De Castilla, and then to O Cebreiro, the path descends to Linar, concluding downhill at Hospital da Condesa.

A hiker on a hill, on the Camino Frances, looking down over the town of Vega de Valcarce, Spain, in thedistance, on a sunny day

Camino Francés: Villafranca Del Bierzo to Ruitelán - Stage 18

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The Camino Francés stage from Villafranca del Bierzo to Ruitelán covers 28.2 km of varied terrain, including minor roads and riverside trails.

Vineyards alongside the Camino Francés town of Cacabelos in the distance sunny day

Camino Francés: Cacabelos to Villafranca Del Bierzo - Stage 17

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The Camino Francés from Cacabelos to Villafranca del Bierzo offers a scenic and historically significant journey through vineyards in the heart of Spain's Bierzo region.

Carrión de los Condes, Palencia, Spain, on a sunny day

Camino Francés: Frómista to Cacabelos - Stage 16

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The Camino Francés route from Frómista to Cacabelos, in stages that cover landmarks like the Templar church and Monastery of Santa María de Carracedo.

hikers ascent to the Alto Mostelares with Castrojeriz distance below, Northern Spain

Camino Francés: Castrojeriz to Frómista - Stage 15

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The Castrojeriz to Frómista route on the Camino de Santiago passes through scenic landscapes. Frómista is a significant stop for pilgrims, known for its Romanesque church and local gastronomy.

The Festival de la Cruz in Castrojeriz northern Spain

Camino Francés: Hornillos Del Camino to Castrojeriz - Stage 14

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Stage 14 of the Camino Francés spans 20 km from Hornillos Del Camino to Castrojeriz, passing through Hontanas and the San Antón Convent ruins. The terrain includes dirt paths, paved sections, and a gradual ascent.

Festival de Burgos Spain

Camino Francés: Burgos to Hornillos Del Camino - Stage 13

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The Camino Francés from Burgos to Hornillos del Camino is 21 kilometers long. The route passes through the Meseta, offering a flat and manageable trail.

Burgos Cathedral Burgos Spain

Camino Francés: San Juan de Ortega to Burgos Stage 12

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Detailed San Juan De Ortega to Burgos pilrimage route description for Stage 12 of the Camino Francés

Camino Francés trail with San Juan de Ortega, northern spain, in the distance, photographic, sunshine

Camino Francés: Belorado to San Juan de Ortega - Stage 11

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Camino Francés journey stage from Belorado to San Juan de Ortega, including by bus, points of interest and history.

The outside of the refuge in Belorado - grañón to belorado

Camino Francés: Grañón to Belorado - Stage 10

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24km Camino Frances trail from Grañón to Belorado which meanders through the Spanish countryside, with the distant peaks of the Sierra de la Demanda in sight.

navarette to grañón trail on a summer's day

Camino Francés: Navarrete to Grañón - Stage 9

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Camino Francés route stage from Navarrete to Grañón in the Rioja region of Spain

The view looking south from one of the windows at the refuge in Navarrette

Camino Francés: Logroño to Navarrete - Stage 8

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pilgrims Camino Frances journey from Logroño to Navarrete, traversing the picturesque La Rioja wine region