The Highlights French Camino

Arrive into this delightful mountain town at the foothills of the Pyrenees. Surrounded by walls of pink sandstone, the medieval town of Saint-Jean-Pied- de-Port charms visitors with its cobbled streets lined with old houses, the old bridge over the Nive, picturesque façades along the water, its wall-walk and its imposing fortress rebuilt by Vauban, whose outline dominates the town’s skyline.

Accommodation:  Historic & Boutique  Hotels  / Unique Casas Rurales and Paradores.

Meals: Breakfast

St Jean Pied de Port is a beautiful walled city, with its amazing Citadel and the gateway to Santiago. Pilgrims from all over the world come to St Jean Pied de Port to start their Camino de Santiago journey.

The section begins with the medieval bridge over the Nive River, which crosses this ancient town, surrounded by its beautiful, historic wall. Following the sign for Chemin de Saint Jacques de Compostelle, a rural footpath takes the walker through the residential areas of Iruleya, Erruculus and Huntto to finally reach a wonderful viewpoint.

For almost 25 kms you will have to climb over 1,250m up between Saint Jean Pied de Port and the Puerto de Lepoeder known as the Napoleon route to the Spanish territory entrance, However all this effort won’t be futile as you’ll be awarded with the Atlantic Pyrenees awesome views, plus the satisfaction of surpassing the border following Napoleon Bonaparte steps.

Accommodation: Historic & Boutique  Hotels  / Unique Casas Rurales and Paradores.

Meals: Breakfast

Once in Burgos make sure you stop at the cathedral as the 13th century Catedral de Santa Maria is one of Spain’s largest and most beautiful and combines many different architectural styles but is predominantly Gothic. Rest in Burgos for the evening and have tomorrow to explore and recuperate. Spend your rest day exploring all that Burgos has to offer including the beauty of the city’s many buildings. Burgos is sometimes known as the Gothic capital of Spain and has a growing population of around 200,000. The week either side of the 29 June is the city’s main festival of San Pedro y Pablo. Caution is recommended in Burgos with common stories of theft and overcharging, so it’s best to keep your wits about you

Accommodation:  Historic & Boutique  Hotels  / Unique Casas Rurales and Paradores.

Meals: Breakfast

Today after breakfast you will have the day free to take the train to León and get to the next hotel on your own.

Accommodation:  Historic & Boutique  Hotels  / Unique Casas Rurales and Paradores.

Meals: Breakfast

Spend your day exploring this beautiful city and its incredible Gothic cathedral which is renowned for its marvellous stained glass windows. In the evening the narrow streets and plazas come alive when locals flood the local bodegas, cafes and restaurants.

Accommodation:  Historic & Boutique  Hotels  / Unique Casas Rurales and Paradores.

Meals: Breakfast

Today after breakfast you will have the day free to take the train to Sarria and get to the next hotel on your own.

Accommodation: Standard or Superior

Meals: Breakfast

After waking up in your Sarria accommodation, you will start the day full of beans, and start your walk towards Portomarin. It is important to make regular stops in places like the Santiago de Barbadelo Church, which is decorated with scallop shells. Another good point to take a break could be the Nosa Señora dos Remedios Sanctuary. 

After passing through beautiful landscapes and villages such as Ferreiros, you will arrive at Portomarin, where you can visit some places of interest, such as the Escalinata or Das Neves Chapel, just at the entrance of the village, or even the San Nicolás Church (or also known as San Juan Church).

Accommodation:  Historic & Boutique  Hotels  / Unique Casas Rurales and Paradores.

Meals: Breakfast

Though today’s walk is on the longer side it’s a pleasant amble through farming regions, sunflower fields and a number of picnic areas. On the way you’ll encounter Castro de Castromaior, just off the main route, St Maria de Castromaior Church o Vilar de Donas Church, considered a site of Cultural Interest since 1931.

After arriving at Palas de Rei, you could visit some local interesting spots and enjoy emblematic places such as the outstanding Pambre Castle just a few minutes off the Camino.

