Walking Holidays in Spain - Mainland - St James Way (El Camino) Hotel to Hotel Trek

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The famous Camino de Santiago, also known as the St James’ Way and the Camino Frances, is a five hundred mile trail across northern Spain which has been walked by pilgrims for over 1000 years. For most, the Camino ends at the magnificent Romanesque Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela – reputedly the final resting place of St. James the Apostle, although a further few days of walking takes the pilgrim to ‘the end of the earth’ at Finisterre with its downward pointing scallop shell signifying the actual ending and where Pilgrims once burned their boots. We offer the complete route from its start in the French Pyrenees to Santiago or onwards to Finisterre. We divide the Camino into stages of 7-11 nights to offer flexibility, depending on time available and ease of access to/from start and end points.

The Walking

Walking the Camino involves average daily distances of about 14 miles and follows well marked paths with good surfaces. Some days are long and where possible we offer a split with accommodation midway. In more remote regions, where accommodation is sparse, this is not always possible. We provide a step by step guide to the trek and location of your overnight hotel along with other supporting notes such as language and history. You may wish to spend an extra night in one of the cities exploring its architecture and culture, especially Santiago at the journey’s end to relax and reflect on your journey. On rare occasions, we offer a short transfer to avoid less attractive sections but if you wish to walk every step it can be arranged! We show the route as five separate sections starting in St jean Pied-de- Port and ending in Santiago de Compostela, which may be combined as desired. Each section has a brief summary followed by our standard itinerary with approximate distance, ascent and descent.

The Experience

Without doubt this holiday is about more than the usual joys of walking! The Camino may be walked  for religious or non-religious reasons or perhaps just the desire to hop out of the fast lane to reflect on life and refresh the soul. For whatever reason, a very special atmosphere arises from the comradeship quickly established between pilgrims of many nationalities - each walking for their own personal reasons. With our fully flexible stages and accommodation grades you can walk all or part of the Camino – many walk a week each year until completed….and then start over again! The experience is recommended for everyone from Church Groups to the solo walker, all joining together at the Cathedral in Santiago to witness or participate in the daily Pilgrims’ Mass – an intensely memorable and moving experience.

Variations

Our basic itineraries can be varied when possible. You may make the walking days shorter by adding additional nights, take rest days in one of the existing stops or stay longer at the beginning or end to explore the historical and vibrant cities. Just contact us with your wishes and we will provide a quotation.

Baggage Transfers

Luggage may be transported from each hotel to the next enabling you to travel with a day rucksack. Unlike our other treks, baggage transfer is an optional extra as many Perigrinos (Pilgrims) prefer to travel light and carry their own. See price section for costs.

Walk Grading

St Jean Pied-dePort to Pamplona  - Moderate to Challenging

Pamplona to Burgos - Moderate

Burgos to Leon - Easy

Leon to O Cebreiro - Moderate to Challenging

O Cebreiro to Santiago - Moderate

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The Route

We show this as five separate sections which may be combined as required.

Ascents and Descents are approximate to give an overview of the route with the first week being more challenging than the last. Our basic itineraries can be varied when possible. You may make the walking days shorter by adding additional nights, take rest days in one of the existing stops or stay longer at the beginning or end to explore the historical and vibrant cities. Just contact us with your wishes and we will provide a quotation.

St Jean Pied-de-Port to Pamplona

Grade: Moderate to Challenging

The Camino starts in one of the most beautiful regions of the whole route. St Jean in the Basque lands of France is a well preserved gem of a village although thronged by Pilgrims for best part of the year. Crossing the Pyrenees on the first day may be a tough start but the scenery is stunning, birds of prey circle overhead and the chatter amongst pilgrims lively and enthusiastic. A choice of two routes; our preferred Route de Napoleon taking the pilgrim high over the mountains, or the lower Route de Valcarlos, leads into Roncesvalles nestling in the Spanish foothills. Here, in this monastic settlement, the experience truly begins. From Roncesvalles, the Camino follows mountain streams through ancient forests and colourful Basque villages to Pamplona – Navarra. Here one can sample delicious Navarra wines and experience the most lively fiestas in Spain – a blend well matched. More details see our cross Pyrenees trek

Day 1 Travel to St Jean Pied-de-Port and overnight in the city centre.

