Walking across the Pyrenees on the Camino Frances

11 Days Excluding Flights From

11 Days from

£ 1299

£ 1489

Walking & Trekking

Activity Level

Moderate

Ways to Travel :

Self-Guided Holidays

Activity :

Walking & Trekking

Ages :

12+

Trip Code :

W10CF

From the 9th Century, pilgrims have been travelling along the Camino de Santiago, traditionally making the journey from their homes across Europe, towards the final resting place of St James the Apostle.

The Camino Frances, starting from St Jean Pied de Port in France and ending in the Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela, has featured on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1993, a total distance of 790km / 490 miles. Known as one of the most challenging sections of the pilgrimage, many see this section as also the most rewarding, with pilgrims traversing the Pyrenees from France into Spain, a dramatic and incomparable landscape.

During this stage of the Camino Frances, you will visit the ancient medieval towns of St Jean Pied de Port, Roncesvalles and Puente la Reina, experience the challenging, scenically stunning walk across the Pyrenees and wander through the beautiful countryside, passing through towns and villages, each with a long history intertwined with this most famous pilgrimage. The cities of Pamplona and Logrono are filled with places of interest to visit, examples of Gothic and medieval architecture, cathedrals and palaces. Logrono is the capital of the Rioja wine region, so be sure to take in some wine tasting here, but don’t forget to collect your stamp for your Pilgrim Passport!

Highlights

Walk along one of the most famous UNESCO pilgrimage routes in the world
Begin your walk on the world-famous Camino Frances by crossing the Pyrenees from France into Spain
Explore the medieval towns of St Jean Pied de Port and Roncesvalles and visit the historic cities of Pamplona and Logrono
Travel through spectacular scenery of forests and mountains to reach the heart of the Rioja wine region

Key Information

10 nights in a mix of 2 star and 3 star hotels, all rooms en suite
Route directions and maps
Luggage transfers between hotels
Walking transfers

Countries visited: France

What's Included

All accommodation (see accommodation section)
All continental breakfasts and 6 evening meals
Route directions and maps
Luggage transfers between hotels
Walking transfers

What's Not Included

Travel insurance
Single accommodation (available on request - compulsory supplement)
Solo traveller supplement (where only one person is travelling on a departure date)
Visas or vaccinations
Travel to the start and from the end point

9 Days of Walking & Trekking

Terrain:

Walks on this holiday are on village streets, country lanes, farm tracks and rural paths. Walking boots are essential. Walking poles are recommended.

Day 2

8 km / 5 miles

Day 3

19 km / 11.8 miles

Day 4

22 km / 13.7 miles

Day 5

21 km / 13 miles

Day 6

24 km / 14.9 miles

Day 7

23 km / 14.3 miles

Day 8

21 km / 13 miles

Day 9

18 km / 11.2 miles

Day 10

11 km / 6.8 miles

Sustainability and Impact

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.

TRIP

W10CF - Walking across the Pyrenees on the Camino Frances

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Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

For flights call us on 0203 733 5948 or enquire when booking online

Regional flights available

Competitive flight prices

Specialist Flight Support

ATOL protected

Itinerary

St Jean Pied de Port Logrono

Arrival into St Jean Pied de Port. Spend some time relaxing in this historic town before starting out on your voyage of discovery along the Camino Frances. With plenty of restaurants and cafes on your doorstep, we have left tonight’s dining choice up to you.

You stay at the Hotel Itzalpea

Begin your day with a visit to the old town and ramparts of this beautiful town, not forgetting to pick up your Pilgrim Passport at the Pilgrim Office. Founded in the 12th Century and situated on the River Nixe, the town has long been important for trade and pilgrims alike and definitely deserves some of your time, to appreciate the historic buildings, cobbles streets and numerous shops and eateries. You pause today at the Refuge Orisson before your transfer back to St Jean Pied de Port for your second night at the Hôtel Itzalpea. Enjoy the variety of restaurants near your hotel and try the local traditional food including wood pigeon stew, sheep’s cheese and a wonderful trout dish.

You stay at the Hotel Itzalpea

Distance covered: 5mi (8km)

Activity hours: 3

Meals included: Breakfast

Transfer back to Refuge Orisson and complete the climb through the Basque Country with stunning panoramic views, arriving at Roncesvalles in the afternoon. Surrounded by lush forests and meadows this is where many pilgrims begin their journey. The town has a famous church with many interesting artifacts and the largest medieval hospice in the region (built in the same architectural style as Notre Dame). Enjoy a relaxing overnight stay at the Hôtel Roncesvalles, a resting place for visiting clerics and pilgrims since the 18th century, the hotel has been completely refurbished and serves delicious and traditional Pyrenean fare.

You stay at the Hotel Roncesvalles

Distance covered: 12mi (19km)

Activity hours: 5

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Crossing two mountain passes, your journey continues through the quiet villages of the Pyrenean Navarre. You will venture through an ancient forest of beech and oak to arrive at Zubiri, whose romantic bridge has provided a crossing for pilgrims for centuries. Known locally as the ‘Bridge of Rage’ it was once believed to have supernatural properties, as it contains the remains of a saint who was said to protect animals from rabies! Spend the night at the family run, cosy Hosteria de Zubiri and enjoy a traditional meal of the Navarre region.

You stay at the Hosteria de Zubiri

Distance covered: 14mi (22km)

Activity hours: 6.5

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Continue onto Pamplona, famous for its bull running festival and capital city of the Navarre region. A popular stopping point for pilgrims, visit the Gothic cathedral and explore the medieval old town with its markets and plentiful places to sample the local produce. Your evening meal is for you to decide as there are a wealth of options in this lively and bustling city. A favourite haunt of the American writer Hemingway, Pamplona features heavily in his most famous novel, ‘The Sun Also Rises’.