Accommodation:  Historic & Boutique  Hotels  / Unique Casas Rurales and Paradores.

Meals: Breakfast

A shorter distance with undulating terrain, today’s walk will see you travel through Casanova and O Coto on your way to Melide. This is where the Camino Frances and the Camino Primitivo – which starts in Oviedo – meet each other and the town has been linked with the Camino de Santiago for centuries. A busy town founded in the 13th century and has many historic buildings and churches including the Capilla de San Pedro and San Roque next to which stands a 14th century stone cross said to be the oldest in Galicia. The museum and the buildings around the Plaza de Convento are well worth a visit. Melide is also famous for Pulpo Gallego, octopus cooked Galician style and reputed to be the best in Spain.

Accommodation:  Historic & Boutique  Hotels  / Unique Casas Rurales and Paradores.

Meals: Breakfast

From Melide the path winds through woodlands of oak, pine and eucalypt, passing over several valleys though Boente, Castañeda and then Ribadiso from where you can see the Hospital San Anton, one of the oldest pilgrim hospitals in existence. From Ribadiso follow the country road on a steep uphill climb and through the outer suburbs before entering Arzua.

Arzua with a population of around 7000 is the last large town before you reach Santiago. The 14th century Capilla de la Magdelena is the town’s main monument. Arzua is most famous for its local cheese, Queixo, a smooth creamy cheese made from cow’s milk which most restaurants feature in some way and is definitely worth trying. The town also celebrates its cheese with a Queixo Cheese festival every March.

Accommodation:  Historic & Boutique  Hotels  / Unique Casas Rurales and Paradores.

Meals: Breakfast

Once again you will wake up in your lodgings in Arzúa, ready to head towards O Pedrouzo. Along this stage you can visit places such as the San Pedro de Lema Church, Ponte Da Pedra Mill and the famous Santa Irene Fountain, known among pilgrims as the “Fountain of Eternal Youth”.

You will arrive in O Pedrouzo, where you can visit relevant spots such as the Santa Eulalia de Arca parochial church, or even head for the majestic landscape of the Río Noa waterfall.

Accommodation:  Historic & Boutique  Hotels  / Unique Casas Rurales and Paradores.

Meals: Breakfast

After waking up in O Pedrouzo, we start the day with energy, walking towards our final destination of Santiago de Compostela. Finally, it is getting close, and you will be able to see the towers of the Cathedral for the first time from Monte do Gozo. Wandering through the historic quarter, you will be keen to reach the Plaza del Obradoiro and feel the satisfaction of having accomplished your goal.

When you’re ready you’ll take a trip to the Compostela office to receive your certificate – then it’s time to celebrate. And when it comes to celebrating, Santiago is one of the best. The stunning old town has an endless supply of chorizo, tortilla, Iberico jamon, pulpo and wine, while the atmosphere is unbeatable.

Accommodation:  Historic & Boutique  Hotels  / Unique Casas Rurales and Paradores.

Meals: Breakfast

In Santiago de Compostela, the Camino Frances ends. We would suggest that you walk around the city centre before returning home and not miss any details of its history and its churches. Today you have the whole day to enjoy and explore historic Santiago de Compostela with its many enticing tapas bars and restaurants. You can attend the midday pilgrims mass and look around the famous Cathedral of St James which forms the city’s heart and watch the steady stream of pilgrims arriving into the square as they finish their epic journey. Alternatively you may like to take a day trip out to visit Finisterre, the ‘end of the world’ or a shorter rooftop tour of Santiago, both of which can easily be arranged locally.

Accommodation:  Historic & Boutique  Hotels  / Unique Casas Rurales and Paradores.

Meals: Breakfast

Your pilgrimage comes to its end after breakfast today. Enjoy a final morning with your fellow pilgrims before departing but remember: the Camino doesn’t finish. A day off to visit all those monuments that, besides the Cathedral, have made this town so special.

Meals: Breakfast