Day 2 St Jean Pied-de-Port to Roncesvalles A choice of two routes today to cross the Pyrenees into Spain. Take the easier and/or poor weather Route de Valcarlos,

or the higher, more physically demanding but breathtakingly beautiful Route de Napoleon.

Either way you will cross the mountains into Spain to arrive at the medieval settlement of Roncesvalles.

Day 3 Roncesvalles to Aquerreta Easier walking today takes you along quiet country tracks through forests and alongside tranquil rivers as the landscape flattens into rolling farmland. Pretty Basque villages offer stopping off points for refreshments. The day ends in a beautifully restored Basque house (featured in the film “The Way”). (Day may be shortened by 3 miles/5km to overnight Zubiri)

Day 4 Aquerreta to Pamplona A shorter day of 15km takes you into the walled city of Pamplona. Spend the afternoon wandering the narrow streets exploring the many historical monuments and museums and absorbing the atmosphere of this vibrant city.

Day 5 Return home or keep walking………..

Pamplona to Burgos

Grade: Moderate

Many Pilgrims who have made their way along the entire length of the Camino claim that this  section, without doubt, offered the best walking, but perhaps their memories were infused with the luscious, vanilla scented Rioja wines! Beautiful it is. The landscapes through Navarra and Rioja are soft and beautiful. To the north and south snow-capped mountains rise from the fertile Ebro Valley enhanced by endless vines springing vigorously from the rich, red earth contrasting with velvety fields of cereal crops fresh and green in spring turning golden as the summer progresses.  Villages are fresh and clean with history oozing from every crevice in the soft stone buildings. Pamplona is a city worthy of exploration with its narrow cobbled streets squeezed within the city walls. Experience its almost constant fiestas, culminating in the infamous Fiesta de San Fermin and the running of the bulls. Folk in this region like to party and the flowing wines and fresh wholesome food makes walking this part of the Camino all the more pleasurable.

Day 1 Travel to Pamplona and overnight in the city centre.

Day 2 Pamplona to Puente la Reina Join the Camino in front of the awesome but somewhat morbid façade of Pamplona’s Cathedral and leaving the city you are soon amongst rolling green hills. These later give way to vineyards before a stiff climb over Alto de Perdon. Look back for stunning views of  Pamplona. Continue on, perhaps detouring to visit the spectacular church of Eunate before arrival in Puente la Reina.

Day 3 Puente la Reina to Estella A fairly easy day wandering through olive groves and vineyards, passing through pretty villages with Romanesque Churches, crossing rivers by ancient bridges and walking a section of the most well preserved Roman Road along the entire Camino. Overnight in Estella with its numerous churches, antique shops and spectacular Palacio de los Reyes de Navarra.

Day 4 Estella to Los Arcos Wine cellars, vineyards and vultures are on offer today (as well as a fountain of free wine provided by a certain Bodega to revive thirsty Pilgrims). Climb up to castellated Villamayor de Monjardin pausing to admire some exquisite silverwork in the Iglesia de San Andres. Continue to Los Arcos for overnight.

Day 5 Los Arcos to Logrono A pleasant walk today, although on the long side, through vineyards and rolling farmland with skylarks, red kites and kestrels for company. The village of Sansol, with its lovely Baroque architecture makes a good stopping point. As the day progresses, you are rewarded with fine views of the distant Sierra de la Demanda and Logrono in the distance.

Day 6 Logrono to Najera Leave Logrono – the principal centre of wine production for La Rioja and continue through vineyards to the fortified hillside town of Navarette. Caves used for cooling wines and storage of the regions’ famous mushrooms riddle the hill itself. From here the Camino continues on to Najera attractively nestling into pink cliffs with the Rio Najerilla below.

Day 7 Najera to Santo Domingo de la Calzada An easier day as most of the route crosses a plateau between the valleys bordering Najera and Santo Domingo. Your destination for the night is a bustling and attractive town where, if time allows, you can explore its graceful squares and grand 16th century houses.

Day 8 Santo Domingo de la Calzada to Belorado Another relatively flat day as vineyards give way to farmland with a diverse variety of crops. Rolling hills lead you from La Rioja into Castilla y Leon and on to Belorada. A town once famous for its leather industry it has a wide open square with numerous bars and cafes and fine views from the ruined castle above.

Day 9 El Belorado to Atapuerca The longest day of this section is initially uphill before descending to the beautiful village of Villafranca Montes. From here a superb ridge walk takes you onwards to pretty San Juan de Ortega before a final forested section into Atapuerco where in 1997 archeologists discovered some of the best preserved human remains ever found – 800,000 years old! The findings are now a UNES CO World Heritage Site.

Day 10 Atapuerca to Burgos The final day into Burgos is shorter, easier and mostly downhill …….after a short climb over the Sierra de Atapuerca. Stunning views towards Burgos and the vast expanse of Spain’s Meseta greet you from the summit. Continue down to Burgos where you spend your last night.

Day 11 Return home or keep walking………..

Burgos to Leon

Grade: Easy

Leaving the imposing city of Burgos, the Pilgrim can relax into a gentle pace and truly experience the vast emptiness and huge skies of Spain’s Meseta. This section offers easy walking before the challenges and stunning scenery of the Cordillera Cantabrica ahead. Rolling hills, rich agricultural landscapes and time locked villages with their adobe houses are the foundations of the route. People are few, birds of prey are many….kestrels, Egyptian Vultures, peregrine falcons, and Bonelli’s eagles to name a few. On the ground, see a flash of coral from the crest of a hoopoe and hear the sweet song of skylarks. Wild flowers provide a riot of colour amongst the endless cornfields in spring and autumn, while moisture loving plants densely crowd the rivers and streams. The destination is Leon with its magnificent Cathedral housing

Day 1 Travel to Burgos and overnight in the city centre.

Day 2 Burgos to Hornillos del Camino The Camino soon leaves the city and passes through attractive rolling farmland. Cross a few rivers, climb a few hills before reaching the pretty village of Hornillos. As no accommodation here, transfer to Burgos for overnight and opportunity to explore more of the city.

Day 3 Hornillos del Camino to Castrojeriz A day of remoteness crossing typical ‘paramo’ landscapes of bleak moorland. Folds in the gentle hills hide picturesque villages – some of the most beautiful along the Camino.

Day 4 Castrojeriz to Fromista Depart the beautiful castellated village of Castrojeriz by crossing a Roman walkway and bridge over the river before a short, sharp climb to Alto de Mostelares brings the reward of magnificent views. Descending across rolling hills of many shades to walk alongside a canal to Fromista with its fine examples of Romanesque architecture.

Day 5 Fromista to Carrion de los Condes Two options of route are available today as the Camino splits between a quiet but longer path with a distinct mediaeval feel to it, or a shorter faster roadside route. Both converge at the beautiful village of Villacalzar de Sirga. Overnight in the mediaeval town of Carrion de los Condes.

Day 6 Carrion de los Condes to Calzadilla de la Cueza An easy day of absolute flatness, much of the route following a Roman Road, but if skies are clear you will see the Cordillera Cantabrica in the far distance – stunning if snowcapped.

Day 7 Calzadilla de la Cueza to Sahagun Endless flatness, endless views and a birdwatchers’ paradise.

Day 8 Sahagun to El Burgo Ranero A choice of routes again, either follow the road or detour through the isolated village of Calzadilla de los Hermanillos with its fine examples of adobe houses. A few small hills, groves of trees and flowing streams signify a change in the landscape as you approach El Burgo Ranero.

Day 9 El Burgo Ranero to Mansilla de las Mulas The sweeping, open countryside gives constant views of the horizon and the Cordillera Cantabrica ahead. The complete absence of settlements and trees creates an almost desert like landscape with the land becoming more fertile as you draw closer to the walled town of Mansilla.

Day 10 Mansilla de las Mulas to Leon Hills and mountains now fill the horizon as you continue on to Leon. At the end of this stage, there are magnificent views as you descend into the city. Overnight in Leon.

Day 11 Return home or keep walking………..

Leon to O Cebreiro

Grade: Moderate to Challenging

Here the mountainous terrain has been moulded by the elements offering a true feeling of Spain’s ancient Maragato culture enabling you to experience a sense of ancient pilgrimage without the overnight hardships! In contrast to the mountainous part of the route, the Camino passes through the El Bierzo valley where its soft gentle landscape provides some delicious wines for sampling in the evening. Finally, entering Galicia, after a hard but rewarding climb up to O Cebreiro, the pilgrim arrives at one of the most significant places of the whole route - an ancient hamlet, often shrouded in mist, perched on a mountain top at 1325metres.

