Itinerary
- Day 1
St Jean Pied de Port to Roncesvalles
You'll start the Camino Frances with the toughest day ahead. The trek covers 25km and climbs from 200m up to 1,400m elevation through the Pyrenees, then descends to Roncesvalles at 900m. Morning views are nice along the way, and you'll pass through quiet country lanes. Before heading out, you can decide between the traditional Napoleon Route or the Valcarlos Route depending on how you're feeling and what the weather looks like.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Continental style), Lunch, Dinner (Pilgrim Dinner)
Included Activities
- Cycle Saint Jean Pied de Port to Roncesvalles via Napoleon Route or Valcarlos Route
Optional Activities
- Luggage forwarding service via courier
Landmarks/POIs Saint Jean Pied de Port Roncesvalles - Day 2
Roncesvalles to Pamplona
Stop by the Chapel of St James or the Royal Collegiate Church of Saint Mary in Roncesvalles before you depart. From there, you'll cycle about 48km through mountain passes, crossing the Rabies bridge at the start. You'll go over Alto de Mezquiriz and Alto de Erro, then finish by crossing La Magdalena bridge as you approach Pamplona. Along the way, you'll pass through villages like Zubiri and Larrasaona where gentle hills and vineyard scenery take over. Once you reach Pamplona, grab some tapas and wine to celebrate.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Continental style), Lunch, Dinner (Pilgrim Dinner)
Included Activities
- Visit Chapel of St James or Royal Collegiate Church of Saint Mary in Roncesvalles
- Cycle from Roncesvalles to Larrasaona via Alto de Mezquiriz and Alto de Erro mountain passes
- Cross Rabies bridge and La Magdalena bridge
Optional Activities
- Follow original Jacobean route away from Arga River
- Stay on N-135 and follow selected off-road routes
Landmarks/POIs Chapel of St James Royal Collegiate Church of Saint Mary Alto de Mezquiriz Alto de Erro Zubiri Cathedral of Pamplona Pamplona - Day 3
Pamplona to Logroño
Leaving Pamplona gives you one of the best city views. You'll cycle through countryside and busier roads, climbing past Cizur Menor where you can see the restored 12th-century Church of San Miguel. After crossing Alto del Perdon, you'll leave the Atlantic Basin behind and enter vineyard country that marks the start of La Rioja region. Stop in Estella for coffee and cake around midday, then continue through vineyards and farmland past Azqueta and Villamayor de Monjardin. Before reaching Logroño, check out the remarkable Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Torres del Río, then finish at the Cathedral of Santa María de la Redonda.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Continental style), Lunch, Dinner (Pilgrim Dinner)
Included Activities
- Cycle from Pamplona to Logroño via Alto del Perdon
- Visit Church of San Miguel in Cizur Menor
- Visit Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Torres del Río
- Stop in Estella for coffee and cake
Landmarks/POIs Church of San Miguel Cizur Menor Alto del Perdon Estella Azqueta Villamayor de Monjardin Church of the Holy Sepulchre Torres del Río Cathedral of Santa María de la Redonda Logroño - Day 4
Logroño to Belorado
You'll cycle from Logroño through the natural landscape around La Granjera dam, passing between vineyards and fruit trees. Then you'll come through Navarrete, a town known for its pottery traditions, where the views from San Antón peak are quite nice. Continuing on, you'll reach Santo Domingo and cross the Puente del Santo bridge over Rio Oja. Before arriving in Belorado, you'll pass two 16th-century churches: Iglesia de San Juan Bautista and Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Calle. Belorado itself is a town with roots going back to Roman times.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Continental style), Lunch, Dinner (Pilgrim Dinner)
Included Activities
- Cycle from Logroño to Belorado via Navarrete and Santo Domingo
Landmarks/POIs La Granjera dam San Antón peak Navarrete Santo Domingo Puente del Santo Iglesia de San Juan Bautista Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Calle Belorado - Day 5
Belorado to Burgos
Start early to wander through Belorado's interesting old town centre. Then you'll cycle 47km to reach Burgos, the Gothic capital of Spain and birthplace of El Cid. This is your second rest day, so you'll have the whole afternoon and evening free to explore. The cathedral is worth seeing, along with the historic center, plazas, museums, and bridges scattered throughout the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Continental style), Lunch, Dinner (Pilgrim Dinner)
Included Activities
- Cycle from Belorado to Burgos
