The Camino Francés is the route most people picture when they hear the word Camino: 780 kilometres from the French Basque town of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port over the Pyrenees, across the plains of Castile and through the green hills of Galicia to the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. It carries more pilgrims than every other route combined, and its infrastructure — albergues every few kilometres, waymarks on every corner, bars that open before dawn — is why so many first-time pilgrims choose it.
The route in four parts
The first days cross Navarre: the climb over the Pyrenees to Roncesvalles, the descent to Pamplona, the Alto del Perdón with its iron pilgrims, and the vineyards of La Rioja around Logroño. It is the most physically demanding start of any Camino, and the point where most new pilgrims discover what a 25-kilometre day feels like.
From Burgos to León the route crosses the Meseta, the high plateau of Castile. Long straight tracks, wheat to the horizon, villages built of adobe and stone. Some pilgrims skip it by bus; those who walk it usually call it the part of the Camino that changed them most.
After León the mountains return. The route climbs to the Cruz de Ferro, the highest point of the whole Camino at 1,500 metres, drops to Ponferrada and the vineyards of El Bierzo, then climbs again to O Cebreiro and the green, wet, granite world of Galicia.
The final 100 kilometres from Sarria are the busiest stretch of any Camino, because that is the minimum distance for the Compostela certificate. Eucalyptus forests, small farms, and a growing crowd of pilgrims carry you to Monte do Gozo and down into Santiago.
Walk the Camino Francés with Camino.Today
How long does it take?
Most pilgrims walk the full Camino Francés in 30 to 35 days, averaging 22 to 26 kilometres a day with one or two rest days in Pamplona, Burgos or León. Walking from Sarria takes five days; from León about twelve; from Burgos around twenty.
When to walk
May, June, September and early October are the classic months: long days, mild temperatures, albergues open everywhere. July and August are hot on the Meseta and crowded from Sarria. Winter is quiet and beautiful but the Napoleon Route over the Pyrenees is closed from November to March, and many albergues shut between December and February.
Getting to the start
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port is reached by train from Bayonne, which connects to Paris, Bordeaux and Biarritz airport. Pamplona, Logroño, Burgos, León and Sarria all have train or bus links from Madrid for those starting later on the route.
Difficulty
Moderate. Well-marked and well-served, with two mountain stages at the start and around O Cebreiro.