You stay at the Hotel Alda Centro

Distance covered: 13mi (21km)

Activity hours: 6

Meals included: Breakfast

Leaving behind the bustling city, today you will walk to the medieval town of Puente la Reina where all the pilgrim routes of Europe meet. There are many historic buildings of interest, including the churches of Santiago El Mayoe and of Crucifijo, founded by the Knights Templar in the 14th century.

You stay at the Hotel Jakue

Distance covered: 15mi (24km)

Activity hours: 7.5

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Meandering through farmland, part of which is old Roman road, you will arrive in Estella, also known as the ‘ Toledo of the North’. The medieval old town has much to see, including the Palace of the Kings of Navarre and many examples of Gothic architecture. At the centre of the city you will find the Plaza de los Fueros, which still holds a medieval market with the stallholders in traditional period dress.

You stay at Hotel Yerri

Distance covered: 14mi (23km)

Activity hours: 7

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Passing through Irache with its monastery and famous wine fountain offering pilgrims a free beverage since 1991, (choose water or red wine). You will later arrive at Los Arcos and your hotel for this evening.

You stay at the Hotel Monaco

Distance covered: 13mi (21km)

Activity hours: 6

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Pass through the first of many vineyards and olive groves on your way to Viana, the historical location of many battles during the Middle Ages between Castile and Navarre. Visit the town square with its fortified medieval walls and the church of Santa Maria, final resting place of Caesar Borgia, the inspiration for Machiavelli’s’ most famous works, ‘The Prince’.

You stay at Hotel Palacio de Pujadas

Distance covered: 11mi (18km)

Activity hours: 5.5

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

The end of your journey is the town of Logrono, the heart of the Rioja region. Entering via the Puente de Piedra, cobbled streets lead you to the historic centre of the city, with plentiful places of interest including the Cathedral of Santa Maria and the Museum of La Rioja. Collect your Pilgrim Passport stamp and enjoy an evening at leisure sampling the rich wines and produce of the area.

You stay at the Hotel Murrieta

Distance covered: 7mi (11km)

Activity hours: 3.5

Meals included: Breakfast

Enjoy a morning stroll through Logroño before your transfer back to the airport or train station. Alternatively, stay on for extra nights to explore this beautiful historic city.

Meals included: Breakfast

Essential Info

Is this trip for you?

This is a moderate walking holiday because of the distance covered each day rather than the altitude change or the terrain. There is lots of classic Galician countryside to enjoy, rural paths and hamlets with cafes and restaurants for pilgrims along the route. Walks on this holiday are on village streets, country lanes, farm tracks and rural paths. Walking days are approximately 5-6 hours with ascents up to 700m (2400feet) and may involve some scrambling. You should be used to walking all day.

As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There may be others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised together. You are provided with route notes for each day, which begin with an overview of the walk and advice on lunch, followed by detailed instructions. The route notes contain a 24 hour emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies, the hotels are normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.

Joining Instructions

The tour itself normally begins at the start hotel in St Jean Pied de Port on Day 2 of the itinerary.

Flights:
We can also book flights for you if you wish. The standard flights we usually use are with Easyjet from to Biarritz usually departing at 06:30 arriving 09:15. Then the transfer to the hotel is about 50 minutes. On the return we recommend train from Logrono to Madrid 07:30 / 10:50 and then Easyjet from Madrid back to the UK.

Please note that the standard flights/trains may occasionally change throughout the season so please enquire for up-to-date details.

Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.

Location start: St Jean Pied de Port
Location end: Logrono

Transfer Details

We have included transfers after breakfast on the first two walking days, after which you’ll walk all the way to Logrono.

Vaccinations and Health

France

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, rabies and tick-borne encephalitis. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Visa

France

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter France. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.
• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/france
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/france
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france/entry-requirements
• USA:  www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/France.html

Food & Drink

All breakfasts and six dinners included.

We’ve included breakfast each day, with your evening meals provided in the quieter locations. Picnic lunches are easy to organise or if you prefer, stop off for some lunch in one of the many eateries along the way. At the start and end of your trip, and in Pamplona, the restaurant choices are huge, so we have left your evening meal up to you. With the route clearly marked along your way, you can relax and truly immerse yourself in the pilgrimage experience, enjoying the wonderful camaraderie of your fellow pilgrims and the incredible scenery along the way of this unique journey.

Weather

In April and October expect temperatures in the 40-60°F/5-15°C with high chance of rain showers though it could also be simply partly cloudy and more temperate. Temperatures in May, June and September tend to be about 10°F/5°C warmer than April and October. Expect a combination of sun, showers and clouds. July and August are typically sunny and warm (60-80°F/15-25°C). Occasionally in summer there can be hot days so it is always important to make sure you have enough water.

Weather Charts

Northern Spain

TRIP

W10CF - Walking across the Pyrenees on the Camino Frances

Departure Date

Number Of Passengers*

Message*

To enquire about an existing booking click here

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *

Phone *

Keep me up to date with news and offers from Exodus by email.

Thank you for contacting Exodus Travels.

Find out more about how we use your data

Request a Brochure

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

Hotels

Your accommodation has been carefully chosen and will be a variety of small family run hotels or simple pilgrim hostels.

Room Upgrades:
Room upgrades may be available on request for a supplement – please enquire at the time of booking for further details and prices. Upgrades available at select hotels only (not for the entire duration of the tour).

All prices are based on 2 persons sharing, so if there is an odd number of people travelling in your party or you are travelling alone, there will be a compulsory supplement for a single room for the tour duration. For a solo traveller there is an additional charge to cover transfer costs.