The Camino Francés runs nearly 800 km from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port at the foot of the Pyrenees to the tomb of St James in Santiago de Compostela. Most pilgrims walk it in about five weeks, sleeping in pilgrims' hostels; others ride a bicycle or walk only the last part. The eight sections here follow its main towns and churches.
The Pilgrim's Office in Santiago gives the Compostela to those who come for religious or spiritual reasons and walk at least the last 100 km (200 km by bicycle), shown by a pilgrim's credential stamped along the way.
Walking trail, 768 km · Camino Francés
Day 1 · Across the Pyrenees to Pamplona
- Saint-Jean-Pied-de-PortA walled town on the Nive river; the pilgrims' street climbs to the St James gate, and the first stage crosses the Pyrenees.
- RoncesvallesThe Royal Collegiate Church of Santa María, a Gothic church of the 13th century, and a large pilgrims' hostel; pilgrims receive a blessing at Mass.≈ 18 km from the stop before
- Pamplona CathedralThe Gothic cathedral of Santa María, begun in 1394, with a Gothic cloister and an 18th-century front.≈ 34 km from the stop before
Day 2 · Navarre: Puente la Reina and Estella
- Puente la ReinaA Romanesque stone bridge of six arches over the Arga river, still crossed on foot.≈ 22 km from the stop before
- Estella: San Pedro de la RúaA church of the 12th–13th centuries high above the Rúa, the pilgrims' street, with a Romanesque cloister.≈ 17 km from the stop before
- Monastery of IracheThe monastery no longer has monks and is open to visitors; beside it a winery's fountain offers pilgrims water and wine.≈ 2 km from the stop before
Day 3 · La Rioja: Logroño and Santo Domingo
- Logroño: Church of SantiagoA church rebuilt in the 16th century, with a large statue of St James on horseback above the door.≈ 39 km from the stop before
- Santo Domingo de la CalzadaThe cathedral, begun in the 12th century, holds the tomb of St Dominic and a carved henhouse.≈ 42 km from the stop before
Day 4 · Burgos and the Meseta
- Burgos CathedralThe Gothic cathedral of Santa María, begun in 1221, with spires of open stonework and many chapels.≈ 63 km from the stop before
- Frómista: San MartínA small Romanesque church of the 11th century, with carved stone figures under the eaves.≈ 58 km from the stop before
- Carrión: Santa María del CaminoA Romanesque church of the 12th century at the entrance to the town, its name «St Mary of the Way».≈ 18 km from the stop before
Day 5 · León
- León CathedralThe Gothic cathedral of Santa María, of the 13th century, known for its great stained-glass windows.≈ 84 km from the stop before
- Basilica of San IsidoroA Romanesque basilica; its royal pantheon keeps wall paintings of the 12th century.≈ 0 km from the stop before
Day 6 · The mountains of León: Astorga to Ponferrada
- Astorga CathedralA cathedral begun in 1471, Gothic inside with a Baroque front; beside it stands the bishop's palace by Gaudí.≈ 43 km from the stop before
- Cruz de FerroA small iron cross on a tall wooden pole above a great heap of stones, near the highest point of the Camino Francés.≈ 25 km from the stop before
- Ponferrada: the Templar castleA large castle of the 12th to 15th centuries above the Sil river, open to visitors.≈ 20 km from the stop before
Day 7 · Into Galicia: O Cebreiro to Sarria
- O CebreiroA small pre-Romanesque church of Santa María on a mountain pass, among round stone houses with thatched roofs.≈ 41 km from the stop before
- SarriaA Galician town on a hill, the busiest start on the Way; from here the paths are crowded in summer.≈ 31 km from the stop before
Day 8 · Santiago de Compostela
- Cathedral of SantiagoMark 1:19–20A Romanesque cathedral begun in 1075; under the altar, the crypt of the apostle's tomb. A Pilgrim's Mass every day; the botafumeiro swings on certain days.≈ 93 km from the stop before
- Cape FinisterreA rocky cape above the Atlantic with a lighthouse and the last waymark of the Way.≈ 59 km from the stop before
Official pages
Before you travel, check your country’s travel advice. Opening hours and the rules of the sites change — see their official pages.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · ODbL 1.0 — Walking trail: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0), joined and simplified by Bible Explorer.
Land outlines: Natural Earth (public domain).