Camino Frances Stage 1: St Jean Pied de Port to Logrono – 9 Days

On this first day, you can view the sights of St Jean Pied de Port after being booked in a hotel in the centre of town.

This beautiful walled city is the modern-day starting point for the full Camino Frances route. Nestled in the French Pyrenees, the Spanish border is a mere 8km away. Visit the old prison and the popular Gate of St James as you explore the area. Before leaving, take time to explore the old medieval walls where you can see the original city gates at either end of the Rue de la Citadelle, the town’s main cobbled street. Later, collect your pilgrim’s passport ahead of your first day of walking tomorrow.

Meals Included: None
Accommodation: Hotel Itzalpea
A family home built in 1807, this hotel is located in the heart of the French Basque country. The house has a tearoom, where you can order local pastries and cafe au lait. Rooms are comfortable with classic en-suite furnishings.

Begin your Camino walk, following in the footsteps of thousands before you. Departing Saint Jean on foot, head over the old bridge and under the statue of St James, patron saint of Spain. A challenging trail begins to climb to the Roncesvalles Pass (1450m), as you follow the old Napoleonic military route. Guided by the scallop shell waymarkers, cross the border into Spanish Basque country, which is truly unique. Unlike the rest of Spain, the region has its own culinary traditions and a unique language.

Walk: 25km
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Roncevalles
Contemporary rooms housed in a central medieval building. The dining room still has the original wooden beams, and there is a sun terrace where you can pull up a chair and enjoy a drink before heading to your en-suite room.

With your feet now firmly accustomed to the rhythm of the Camino, head out along a trail lined with oak and beech trees before arriving at the village of Espinal. Today the Camino takes you first to Espinal across amazing mountains, woods and meadows. The view in Espinal is worth seeing with its majestic backdrop of the Pyrenees. You will then pass through the scenic Burgette before making your way to Zubiri, with its Medieval Bridge and serene atmosphere. This sleepy village is a great spot to pick up some provisions before heading over the Alto de Mezquiriz mountain pass. Followed by a steep descent, you will arrive at the village of Zubiri and its medieval ‘Puente de la Rabia’ (Rabies Bridge). In olden times, the bridge is said to have cured animals of the disease if they crossed it three times. Leaving Espinal the route presents another pass to cross, the Alto de Erro. This long but challenging day ends at Larrasoaña or Zubiri.

Walk: 28km
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation:  Casa Elita
A family-run bed and breakfast, your host Elita will welcome you after a long day of walking. You can relax in the shared lounge or your en-suite room. Elita is well known for providing great breakfasts with fresh, warm pastries and plentiful supplies of tea and coffee.

A shorter day today as you head to the lively town of Pamplona, famed for its ‘Running of the Bulls’ festival. The River Arga guides the way on Day 4 as you follow it past hills covered in a variety of different trees. The rural landscape slowly disappears as you get closer to Pamplona, passing some smaller towns along the way. Pamplona is a sight to behold and one of the jewels of the Camino Frances. Check out the Cathedral, the Citadel of Pamplona, the Museum of Navarra and other famous sights.  Weave your way through a maze of medieval lanes, exquisite architecture and lively bars as you arrive in the 16th-century old town. One of the most popular bars to visit Café Iruna was frequented by Ernest Hemingway, who spent many years in Pamplona and set his modernist novel ‘The Sun Also Rises’ in the city.

Walk: 22km
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Leyre
A modern hotel in the centre of Pamplona. Only a few minutes from the main ‘Estafeta Street’. All rooms are en-suite and although very modern in style, the building is a classic Pamplonan townhouse. Breakfast is an extensive affair with a variety of local meats and cheeses along with fruits, granola and fresh breads.

Today you depart Pamplona and leave the Atlantic region of Navarra behind. The scenery will change before you as you pass through different and unique flora. Crossing the “Alto Del Perdon”, you will see one of the most scenic and popular photo areas on the Camino Frances. Today’s destination is Puente de la Reina, home of the Church of Santiago, a must-see location. The high point of today is ‘Alto de Perdon’ (Hill of Forgiveness), where an extensive sculpture of pilgrims and their animals stretches out across the pass. Enjoy panoramic views back to Pamplona and along the valley before continuing to follow the scallop shell markers as you continue on your journey to Santiago de Compostela.

Walk: 24km
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation:  Hostal Bidean
A charming 17th-century Navarran house. Lovingly restored, the building has retained its wooden and stone construction. In the centre of the Puente de la Reina, the hotel has restored the basement winery and restaurant. Hostal Bidean has welcomed Camino pilgrims for many decades and provide a comfortable night’s sleep.

The route today will take you to Estella through mostly rural terrain and a few small villages. The path is generally quiet and serene, allowing you to take in the scenery around you. After arriving in Estella you will have the opportunity to buy delicious local food such as chorizo and cheese and explore locations such as the Church of Santo Sepulcro and the Convent of Santo Domingo. When leaving Puente de la Reina, the route follows the river and then climbs steeply across a landscape of cultivated fields, olive groves and farming communities who have worked the land for centuries. After passing through several small hamlets, the most significant is the climb to Cirauqui (Basque for vipers nest, due to the rocky outcrop it was built on). The 13th-century church is particularly impressive, complete with Gothic doors. Leaving Cirauqui is by way of an old Roman road as you continue the journey to Estella, your overnight stay tonight.

Walk: 22km
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Yerri
A central location in Estella, Hotel Yerri has a bar and restaurant serving a wide range of local and international dishes. The famous Santo Sepulcro Church is a 15 minutes walk from the hotel and for all Camino walkers, the hotel staff are happy to help with any needs you may have.

Your Camino journey today continues to the town of Los Arcos. Not long after leaving Estella, you will reach Bodegas Irache, a wine museum and free wine fountain provided to quench the thirst of Camino walkers. After leaving Estella, the walk to Los Arcos leads you over a landscape of vineyards and cereal crops, only interrupted by the sound of footsteps. A truly enjoyable afternoon of walking across one of the most peaceful stretches of the Camino.

Walk: 22km
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Pension Mav
A classic pilgrim pension. Simple, comfortable and a great atmosphere created by the number of fellow walkers which choose to stay at this property. All rooms are en-suite.

Today you will cross into the world-famous Rioja wine region and the renowned wine-producing town of Logroño. After leaving Los Arcos, within 8km, you will reach the sleepy village of Torres del Rio where you can visit the Santo Sepulcro church. Octagonal in shape, it is believed to have been built by the Knights of the Templar and has many Byzantine and Arabic influences. As you get closer to Logrono, you will notice the beautiful vineyards of La Rioja, the wine country of Spain. Logrono is a popular and busy place for tourists and locals of Spain who come here to celebrate weddings, birthdays and other events. The party vibe is amazing, but the town also has some great historical sights such as the Cathedral, a number of churches and the architecture of San Juan Street with its famous pintxo bars.

Walk: 28km
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Sercotel Portales
Nestled in the heart of the old town, this hotel is located on the Camino route and has combined style and comfort for you 2 nights in Logroño. The main ‘Calle Laurel’ is only a minute’s walk away where there is an abundance of tapas bars and plenty of opportunities to sample many of the locally produced Rioja wines.

Depending on your onward travel plans, you can spend time exploring the Cathedral of St Maria, the local bridges and the stunning river that runs through Logrono, the capital of the La Rioja region, before heading off on your journey home.

Meals Included: Breakfast