Day 1 Fly to Leon and overnight in the city centre.

Day 2 Villadangos to Astorga Following a short transfer to Hospital de Orbigo to avoid the busy suburbs of Leon, an easy and fairly level walk takes you to Astorga - another beautiful town to explore!

Day 3 Astorga to Rabanal del Camino Gently ascend to Rabanal del Camino crossing open countryside with far reaching views and ancient Maragato villages.

Day 4 Rabanal del Camino to Molinaseca A more challenging day, ascending to the highest point on the Cordillera Cantabrica, before descending to Molinaseca in the beautiful and fertile El Bierzo valley.

Day 5 Molinaseca to Villafranca del Bierzo A long but reasonably level day through the El Bierzo valley to Villafranca del Bierzo – one of Spain’s most beautiful villages. 20 miles (day can be split).

Day 6 Villafranca del Bierzo to O Cebreiro It’s a long, rewarding day with stunning scenery in all directions, ending with the climb up to O Cebreiro where you stay overnight to experience this unique location. (day can be split)

Day 7 Return home or keep walking…….

O Cebreiro to Santiago

Grade: Moderate

The final week of the Camino de Santiago starts high in O Cebreiro. For the first two days the route undulates through tranquil countryside with stunning views, bubbling streams and ancient farmsteads adding to the charm. Follow wonderful rural cart tracks weaving between stone walled fields or wander along quiet roads through hamlets and farming communities. The approaches to Santiago remain just as peaceful through small villages and eucalyptus forests. Finally, in the last few hours and with the anticipation of reaching your goal, you enter Santiago through its attractive suburbs to reach one of Spain’s most beautiful and cultural medieval cities. Passing through the Pilgrim’s Gate, finally stand in front of this vast Cathedral and feel a special and moving sense of

achievement – the experience is quite overwhelming.

Day 1 Arrive Santiago de Compostela or La Coruna and transfer to O Cebreiro (about 2 hours).

Day 2 O Cebreiro to Triacastela After an early climb up to Alto de la Roque with its imposing statue of a windswept pilgrim, descend through stunning green hills to the remote village of Triacastela noting the interesting ‘horreos’ (grain stores) along the way.

Day 3 Triacastella to Sarria A day of lush river valleys and hilltop views to the town of Sarria – 100 km from Santiago. This is the last point from which you can walk to gain the Pilgrim’s Compostela.

Day 4 Sarria to Portomarin Follow winding cart tracks to reach Portomarin, a town raised from the valley floor stone by stone to make way for the Mino reservoir. The village can still be seen when the reservoir is low A good stop for a rest day with historic Lugo nearby.

Day 5 Portomarin to Palas del Rey Quiet country lanes and tracks lead over the Sierra Ligonde to Palas del Rey.

Day 6 Palas del Rey to Arzua A long day of gently rolling hills as the Camino winds its way through ancient villages and farming communities. The day may be split in Melide – famous for its delicious stewed  Octopus!

Day 7 Arzua to Lavacolla Continuing through rolling farmland and forests you become ever closer to Santiago. Lavacolla is where Pilgrims reputedly washed away weeks of dirt before entering the city.

Day 8 Feel a special sense of achievement as you enter Santiago through the Pilgrims’ Gate and finally stand in front of the Cathedral – the sensation is quite overwhelming. 6 miles Ascent 50m Descent 90m Return home, stay on in Santiago ….or keep walking to Finisterre!

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Crossing the Pyrenees is best avoided in the winter months, December to February. There is a chance of snow impeding the high route in March and November, July and August will be hot when out of the mountains. The Cordillera Cantabrica and Galicia both share a climate which is influenced by its surrounding seas which generally gives more variable weather than the rest of Spain. Summer days are usually warm, but on some days temperatures may reach 30-35oC. Rainy days are more likely in spring and autumn but both seasons offer warm, sunny days, ideal for walking. Some snow and harsher conditions may be expected in winter in the O Cebreiro area. Burgos to Leon can be walked all year although summer temperatures may be too hot for enjoyable walking. Winter can be cold but clear and bright.

The table is just a guide and each section is different contact us for details of the best time for teh section you wish to underatke.

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