Begin an unforgettable journey along the Camino de Santiago: Camino Francés, one of the classic routes of the Way of St James, crossing northern Spain from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in the French Pyrenees to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia. Covering 784km (487 miles) and typically completed in 4–5 weeks, this iconic pilgrimage is suitable for any reasonably fit walker and culminates at the tomb of St James the Apostle in Santiago’s UNESCO-listed old town.

Expertly authored by well-known pilgrim The Reverend Sandy Brown, this comprehensive guidebook is the definitive companion for planning and walking the Camino Francés. Detailed route descriptions are supported by a separate map booklet featuring clear 1:100,000 mapping and the full route line marked, allowing pilgrims to immerse themselves in the history and landscapes of northern Spain, confident they have a reliable navigation guide in their pocket.

• The long-distance trail is broken down into 36 stages, each between 17km and 36km (12–22 miles) in length, making it easy to tailor your walk to your fitness level and available time
• An optional extension on the Camino Finisterre from Santiago de Compostela to Finisterre and Muxía on the Galician coast is also described, so you can continue on to the legendary “end of the earth”
• Each stage includes clear stage-by-stage guidance, planning tables and pilgrim lodging listings, including albergues and other types of accommodation, giving you all the details you need to shape daily distances, start and finish points, and rest days
• Downloadable GPX files add a digital navigation option, allowing you to follow the route on a smartphone or GPS device
• Details on how to obtain your Compostela and pilgrim passport are included, with expert advice on where to begin the trail to meet the minimum requirement of walking 100km

Plan your Camino de Santiago with confidence using full route descriptions, downloadable navigation files and comprehensive maps — then let yourself be carried through the landscapes, heritage and unmistakable spirit of the Camino Francés. As the most popular Way of St James and one of the world’s great long-distance pilgrimage routes, it invites you into a journey shaped by centuries of history, vibrant local culture and the experience of walking in the footsteps of pilgrims.

Author Highlight

“When someone says, ‘I’m going to walk the Camino,’ they mean the Camino Francés – the main one, the big one, the first one to return after a hiatus of centuries. Other walks hold treasures, too, but this walk is incomparable. Its fame may be because of the allure of Santiago, although as wonderful and historic as that Galician capital is, most experienced pilgrims will tell you it is the journey itself that is the star. The unique blend of ordeals, experiences and traditions make it more than a trip. They make it truly a pilgrimage."

- The Reverend Sandy Brown, author of Camino de Santiago: Camino Francés

Contents

Map key
Map of the Spanish caminos
Overview map and profile
Route summary table

General introduction

What makes the Camino Francés special?
History of the Camino de Santiago
Do I have to be religious to walk the Camino?

Planning your walk

Where to begin?
Where to end?
When to walk?
Where to stay?
What to eat?
How many days should I allow for the walk?
How do I plan my daily stages?
Should I make reservations ahead?
How much money should I budget?
How do I get to and from the Camino?
How do I secure my credencial and compostela?

Tips for making the most of your walk

Topography of the Camino
Preparing for the climates of northern Spain
Understanding local cultures
Training for your walk
What and how to pack
Baggage and storage services
Walking sticks and trekking poles
Health and well-being
Pilgrim etiquette

How to use this guide

GPX tracks

Section 1: Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Pamplona

Stage 1    Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Roncesvalles
Stage 2    Roncesvalles to Zubiri
Stage 3    Zubiri to Pamplona

Section 2: Pamplona to Burgos

Stage 4    Pamplona to Puente la Reina
Stage 5    Puente la Reina to Estella
Stage 6    Estella to Los Arcos
Stage 7    Los Arcos to Logroño
Stage 8    Logroño to Nájera
Stage 9    Nájera to Santo Domingo de la Calzada
Stage 10    Santo Domingo de la Calzada to Belorado
Stage 11    Belorado to San Juan de Ortega
Stage 12    San Juan de Ortega to Burgos

Section 3: Burgos to León

Stage 13    Burgos to Hontanas
Stage 14    Hontanas to Boadilla del Camino
Stage 15    Boadilla del Camino to Carrión de los Condes
Stage 16    Carrión de los Condes to Terradillos de los Templarios
Stage 17A    Terradillos de los Templarios to Bercianos del Real Camino
Stage 17B    Terradillos de los Templarios to Calzadilla de los Hermanillos
Stage 18A    Bercianos del Real Camino to Mansilla de las Mulas
Stage 18B    Calzadilla de los Hermanillos to Mansilla de las Mulas
Stage 19    Mansilla de las Mulas to León

Section 4: León to Sarria

Stage 20    León to Hospital de Órbigo
Stage 21    Hospital de Órbigo to Astorga
Stage 22    Astorga to Foncebadón
Stage 23    Foncebadón to Ponferrada
Stage 24    Ponferrada to Villafranca del Bierzo
Stage 25    Villafranca del Bierzo to La Faba
Stage 26    La Faba to Triacastela
Stage 27    Triacastela to Sarria

Section 5: Sarria to Santiago de Compostela

Stage 28    Sarria to Portomarín
Stage 29    Portomarín to Palas de Rei
Stage 30    Palas de Rei to Arzúa
Stage 31    Arzúa to O Pedrouzo
Stage 32    O Pedrouzo to Santiago de Compostela

Section 6: Camino Finisterre/Muxía

Stage 33    Santiago de Compostela to Negreira
Stage 34    Negreira to Olveiroa
Stage 35A    Olveiroa to Finisterre
Stage 35B    Olveiroa to Muxía
Stage 36    Finisterre to Muxía

Appendix A    Stage planning tables
Appendix B    Major local festivals
Appendix C    Useful contacts, links and apps
Appendix D    Bibliography and further reading

Seasons

The route is best experienced in spring or autumn, though summer months are most popular. Winter pilgrims may encounter snow at higher elevations.

Centres

The route passes through the energetic, world-famous city of Pamplona, the capital of Spanish wine country in Logroño, the historic cities of Burgos and León and culminates in Santiago de Compostela, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Difficulty

The walk is suitable for all walking levels. No special equipment is necessary and stages are graded from easy to difficult.

Must See

The Camino Francés begins on the French-Spanish border and heads west across the Pyrenees, fertile valleys and vast plains of northern Spain to the tomb of St James the Apostle in Santiago de Compostela.

October 2023

Accommodation listing 2023/4

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