Explore Camino Frances, the most famous Camino to Santiago de Compostela.
Cross through the Pyrenees and the Basque Country enjoying the sunshine & the magnificent scenery.
Indulge yourself in rooms en-suite in selected hotels along the way and enjoy a high level of comfort.
Time travel along 1000 years of history and meet people from every horizon.

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Departures:

>Self-Guided
Any time, all year round!

>Guided
See Guided Departures page

The Camino Frances / French Way is the most traditional of all the pilgrims' ways to Santiago de Compostela and the best known internationally.

This Walking Holiday explores the 1st section of the Camino Frances / French Way. It starts in France at St-Jean-Pied-de-Port and finishes in Pamplona, the town famous for its Bull Run festival. At first it follows the 'Route Napoleon' over the Roncesvalles Pass (1500m), and then crosses the Basque country onto more gentle terrain.

Everyday, during the walk, you are guaranteed a high level of comfort and gastronomy. The Camino is clearly marked with the “Scallop Shell” showing you the way. 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.

Day 1 - To Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
You will be booked in a hotel in the heart of the small town. The rooms are en-suite.

Town: ATM, shops, all facilities. Accommodation: Charming 2* Logis de France hotel in the centre of the town, en suite. Patrick, the owner, is also the cook... and a very good one at that!

Day 2 - Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port To Roncesvalles (8h, 26km, +1250m -540m).
This first day is considered the most difficult as the Camino crosses the Pyrenees. The "Camino Napoleon" kicks off with a steep climb, on through orchards and past country houses and then, later, through Alpine style meadows, before weaving its way alongside leafy beech woods towards the border and the descent into Roncesvalles. The Valcarlos Camino mainly follows the road which runs through the valley alongside the river Nive or river Valcarlos. Don't miss the "Collegiate Church" in Roncesvalles.

NOTE: If you would like to walk at a more relaxed pace, we can split this walking day into 2 stages (12km & 14km), staying overnight in the village of Valcarlos. Here you will be staying a charming 2* hotel. We recommend taking this route during the winter months when snow can make the higher route impassable.

Town: ATM, shops. Accommodation: 2* hotel within a fully renovated 15th-century monastery, en-suite Meal: Half Board

DAY 3 – Roncesvalles to Zubiri (7h, 22km, +90m -550m)
The Camino crosses two beautiful mountain passes and continues on through beech and oak woods and meadows before coming to Espinal, where the panoramic views of the countryside with the Pyrenees in the background are a sight to behold. The river Arga runs alongside this part of the Camino and continues its course all the way to Larrasoana.

Town: ATM, Shops. Accommodation: Renovated 2* hotel; comfortable, family-run and very friendly! En-suite. Meal: Half Board

DAY 4 – Zubiri to Pamplona (6h, 20km, +/-250m)
The Camino runs along the river Arga, at the foot of a group of hills covered in beech, oak and Scots pine. As we approach Pamplona, the landscape shows the obvious influence of civilisation; with its conifers, reforestation and farmlands.

Town: ATM, shops, all facilities. Accommodation: 3* hotel; a renovated 16th-century house in the historic center of the town, en-suite. Meal: Breakfast

DAY 5 – Pamplona, end of the walking holiday
After breakfast we bid you farewell.

Meal: Breakfast

• Luggage transferred from hotel to hotel
• Rooms en-suite
• Half Board during the hike
• Detailed Walking Notes
• Map
• Pilgrim passport

• Flights
• Insurance (recommended)
• Drinks
• Dinner first and last nights
• Transfer from/to airport