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Puente la Reina bridge reflection from the water along the Camino route in France

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Camino Frances Route

Explore the Iconic French Way

The Camino Frances (or the French Way) is perhaps the most famous of the nine major Camino de Santiago routes. Its 800KM of trails have inspired many artists, writers and filmmakers – such as Paulo Coelho in his bestseller The Pilgrimage and 2010’s Hollywood movie The Way starring Martin Sheen.

The Camino French Way traditionally starts in St. Jean-Pied-De-Port in France, before traversing the Pyrenees and continuing through the La Rioja wine region and along the rolling hills of northern Spain, before finishing in Santiago de Compostela, the burial place of St. James.

Whether you walk the Camino Frances route to take quality time with friends and family, solo to rediscover yourself, to get away from the hustle and bustle, or for personal fulfilment and enrichment, the experience you will have on the French Way of Saint James will stay with you forever.

Camino Frances Map

800km

of walking trails

30 +

days of walking

8

different stages

Camino Frances Stages

The Camino Frances is a pilgrimage from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France over the Pyrenees and across the north of Spain to Santiago de Compostela and the tomb of St James. Passing through famous Spanish towns and cities such as Pamplona, Burgos, Leon and Ponferrada, you have plenty of opportunity to enjoy the unique culture of this region. The walk will have you traversing varying landscapes from the mountainous Pyrenees, to the flat plateau of Northern Spain to the undulating hilly landscape of Galicia. To complete the full Camino Frances' length you need to have a reasonable level of fitness and also more than a month free to give you the time to walk and incorporate a few rest days along the way.

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.
Experience the Last 100km of the famous Camino Frances(or French Way). The route begins in the town of Sarria and finishes in Santiago de Compostela’s stunning cathedral, on the way traversing the idyllic, hilly landscapes and authentic Camino towns of Galicia. The final stage of the Camino Frances is the most popular Camino package.
This route marks the beginning of the Camino Frances. It starts in the French town of St-Jean-Pied-de-Port and finishes in Pamplona, known for the famous "Running of the Bulls" festival each July during San Fermin, as described by Ernest Hemingway in The Sun Also Rises. The path begins with the Route de Napoleon over the Roncesvalles Pass at 1,500 meters, leading into the Basque country. It then continues into the more gentle terrain of Navarra.

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?

The third section of the Camino Frances starts from Logrono in the heart of the famous Rioja region and finishes in mediaeval Burgos. 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.

The last stage of the famous French Way is the most popular route with most pilgrims. Departing from Sarria, you will cross the beautiful mountainous landscapes of Galicia and marvel at Santiago de Compostela as you enter the city to claim your certificate of completion, or Compostela, upon arrival at the Cathedral. This can be completed in 6 days of walking with your furry best friend at your side. At the end of the journey, you can both get your Compostela – yes, Follow the Camino provides a Pilgrim Passport for your loyal dog!

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