Camino - French Route F1 Galicia Spain The Camino Frances, or the French Way, is the most traditional of all the pilgrims’ ways to Santiago de Compostela and is the best known internationally. This specific route is the starting point of the Camino Frances. It begins in France at St-Jean-Pied-de-Port and finishes in Pamplona, the town famous for its Running of the Bulls festival in San Fermin, described by Ernest Hemingway in his novel The Sun Also Rises. At first, it follows the Route de Napoleon over the Roncesvalles Pass (1500m) in the Basque country, and then crosses into more gentle terrain in the great region of Navarra. This walk can be physically demanding and requires a reasonable level of fitness as you will be crossing over the Pyrenees. However, it’s a highly rewarding walk and includes numerous cultural highlights, as well as breath-taking sceneries second to none. Pamplona is also the home of some of the best tapas and pintxos in Spain. Additionally, as the beginning of the French Way is in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, the atmosphere is very special, full of enthusiasm, spirituality and joy from pilgrims from all around the world! Walking Tour Meeting: Saint Jean Pied de Port Airport:   Biarritz Transfer: Trip Brochure (PDF)

Packages and Options

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Transfer and Other Charges:

Sample Itinerary: St-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Pamplona (step 1/8) - subject to changes

The Camino is clearly marked with the “Scallop Shell” showing you the way. The walking can be physically demanding and will require a reasonable level of fitness. However, it’s a highly rewarding venture that includes numerous cultural highlights along the way!

Day 1: Arrival in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
You’ll be booked into a hotel in the heart of the small town. The rooms are en-suite.
Meals included: none
Overnight in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port

Day 2: Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port To Roncesvalles
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 Spanish 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.
Walking: 25km  / approx. 8 hours (ascent: 1250 m / descent: 540 m)
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Roncesvalles

NOTE: If you would like to walk at a more relaxed pace, we can arrange an alternative route (though not as rewarding) that splits this walking day into two stages (12km and 14km), staying overnight in the village of Valcarlos. Here you will be staying in a two-star hotel. This is route through Valcarols is no the usual Camino itinerary and the walk is not as rewarding as it follows the main road.

Day 3: Roncesvalles to Zubiri
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.
Walking: 22km  / approx. 7 hours (ascent: 90 m / descent: 550 m)
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Zubiri

Day 4: Zubiri to Pamplona
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 more signs of civilisation, with its reforested conifers and farmlands.
Walking: 21km  / approx. 6 hours (ascent/descent: 250 m)
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Pamplona

Day 5: Pamplona, end of the walking holiday
After breakfast, we bid you farewell.
Meals included: Breakfast



IMPORTANT: The Napoleon Route over the Pyrenees (Day 2) is closed for Pilgrims from the 1st November until the 31st March. Pilgrims need to use the alternative route via Valcarlos if they are travelling within these dates. Travelling on the Napoleon Route at this time is forbidden and all pilgrims going over the Pyrenees and having to be rescued before that time will be fined €5,000.

                                                Pamplona area

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average High Temperature (°F)	48	51	57	60	68	75	81	81	75	66	55	49
Average Low Temperature (°F)	36	37	40	43	49	55	59	59	54	49	41	37
Average High Temperature (°C)	9	11	14	16	20	24	27	27	24	19	13	9
Average Low Temperature (°C)	2	3	4	6	9	13	15	15	12	9	5	3
Average Precipitation (days of rain)	9	9	8	10	9	5	4	4	5	8	9	9

Source: NOAA


Seasons
The French Way in its entirety stretches from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago de Compostela, and is divided into eight sections. Some of the most popular cities along the route include Pamplona, Leon, and Sarria. All sections of the Camino Frances stretch across the northern region of Spain, creating very seasonal weather.

Summer
Like most countries in the Western Hemisphere, Spain in summer can be very warm. In fact, from June to August the temperatures in this region average at around 27°C (80°F). The sun is shining for a majority of the days every month. However, in Sarria in particular, there is a higher chance of rain.

Fall
When the season turns to fall, the temperature on the Camino shifts as well. Temperatures cool to around 23°C (73°F) in September, 18°C (64°F) in October, and 13°C (55°F) in November. As the temperatures drop, there is also a higher chance of rain along the route. Like before, in Sarria specifically, there are more predicted rainy days than sunny days.

Winter
As winter hits the region, the temperatures drop drastically. Averaging around 9°C (48°F) or 10°C (50°F), the weather in the northern region of Spain is typically rainier.

Spring
In March, April and May, the temperatures slowly get warmer. With temperatures increasing from 13°C (55°F) in March to 18°C (64°F) in May, the days still have a tendency to be half rainy and half sunny.

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Accommodations
Our accommodation is selected based on a number of criteria, including location, comfort, services, price and character.
Please note, in case of non-availability of the below mentioned Hotels on the requested dates, similar ones will be used.

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Hotel in Saint Jean Pied de Port
Night 2: Guesthouse in Ronmcesvalles
Night 3: Hotel in Zubiri
Night 4: Hotel in Pamplona

Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port - Hotel Ramuntcho
Located in the old town of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, Hôtel Ramuntcho offers guestrooms with free Wi-Fi.
In the same hands for generations – and with a suitably old-fashioned feel – it is located in a typical Béarn half-timbered house, with plain, peach-colored rooms, some of which look over the street, and others of which have views over the Pyrenean foothills. The simply decorated guest rooms are equipped with a TV and private bathroom with a bathtub or shower. It's part of the Logis de France chain.

Roncesvalles - Casa De Beneficiados
This restored 18th-century building offers a bar, free Wi-Fi zone and modern apartments with well-equipped kitchenettes. Each Casa de los Beneficiados apartment is decorated in light colors, with original beamed ceilings. All have a living-dining room with a TV and a bathroom with a hairdryer and toiletries.
The property includes a communal laundry room, and luggage storage.

Zubiri - Hosteria De Zubiri
Individually decorated, each room has a different atmosphere. They are equipped with a full bathroom and Internet connection.

Pamplona - Europa Hotel
Located 100 m from Pamplona Bullring, this hotel overlooks the famous bull running of the San Fermin Festival. Each room at the family-run Europa Hotel has a flat-screen TV, mini-bar and tea and coffee making facilities. Rooms are heated and feature a private bathroom with a hairdryer and toiletries kit.
Hotel Europa offers free WiFi.



Meals
Breakfasts and 2 dinners are included. Breakfast are eaten at the hotels and evening meals in the restaurant’s hotel or a restaurant nearby. It is usually a set menu.

Special diets and dietary restrictions:
We can only request dietary requirements to our suppliers for the following diets:
– Diabetic - Suitable for reduced sugar, hyperglycemic, hypoglycemic and carbohydrate controlled meal requests.
– Gluten Intolerant/Celiac also known as low gliadin, non-tropical sprue, Celiac disease, low wheat, wheat free, gluten restricted diet. A Gluten Intolerant Meal eliminates all foods prepared with wheat, rye, barley and oats.
– Vegetarian  (No meat – no fish). Nuts may be used as a protein substitute.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Tack:		--
Horses:		--
Pace:		6-8 hours per day, 69km total
Level:		(2 to 3 out of 5)    Moderate
Riders:		Min 1	Max 16

Passports

Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart except:

(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.

Note: EU nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU Member State. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. Passports held by EU nationals need only be valid upon entry to and exit from Spain. Possession of a return ticket, any length of validity on their document, sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit should not be imposed.

Passport Note

Spain is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.



Visas

Not required by nationals of EU countries regardless of purpose and/or length of stay; 2. not required by nationals of other countries referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days.

Visa Note

Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements