37 Nts - The Full French Camino
Self Guided Tour
Duration:
37 Nights
From €2,975pp
All Year
The French Camino, also known as the French Way or Camino Francés, is the most celebrated of all the Camino de Santiago routes, one that takes you through landscapes as diverse as the barren Pyrenees mountains, the vineyards of La Rioja, the flat plains of La Meseta and the forested slopes of Galicia.
You will stay in rustic villages, medieval towns and beautiful historic cities that can be explored in the afternoon. You will sample tasty traditional dishes and famous wines. Best of all, you will enjoy the unique spirit of generosity and friendship that accompanies you along the way.
Day 1. Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
Arrival at Saint Jean Pied de Port (France). After checking in, you will have time to stroll through this historic town before crossing the border into Spain the following day. Have dinner in a local restaurant, then get a good night’s rest before beginning your epic journey.
Day 2. Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port - Roncesvalles (25.8 km)
Traditionally one of the most dreaded stages along the Camino. Dominated by a tough, but spectacular, crossing of the Pyrenees.
Overnight: Roncesvalles
Day 3. Roncesvalles - Zubiri (22.4 km)
Today’s trail takes you through oak and beech forests, lush meadows and small pastoral communities.
Overnight: Zubiri
Day 4. Zubiri - Pamplona (21.4 km)
Cross four beautiful medieval bridges over the River Arga before arriving in the famous city of Pamplona.
Overnight: Pamplona
Day 5. Pamplona - Puente la Reina (24.5 km)
A flat stage apart from the climb to the legendary Alto del Perdón.
Overnight: Puente la Reina
Day 6. Puente la Reina - Estella (22.5 km)
An undulating stage through farmland and small villages.
Overnight: Estella
Day 7. Estella - Sansol (28.9 km)
A very long, though peaceful, stage, with many short climbs and descents.
Overnight: Sansol
Day 8. Sansol - Logroño (21.6 km)
As you enter the famous wine-growing region of La Rioja, you will encounter rolling vineyards and quiet villages. Be sure to enjoy the cultural and culinary offerings of Logroño, the region’s capital.
Overnight: Logroño
Day 9. Logroño - Nájera (29.6 km)
Another long day that takes you through vineyards, valleys and rolling hills.
Overnight: Nájera
Day 10. Nájera - Santo Domingo de la Calzada (21.6 km)
Walk through hilltop villages as far as Santo Domingo de la Calzada, historically one of the most important towns along the Camino.
Overnight: Santo Domingo
Day 11. Santo Domingo de la Calzada - Belorado (24.1 km)
Easy going underfoot, with many ups and downs, and a changing landscape as we enter Castile.
Overnight: Belorado
Day 12. Belorado - San Juan de Ortega (24.5 km)
Easy walking until you get to the steep Montes de Oca, where bandits were once known to roam.
Overnight: San Juan de Ortega
Day 13. San Juan de Ortega - Burgos (26.5 km)
A short steep climb over the Sierra de Atapuerca, then a pleasant downhill towards the famous city of Burgos.
Overnight: Burgos
Day 14. Free day in Burgos
You will have covered a considerable distance by now, so you deserve a day off and an opportunity to recharge your batteries.
Your hotel, situated right next to the city’s famous Gothic cathedral, will provide you with the perfect base for exploring this beautiful historic city with its stunning landmarks, vibrant atmosphere and delicious cuisine.
Day 15. Burgos - Hornillos del Camino (20.9 km)
A pleasant walk out of Burgos, then follow earthen farm tracks through rural villages.
Overnight: Hornillos del Camino
Day 16. Hornillos del Camino - Castrojeriz (20.6 km)
You are entering the Meseta with its wide open plains, quiet country roads and farm tracks between remote villages.
Overnight: Castrojeriz
Day 17. Castrojeriz - Frómista (25.6 km)
Another long walk along an open plain with one short climb to Alto de Mosterales.
Overnight: Frómista
Day 18. Frómista - Carrión de los Condes (19.4 km)
An easy walk along the Meseta to the ancient town of Carrion de los Condes.
Overnight: Carrión de los Condes
Day 19. Carrión de los Condes - Calzadilla de la Cueza
(17.5 km)
Another flat stage that encourages silence and contemplation.
Overnight: Calzadilla de la Cueza
Day 20. Calzadilla de la Cueza - Sahagún (22.5 km)
Today we cross small historic villages before entering the province of León.
Overnight: Sahagún
Day 21. Sahagún - El Burgo Ranero (18.2 km)
The walking is generally easy today with no hard hills and a few sleepy Camino villages.
Overnight: El Burgo Ranero
Day 22. El Burgo Ranero - León (38.4 km)
A tough stage, flat but very long, which ends in the wonderful city of León.
Overnight: León
Day 23. Free day in León
Another deserved stop and opportunity to regain your strength. León is a beautiful city with a rich historical and architectural heritage.
Wind your way through the city’s medieval streets, visit the wonderful Gothic cathedral and enjoy tasty tapas in the Barrio Húmedo district before restarting the Camino the following day.
Day 24. León - San Martín del Camino (25.6 km)
A day of easy walking once you leave the built-up outskirts of León.
Overnight: San Martín del Camino
Day 25. San Martín del Camino - Astorga (24.2 km)
Walk through sloping countryside until you get to the beautiful walled city of Astorga.
Overnight: Astorga
Day 26. Astorga - Rabanal del Camino (20.9 km)
Walking steadily uphill along rarely used roads with woods and meadows to distract you as you go.