- Explore Belorado old town centre
Optional Activities
- Visit Catedral De Burgos
- Explore Historic Center of Burgos
- Visit Plaza Mayor
- Visit Plaza del Mio Cid
- Visit Museo de Burgos
- Visit Eremitorio de Presillas de Bricia
- Visit Puente De San Pablo
- Visit Hospital del Rey
Landmarks/POIs Belorado Catedral De Burgos Historic Center of Burgos Plaza Mayor Plaza del Mio Cid Museo de Burgos Eremitorio de Presillas de Bricia Puente De San Pablo Hospital del Rey - Day 6
Burgos to Carrion de los Condes
Leaving Burgos means heading into the Meseta, where you'll encounter endless straight stretches without much shade or shelter. You'll pass through suburban towns and villages including Villalbilla de Burgos, Tandajos, Rabe de las Calzadas, and Hornillos del Camino. There are two mountain sections to cross before the landscape flattens out near Carrión de los Condes. You can choose between the inland route which takes about 5 hours or the road route which is about 3.5 hours.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Continental style), Lunch, Dinner (Pilgrim Dinner)
Included Activities
- Cycle from Burgos to Carrión de los Condes
Landmarks/POIs Villalbilla de Burgos Tandajos Rabe de las Calzadas Hornillos del Camino Hontanas Carrión de los Condes - Day 7
Carrión de los Condes to León
You'll cycle through more endless straight stretches of the Meseta without shade or shelter. At Carrión de los Condes, stop by the Church of Santiago to see its famous Romanesque frieze sculptures. Continue through Terradillos de los Templarios and Puente Villarente, where a medieval 17-arched bridge is the main attraction. Later you'll pass through Sahagún, which marks the halfway point of the Camino. You can pick up a halfway certificate here if you want. The day ends in Mansilla de las Mulas, a walled town from 1181 that has seven churches and historic pilgrim accommodations.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Continental style), Lunch, Dinner (Pilgrim Dinner)
Included Activities
- Cycle from Carrión de los Condes to León
- Visit Church of Santiago in Carrión de los Condes
- Pass through Sahagún (halfway point) and obtain Compostela halfway certificate
- Cross medieval bridge in Puente Villarente
Optional Activities
- Swim in river at Mansilla de las Mulas (if warm enough) or cool feet
Landmarks/POIs Carrión de los Condes Church of Santiago Terradillos de los Templarios Puente Villarente Parish Church of San Pelayo Sahagún Mansilla de las Mulas River Elsa León - Day 8
León
Today is for resting and exploring León, a city with deep historical roots and once the capital of the Kingdom of León from the 10th to 12th centuries. The Gothic cathedral has beautiful stained-glass windows, and the 11th-century Collegiate Church of Saint Isidore is also worth your time. You can also check out the old monastery that's now a luxury hotel with Spanish Renaissance architecture. Walk through the narrow cobblestone streets and find an authentic tapas restaurant to try regional specialties like cured meats and croquettes.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Continental style), Lunch, Dinner (Pilgrim Dinner)
Optional Activities
- Visit Gothic Cathedral of León
- Visit 11th-century Collegiate Church of Saint Isidore
- Visit old monastery (now luxury hotel)
- Explore historic center
- Sample regional tapas and cuisine
Landmarks/POIs Gothic Cathedral of León Collegiate Church of Saint Isidore - Day 9
León to Astorga
You'll cycle 51km from León to Astorga. Head out following the shell waymarks past the cathedral via San Marcos through some industrial areas. You have two route choices: a quieter scenic route to Villar de Mazarife or the main route running parallel to the busy N-120. Later you'll pass through Hospital de Órbigo and cross a Gothic bridge over the river Órbigo, which was the site of a legendary medieval jousting competition. The final stretch into Astorga is easy cycling, and the town's lovely plaza has music, food, dancing, and a historic cathedral.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Continental style), Lunch, Dinner (Pilgrim Dinner)
Included Activities
- Cycle from León to Astorga via Villar de Mazarife and Hospital de Órbigo
Optional Activities
- Follow main route parallel to N-120 road
Landmarks/POIs Cathedral of León San Marcos Villar de Mazarife Hospital de Órbigo River Órbigo Astorga - Day 10
Astorga to Ponferrada
