Getting there
- Flights to Biarritz (BIQ) 40 km from the start
- Flights to Bilbao (BIO) 135 km from the start
Treks / France · Spain
Camino de Santiago: Camino Francés
France · Spain · Nearest city: Pamplona (also Bilbao, Santiago de Compostela)
TypeMulti-day trek
Days30–35
Distance≈ 780 km
Climbingvaries
Highest point1,505 m
The world's most famous pilgrimage walk, from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port across northern Spain to Santiago de Compostela.
Fitness
Demanding
Best seasonApril to October
High pointCruz de Ferro
Watch out: The challenge is doing it day after day for a month. Look after your feet from day one.
Why people choose it
It's the world's most famous pilgrimage walk, chosen as much for the people you meet and the time to think as for the scenery.
What makes it different
- A month-long journey across northern Spain
- Cheap pilgrim albergues every few kilometres
- A strong community of walkers from all over the world
Before you go
Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. We only list services that fit this trek.
Phone and data
Phone plans from the EU and EEA roam here at home prices. Coming from the US, UK or elsewhere? A Europe data eSIM is usually far cheaper than roaming.
Expect long stretches with no signal on the trail. Download offline maps and our GPX before you start.
Insurance that covers this trek
Most travel insurance includes hiking at this height. Check that hiking is listed and that medical evacuation is covered.
Rescue is not the same as evacuation. Travel insurance usually pays to fly you to hospital, but not always for the search and rescue itself. Read the policy's "search and rescue" section, or join an Alpine club: membership of the Austrian Alpenverein (it has an English-speaking UK section) includes rescue cover of up to €25,000.
True Traveller sells only to UK and EEA residents. Always check the altitude limit and your country of residence in the policy wording. Our trekking insurance guide explains what to look for.
Camping and where to sleep
Rules vary. In many mountain areas a bivouac from dusk to dawn is tolerated, but national parks have strict zones. Check the park's rules before you pitch.
Rules change and differ between parks. Check with the local park or tourist office before you pitch a tent.
Route map
Map layers load on the live site. Use the overview below meanwhile.
Straight lines between stops Start / finish Stop on the way Nearest city
Switch between Topo, Satellite and Street layers with the layer button, and turn on the marked hiking trails overlay. We don't have the exact trail for this route yet, so stops are joined with straight lines. Always carry a proper hiking map on the trail.
Stops: Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port → Pamplona → Burgos → León → Ponferrada → Santiago de Compostela
Simple overview map
Step by step
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Months before
Plan and book
- Book your first and last nights, and check whether accommodation along the way needs reserving.
- Best time to go: April to October.
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6–12 weeks before
Train and test your gear
- Take the readiness quiz to see how many weeks of training you need.
- Break in your boots and train with the pack you'll carry.
- Tick off the packing list to see what you still need.
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Getting there
Travel to the start
- Most people start from Pamplona.
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On the trail
Walk it
- Start early each day, so you arrive before the afternoon weather and the rush for beds.
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The finish
Get home
- It's a one-way route, so plan your transport back from the finish in advance.
How the season changes things
Best time: April to October
March to May
Spring
The best time for most people: green hills, wildflowers and comfortable temperatures.
Bring
- Light layers
- Sun hat
- A light rain jacket for showers
June to August
Summer
Hot, often above 30°C, with little shade. Start at dawn and rest in the afternoon. Fire risk can close paths.
Bring
- 2–3 litres of water
- Sun hat and long sleeves
- Electrolytes
September to November
Autumn
Warm sea and settled weather in early autumn, with the first storms arriving later.
Bring
- Rain jacket from October
- Light layers
- Headlamp as days shorten
Be ready for
Long days
Expect 7–10 hour days. Start early, eat little and often, and know your turnaround time.
Blisters
Long flat days on hard surfaces cause more blisters than mountains. Break in your shoes, tape hot spots early and change socks at lunch.
Heat
Start at dawn, rest in the shade at midday, and carry more water than you think. Electrolytes help.
Rain
Plan for rain on most days. A proper waterproof jacket, a pack liner and quick-dry clothes keep you comfortable.
What you'll see
6 photos taken on and around the route by Wikimedia Commons photographers. Tap one to see it bigger.
Gear for the Camino de Santiago: Camino Francés
Photo credits: Santiago cathedral by Fernando, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port by Hayden Soloviev, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Monumento a los Fueros Pamplona by José Luis Filpo Cabana, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Panorama Donibane Garazi by Quahadi, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Santiago de Compostela - panoramio by JCNazza, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Vista del centro de Burgos by Macarrones, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Photos resized for the web. Figures are approximate and vary with the variant you choose.
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