Overnight: Rabanal del Camino
Day 27. Rabanal del Camino - Molinaseca (25.6 km)
A tough stage with a long climb to the famous Cruz de Ferro followed by a steep, panoramic descent to Molinaseca.
Overnight: Molinaseca
Day 28. Molinaseca - Villafranca del Bierzo (31.3 km)
Today we walk through the vineyards of the unique winegrowing region of El Bierzo and along flat dusty tracks to Villafranca.
Overnight: Villafranca del Bierzo
Day 29. Villafranca del Bierzo - O Cebreiro (29.2 km)
We enter the province of Galicia and take on the hard ascent to the famous village of O Cebreiro.
Overnight: O Cebreiro
Day 30. O Cebreiro - Triacastela (21.5 km)
A relatively short, mostly downhill stage along trails and minor roads through indigenous Galician oak forests.
Overnight: Triacastela
Day 31. Triacastela - Sarria (19.5 km)
Walk across a typically Galician landscape dotted with woods and hamlets.
Overnight: Sarria
Day 32. Sarria - Portomarín (21.4 km)
Today the small country roads and tree-lined paths become busier as many pilgrims begin their Camino in Sarria.
Overnight: Portomarín
Day 33. Portomarín - Palas de Rei (22 km)
Easy walking through undulating countryside and farming villages.
Overnight: Palas de Rei
Day 34. Palas de Rei - Arzúa (28.8 km)
A long stage with continuous ups and downs and beautiful sections of forest and farmland.
Overnight: Arzúa
Day 35. Arzúa - Rúa (19 km)
A pleasant day’s walking through sheltered woods and rugged trails.
Overnight: Rúa
Day 36. Rúa - Santiago de Compostela (20.8 km)
An emotional day as the weary pilgrim contemplates their impending arrival to the historic city of Santiago de Compostela and the end of their Camino adventure.
Overnight: Santiago de Compostela
Day 37. Free day in Santiago de Compostela. Return Home
Santiago, capital of Galicia and final resting place of the Apostle Saint James, is one of the world’s greatest holy cities.
Collecting your thoughts in the world famous cathedral, wandering through the streets of the old town (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and tasting the rich local cuisine (based on fresh fish and seafood) are without doubt the city’s main attractions.
Bed & Breakfast Basis
Highlights:
- Crossing the regions of Navarra, La Rioja, Castille and Galicia—and enjoying the contrasting landscapes, histories and culinary traditions that make them what they are today.
- Experiencing the unique spirit of friendship and generosity that infuses the Camino to this day.
- Gathering your thoughts as you walk along. The Camino offers a rare opportunity to reflect on past events and future paths.
- Feeling that deep sense of achievement as you arrive in the beautiful historic city of Santiago de Compostela.
Stages:
- Saint Jean – Roncesvalles (25.8 km)
- Saint Jean – Roncesvalles (25.8 km)
- Roncesvalles – Zubiri (22.4 km)
- Zubiri – Pamplona (21.4 km)
- Pamplona – Puente la Reina (24.5 km)
- Puente la Reina – Estella (22.5 km)
- Estella – Sansol (28.9 km)
- Sansol – Logroño (21.6 km)
- Logroño – Nájera (29.6 km)
- Nájera – Santo Domingo de la Calzada (21.6 km)
- Santo Domingo de la Calzada – Belorado (24.1 km)
- Belorado – San Juan de Ortega. (24.5 km)
- San Juan de Ortega – Burgos. (26.5 km)
- Burgos – Hornillos del Camino (20.9 km)
- Hornillos del Camino – Castrojeriz (20.6 km)
- Castrojeriz – Fromista (25.6 km)
- Fromista – Carrión de los Condes (19.4 km)
- Carrión de los Condes – Calzadilla de la Cueza (17.5 km)
- Calzadilla de la Cueza – Sahagún (22.5 km)
- Sahagún– El Burgo Ranero (18.2 km)
- El Burgo Ranero – León (38.4 km)
- León – San Martín del Camino (25.6 km)
- San Martín del Camino – Astorga (24.2 km)
- Astorga – Rabanal del Camino (20.9 km)
- Rabanal del Camino – Molinaseca (25.6 km)
- Molinaseca – Villafranca del Bierzo (31.3 km)
- Villafranca del Bierzo – O Cebreiro (29.2 km)
- O Cebreiro – Triacastela (21.5 km)
- Triacastela – Sarria (19.5 km)
- Sarria – Portomarín (21.4 km)
- Portomarín – Palas de Rei (22 km)
- Palas de Rei – Arzúa (28.8 km)
- Arzúa- Rúa (19 km)
- Rúa – Santiago de Compostela (20.8 km)
Tips for walking the Camino
- Bring high-quality footwear that you are used to wearing along with high-quality socks, to help prevent blisters.
- Make sure that your shoes and socks are always dry when you are walking.
- Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
- Do some training before you embark on your trip. Some level of fitness will stand to you during this challenge.
- Don’t forget to use sunscreen!
- Check the weather forecast before you leave to make sure you bring the right gear with you.
- Don’t forget your camera!
- Take earplugs. A good night’s sleep is vital!
- En suite hotel accommodation
- Breakfast
- Daily luggage transfer
- Pilgrim’s kit (passport and shell)
- Detailed information prior to start
- Daily communication prior to start
Flights are not included (available on request)
Single Supplement - €495pp