This 62km cycle from Astorga goes through heavily trafficked terrain and counts as moderate difficulty. You'll pass through Foncebadon on a point-to-point trail where a river runs and you might see other pilgrims walking and cycling. After that comes the famous Cruz de Fierro at 1,500m elevation, the highest point on the Spanish side of the French Way, with a chapel dedicated to Santiago Apóstol. Stop at Campo with its Roman fountain and Church of Nuestra Señora de la Encina before descending to Ponferrada, the capital of El Bierzo. This is the last big city before Santiago, and it has a fantastic Templar Castle, tower, and town hall worth seeing.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Continental style), Lunch, Dinner (Pilgrim Dinner)
Included Activities
- Cycle from Astorga to Ponferrada via Foncebadon
- Visit Cruz de Fierro (Iron Cross) at 1,500m elevation
- Visit chapel of Santiago Apóstol at Cruz de Fierro
Optional Activities
- Visit Ponferrada Templar Castle
- Visit Calle del Reloj tower
- Visit Plaza del Ayuntamiento and Town Hall at discounted rate
Landmarks/POIs Foncebadon Cruz de Fierro Chapel of Santiago Apóstol Campo Church of Nuestra Señora de la Encina Ponferrada Templar Castle Calle del Reloj Plaza del Ayuntamiento - Day 11
Ponferrada to Samos
This is the second hardest climb of the Camino at approximately 89km, and you'll gain over 900m elevation to reach 1,335m at O Cebreiro. First you'll head to Villafranca del Bierzo, a beautiful mountain town surrounded by countryside. The Church of St. James here is one of only two on the Camino where pilgrims can receive a plenary indulgence. After that, you have two options through the mountain scenery: the main road via Pereje and Trabadelo, or a tougher but more scenic route with more climbs and descents. Stock up supplies in Villafranca before climbing 600m to O Cebreiro where Galicia begins. You'll finish the day with a descent to Samos.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Continental style), Lunch, Dinner (Pilgrim Dinner)
Included Activities
- Cycle from Ponferrada to Samos via Villafranca del Bierzo and O Cebreiro
- Visit Church of St. James in Villafranca del Bierzo
Optional Activities
- Follow scenic route with climbs and descents between Villafranca del Bierzo and Trabadelo
- Follow main road route via Pereje
Landmarks/POIs Villafranca del Bierzo Church of St. James Pereje Trabadelo O Cebreiro Sierra de O Courel Monastery of Samos Samos - Day 12
Samos to Palas del Rey
You'll cycle approximately 67km through beautiful terrain with chestnut trees and fieldstone rock fences covered in moss. Pass through Ferreiros and Sarria, which is a popular starting point for pilgrims wanting to finish just the last 100km of the Camino to get a basic Compostela certificate. Keep moving forward and you'll climb to 651m elevation on the way to Palas del Rey, a small pretty town with local facilities and bars where you can socialize and grab some refreshment.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Continental style), Lunch, Dinner (Pilgrim Dinner)
Included Activities
- Cycle from Samos to Palas del Rey via Ferreiros and Sarria
Landmarks/POIs Ferreiros Sarria Palas del Rey - Day 13
Palas del Rey to Santiago de Compostela
The final day is 68km, starting with flat landscape through medieval villages, local chapels, and cross-arched stone bridges. You'll cycle through oak and eucalyptus forest which smells wonderful, especially after Melide where the Camino Primitivo joins the Camino Frances. Then you'll pass through Arzua, the last large town with about 7,000 people, where you can see the Parish Church of St James and the ruins of the Convent of La Magdalena. Continue through Santa Irene, Arca do Pino, Amenal, and Labacolla to reach Monte del Gozo, where you'll see Santiago cathedral for the first time. Arrive at Santiago de Compostela for your final stamp and to see the reliquary of Saint James. If you start at 4am from Palas del Rey, you'll ride in on the sunrise.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Continental style), Lunch, Dinner (Pilgrim Dinner)
Included Activities
- Cycle from Palas del Rey to Santiago de Compostela via Arzua, Melide, and Monte del Gozo
Landmarks/POIs Melide Arzua Parish Church of St James Convent of La Magdalena Santa Irene Arca do Pino Amenal Labacolla Parish Church of Sabugueira Monte del Gozo Santiago de Compostela Cathedral Santiago de Compostela - Day 14
Santiago de Compostela
Your final day in Santiago de Compostela is for resting and celebrating your completion of the Camino Frances. Visit the Santiago cathedral for reflection, then enjoy food and wine as you wind down from the journey. After that, prepare for your departure.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Continental style), Lunch, Dinner (Pilgrim Dinner)
Included Activities
- Visit Santiago de Compostela Cathedral
Optional Activities
- Celebrations with food and wine
- Rest and relaxation
Landmarks/POIs Santiago de Compostela Cathedral
