The Camino Frances (or the French Way) is probably the most famous of all the nine major Camino de Santiago routes. It’s 800KM of trail has inspired many artists, writers and filmmakers to document their profound journey – such as Paulo Coelho in his bestseller The Pilgrimage and 2010’s Hollywood movie The Way starring Martin Sheen. Discover the magic of this trail yourself with our Camino Frances Budget packages.
The Camino French Way traditionally starts in St.Jean-Pied-De-Port in France, before traversing the Pyrenees and continuing through the La Rioja region and along the rolling hills of northern Spain, before finishing in Santiago de Compostela, the burial place of St. James.
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.
San Fermin Running of the Bulls Festival takes place from 6th to 14th July - Accommodation is more expensive and there does be limited availability at this time.
Start your walk in Pamplona, famous for its Bull Running festival, and finish in Logrono at the heart of the Rioja wine region. Enjoy an attractive hike in hilly Navarra with its 12th Century castles, picturesque villages, and vineyards. Why not stop along the way and sample some of the wines that are so synonymous with high quality?
San Fermin Running of the Bulls Festival takes place from 6th to 14th July - Accommodation is more expensive and there does be limited availability at this time.
The third section of this version the Camino Frances on a budget from Logrono to Burgos takes you from the heart of the famous Rioja region and to one of the most well-known mediaeval cities in northern Spain. This section is slightly flatter than the previous one; it crosses the province of Burgos, passing typical villages, vineyards and ruined castles. You will also pass between the Cantabrian and La Demanda mountain ranges, offering stunning views.
Starting from Burgos, the mediaeval city and hometown of ‘El Cid’, and finishing in Sahagun, a town renowned for its unique Romanesque churches, this Camino is certainly one of the most rewarding in terms of culture and natural surroundings. This walk can be physically demanding and requires a reasonable level of fitness. However, it’s a highly rewarding walk that includes numerous cultural highlights. Every day during the walk, you are guaranteed authentic accommodation and the best local food!
On this section, you’ll walk from Sahagun, a town renowned for its architecture, and finish in Leon, one of the greatest cities in Spain. The Camino de Santiago, or Way of Saint James, crosses the vast Castilian Plateau (at an elevation of 900m) and passes through its wealthy villages before ending in Leon, one of the most important kingdoms of mediaeval Spain before the country’s unification.
You’ll start in León, one of the greatest cities in Spain and finish in Ponferrada. Built by the Knights Templars in the 12th Century. The Camino de Santiago, or Way of Saint James, starts on the central high plateau and traverses the untouched Leon Mountains. As with all of our tours, you’ll be treated to the very best local gastronomy, and stay in traditional guesthouses and hotels.
Starting in the mountain-hugging town of Ponferrada and finishing in Sarria, a bustling market town, this Camino crosses the magnificent O Cebreiro Mountains before winding down to a more gentle terrain. O’Cebreiro is a megalithic village with round stone houses, with an amazing church, Santa Maria Real, where you can find the most important religious remains of Galicia (the miracle of Santo Milagro with a Chalice and Paten turning into the body and blood of Jesus Christ). The Chalice and Paten are the symbols of Galicia. The remains of Don Elias Valina Sampredo, the father of the modern Camino and ‘inventor’ of the yellow arrow, are also in the Church.
For those who are short on time, but still want to experience the beauty of completing the Camino, you can walk from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela through the beautiful hilly landscapes of Galicia in just 5 days. You will still receive your certificate of completion, or Compostela, upon arrival at Santiago Cathedral. Take an extra day or 2 to experience the magical city sights at the end.
The final stage of the famous Camino Frances (or French Way) is the most popular Camino package.
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