Camino de Santiago (Camino Frances) Route Description

At almost 780km long the Camino Frances can be split into stages, we offer the route in 5 (week long) sections. You can walk each of the stages individually over a period of months or years or combine them to walk the entire route in one push for the complete Camino experience. 

STAGE 1— ST JEAN-PIED-DE-PORT TO LOGRONO

CODE: WSPSCDS2

Walking Days: 7

Nights: 8

Average Daily Distance: 19km

Grade: Moderate

Description: Your journey starts in the Basque Country, which straddles the French and Spanish border. Fiercely independent and with their own language you will notice the typical Basque architecture. Leaving Roncesvalles you cross mountain passes through beech and oak woods alongside the River Arga. The high mountains and deep valleys of the Pyrenees soon give way to the undulating plain that surrounds the fortress town of Pamplona. 

As you approach Pamplona the landscape changes and becomes urban but upon leaving you will be notice the change in flora and fauna. The route to Estella passes through olive trees and small towns, and from Villamayor de Monjardin to Los Arcos you will walk 12km without passing a town or village.  As you approach Logrono, the regional capital, you cross into the well know wine growing region of the Rioja. Logrono is a large town today of 120,000 but owes it's development to the camino and the old town is laid out along the line of the Camino.

STAGE 2—LOGRONO TO BURGOS

CODE: WSPSCDS2

Walking Days: 5

Nights: 6

Average DailyDistance: 24km

Grade: Moderate

Description: The first part of this stage is relatively easy and the landscape is dominated by vinyards, as you head towards Santa Domingo country roads dominate and you pass mountain ranges to the north and south. The camino then takes you through crop fields with small brooks and oak woods until you reach the Oca Mountains. As you reach Burgos you make your way down into the valley of the Pico river and then you reach the town.

STAGE 3—BURGOS TO LEON

Walking Days: 6

Nights: 7

Average Daily Distance: 20km

Grade: Moderate

Description: Crop field dominate the landscape on the first part of this stage and there are not many trees in view. The river Pisuerga brings you in to Palencia and into the Tierra de Campos with the immense plains. As you head on to Carrion de los Condos you follow the path alongside the road and is very open all around you. Heading into the countryside of Leon you pass the valley of the river Esla, as you reach Portillo Hill you will be able to make out the stunning city of Leon.

STAGE 4—LEON TO O’CEBREIRO

Walking Days: 6

Nights: 7

Average Daily Distance: 19km

Grade: Moderate

Description: As you leave the plateau of Leon you will see the Leon mountains up ahead as you head to Astorga. This part of the countryside is characterised by broom, heather, oak trees and conifer plantations. You continue your acent towards Mount Irago before making your way down to the wealthy area of Bierzo. The final stage is challenging and involves a steep climb to O Cebreiro in the course of only a few Km.

STAGE 5—O’CEBREIRO TO SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

Walking Days: 7

Nights: 8

Average Daily Distance: 25.5km

Grade: Moderate

Description: This final stage passes through the sierra of Ranadoiro and descends into the valley to Triacastela. You pass through many hamlets dotted along cultivated land in the direction of the great river Mino to Portomarin. Pine groves and Eucalyptus trees can be seen as you enter the farming region of Ulloa. AS you enter the province of A Coruna the landscape changes as the woodlands begin to disappear and you will soon see the spires of the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela in front of you.

CAMINO DE SANTIAGO—THE ENTIRE WALK

Walking Days: 35

Nights: 36

Average Daily Distance: 23km

Grade: Moderate

Description: If you are feeling up for a challenge and have time to spare then why not combine all the sections (as well as some that are skipped in the weekly sections) and walk the whole Camino in 35 days. This walk will provide you with an immense sense of achievement and the places and people you meet will keep you talking about it for years to come.

Walking non-stop for 35 days can be a bit much for some people so we would strongly recommend that you take at least 2 -3 rest days in the larger towns and cities along the way to give yourself a chance to rest and recover.