Europe Spain
Camino de Santiago — Camino Francés
Photo: Marathoni62 · CC BY-SA 3.0
The hike
The Camino Francés is the classic route of the Camino de Santiago. It begins in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, the last stop on the Way in France, crosses the Pyrenees to Roncesvalles, and then runs west through Navarre, La Rioja, Castile and León and Galicia to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, about 780 km later. Along the way you pass Pamplona, Burgos and León, the long open plains of the Meseta, and the climb to O Cebreiro where the Way enters Galicia.
No single day is technical, but the first stage over the Pyrenees is hard, and walking day after day for around five weeks is a real test of feet and stamina. Pilgrims carry a Credencial (pilgrim passport) and collect stamps where they sleep; it gives access to pilgrim hostels (albergues) and is needed for the Compostela certificate. Many pilgrims walk only part of it, often a week or so, and come back to continue in later years.
Official siteTrails in Camino de Santiago — Camino Francés
- Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Pamplona3 days · ChallengingThe opening days of the Camino Francés: a long climb over the Pyrenees from France to Roncesvalles, then down through the Navarre valleys via Zubiri to Pamplona.
- Pamplona to BurgosTo be confirmed · ModerateFrom Pamplona west through Navarre by Puente la Reina and Estella-Lizarra, across La Rioja, and over the Montes de Oca to the city of Burgos.
- Burgos to León (the Meseta)To be confirmed · ModerateThe Meseta: the wide, open plains between Burgos and León, through the provinces of Burgos, Palencia and León and small Camino towns such as Castrojeriz, Frómista and Sahagún.
- León to SarriaTo be confirmed · ChallengingFrom León to Astorga, up through the Montes de León to the Cruz de Ferro, down into El Bierzo, and over O Cebreiro into the green hills of Galicia to Sarria.
- Sarria to Santiago de Compostela114.8 km · 6 days · ModerateThe last 100 km and more, the minimum walk for the Compostela: through Galician meadows, oak and eucalyptus woods and small stone villages, via Portomarín, Melide and Arzúa, to the cathedral in Santiago.
Plan your trip
Best months: Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits & fees
- No permit needed. Carry a Credencial (pilgrim passport), from the Pilgrim's Office, parish churches, pilgrim associations or hostels, and get it stamped along the Way. For the Compostela certificate, the Pilgrim's Office requires at least the last 100 continuous km walked on the same route (200 km by bike), ending with the stage into Santiago Cathedral.
- Getting there
- Start in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port (Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France), reached on the regional TER line from Bayonne; check SNCF for any replacement buses. The pilgrim welcome office is at 39 rue de la Citadelle. From Santiago de Compostela, high-speed trains run to Madrid, buses serve Galicia, Portugal and France, and Santiago airport is about 10 km from the city.
- Good to know
- The Route Napoléon over the Pyrenees is closed from 1 November to 31 March; in those months, and whenever the weather is bad, take the lower route through Valcarlos (Luzaide).
- Public pilgrim hostels in Galicia cannot be booked: beds go in order of arrival (walkers first), for one night only, at €10; doors open 13:00–22:00. In busy months, consider booking private accommodation ahead.
- Spring and September–October bring milder temperatures and less rain. The first stage, from Saint-Jean over the Pyrenees to Roncesvalles, is the most demanding, so plan it as a full day.
Gallery
Reviews & tips
Sign in to review Camino de Santiago — Camino Francés or add a tip.
Tips from hikers
No tips yet. Water sources, transport, huts — what should the next hiker know?
Sources
- Pilgrim's Reception Office (Oficina del Peregrino) — The Compostela
- Pilgrim's Reception Office (Oficina del Peregrino) — The Credencial
- Spain.info (Turespaña) — The French Way of Saint James (regions, stages, best time, accommodation)
- Spain.info (Turespaña) — The French Way from St Jean in France to Santiago (distance, Pyrenees stage, winter closure)
- Spain.info (Turespaña) — Santiago de Compostela (getting there: airport, train, bus)
- Xacobeo / Xunta de Galicia — Camino Francés
- Xacobeo / Xunta de Galicia — Public pilgrim hostel network (rules, price, no reservations)
- Visit Navarra — Camino Francés: Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Roncesvalles (Valcarlos route, winter closure)
- Pays Basque tourism — Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port (pilgrim welcome office)
- Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine — TER lines of the Bayonne network (incl. Bayonne–Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port)
- OpenStreetMap — Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
Checked October 2026. Distances and times are typical for the route above; conditions, permits and fees change — confirm with the official source before you go.